Page 14 of Pages of Amber

“Mom, please. I don’t–”

“Did you think Helena showed up here at random? She was watching every step, studying you as she will everyone who shows promise when passing through her theatre and dancing on her stage. That little show was not promising.”

“I’ll get better. I’ll practice the steps.”

“Ha!”Her mother whirled on her, her eyes blazing as she stepped towards Amber. “You think that is the answer? You think practicing the steps is the only thing you need to do? You need to have the passion, the spirit. Not some tacked on talent you inherited from me!

“Not everyone in the industry will bow to you because of who your mother is. If the only reason you have come this far is because of my success, then you need to put more than simple effort into performing because it will make or break your future and you will not be an embarrassment to me in my own house, Amber. Do. You. Understand?”

Her head jerked in response. She made sure to keep her eyes downcast. Her mother would only get angrier if she saw her tears.“Yes, mom.”

Her mother leaned away, her gaze still burning into Amber.“You will practice those steps. Every single Act until it is nothing short of perfection. I won’t accept anything less.”

Then she spun on her heel and left, missing the sight of the first tear that escaped. Amber’s knees weakened in her mother’s absence and she let the floor catch her as she fell, the agony in her chest weighing her down. Why did it have to hurt so much? She could taste her tears, smell her despair, feel her sorrow so acutely, it was as though she’d been stabbed right in the heart.

Perfection, her mom demanded.

That ugly, cruel, bitter word.

Perfection.

That beautiful, idyllic word.

It would haunt her forever.

Perfection.

Would she ever be perfect enough to earn her mother’s love?

CHAPTER FIVE

THE LUNCH TABLE WAS unusually tense.

Few words had been spoken since their first class. They sat in the dining hall, chattering around them high as students took advantage of the break from lessons.

Amber slowly lifted the spoon to her lips, eyes on her pink manicure chipped at the corners. She needed a re-coat before her mother noticed. Across from her, Beverly shifted in her seat, her focus firmly on her tray and her head tilted pointedly away.

Her hair was up in two space buns with tiny butterfly clips in it. She looked beautiful and Amber wanted to gush over the hairstyle inspo with her. Bev was a Pinterest girly through and through and had converted Amber from the start. Her best friend’s aura was so prickly though; Amber would probably have more luck striking conversation with a wall.

Lexi sat beside Bev, her gaze alternating their faces, phone in her grip and her meal eaten. She hadn’t said a word since they’d sat down but Amber had seen the put off look in her eyes.

Amber glanced at the clock across the room. Ten minutes to the end of lunch. If she didn’t break the ice now, they’d have to wait until the end of the day. The atmosphere between them was already unbearable. She hated this suffocating feeling. It wasn’t often Beverly got so angry with her that they got on no speaking terms.

She crossed her fingers.Here goes.“I know you’re mad about yesterday,”Amber began. Beverly didn’t give any indication that she’d heard her. Lexi looked over at her but said nothing.“I’m sorry for missing out on the restaurant. I was really excited for it. You know I was. I’m sorry I couldn’t go but I promise to make it up to both of you. I’ll plan another day out. I’ll get everything ready, fix the schedules and pay for everything too. I promise.”

Nothing.

Not a word or reaction.

“Are you going to say something? Anything?”

A heavy sigh left Beverly and she dropped her spoon with a clang. She looked right at Amber for the first time that day. Amber couldn’t find it in her to hide the feeling of relief. One step at a time, right?

“It wasn’t just any restaurant, Amber. I’d been excited about it for months and you knew that. You promised you would come then, didn’t you? Well, look what happened.”She scoffed.“I could even forget that you hadn’t been there but not the way you ditched us because it wouldn’t be the first time. We could plan a million surprises or day outs and be excited for it but the moment she calls you completely abandon us, so what’s the point anyways?”

“I didn’t do it on purpose–”

“Don’t.”Her hazel-green eyes met Amber’s, cold and unyielding as she said,“Don’t say anything if it’s going to be another excuse. We’re yourbest friends,Amber. It’s not fun getting left behind like that.”

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