“1, 2, 3 and 4, leap 5, 6, pique 7, 8.” Dara landed out of her attitude leap with perfection, just on time with the counts. She smiled to herself and adjusted her pink wool leg warmers so they weren’t past her ankles impairing her dancing in anyway.
She looked up at the mirrored wall and prepared to do a pirouette “1, 2, 3, 4” she counted to herself. On the count of 4 she picked up her left leg from preparation position and connected it to her knee, spinning 3 times before landing exactly how she took off. “8.” She said right as she landed.

She rubbed her ankles a little trying to take the pain of dancing 5 straight hours in pionté shoes away. She walked over to one side of the room and proceeded to do Chaînés turns into side leap. “If you keep pushing yourself this way you won’t even make to that audition, you’ll be in the hospital for exhaustion.” Dara turned to see her dance teacher standing in the door way leaning on it lightly.

She smiled weakly “They’re looking for perfection Chaerin, I’m not perfect yet.” Even though Chaerin was the same age as Dara she was still a certified dance instructor, though it was weird to Dara; to have her best friend as her instructor. “Hunn, if you aren’t perfect I don’t who is. But hurry up and get outta here, Teddy is picking me up soon and I don’t want to come back and find you still practicing.”

Dara laughed at her friend’s serious expression and added almost beggingly “One more hour.”

“LEAVE NOW! SLEEP FOR GOD’S SAKE!”

“okay, okay.” Dara said throwing her hands up in defeat and gathering her things, remembering to take her CD out of the player. “I’ll be back first thing in the morning.”

“I’m locking the door.” Chaerin said glumly

Dara pouted and threw her dance bag over her shoulder the clang of her keychains rang in her ears. “Fine, I won’t come back. I’ll sleep my full 8 hours and eat a good breakfast. Happy now?”

“That’s my girl!” Chaerin sang slapping Dara on the as she walked through the door.

“Do I look like Teddy to you? I don’t let cute blondes violate my body thank you very much.” Dara was smiling from cheek to cheek her pearl whites flashing in the light.

“Shut up and go home already.” Chaerin said looking irritated and pointing to the door.

“Okay I’m really going now.” Dara took a step to leave and then suddenly turn towards the other girl. “Oh, and wear your blue dress, you’ll look hot!” She dashed out the door leaving a blushing Chaerin all alone.

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Dara woke up from exactly 2 hours of sleep. Once you get into that kind of pattern it’s hard to break. She started at her hello kitty clock. 1AM. “Are you ing kidding me?” She said lightly rubbing her eyes.

She sat up, her arms falling in-between her legs as she looked around the room lazily. There were things here and there, mostly clothes from times when she simply came home shredded her clothes and collapsed.  She checked her cell phone to see if anyone had text her, they hadn’t.

She forced herself from the bed and threw on a hoodie before exiting the room. “Might as well take a walk.” She mumbled to herself.

Dara walked out into the freezing cold night.