~The Puppeteer and his Marionette~

~Save Me~

         "Come on Scarlet! You're going to be late for practice!" My mom yelled out waiting near the doorway. Like always, she doesn't sound too happy with me. She never is. "Coming!" I came down the staircase and leaped skipping some steps. Landing on the floor gently, I hold a bag with my ballet uniform and supplies. "I'm here, mother." My mom started to lecture. "You know I expect more from you. I want you better than this. If you keep slacking off, you are nothing but a disappointment and not going to the finals." I looked down. "... Sorry." I said softly. Mom sighs. "Let's go." I quietly followed mom out the door getting inside the car as she drove off heading to the studio.

         My name is Scarlet Quinn, I'm nineteen and I dance ballet. I've been practicing since I was five years old. It can be a handful getting ordered around even when I'm old enough to handle myself but my mom is awfully strict with my future and abusive. My dad died in a freak car accident and ever since then my mom was never the same. She never got off my back... I was never free. Being successful was something my mom never had.

         "We're here." Mom parked "I'll be upstairs watching you. Do not embarrass me." I nodded "Okay mom." I can't really talk to her without causing a fight. I can only follow what she says like a freaking puppet. I walked into the ballet studio which was called Professional Dance Alley Academy. Mom walked the other way without saying nothing but a glare. Wow no support?! And she expects me to be successful?!? I sigh. It was a hard school to get in though..I'm still surprised I got accepted. I never had friends. My mom would never let me since she thinks it's a distraction. I'm lonely either way. It's not like I could. I get inside the changing room and I changed my clothes into a nude colored jumper with my almost worn out dancing shoes. I probably used them too much. I'll probably buy better ones. I quickly made a messy bun and ran heading to the dance room. I honestly hate the uniform. It had no color like I love.

         I walked inside the dance room. It had large windows which made the room bright, a long mirror and a bar handle like any other ballet studio. "You're late Scarlet." Miss Spink crossed her arms. Everyone stared at me with dirty looks like usual. I honestly don't know what I've ever done to them. "She is legit dragging us down." A girl named Rose commented out. I never liked her. She always have something to say. "You should really kick her off the team~ I mean like... look at her shoes!" She giggled out as well with the rest. I heavily blushed and hold in my tears. I've always been sensitive around judgemental people. I don't know why maybe I've been hurt so much that I can't take it..?  I tried to speak not making my voice crack as I bow. "Forgive me Miss Spink." I head over to the bar holding it with one hand with my heels together in third position. I know my mom is already watching and she's not having a good start.

         "Okay class!" Miss Spink clapped getting everyone back into focus.  "Today I'm going to pick four special dancers to dance Danse Des Petits Cygnes which is also called, Dance of the Little Swans for next week competition." I widen my eyes. That's not an easy dance! I know she's going to pick me... She's going to pick me because of my mom expects her to. My mom allows me to participate in any dance piece Miss Spink chooses. "The dancers will be Rose, Courtney, Abigail and of course, Scarlet." I close my eyes. Oh gosh why...? "Pfft Scarlet?? We are totally going to lose~" Rose laughed out and looked at me with a smirk. "Rose keep your comments to yourself. I have high hopes." I look up at Miss Spink with surprise yet happily. Rose turns away and furrows her eyebrows and Miss Spink looked at me. "And I better not regret it. Am I clear Scarlet?" I nodded "Yes Madam~" Miss Spink turned her to head to the rest of the class. "Alright, the rest of you can go but the four dancers I called."

       I kept my position still holding the bar as most of the girls leave. I slightly sigh. My throat burns. "Step forward ladies." Miss Spink demanded. I gently walk forward to Miss Spink with the rest. "We are starting now. Get together in a line and you know what to do." I honestly never mastered this dance piece and I don't think I ever will. Last time, they had to resign a different dancer for me and obviously I got punished. I huddled in a line with my arms crossed with Courtney. Courtney never speaks and never has an expression. I guess she will be my partner in this one. I think I'll be fine. I hope. "Let's start moving across to the right!" Miss Spink snapped and I glance up to the window where my mom is sitting. I glance down nervously back into focus. "Position cou dé pied!" I quickly get into position with a bent leg and foot over my ankle. "Now travel and make sure to stay together as one!" I start to hop to the right tip toeing, switching my legs over another and leaped. I was in the middle so it all counts on me."Scarlet point your toe!" We start to move across to the left and I point my toe and almost have cramps. Damn, how much does she want me toe?! I winced and tried to keep up with the others.

          After a while it started to get faster all of a sudden. "Slow down girls!" Miss Spink yelled out again. As I move my head with doing the dance copying the rest, I peek looking at Rose and she's smirking. Ugh why is she so evil? She's trying to mess me up with keeping together. I'm sweating. I keep my calm until we starting hopping in place. I never get passed this part. I frown my eyebrows and start to scissor my feet and point them out as I jumped doing échappés repeating. My legs are not that flexible and don't have enough balance to keep up the pace. My ankle buckled and I fell to the floor. "Ack!" My breath hitched and I hold my right foot heavily breathing. "Scarlet!" Miss Spink yelled my name. "I told you she's not worthy~" Rose chuckled

         I didn't answer back. I couldn't. My eyes got so teary that I couldn't hold it in anymore. I ran out the dance room and curled up in a corner sobbing in pain. I think I twisted my ankle... it hurts. I know I'm going to be punished. I hear stomping heading towards me and I lift my head up. It was my mom. My face was drenched with tears. I started to yell out scared. I don't wanna be beaten. "I'm s-sorry! I tried-" I got smacked and I slowly felt my cheek burn up. "We are going home!" Mom grabbed me by the arm not caring about my sprained ankle. "S-Slow down!" I cried out. We head outside and the sun hits my wet burning eyes. I always hated the sun. Mom throws me inside the car and I continue to cry. Why do I let them get me so.. depressed? I tilt my head back to the seat in agony. Why can't I just end it all?!..All I want is to be saved.

             Well that was something or my first time writing. I tried my best. To be continued.    ~Love Cinna_Ari~