Page 182 of Rome: The Ballerina

Confidently, I switched gears, careful to ease off the break after doing so. Saint was the first out of the car. He rushed around to assist me out of the driver’s seat. Hand-in-hand we strolled intoClarke Medical Center.

We stepped onto the elevator with our fingers still intertwined. I was elated to push the number four. It was a step down unit. A unit that signified healing. It was one step closer to going home.

Almost there, love.

I stalked the halls, conquering each square foot required to reach my destination. When we finally made it, I stopped at the door.

“Give me three minutes before you come inside.”

“I can just wait in the family ar–”

“No. I want to formally introduce you to the only woman I call a friend.”

“Alright.”

“Three minutes, baby.”

“Three minutes. I got you, Mellow.”

I stood on the tips of my toes, kissed his lips, and then pushed the door open. There she was. Tiana. Sunshine on even the darkest days, from the beginning of our time.

I loweredmy bag onto the floor. Almost everything inside came tumbling out. Forgetting to fasten the zipper always had its consequences and I was always paying them.

“Gosh.” I sighed, flustered from the mixed emotions I was feeling for the day.

“Here,” a sweet, yet bold voice called out, “Let me help.”

I lifted my head and found the largest round eyes staring down at me, accompanied by a smile wide with glee.

“Thank you.”

Together, we collected my things, hurriedly putting them back where they belonged. Orientation was starting in three minutes. I needed to be in position if I wanted to hear well and make note of any important details.

“New here?” The girl with the glowing skin asked.

I nodded, finally grabbing the brown scrunchy and stuffed it in my bag. It was the last item that had fallen and the last to go back in the bag.

“First day,” I admitted.

“Same, girlfriend. Have a seat. It’s not taken.”

“Thank you.”

“Girl, if you’re going to be saying thank you all evening, then gone take one of those seats over there.” She chuckled. “Kindness doesn’t need a reward over here.”

“Just a habit,” I sniggered, taking the seat she’d offered as I zipped my bag.

I sat down and placed the sheet of white paper on the table. While I’d assumed there would be a hundred and one questions on the form, there was only one. For nearly sixty seconds, I stared at the thick, black lettering.

Who are you striving to be as a ballerina?

“Easy but not so easy, right?”

“Yes– I mea– I mean no,” I stuttered. “Simple while remaining complex.”

“I’ve been going over my response in my head for the last five minutes.”

“It’s like I know but having the question here.” I paused, kissing the skin of my teeth. “I don’t know.”

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