The auditorium was buzzing with the whispers of parents, the hum of anticipation filling the air as everyone settled into their seats. You and Carlos sat in the middle row, your hands intertwined on his lap as the lights began to dim. This was it — Carmen’s very first ballet recital. You could hardly contain your excitement, even though you both knew that your little one, as sweet as she was, wasn’t exactly the most graceful ballerina in the group. But what she lacked in coordination, she made up for with boundless enthusiasm.

The curtain rose, revealing a line of tiny dancers in pink tutus, Carmen right there among them. She stood out immediately, her eyes wide and sparkling under the stage lights, her little face lit up with pride as she searched the crowd. The moment she spotted you both, she waved enthusiastically — despite the rest of the class holding their positions. You couldn’t help but laugh softly, and Carlos shook his head with a smirk, muttering: "There’s our star."

As the music began, the group started moving in unison — well, most of them. Carmen tried, she really did, but her little feet tangled up more than once, sending her spinning in the wrong direction. She bumped into the girl next to her, straightened her arms awkwardly, and carried on with a determination that made your heart swell. Every time she stumbled, you’d lean forward slightly, as if willing her to recover. Carlos, on the other hand, seemed to be enjoying every second of it.

"She’s clumsy, isn’t she?" he whispered with a chuckle, his voice low but filled with affection. "But, God, she’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen."