I returned to the academy just in time for the teacher to enter the classroom. This is a supplementary class exclusively for Royal, the most prestigious and famous ballet group at Mailbu Academy.
The members of the Royal group are all famous ballet dancers and have won many professional awards.
Except for Kaylin, Garrick, I recognize a few familiar faces. Jade Roxaleen, Baldric Herrington and Veronica. If Kaylin was dubbed the 'white swan' of Malibu academy with her ability to captivate audiences, Veronica is the 'black swan' that is both mysterious and attractive.
Veronica's personality is quite quiet, introverted and has no friends. She's the same age as me and doesn't come from a noble family. She is Ms Glenda's cousin, a descendant of a family with a tradition of ballet since childhood. Out of all of us here, Veronica is considered to be the most innovative and unique ballet dancer.
As soon as I entered the classroom, many eyes fell on me, including Baldric Herrington. In the past few days, he stopped bothering me anymore, so I unconsciously forgot his existence. During the last evaluation of the academy, he was also chosen to join the Royal group. Among the selected students, he was the oldest.
He looked at me with disapproval, but I didn't care. I stood quite far away from him, to avoid being distracted by him.
Our direct instructor is Miss Jenny.
"Okay. Today we will welcome new students to join the Royal group. Please be aware of the rules of the Royal group and absolutely do not break it if you do not want to be expelled from the group."
I listened quietly, the rules were quite simple.
The class is divided into three levels: S, A and B. Level B is for students who have just entered the class, with good ability. A-levels are long-term students in the Royal group, with excellent ballet technique and experience. And group S has only two people, Kaylin Joan and Garrick Harvey. The reason is because the ability of these two is considered to be superior to everyone else's, so they are always the center in every Royal group's performance.
In addition, students who have a skill setback and cannot meet level B will be excluded from the group.
Of course, each person's level will change after each test. The evaluators will be Ms. Jenny and Ms. Glenda. However, for the past three years, no one has replaced Kaylin and Garrick.
People expect Veronica to be able to do that. Or me.
"Okay guys. For now, let's let's let the B-levels show their talents. Let's go on stage and do a short solo ballet without music."
Each student is called by name. This was an unexpected test and no one was prepared. Many people get confused and make the wrong moves a lot.
Miss Jenny is a rather difficult person, she constantly frowned and shook her head in disgust at the poor performance of the new members.
"Too bad... Are you dancing while sleeping, Hannah?.... Come on Peter, you look like a wriggling chicken..."
Miss Jenny bluntly made sarcastic remarks. That made the A and S class students burst into laughter. To them, B-levels were no match for A-levels and S-levels. Only Veronica and Garrick weren't smiling, they were seriously observing their classmates' performances.
"All right. Last one. Oh, Esther Joan, what a name to look forward to. Show me why Ms. Glenda favors you with such a high score."
Miss Jenny looked at me and smiled, and for a moment I sensed more irony than goodwill. Everyone knows that Jenny's favorite student is Kaylin, yet I surpassed Kaylin and became the highest scorer at the academy. Therefore, it is not surprising that Miss Jenny holds a grudge against me.
I stepped onto the stage. Since there was no music, I could only imagine the melody in my head.
I remember when I was a kid, my mother used to play cassette tapes, but the melodious classical symphony captivated me. That tune I absorbed and remembered well. Just close my eyes, my feet will walk to that rhythm. I did a series of moves like développé, grand battement... All my movements were beautiful, I even heard a few compliments.
I continued to close my eyes and gently do more difficult ballet moves. The moment I did the grand jeté, the toe of my shoe suddenly slipped, causing me to lose my balance and take a painful fall. My hip hit the floor and was bruised, and my ankle was also twisted. Apparently it was the ankle that was injured in a collision with Dominic Arnold's car more than half a month ago.
I clearly remember that the floor didn't have this little puddle. But I don't understand why when it's my turn to have it.
I looked down at the stage and saw Jade grabbing a bottle of mineral water and taking a big sip, looking at me with unconcealed smug and triumphant eyes. Kaylin didn't smile, she just coldly crossed her arms and raised her eyebrows.
That was Kaylin's triumphant expression.
She always uses her friends to bully others, while she easily enjoys the reputation of being a gentle and friendly 'white swan'.
"Well, Esther Joan, that's disappointing. You're the one with the worst performance today." Miss Jenny shook her head regretfully.
"But Miss Jenny, this puddle..."
"Don't explain, Esther Joan. Any explanation is an excuse for your weakness."
"..."
I tried to hold back my warm tears, got up and walked off the stage. The members of the group were all whispering about me. They just wait for the opportunity to say bad things about me every time I make a mistake. Even though I'm well aware of this, I still can't help feeling sorry for myself.
Garrick was the only one to get up, he was about to walk towards me but Kaylin stopped him. I couldn't quite hear what Kaylin was whispering to Garrick, but he just frowned at me, sighed, and then left the practice room with her.
I was lost and depressed to leave, when I passed Miss Jenny, I heard her soft voice.
"Be humble. Remember that there are positions that you will never be able to sit in forever."
My heart skipped a beat, but I bit my lip, pretended to be resilient, and left.
I will engrave the humiliation of today and make them go through the same thing.