Page 132 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 1

Chapter 54

The first part of the week with Aaron was heaven for Anna. Their time together was filled with the ordinary activities of new couples—hanging out, going on dates, and sharing intimate moments. It was all new and absolutely amazing.

Tuesday evening, Anna took her customary place in the corner of the ballet studio to warm up. She smiled and thought back to spending time with Aaron. Everything was a good moment.

Tatiana, the ballet instructor, walked in and class began. For the first time in years, Anna lost herself in dancing. She closed her eyes and the music and her body moved as one. She was the music.

Anna’s heart soared with hope. Aaron was wonderful, and Alex had convinced Devin to let her dance more. What more could she ask for?

They moved from the barre to the center of the room. This had been her favorite part of class as a child. This was where she truly danced.

The music stopped suddenly. Anna froze and opened her eyes. Tatiana and the other dancers stared at her. Her lungs tightened in her chest and she sucked in tight breaths. She twisted her fingers together and hung her head as her dreams crashed to the floor. What did I do wrong?

Tatiana beamed. “Isaak always said you had it in you. I never believed him until today.”

Anna jerked her head up. “What?”

Tatiana shook her head. “Anna, what you just did... that was so beautiful. I’ve never seen anyone dance like that before.”

The other dancers nodded. Anna’s cheeks burned.

“See me after class,” Tatiana said.

Anna nodded, unable to come up with anything to say.

The class continued. Anna tried to concentrate and not draw attention to herself, but inevitably, she’d find herself with her eyes closed and losing herself in the music again. Tatiana just beamed at her when she caught Anna’s mind drifting.

After class, Anna waited for the other dancers to leave and hesitantly approached Tatiana. “You wanted to see me?”

“Anna, you have completely changed since last week. I’ve been your instructor for three years now, and I’ve never seen you dance like you did tonight. Whatever changed, keep it up.”

Words escaped Anna, but a gentle flame of hope danced within her chest again.

“I’m also going to speak to Isaak about you participating in the school’s Summer Intensives.”

Anna’s mouth dropped open and her heart soared at Tatiana’s words. The Summer Intensives were for the best students at the school, by invitation only. Two months of intensely focused and demanding sessions. She’d gone to them every summer until Jack pulled her from the school. She beamed. “I—Thank you, Tatiana. I would love to participate.” She couldn’t wait to tell Aaron.

“Good. I’ll speak with Isaak tomorrow.”

Anna bit her lip and bounced on her toes. “Thank you.”

“Have a good evening.”

Anna skipped out of the room, feeling as if she could fly.

Chapter 55

Wednesday evening came too soon for Anna and Aaron had to leave so she could get ready for Devin’s banquet.

Aaron kissed her and then opened the door. “Call me when you get home and I’ll come over... if you want me to.” He cupped her cheek. “Even if you get home at three in the morning, call me if you need me. Or want me.”

Anna chewed her lip. “I don’t think I’ll be home until tomorrow sometime. Devin told me what he had planned.”

Aaron winced. “Do I want to know?”

She looked away. “How much of my other life do you want to know?”

He pulled her close, cupping her chin and looking directly into her eyes. “I never want you to be ashamed to tell me anything.”

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