Chapter 2 : How It Started

My sweat is all over my face as I sitted  on the floor curling my legs for me to remove my pointe shoes. I practice enoughed for this day, I also need to rest for me to gain strength for tomorrow's preparation for the upcoming event of Zeneca Ballet.

Sighing, I rested my back on the wall while staring the white face towel hanged on the ballet barre inside this room. I don't have the strength anymore to stand up, that's why I didn't wipe my sweat yet. Maybe later, I just need to breath evenly.

I lean the back of my head on the wall for me to feel more comfortable and  close my eyes while my right arm is resting on my right knee feeling the silence inside the dance studio.  But then, the door open harshly creating an unwanted sound causing my brows to furrowed.

"Anna!" yelled by the familiar voice of a woman followed by the sound of her heavy footsteps.

I don't need to open my eyes to figure out who was it. It was definitely my sister Aliah. But the question is, what is she doing here? 

I breath out before I slowly open my eyes as the footsteps stop just a few steps away from me. I lift my head and smile seeing her wearing a white tutu dress indicating that she just arrived from her ballet rehearsal. But instead of smiling back to me, her forehead creased as she look at me sharply. 

"Why did you that?" She ask in gritted teeth flaunting the distaste on her face while looking at me.

Wait...What happen to her? 

I tilted my head, confuse with the sudden confrontation. I am not confuse with her bratty attitude because she's always like that. I just don't understand where she's coming from right now.

"Explain in details Aliah, I'm clueless here" I told her not wanting to start an arguments.

I'm tired. And I really wanted to rest. I'm not in the mood to entertain her tantrums and complains. And I hate cryptic words. I want her to get straight to the point so we can sort things out if there is a problem, or maybe we can fight it over just like how we usually deal with problems.

But on the second thought, I wanted to have a peaceful weekends that's why I'm trying to be calm because I am also a bitch like her. We might end up crashing like a stone and blow up like a grenade. 

But then Aliah seems like she's not letting it pass when she throw something on the floor making me flinch.

It was a piece of white paper making me to look at her with questioning. What's her problem really? 

"I'm a ballet dancer not a telepathic Aliah. This is so childish, honestly" I hissed feeling a little irritated because of her rudeness before I reached the paper.

It was a crumpled that's why I need to straighten it for me to see what's inside. And I immediately lift my head upon reading what's on the paper. It was my name actually, and slowly I understand the cause of her anger and irritation.

My lips instantly curved into a smile seeing the annoyance on her face as she look at me sharply. 

"Did you just smile?!" She exclaimed making me laughed.

She's so funny .

I'm not acting like a bitch, it's just so funny that she's making it a big deal. Shaking my head I slightly bit my lower lip finding a right word to say.

"Because you're overreacting Aliah. You're upset because we're going to perform on the same stage? Why?" I inquire, she looks really upset. She used to be calm, prim, composed and graceful in her every moves yet she's shouting and yelling right now.

"Why?!" She squeal "You're asking me why? Is this your way of revenge? I asked Dad before to enrolled you to different ballet school instead to Zeneca Ballet of Arts . And I personally recommended you to dance in the different ballet center instead to Zeneca Ballet. Perhaps, this is really your revenge" she mockingly utter glaring at me.

I pressed my lips together and shook my head. She really hate me that much? I am not that aware. Sighing, I crossed my arm still sitting on the floor.

"I never complained. You didn't heard anything from me the night you asked Dad to enrolled me in different school instead to the school under the Zeneca Ballet. So there's  no reason for me to plot a revenge against you" I explain trying to make her understand that I don't have any motive to plot a so called revenge that she's insisting.

Where did she get that by the way? That so ridiculous! 

But before I could utter more words to explain my side she suddenly laugh in sarcasm causing my brows to furrowed. 

Is she taunting me? 

"You're really good at this. Pretending to be kind when in fact, you're sabotaging me" she utter trying to control her anger for her not to shout. 

I shook my head and sarcastically laughed too. She's making an assumption again just like the usual.

I exhale an air before I force myself to get up, for me to face her. She look so furious while her eyes are shouting with accusations that her mind created to validate the reason of her anger. People usually do that.

They didn't know that accusing someone just to validate their emotions are like living in the world of imaginations.

"I am not sabotaging you Aliah. If you're  talking about my name that was listed as one of the ballerinas who will perform on the story ballet this coming anniversary, well you're taking it wrong. For me, it was actually a fair competition between the two of us" I explain still calm.

But I guess it was wrong for me to explain my side when she suddenly step closer as the fire in her eyes ignite.

"Fair competition? How can you call it a fair competition? You lied and cheated. You even used Dad!" she blurt strongly believe that I'm guilty.

I shake my head and massage my temple " I didn't use Dad" I whisper telling her the truth.

I never use my parents or anyone else for my own benefit. I never use my father.

My eyes narrowed as I heard her mocking laughed again. She's looking at me with those eyes of her that are full of accusations. 

"You're really good at acting Anna, you fool us once and I wonder how can you act as if you're the victim here" she unbelievably utter mocking me with her smile.

I raised my eyebrows upon hearing what she said. I suddenly feel confuse. 

Who's acting like a victim? I am not acting like a victim and I didn't fool anyone. What is she talking about again?

"You're just tired Aliah. Let's talk some other time when your emotions are fine" I paused and sigh "And I also love ballet. I hope you understand me too" I said and walk away. 

But before I could reach the door way she called my name again making me stop. 

"You asked Dad to join the event. Daddy told me you wanted to perform and he let you. And me? I worked hard before my name  listed as one of the soloist and I've been through a lot just to become the prima ballerina!" She exclaimed in loud voice 

I unbelievably turn around to face her. It was evident on her face how she loathed me, how she hate me just because I will perform on the same stage with her. 

I become speechless, I suddenly don't know what to say. 

"I patiently waited for my turn. And here  you are, suddenly came out of nowhere and listed as one of the prima ballerina too. You ruined my dreams!" She said as her tears stream down to her face.

I fisted my hand feeling the guilt that she wanted me to feel although I didn't do anything wrong.

Why? I also had a dreams that I wanted to achieve. I wanted to become the prima ballerina in the story ballet 'Swan Lake'. I wanted to become Odette. But I never wanted to ruined her dreams...

"We both started at the bottom Aliah" I mumble under my breath.

"No! You use Dad's influence!"she affirm so sure with her presumption.

"You don't know what I've been through. I also worked hard for my dreams Aliah "I retorted instantly lifting my head to met her fiery eyes.

She squeal loudly grabbing the bowknot snood net on her hair and throw it on the floor causing the barrette hair clip to slide just beside me. 

She's breathing heavily looking so mad and exasperated. 

This is not the first time though, and I'm sure that this is not the last time either. I honestly don't know why she's acting like this. She's so upset knowing that I'll be joining the same ballet center with her. Perhaps she's afraid that I'll be chosen to become Odette? 

I don't really know what are her dreams, because personally speaking I only had one. And that is to become the white swan. 

I close my eyes and sigh before I lean down to get her barrette hair clip on the floor just on the left side of my left foot.

" We both work hard for this. It's not just you Aliah" I utter gripping the hair clip tightly before I turn around leaving her inside the dance studio.

DAY OF THE EVENT...

I licked my lips and fixed the two black feather of swan on my hair. Today is the second of February, the 55th anniversary of Zeneca Ballet and the day I will perform on the same stage with Aliah. 

I'm honestly nervous right now. I'm anxious and afraid that I might made a mistake. I just hope everything will be alright although, I am not the white swan that I wanted to become.

I'm wearing a black tutu dress and cream colored pointe shoes. I am also wearing a small crown like Odette. Since I'm playing the role of Odile which is the black swan, they made sure that my face will really look like a villain. The black make up on my eyes is really beautiful although I'm kinda scary with my look right now.

"Young Lady" I turn around as I heard Gordon called me giving him a smile.

"How was everything?"I ask referring to other ballerinas including Aliah. We're not on the same room that's why. 

I look at Gordon's poker face. I haven't seen him smile ever since he become my bodyguard. He's been with me since I was a little.

"You okay?" I curiously utter seeing that he's quite unusual today although he might seem fine to other people. But I know better when his on guard. He's highly alert today. 

"Everyone are looking for you"he answer instead so I just nod my head not pushing him to answer my question.

Shrugging my shoulder I decided to find the others. And I saw them talking to someone that I don't know, but what caught my attention is Dad who's standing right beside Aliah. 

"Anna!" Jameson called me and I smile politely as I felt their gaze turn to me. 

"Finally you're here" Aliah suddenly said and cling on my arm. I look at her suspiciously but she just smile which is really odd. 

What is she up to this time? With furrowed brows I glance my father looking so strict and intimidating before my gaze goes to the four gentlemen in front wearing a formal attaire. One of the VIP I guess.

"This is Mr. Ambrosino, Mr. Gustavus , Mr. Silviso and Mr. Santorini" Aliah said smiling shyly and I can't help but to rolled my eyes and look away. But then she pulled my arm glaring me giving me a warning that I should say something. 

I mentally sighed "Nice meeting you all" I said plainly and then I glance my father. Is he not going to introduce me? I bet he introduce Aliah as his daughter. 

I heard them ask something and Aliah answered them on my behalf. I am disappointed with Dad. 

"Vicenzo my man, your silent" I heard someone said but I'm  not paying attention that's why I can't follow their conversation.

Aliah keep on smiling from time to time while clinging on my arm. What are they doing? We should prepare, I wonder where is Miss Gisella, our ballet instructor.

I'm roaming my eyes around. I really wanted to leave when suddenly someone invade my personal space. Instantly, I pulled back my arm away from Aliah and step back before I lift my head. 

An unfamiliar man surprisingly extend his hand in front of me making my brows to furrowed.

"Nice meeting you too mia signora"  he said in low baritone voice as he look at me intently with his piercing deep charcoal grey eyes. 

Who is he?