Zoe flopped down on her bed, muscles aching in a good way. The way they ached after a good session of dancing. The whole day had been hard work, learning new steps, finding time to choreograph her individual piece for the end of year concert, and rehearsing the group performance for the same concert.
She flipped over onto her stomach and reached into her bag for her notepad and pen, wanting to jot down more notes on the moves she'd made that day before she went out to meet up with her friends.
She'd been at the school for a little over a month and she could barely remember living at home. Although the first few nights were hard, she missed her family terribly, but she was learning to accept that this was where she needed to be right now, in order to focus on both her schooling and to give her bigger opportunities in dancing that she probably would not have in Tulsa.
"Zo!" Sara burst through the door of their shared room and jumped up onto her own bunk. "My feet are killing, what about yours?"
"Yeah, mine are so sore," Zoe replied, closing her book and putting it on her bedside table. "What are we doing tonight?"
"Ben's suggested movies in his dorm," Sara told her.
Strictly speaking, the girls and the boys were not allowed to go into each others rooms or dorms, but at such a young age, it was permitted. They started enforcing the rule when the kids hit 12.
"Alright, after dinner?"
"Yeah... he said that one of his friends from outside of here is coming." Sara raised an eyebrow. "So I don't know who that is."
"Sounds interesting."
"Heaven forbid we have friends outside of this place!" Sara sat up to swoon dramatically back onto her pillow. "We have to live, eat, sleep, breathe dancing!"
Zoe laughed. "Yeah, but they are training us for a life of ballet, remember."
"If we even get in when we're older," Sara reminded her. "There's only what... 4 spots or something?"
"Let's not think about that until we have to!" Zoe said. "We've got years ahead of us. Let's just wait."
"Good plan."
Sara jumped down from her bed. "Ok, well, I'm going to shower then head to dinner."
"Me too."
"Well then to the bathroom!" Sara exclaimed, picking up her towel and holding it above her head as though it were a sword.
Zoe giggled and followd suit. "Away!"