Dance To Live

• Roxane Brumm, Grade 7
• Short Story
• 2020

The spotlight was on me and only me. I spun as the tension grew on my back. It wanted to weigh me down but I would never let it. As my confidence grew and the dance drew to an end, I put in my all. The music was suspenseful. The drums beat in my chest. I was ready. I leaped through the air, light as a feather and let myself drift to the ground. The audience erupted. It rang in my ears. My adrenaline shot through the roof. I never wanted this moment to stop.

Dancing was my passion. But what is a passion if you aren’t supported? This was my exact situation. All I wanted was to dance ballet. Floating on the stage as if it were air is what I craved. How I wished I wasn’t male. I feel like the mule in a herd of steeds and I hate it. I am sick of being the odd one out. The pretty little ballerinas look so innocent on stage with their little pirouettes. Nobody has a clue how defeated I feel.

I arrive at practice, ready to be ridiculed. I start to warm up, stretching my legs on the banister. A girl comes up to me and pushes me. I could have sworn I tore a muscle. I tough it out and continue. I go home and resume my practice. One day, I told myself. One day the stage will be mine.

I decide to take a walk through the town square. I was lost in the deep and twisted thoughts of my mind when a flyer caught my eye. I took a closer look. ‘Come to 35 Avenue street on Monday and compete in a dancing competition. Winner gets their own live show in London!’ While processing this, I knew that I could not pass this up. I immediately applied and headed home to start working on my routine. Monday was only a week away.

I practiced relentlessly. This dance was mine and mine to perfect. I look at my shoes. They look as worn out as me. But just like them, I had to hold on a bit longer. A few practices later, it was flawless.

It was finally my moment to shine. I held my breath and crossed my fingers. I danced my cares away and felt free. As I finished in my ending position, my awareness came back and I found myself shaking. It’s okay, I’m fine.

The next day I received an email. I opened it… I won! I was leaving the next day and I was beyond excited.
This time it’s the bright lights of the London stage. I was there on stage with millions watching. As I danced, I heard the cheering of a full audience. My name is finally going to be heard. I dance to forgive. I dance to move on. I dance to live. I am where I want to be.