Jété Into my World

Chapter 1

"No way you ran three miles in thirteen minutes." Darren comments from the couch stuffing her face with flaming hot Cheetos.

Twelve seconds ago I burst into the living room covered in sweat and panting like a dehydrated dog before collapsing onto the carpet. I had just run back home from the dance studio that was approximately three miles away. I attempt to catch the bottle Darren throws at me and fail but still pick it of the ground and gulp down the water.

"I did." I tell her wheezing. I can only imagine the horrible state my face is in and I'm certain my mascara has run down my brown skin. My curly hair sticks to my forehead and my muscles scream in pain, last time I run for the next fifty years or so that's for sure.

She snorts out a laugh still keeping her eyes glued to the TV, her round lips covered in orange Cheetos powder matching the specks on her thin fingers "Why not take a cab?"

I grunt and haul myself onto the couch beside her, "Because dear cousin, there was the biggest hold up I'd ever seen in my life and mom asked me to get back in fifteen minutes or I'm grounded." I shove my hand into the Cheetos bag and pull some into my mouth "Me getting grounded means no ballet, no ballet means my life is over."

Darren rolls her eyes, "No ballet for about two weeks­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­-probably just one- does not mean your life is over you drama queen, where even is Aunt Jada?"

"No clue. I just want to get all this over with so I can get back to the studio." I say snuggling myself deeper into the cushions.

It was finally summer break. The studio was going to hold a performance and I've been dreaming of playing the lead for a long time now. I had to get all the practice I needed and become better for when that time comes.

"I'll let you know if going to the studio is an option any time soon Victoria." My mother's rich voice fills the room. I instantly straighten up ignoring the pain in my legs and back from my run as I watch her walk into the living room.

Although Jada Wilson was dressed in a laid back attire comprising off baggy sweats, she exuded an ounce of authority that made everyone respect and fear her instantly. Darren notices the tension in mom's voice as well as her stance and turns off the TV then grabs her bag of Cheetos and walks out the door.

"Later Vee," she yells but I certainly hear her mutter the words "If you survive that is." Traitor.

I gulp and watch mom cross her arms and stare me down. What in the world did I do to make her seem so pissed? I try to recall anything I might've done but nothing pops into my head, when mom sighs and flops onto the couch beside me, I relax. She seems to be in an okay mood.

"So..." I start "Any particular reason why I had to run three miles so you wouldn't cut me off my substitute for euphoria?"

Mom laughs and turns to look at me, "The whole grounding you thing was a joke Vee, I just wanted you to at least take a break before endeavoring in your ballet activities. You can't just run to the studio the second summer break begins. Give yourself a moment to breathe." She holds my hands in hers and stares at me with a small smile.

"Really mom, it's finally summer break I have to work my butt off if I want to snag the spot in the show." I say. I can't believe she made me run home for no reason.

"I told you tricking her to run back home wasn't going to work" Dad says as he walks into the room, "Your mom and I are just worried because of what happened last year Vee. You were obsessed with dancing and you ruined your health, we want you to regulate how often you dance and keep your obsession to a healthy amount." He says pressing a kiss onto my forehead.