Pirouette Read Free Page B

Eatin’ You.” Hannah grimaced. More ironic than the song’s name was the fact that it was by a band called Airborne.
    Noticing his sister, Adam stopped mid-song. “Hey, I thought you’d gone.”
    â€œNope.” She tried to turn it into a joke. “You’re stuck with me for one more night.”
    â€œCool,” said Adam.
    Hannah followed him into the living room. Hanging out with her brother had to be better than moping in her room. But as she sat beside him on the couch, staring at the large TV, she had no idea what was on the screen.
    Manfred walked in just as the show was finishing. Having clearly been briefed by Vanessa, he showed no sign of surprise. “Hannah, my love! I can’t tell you how happy it makes me to have you with us another day. I was missing you already.” He leaned down to kiss her.
    Hannah pulled a face at him and pretended to stick her fingers down her throat. Deep down, though, she was glad she had such loving parents. It was good to be wanted.
    Later that night, as she lay in bed, she forced herself to look on the bright side. Tomorrow, come what may, she’d be on that plane.
    She conjured up an image of a bright, airy studio, a group of passionate students and even more passionate teachers. She saw herself perfecting every step.
    Finally, listening to “My Love” on her iPod and thinking of a moving contemporary performance she’d seen on So You Think You Can Dance , she fell asleep to visions of herself as the female dancer, flinging herself headlong into the powerful arms of her love-struck partner.

four
    â€œI forgot to give you this,” said Manfred the following morning, slipping his Kindle into his daughter’s overnight bag. “I’ve downloaded a few more new releases.”
    Hannah looked up from her bowl of cornflakes. “Dad, I don’t think I’ll have time to read.”
    â€œSure you will. At least on the plane.” He picked up Hannah’s bright red suitcase and carried it out to the trunk of the car, while Vanessa once again issued last-minute instructions, as if in the space of twenty-four hours Hannah might have forgotten them. “Now, remember to call me as soon as you arrive.”
    â€œI will, Mum.”
    â€œAnd if you’ve forgotten anything, just go buy it.”
    â€œYes, Mum.”
    â€œHave you got your bankcard and your credit card?”
    â€œUh-huh.”
    â€œI guess you’re all set then. Oh, just one more thing. If you get homesick—”
    â€œI won’t.”
    â€œOkay,” said Vanessa, planting a kiss on her daughter’s cheek. “Fingers crossed that everything goes smoothly at the airport this time. And I hope you have a really wonderful time.”
    â€œThanks, Mum.”
    â€œI’ll miss you.”
    â€œIt’s only three weeks.” Hannah bent down and put her arms around Kimmy’s neck, allowing him to lick her face. “Don’t worry,” she said. “It’s not like I’ll be gone forever.”
    Adam, just in from a morning swim at the neighbor’s pool, came pushing past them. “Are you still here?” Barefoot and wearing a pair of board shorts, he reeked of chlorine.
    â€œCan’t wait to get rid of me, huh?” It was meant as a joke, but there was an unexpected tightening in her chest as Hannah hugged her brother goodbye.

    Simone woke up with the sun streaming in through the window. Though the curtains were drawn, they didn’t quite meet in the middle, and in any case they were too thin to keep the room in darkness. The bed opposite hers was empty. Everyone else in the dorm had a roommate, but for some reason Simone’s roommate hadn’t arrived. Though there were advantages to having a room to herself, like she did at home, it did feel lonely.
    Simone brushed her teeth, showered, put on a leotard and tights, and slipped a skirt on top. Then she left the dorm and