The crisp chilly breeze blew in all directions. The trees were rattling and radiating bright red. It was awesome but the sun was still brilliantly shimmering through the clouds. I was on my way to audition for the ballet company on my dreams. It has always been one of my desires to dance there. I was shaking with excitement but I was also trembling with anxiousness.

There it was, towering high over me, a colossal building, INTERNATIONAL WEST COAST BALLET. I heard the beautiful symphony of classical music playing and I thought that I must be late. Rapidly, I flung open the door and went to sign in. "Name please?" asked the lady.

"Valentin Silva" I replied.

"Okay, I got you right here on the list. It's the second floor, third room on the right. Good luck!" she said smiling. I nodded, smiling in return and followed her instructions through the elegant corridors of the building. I was already wearing my leotard under my warm ups so I was already prepared. I open the door of the studio and quickly relaxed when I saw the audition had not started. I found a place to go on the ballet barre and I slipped on my pointe shoes. Carefully, I made sure my ribbons were secure and held firm.

"Hello class" shouted the artistic director, Paul Cinsh. Everybody replies with a quiet hello. "Okay before we again, there has been some changes." Everybody exchanged worried glances to each other and then proceeded to look at Mr.Cinsh with extreme curiosity. " As you may know, the look of our company has never been defined. This year, I am trying something new. I want all of my dancers to be a certain look when dancing. The new standards are to be at least a minimum five foot six." right when he said those last words I almost collapsed. I was a petite dancer of 5 foot 2. I was in complete shock. The ballet company of my dreams was now out of my reach. First I felt melancholy and and then I became bitter. " You, you, you, you, you, and you. Please exit out the door." announced the director while pointing at a few girls, including myself. Feeling distressed, I gathered my things and walked out the door with no complaints. A few seconds later, I had heard the music begin. He had not even see me dance, I thought. He will never know if I could have been his future star, he never even gave me a chance.

The following morning I was still thinking about the day before. My mother opened the door to my room, "Valentin. Honey, it's alright. You're only nineteen, you can audition at many other companies. You need to be prepared for things like this. Don't let this get to you. It's just life" exclaimed my mother. I nodded my head reluctantly and she knew I did not want to talk. She stood up and walked out the door.

Quickly, I got dressed in my work attire and left the house to The Organic Café. I ate my banana parfait quickly before I walked inside the building. While I was working my best friend Mason Vandell asked if I was feeling well. I explain to him what had happened and he understood because he's also in the arts. "You'll get into any other company you try for! You're the best dancer I know!" He said grinning.

"Thanks. Now let's get back to work." I replied.

Later that night, I looked up more companies in the Seattle area. Seattle ballet had interested me and they had an audition coming up so I wrote the date on my calendar and sat in my room with excitement.

Two weeks had passed and the audition was today. I did not do much in my life since I attended community college and am looking for a dance job.Anxiously I put on my red velvet leotard and my favorite warm up. I walked over to my mirror applied some mascara. I usually do not wear makeup but I felt today is a special occasion. My mom and I had some toast together and she was super excited for me. A few minutes later I hopped into my car, a 1960s blue station Wagon and hurriedly rushed to the building. Once I got there I parked at a nearby parking lot and walked up to the building. I can do this, I thought. I will make it. I scurried inside and signed in. "Name?" asked the man at the check in counter.

"Valentin Silva." I told him. He gave me my number and accounted someone to escort me to the audition. I walked behind the woman and admired the beauty of the building. It was huge and carved so precisely. I thanked the woman when we got to the correct studio and I swiftly opened the door and found a place on the barre. A few minutes later the artistic director Mr.Kosovo voiced out a heavily accented hello. All of us girls replied with a smile and nod. He showed us a combination twice and we were to replicate it. All twenty four girls looked like mirrors. I gracefully tried to keep up with the older women, for they had arches shaped like the Arc De Triumph. They had beautiful lines and amazing turn outs. The girls were so elegant. I have not a slightest chance, I thought. We all completed the exercises and then the ending of the class arrived. " You all did well. However, only seven of you will get a position. Six of you will be Corps de ballet and one will be the new soloist." exclaimed the director. Number four, seven, eight, ten, eleven, and twenty. You are the corps De ballet." He had not called my number. I already started to gather my belongings when he called another number. "Number twenty five is the soloist." he called out. I had not even realized that this was my number untill everyone started to look at me. "Congratulations!" he voiced out. I was beyond thrilled and I think my face kinda showed it because some people started to smirk but I did not care. That moment, was the best moment of my life.

The following day, I had rehearsal. I was to meet at the studio at seven in the morning. I quickly got dressed and had a small breakfast bar. Once I got to the building and my class, I independently started to warm-up. A few minutes later, class was to begun. "Hello everyone. We will have an hour and a half class today and then we will have our annual showcase. It is where we have an opening of the season show for our company. New dancers will be featured and artistic directors from all over the state will be coming to see your show. I will continue this conversation when we start rehearsal. Now, shall we begin class? Any questions? " asked Mr.Kosovo. Everybody shook their head no and he began the music. I was so scared for the showcase. As a soloist, I will have to preform a solo in front of all the audience. I have not been in a company before and I am pretty young compared to other soloist. This was nerve wrecking. Today I quit my job at the Organic Café and I'm upset I will not being Mason anymore unless we make plans. I get paid well for my job now and I'm happy about that.

Now that class is over, rehearsal is beginning. Mr.Kosovo is showing all of us our parts and I'm pretty satisfied with my solo. Rehearsal is 6 hours today. I'm very exhausted.

It has been two months of rehearsal and our show is today. I feel prepared and I'm actually excited. I mean, I feel like I want to vomit but I'm trying not to think about that. My mother and Mason are coming to watch me today. I am wearing a silk, dark as night black tutu and it is beyond flawless. I am putting on my performance makeup which consists of fake eyelashes, eyeliner, brown eyeshadow, and white eyeliner. I think these suit my green eyes. I also get to wear a beautiful crown on top of my brunette hair. I am pleased in how I look for once and I feel happy.

Three hours has passed and now it's showtime. I try to look at the crowd through the sides of the stage, but frankly, I cannot see. I am about to go on stage and I just try to not let my feelings affect me. I remember that it is just like being in the studio so I try to imagine that there is no audience. My music comes on and I go in...

The fluorescent lights flash on to me and I begin my piece. Bourree, Assemblé, Pirouette! I peer into the crowd and I can see my mother and Mason cheering me on. I complete my steps so astonishing that the audience is practically cheering the entire time. I dance each step with such precision and cautiousness that I can't help but admit that it's beautiful. I manage to maintain my smile despite the pain of dancing on pointe and I feel so exhilarated by the end of my solo. I walk to the front of the stage to curtsy and I see Mr.Cinsh watching me. He had broke my heart. I finished my bow and strutted off stage.

After the showcase and all the dancers were dressed in their elegant clothing, we all went out to see the crowd. The people would applaud when each dancer went outside. I quickly walked over to Mason and my mother while people walked over telling me Congratulations. "You were quite exquisite. You looked beautiful out there!" cried Mason.

"I am so proud of you, my angel." said my mother.

" Thank you both so much, I love you two!" I replied. I gave both of them strong tight hugs when I got a tap on my shoulder. "Hello dear." I turned around. It was Mr.Cinsh.

"Hi." I said sheepishly.

"You were quite marvelous out there. I am so upset that I did not put you on my company. I am willing to make a change to my companies appearance just for you though. How about that, eh? A win for both of us. I could not afford to loose your dancing skills. You could bring a lot of business to our shows. "

"No. I would not like like to join your company." I said that and turned back around just like that. I don't know if it was the right decision but I had made a great achievement in my life that I was not willing to ruin. I'm happy where I am.