ROSALINA'S POVAlright. I was done unpacking my stuff. At least most it.I wiped a bead of sweat from my forehead as I examined my new room. It was considerably big for a single person and I was satisfied with the settings. Although I did miss my pink heaven back in my home in Brooklyn, I had no objections to adjusting myself to my new room. It just needed a few Barbie posters and pink bed-sheets would do to bring that girly flair to my bed.After plugging my phone to charge, I decided to turn on the radio to fill the room with some lively tunes. I sauntered around my new room, my favorite pop song came blasting through the speakers. It was the latest and trending hit, "Good 4 U" by Olivia Rodrigo. The catchy beats and angsty lyrics filled the air, instantly energizing me and putting a smile on my face. I couldn't help but sing along as I continued exploring my new space, dancing to the infectious rhythm. My throat was parched from all the heavy unpacking, so I opened the fridge and

ROSALINA'S POVI knew I was late, and that wasn't a good start for my first day. I tried to shake off my earlier misadventure in the elevator and focused on the task at hand. I entered the ballet studio, feeling the eyes of my fellow dancers on me as I hurried in, trying to be as inconspicuous as possible. The studio was filled with the delicate scent of rosin and the soft sound of classical music playing in the background.Liora was already in the studio, stretching silently in the corner. She glanced at me briefly, her red hair pulled up in a tight bun as usual, before returning to her stretches.I hurried to the dressing room, grateful that I had my ballet attire in my bag. I quickly changed out of my sneakers and slipped into a pair of satin pink ballet shoes. I glanced at my reflection in the mirror, adjusting the bun on my head to ensure it was neat and secure.As I stepped out of the dressing room, I saw Mr. Bennett, the director, speaking with a couple of dancers near the barr

ROSALINA'S POVThe class continued for another hour, with Mrs. Petrova pushing us to our limits. Each plié, tendu, and grand jeté felt like a battle, but I embraced the challenge with newfound determination. My mind was racing, trying to remember all the corrections and tips given by Mrs. Petrova and Mr. Bennett, all while grappling with my conflicted feelings about my name.Mrs. Petrova pushed us to our limits, demanding perfection and precision in every step. The studio was filled with the sounds of tapping pointe shoes, graceful leaps, and the occasional exasperated sigh from a fellow dancer struggling to get a combination just right.As the class progressed, I noticed that Liora seemed to be keeping a close eye on me, studying my every move. I could tell she was trying to gauge my skill level, perhaps to see if I posed any threat to her position as one of the top dancers in the studio. I tried not to let her scrutiny get to me, reminding myself that my journey was about growth and

ROSALINA'S POVI sat there on the wooden bench, nursing my throbbing legs, the burning sensation pulsating through my muscles. As I stared into the mirrored walls, my mind wandered aimlessly, consumed by the exhaustion of the grueling ballet practice. Beads of sweat trickled down my forehead, leaving a trail of moisture in their wake, as I exhaled a soft, wearied sigh. Just then, a gentle tap grazed my shoulder, jolting me out of my reverie. I turned to find a pair of fellow dancers standing before me, clad in their practice outfits, their faces adorned with radiant smiles."Hey there," the one with blonde hair said, a big, genial grin playing on her lips. "I'm Stacy, and this here's Nina." She motioned to her companion, whose dark hair framed a friendly face.I managed a small smile, my voice a bit hoarse from the practice. "Hey, I'm Rosalina."Stacy leaned casually against the bench. "You were really killing it out there. New to the group?"I nodded, appreciating the warm welcome. "

ROSALINA'S POVThe sun had dipped below the horizon, casting a warm orange glow over the city skyline. I stood in front of the Stellar Heights Apartments, the exterior adorned with a modern aesthetic that exuded a sense of comfort and elegance. A chill danced through the air, hinting at the impending arrival of autumn. According to Chloe's description, the community lounge was on the top floor, just across from the gym. As I entered the building, I pressed the button for the elevator, hoping it would be quicker than my previous encounter.As the elevator doors slid open, I was greeted by none other than Frankie, the friendly liftman who had helped me get to my ballet practice. "Hey there, missy! Good to see ya again!" he greeted with a warm smile and a tip of his cap."Hi, Frankie!" I replied, reciprocating his smile. "Nice to see you too."As the elevator ascended, Frankie leaned in with a conspiratorial wink. "Word on the street is there's a new neighbor moved in right next to ya. Y