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Natalia

Five months later

“Miss Natalia Dupont” I sat on the bench behind the stage with my eyes closed I could hear my name called over a small microphone “Natalia Dupont?”

“Yes, yes I’m here”

I darted froe hand to let the , but I alking through it I had to walk through it I had to push the doubts and the fears to the side with vicious kicks and shoves, or else they would trap me and suffocate me into paralysis And that wasn’t an option today

The three members of the ballet troupe auditions co a clipboard I hoped to see a fao—but they were strangers

Thean original piece”

“Yes, that is correct” I hoped my voice didn’t sound as shaky to them as it did in my head

I had been here before Two years ago, I was a part of this exact audition I had been selected fro to become prima ballerina It almost seemed unfair that I had to start over, but I couldn’t focus on those things Life wasn’t fair

I was stronger now Stronger because I had to struggle Stronger because I had to work through er because I survived as a Goddess and s seemed so clear to me

“Are you ready to begin?” He pulled his glasses to the bridge of his nose and scribbled so on the paper I wished he wouldmy bio

“I ae and shts dimmed

The fear evaporated as I raisedfor the ht crackle of the record before the piano and violin started

This was hoed The e

It didn’t matter that it was March in Texas, the sun hit me in the face when I opened the back door to the theater I dug throughlot