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MY HEARTS POUNDS RAPIDLY against my rib cage as I stare at the ballerina on stage only ten feet away from me. Irina Sokolov, one of the best ballerinas in the world. Gripping the railing in front of me tightly, I watch her Odile’s perfect fouetté turns—so graceful, powerful, with just the right amount of seductive spark. I mentally take notes on her posture, her facial expression, her everything because I’m the newest principal ballerina at ABTC, having passed my evaluation last month. But I have so much more to work on before I can even think about becoming like her.

I can’t believe I’m here.