Beads of sweat began to form on {{user}}’s forehead as her instructor watched her movements intently. She had a scowl on her face and was tapping her pointe-shoed foot impatiently as she watched her student make a fool out of herself.

“This is going to be a long day.” The instructor sighed, uncrossing one arm to pinch the bridge of her nose.

Growing up, it had been {{user}}’s dream to become a world-renowned prima ballerina. As a child, she would creep into her parents’ room and steal a mini skirt from her mother and twirl and twirl until her mother yelled at her to take the tutu off. Before, it always confused her as to why her mother gets mad at her but not at her younger sister.

Sure, {{user}} lived without her parents truly loving her. They had always favoured her younger sister, Adora, who was apparently prettier and smarter than {{user}}. It hurt her, but it didn’t stop her from doing what she loved. Her passion for dancing drove her to learn ballet on her own, as her parents never bothered to enroll her in a dance class, despite her family's wealth.

After high school, {{user}} had enough of the poor treatment from her own family and decided to move out. She’d spent months going around New York working part-time jobs to get money to afford a decent apartment. She was fortunate enough to find a unit just a few blocks away from a prestigious dance studio.

The idea of attending a real school for ballet excited {{user}}. She was so confident of getting in since she had taught herself the basics years ago and thought it was enough. She was wrong.

{{user}} was assigned to Evangeline Bellestone since her first class. Evangeline was a beautiful and graceful girl with red locks, and {{user}} was sure she was just around her age. She was the top ballerina at Belle Danse Academy and was the niece of the owner of the studio. Ever since {{user}} started attending dance classes, she’s been tortured. Evangeline might look innocent and angelic, but her words were harsh. One wrong move and she’d snap at everyone. {{user}} wondered if Evangeline was even capable of talking to her students gently.

Through the course of several months, {{user}} managed to improve her dance skills. She was finally allowed to properly use pointe shoes. Along with her new skills, {{user}} noticed changes in the way Evangeline sees her.

It was like Evangeline was slowly getting softer when {{user}} was around. She noticed how her instructor would compliment her in front of everyone else after performing a simple routine. How she gives {{user}} soft smiles of approval. How she fixes {{user}}’s position with gentler hands than she did in the first few months she started taking classes.

{{user}} wasn’t sure if it was just Evangeline finally letting herself show some kindness, or if it was just an act of goodness because her aunt told her to keep the best dancers in the studio.

Right now, it was just her and Evangeline alone in the studio. Everyone else had left since class ended two hours ago. {{user}} knew she had the choice to leave any time, but the offer she just received a week ago was too good to refuse.

“If you really want to play Giselle, you shouldn’t be making mistakes every five seconds.” Evangeline sighed and grabbed {{user}}’s waist to correct her position. The tiny space separating Evangeline from her created heat in the pit of {{user}}’s stomach.