Passion and Pain (Dancers and Divas) Read Free

the end it’s down to you. This school is only the beginning of a journey . If you put your whole body, heart and soul into it , you just might make it. But there are no guarantees, no matter how much talent you have. So make the most of every day . I believe with the right attitude and the right passion and talent , everyone here, has a chance.” She paused, looking exhausted.  “Welcome to Montacrue.”
    Elena applauded loudly with the other students. She knew it would be hard, but it was going to be worth it.
    The principal continued more calmly, telling them what was expected of them and encouraging the students to make good decisions both at school and in their personal li ves . She also introduced the other faculty sitting on the stage. The dance teachers were the W ho’s W ho of the entertainment industry - former dancers from some of the best companies in the world and actors from TV soaps and movies. Elena was intimidated already. The academic teachers seemed pretty ordinary.
    “ There’s your mom , Seb. Aren’t you going to wave ?”
    “ Shhhh . No need to announce it . English isn’t exactly people’s priority here. ”
    Elena laughed. “ Can’t get away with anything now .”
    He grumbled . The principal finished her speech and Elena began moving out to go to her third period class.
    “What’s on?” Sebastien asked.
    “English for me. You?”
    “Math . See you at lunch?”
    “You bet. We’ll swap stories.”
    Elena gathered her three bags and went to her locker first to get rid of at least one of them. Naturally, that meant she got lost. North, south, east, west - she could never really work it out unless she knew in which direction at least one of them was in.
    By the time she found the room, class had already started. Late day one. Not good. She opened the door and felt the stares.
    “Sorry, I’m late. I got a little lost.” Someone giggled and the two girls in the center row were whispering to each other while still looking at her. Real mature.
    The teacher stood from the desk where she was leaning and approached Elena.
    “We have a low tolerance for tardiness. Make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
    “Yes ma’am,” Elena said as she headed to the only empty seat next to a small girl with bright red hair.
    “Hi,” Elena whispered.
    The girl was typing furiously on her silver laptop. She paused momentarily and looked at Elena. “Hi.” She continued typing. God knows what she was working on considering the class had only started. Most kids had their laptops out. There only seemed to be a handful of students, apart from her, who had notebooks to write in. Another item to add to her shopping list , along with a roller bag.
    “We’re writing 500 words on what it means for us to be here,” the girl whispered.
    “Thanks,” Elena said. What did it mean to be here? Everything. A dream and a miracle. She tapped the pen against her temple before starting her story. She describ ed her fears and anxieties of being in the same school as these talented stude nts and her determination to succeed, not only for herself, but for her mom , the teachers at the Youth Center, and all those who helped her get into the school. 
    “Ten more minutes,” the teacher called out.
    The girl next to her had already finished and was reading a book. Elena was almost done, guessing at where 500 words might be.
    “Two pages with your handwriting should do it,” the girl said, not taking her eyes off her book.
    “Thanks.” That was weird. It was like she could read her mind. She had reached three pages , so she stopped.
    “Time’s up,” the teacher said. “Who wants to read theirs?”
    Elena was not too excited at the thought. The last thing she wanted was for everyone to know how scared she was.
    “Veronika?”
    The girl next to her sighed, put her book down and sat up.
    “The Beginning,” she said in a clear voice.
    She went on to read her story , talking about the application her mom had put in