Page 162 of Rome: The Ballerina

Land.

Land.

You’ve got this Rome.

That’s right.

Yes.

Stick it.

That’s it.

That’s it.

Stick it.

THAT’S IT.

You did it.

You did it!

My feet landed, thudding against the stage, finalizing the performance. Trembling arms came down slowly as the music ended dramatically. Romeo’s hand joined mine. We stepped forward, linking hands with the rest of the cast ofThe Wayward Enchantress.

This feels good.

So good.

Applauses erupted. There wasn’t a spectator in their seat in the audience. Everyone was up on their feet. Cheering. Whistling. Chanting.

“That’s my baby!” Royce cheered!

“You did that, Rome!” Roulette’s voice was heard over the clapping.

Chemistry’s hands slammed together over and over. He was quiet, but he was still the loudest in the room. His pride. His pain. His love. It was loud.

My heart galloped in my chest as my body folded, taking a bow. That was it. That was the completion of my first show since touching Clarke’s soil.

I lifted my body and bowed once more. The applause was still plentiful. My eyes twinkled with tears. Happy tears. Sad tears. Painful tears. I allowed none to fall. It wasn’t the time.

Not yet. I urged.Not yet, baby.

I raised to discover additional weight adorning my head. My fingers slid upward, immediately accommodating the crown Cecilia was holding. My fingers quivered as I straightened my spine.

“You deserve this more than anyone, Rome,” she whispered. “Not only did you come in and rule the stage, but you overcame every adversity tossed in your direction. You are the Prima Ballerina. I knew it the first day I saw you pivot. So flawlessly. Asif you were born to dance. Not everyone has it. You do and Huff Theater wants to honor you.”

Breaking through the formation was a very familiar face in Huff Theater–all across Huffington. Hailing from Channing was the undisputed, undeniable Prima Ballerina Sleigh Knight. Slowly, she made her way over to me, lowering the sash onto my body. She, then, handed me the bouquet of red roses she was holding.

“You’re such a joy to watch on stage. So agile. So confident. So natural. You’re everything Huff Theater needs in a leader. Prima Ballerinas aren’t made. They’re born. And, you, my friend, was definitely born for this.”

“Thank you,” I panted, accepting the flowers. “You’re beautiful.”

“So are you.”

“I watched you perform when I was only a few years old. I had already made my mind up that I’d some day be the best thing Clarke had ever seen, but seeing you on that stage flipped a switch.

“It turned me into a different type of beast. I’ve never gotten the chance to, so I’ll thank you now for being a direct influence for my career and for inspiring young girls that look just like us all over the world.”

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