Authors: Wendy Potocki
Running through two more short variations, they returned to Melissa's nemesis—the adagio. Partnered with Kurt, she listened to the familiar strains. The melody like vapor, it surrounded her in a cloud. Kurt did his best to try to get her to relax, but she held back. Disgusted with her image in the mirror, she compared it with Zoe. Becoming more rattled, the noxious girl had no difficulties, sustaining the grand en l'air for the full eight counts as had been directed.
“Relax,” Kurt whispered, unnerving her further. Even he could see the rigidity that was affecting Melissa’s long limbs. Everyone could, but she was helpless to stop her assault on the choreography.
The two couples finished running through the passage. Alexei approached Melissa, narrowing his eyes in a critical stare.
“Again!” he thundered. Rushing behind her, he replaced Kurt as her partner. Remaining like a third wheel for half a second, Kurt retreated to the sidelines to watch. Putting his leg up on a barre, he stretched out his hamstrings so he wouldn't cramp.
“Melissa, stop thinking. Just listen to the music,” Alexei smoothly urged, his hands tenderly grasping her waist.
While Kurt was a good partner, Alexei was better. His hands placed differently, they aided in aligning her back—the pressure of his fingertips making her feel secure. Her balance suddenly more over her toes, her hips floated above her legs. The feeling akin to riding her horses, the shift in posture allowed her subtle muscles to come into play. Her psoas initiating her stability, the bullying quads were no longer controlling the motion. A new alignment traveling up her spine, the top of her head became alive with activity aiding in stability. Feeling as if she were wearing a crown, her carriage kept her head level. An invisible string now running up the inside of her thighs up through the center point of her chest, it was as if she were a marionette. Her heart driving the movement, everything in ballet came from it.
“You live in the past, Melissa,” he murmured in her ear. The counts swelling in her chest, the exquisite arch of her foot rose as a breath. Rolling through until on full pointe, it completed full articulation. One foot caressed the supporting leg’s ankle. Waiting a half-second before the coupé began its ascent to passé, she hadn’t been able to delay that elemental movement before today. Suddenly easy, all she had to do was listen to the voice that filled her consciousness with its ordered tones.
“It is easy to get lost in the past, but crucial you live in the present. It is in the here and now that you need to stay. There is nothing you can do about someone that does not give you what you need. And to stop trusting is not wise. Can't you feel me behind you? You can rely on me. I am here only for you, Melissa. I will never let you down,” he whispered, his hand moving around to the front of her ribs. Pressing against his palm, it allowed her room to stretch. Arching her back, she raised her leg in an attitude en rear. He was right. Not everyone was her mother. Not everyone in life would disappoint her. Only by making herself available to all the world had to offer would she overcome her fears.
Alexei began the promenade, her weight balanced over the paste box of her shoe. Feeling as light as air, she was more centered than ever before. Lifting his arm above her head, he turned her as if she were under his spell.
“This is good. You are listening, and the music? It plays only for you. Let it guide you—let me guide you. You can be great, but you fight your own talents. Don't fight, succumb to the movement. Let it takeover. It is like love. You must accept love and it will find you, but if you feel underserving, you only drive it away. Realize that you're strong.
It is in strength you will find the courage to surrender. Let go-o-o-o-o,” he urged. Letting the last vowel resonate, it struck at her like a gong to a chime.
All the things he was saying were so true. As if reading her mind, she did have a hard time trusting—and never felt worthy enough to be loved, but there was no reason for her to live that way forever. If she did, she'd let her mother win. Taking his advice, she broke through her hard shell. Yielding to the music, she was no longer thinking about technique.
As the crescendo neared, the classroom disappeared. The notes swirling around her, they became a part of her. Driving her legs into the ground, they lifted her torso. Her image in the mirror filmy, it was as if she were gazing at it through diaphanous gauze. Her insecurity stilled, the change in perspective allowed her fragile ego to drop its protective coating that kept her from experiencing life. It was no good being surrounded in such sadness. No good to think that just because something happened one time, it would happen again. Staring at herself, she found that she didn't recognize the girl in the mirror. All her critical judgments about what she was were discarded. Only an instrument to be used by a muse, she stood on the precipice ready to jump off the cliff.
Initiating the movement to execute a developpé à la seconde, it was here she usually fell apart. Instead, she fell into it. In another world, it was a world of happiness and mirth. A world where there wasn't anything but music and dance and endless possibilities.
Her toe lifting, she brought her leg out from underneath. Extending from the knee, her leg unfurled. Holding it to the side, her foot was fully pointed, her leg no longer heavy. Not weighing her down, it didn’t pull her off her supporting side. As light as a feather, Melissa breathed into the movement. Alexei was so right—the music was telling her when to move. From the corner of her eye, she saw she'd attracted an audience. Una and her grandmother standing in the hallway, they wandered in, Una keeping a hand over her heart.
From the ceiling, sparkling sequins seemed to fall like snowflakes around Melissa. Like the sun, she occupied the center of all things. Time became like putty. No longer the taskmaster, she could slow it down or speed it up with silent commands. Everything moving around her in perfect balance and symmetry, Alexei's hands gathered her up. The signal that she was almost done, there was only the fouetté that ended in the handless fish dive. Taking a deep breath, she relevéd. Her right leg flashing out, she whipped it to second. The force causing her to rotate several times, her shoulder stopped the momentum. Deliciously seduced into executing a perfect ending, her back arched. Clenching her hamstrings together, she posed in his arms, looking up into his handsome face.
Letting the majesty of the moment sink in, they held the pose for a long time. The sound of applause drawing Melissa out of her dream, Una and Anna were clapping. Kurt joining in, Justin did also. Only Zoe remained outside the circle of adoring admirers giving kudos to the young girl.
“You were marvelous, my little dancer,” Una gushed, tears glistening in her eyes. Rushing to her, she grabbed her hands, kissing her cheeks. “Oh, my Alexei has brought it out of you! He is a genius, and you are a beautiful dancer!”
“I agree,” Anna said gently. “You’ve always reminded me of my daughter. She was the best that ever was, but you? You can be this good—maybe better,” she acknowledged with a wry smile.
Melissa didn't know what to say. Alexei had unlocked a part of her that no one else had reached. Gratefully thanking the well-wishers, she turned, hugging Alexei around the neck.
“Thank you!” she said in a fervent hush.
Taking her by the hand, he stared into her eyes. “I did nothing that wasn't there. It was you, Melissa.” Leading her to the front of the classroom, he spoke in an authoritative tone. “If I can have everyone's attention. Thank you all, but the competition is over. I have found my star. Melissa Solange will be my Desirée. She will dance with me.”
Not believing her ears, the startled faces of the others encircled her. Looking on in wonder and surprise, she didn't blame them for feeling that way. Experiencing much the same, a flush of embarrassment reddened her cheeks. Humbly standing, she was overwhelmed by the urge to cry.
Kurt ran to her, hugging her lightly before kissing her cheek. Justin shook her hand, while Zoe took two steps backwards as if struck by lightning. Snatching her bag, she angrily left the celebration.
Chapter Thirty-thre
e
“Do you see him?” Melissa asked as she poked Collette in her ribs.
“See who?”
“Oh, dear Lord! The guy I told you about!” she whispered, clearly annoyed that Collette was ignoring her.
“Where?” her friend asked. Whipping her head around, she tried to catch sight of the man in the black leather jacket that Melissa insisted was following her.
“Forget it!” Melissa snapped. Thrusting her mittened hands into her pockets, the numerous plastic shopping bags hanging around her forearms made a rustling sound. “He's gone now! You think you could do me a favor by taking one thing I say seriously?”
“Hey, I'm sorry, but why are you getting so upset?” Collette replied. Rethinking her cavalier remark, two friends had vanished and here Missy was convinced she was being followed around. It was enough of a reason. “Never mind. I understand why you are,” she allowed. “I'll look from now on.”
Melissa took the peace offering. It wasn't worth fighting the entire world—especially after she'd made that breakthrough in class. Still not believing that she was cast as Desiree, it was a dream come true. However, the victory was tainted with guilt at feeling happiness in the midst of the tragic circumstances.
“I'm sorry, too,” Melissa acquiesced, giving her a small smile.
“Melissa!” Todd shouted. Running up from behind, he took her arm.
“Hi, Todd!” she responded. “You remember my friend, Collette.”
“Yes, it's nice to see you again. Sorry about the other day. Hope they weren't too rough on you.”
“No, they just wanted to find Tina—like we all do.”
“Any word?” Melissa asked.
“Oh, plenty of words—none verified, but we'll soon have help. The FBI is getting involved.”
“Don't know why they didn't before this,” Collette remarked.
“Well, it’s because Brandi Cappella seemed to have left voluntarily, but now with two girls gone …”
“The whole thing is unbelievable,” Melissa remarked. “I hope they find them.”
“They will,” he said pausing. “You two doing some Christmas shopping?”
“Yeah, and I guess celebrating,” Collette replied.
“Celebrating?” Todd queried.
“Yes, Melissa received some great news. She won the lead in the upcoming production.”
“What?” Pushing back his hat, he put his hands on his hips. “That's fantastic!” Reaching out, he gave her a hug. “Look, I’ve got to do a double shift today, but tomorrow I’m off. I'd love to take you out for an official celebration. You're welcome to come too, Collette.”
“I don't know.”
“I think you should go,” Collette prompted. “It really is an achievement, and your having fun isn't going to have anything to do with whether Tina and Brandi are found.”
“I suppose, but I feel so bad about being happy when all this is going on,” she admitted.
“No reason to. You’re allowed to be happy. One has nothing to do with the other,” Collette consoled.
“What about you?” Todd asked Collette.
“Oh, no, I don't want to ruin the evening by tagging along.”
“You wouldn't be ruining anything!” Melissa countered.
“No, you wouldn't. In fact, I'd like you to come,” Todd insisted.
“Okay, then. Yeah, sure, why not,” she giggled.
“Done. See you both at 7:00,” he said giving Melissa a quick kiss on her cheek, and taking his leave.
“He's such a nice guy,” Collette commented, watching him sprint away.
“Oh, him you watch!” Melissa remarked sarcastically.
Collette pinched her buddy’s arm through her thick winter jacket.
“Ow!” Melissa squealed, giggling lightly. “Oh, there's the bus!” Taking off, she waved her arm for Collette to hurry. Paying their fare, they took seats in the back. Stretching out their legs, they let their packages spill onto the ground.
“This feels good. How many hours do you think we're on our feet?” Collette asked.
“I have no idea, but it feels like about a million.”
“Our poor feetsies,” her friend complained, removing her boots and wiggling her toes.
“They hurting you?”
A look of contempt flushed the usually complacent features. “You kidding me or something?”
“Whoa!” Melissa remarked, holding up her hand. Digging through one of her shopping bags, she pulled out a rectangular box, passing it to Collette. “Here. I was going to wait until it was closer to Christmas to give it to you, but why when you're this grumpy.”
“A foot kit?”
“Yeah, it's got a vibrator, a roller, and ball. Even some kind of aromatherapy relaxant for your stinky feet,” Melissa quipped.
“They do not smell!” she chuckled.
“Maybe not to you, but to the rest of us that are subjected to that odor, p-hew!” she teased, holding her nose as Collette tore open the package. Wasting no time, she took out the small wooden roller. Placing it on the floor, she ran her foot over it.
“Ah, that does feel good! Thanks, pal. You are the bestest. I'd give you your gift, but I'm in heaven right now.”
“You bought me something? You sneaky little ...”