“KAT!” “Wake up, you are going to be late!”
“Ugh I’m coming Mom”
For the longest time the only thing I’ve known was the feel of ballet shoes around my tired feet, and the smell of the wood from the dance floor. But today I am determined to trade in my point shoes for some cleats and some shin guards. This would only cause drama between mom and I but I don’t care! I am going to skip this audition and go for soccer tryouts.
From the time I could walk my only footsteps were those of dancing steps. Dancing has been my life since I could remember and today I am taking steps towards making it my career. Every year around the spring time the American Ballet Association comes to every dance school around my home town of Eustis, Florida looking for young girls my age to be in their academy. If they are chosen from their audition then they go on to become agents there at the academy and can become professional ballet dancers on Broadway.
Running a tad bit late this very important morning I quickly jumped out of bed and ran to my closet found the cleanest leotard and tights. Continued to throw up the great mass of thick golden blonde hair in a quick tight bun and ran downstairs to meet mom, who is always patiently waiting for me with toast and orange juice.
Now I know my mom is my biggest fan and number one believer, but sometimes she can be just too much. Not only does she take me to every audition, and every recital but also is the typical stage mom who made sure every sequin was always in place. She would make sure that every bow was tied just right and that me, her daughter, always looked just like a little doll. But sometimes I wonder if maybe I am living her dream and not my own. This was the one thing my mom lacked, because I feel like she has pushed me too far now. This dance career isn’t my dream, I want more for myself, but why can’t she see that? For as long as I can remember, she has been the guiding force behind all of my decisions. I know that if I make this audition today all I will be doing is making her dream come true, but what about my own dream?
Around the same time as the audition there was also tryouts for the recreation soccer team in town and this time I am not going to miss it. Little does mom know but my real “first love” was soccer. Even though I have been a dancer I have always had the feel for soccer in my blood, just like my dad. See he died when I was only four, and he was the head coach of our town’s number one soccer team. But then when he died of a fatal car accident the team went to hell and never recovered. I can still remember those Saturday games, standing by dad’s side, being his “assistant” coach; as he would say; with him. I would call some plays. Never forgetting dad’s warm hugs as we lead his team to victory, he was my night and shining armor. He was my hero. At that point I knew soccer was what I wanted. Maybe you could say I wanted to play because I was interested in the sport, but I feel as though it runs deeper in me than that. Maybe it is because I want to make dad happy, whatever the reason I have to at least try.
Mom didn’t take his death too well and couldn’t even look at a soccer field. Every time we passed the field where he coached, she would burst into tears and have to pull off the side of the road. Maybe that’s why she forced me to dance. To get her mind away from the one thing that linked her to her forever gone love. All I know is I want to play, just like my dad, give his spirit back to the team. And today I’m going to do it!
Eleven o’clock and prime time for the audition. Mom drove me of course and patiently waited outside for the news. But little did she know, that I had a plan of my own. It was perfect all I have to do is walk into the audition room and then find the emergency exit door and pretend to feel as though a bit nervous. Then take a step outside to take a breather but then quickly put on some cleats and run a mile down the road to where the soccer field is without mom knowing.
“Perfect I’m free!” I then quickly ran down the road, to find girls all practicing down on the field. I approached the field and had high hopes but also felt the butterflies rising in my stomach. Embarking on something new has always been a terrifying thing me but this is something “I want” and I will stop at nothing to get it!
Except for the tiny fact that her mother was close on her trail. Somehow Kat’s mom snuck into the audition to get a quick peak at her star daughter. When she realized she wasn’t there panic struck and now every police that could be dispatched, in their small town, were on her trail.
“Katrina Anderson!” Boomed over the load megaphone. They had found her. There stood about five police cars and her mother who was in tears.
“Kat, what are you doing?”…
“BEEP, BEEP, BEEP!”
“Oh no, I’m going to be late! I almost over slept my audition!”
Running frantically down the steps I bump into mom and just grin, because as usual I am late again. No problem I’ll just have to hurry up and eat in the car.
“Kat why are you so silent this morning, nervous?” mom replies.
Man that dream was so real. She will never forgive me for this but I know what’s right in my heart even though she may be crushed. I just have to hope she knows how much I love her for her guidance…
10:15 a.m. Audition time
“Next!” “Katrina Anderson!”
Living In The Past : Exploratory D
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