The Prince has a Secret Girlfriend (part 3)

"1. . . 2. . . 3. . .4. . . 5. . .6. . .7. . .8. . . and hold positions, that's good. Okay now, Chase comes in and is hunting. Swans in positions please, 5. . .6. . .7. . .8. . Good! Now the swans, swan no.1 pirouette once and first arabesque in 90 degree angle (a ballet move where ballerinas stand on one supporting leg and the other leg is extended out of the body with both legs as straight as can be plus the arm on the same side of the supporting leg extended out all while having a 90 degree angle in the arms and the legs being extended) , follow suit swan no.2, good! Then swan no.3, … swan no.4, … swan no.5, … swan no.6, … very good! Lastly swan no.7 pirouette and first arabesque in 90 degree angle , everyone hold and 5. . .6. …7. . .8. . . Down! Very good ladies. Now enter our swan queen, Amelia, beautiful lighter steps, give it a more airy feel. Good! Okay now the swans exit and the two dance as if falling in love at first sight."

Mr. Michael, our resident choreographer, was starting to drill us into the formations and steps for our upcoming Swan Lake showcase, boy oh boy and it is more hard work than I originally thought it was.

"Okay, let's do it again, ready positions and 1. . . 2 . . .3. . . Good!! You swan no. 6, outstanding posture. Everyone look at her that is how you make a first arabesque in 90 degrees. What is your name?"

"It's Christie monsieur (mister)."

"Great! Good work Christie. Alright, again from the beginning please everyone."

The practice today was really grueling because we were only weeks from the Lantern Festival of Graceland Academy. It is one of the biggest festivals that holds a long record in Graceland's historic tradition. It was said that on this three day festival the students of Graceland Academy participate in different competitions, booths, exhibitions and showcases much like the Graceland Academy Ballet Company (GABC) performance during the gala night and that most of Graceland's sponsorships come from this exhibitions and showcases. Some students even get offered jobs based on the outcome of the Lantern Festival. I didn't know much about the festival that's why I asked those who were familiar with it during our short break about it.

"Hey Indigo, do you know anything about the Lantern Festival of Graceland?" I asked Indigo one of the people in the GABC I consider a friend.

"Uhmm… I think it was first initiated by one of the major shareholders of Graceland, Ms. Natalia Monet and she was the first to form the GABC which first performed on the opening night which started the tradition we are following now." Answered Indigo a matter of factly.

"Oh wow! It must be a great honor for Henry to be choreographing part of our show since his mother did pioneer the first performancebut why is he not dancing during the gala night." I mentioned.

"I heard that Henry's father doesn't want to see his second son dancing in ballet." Alexa, Indigo's best friend chipped in on the conversation.

"Really? But his mother was a Prima Ballerina before Lord Archer married her right?" I asked as my curiosity was piqued.

"Yes, well I think Lord Archer wants both his sons to be successors for his political ambitions and the other for their business. Henry's older brother has chosen to deal with their business as the new CEO and so I guess Henry is left with the political side of the coin toss." Indigo continues to report as if she has thoroughly researched the Archers. I'm afraid to ask more as I might appear under her scope sooner or later.

"Oh I see, you seem to know a lot about the Archers eh Indigo?" I said casually.

"Indigo's family has dealings with the Archer family's business so Henry and Indigo see each other during business functions. Right, Indigo?" Alexa proudly mentions.

"Alexa! Hehehehe. . . (shyly laughs) Henry and I know each other since we were in our early teens but that's it. We're not that cose or anything. (Blushes as she recalls her early teenage memories with Henry)

Indigo blushing from saying that she knew Henry from earlier on makes her look like she has a crush on him. I have to be careful because not only will I be breaking the rules of why I am staying here in Graceland I will also be breaking the hearts of those who are genuinely loving Henry. It is a thin ice to walk on to.

"Clap! Clap! Clap! Alright everyone gather round we will have one more go at the choreography and then I will announce those who will be understudies to Amelia and Chase. So do your best." Mr. Michael announced.

Everyone seemed to perk up when they heard that he was choosing the understudies for this performance from the practice we were doing. Everybody stood a little taller, paid more attention to their extensions, the tip of their fingers to the lines of their bodies even their facial expressions have been more refined and professional looking. I am not one to shy away against a healthy competition plus if I don't show a little bit of what I can do I would only look the odd one out, I need to blend in properly at least.

After the practice we were asked to gather round for the announcement.

"Everyone you have made great progress today but I have to choose only two, now do understand that I chose accordingly to the ballerina and the danseur that I believe has shown great progress and innate talent from the beginning. I will begin with the male lead's understudy. The natural choice for this role would've been Henry or Chase but Chase is already the male lead and Henry is not going to dance for the Lantern Festival Gala Performance hence the next choice would be Anthony."

Anthony stands up and comes to the front. Anthony is a senior like Henry and Chase. I have seen him with Chase around the campus sometimes and I can say that he is the opposite of Chase in character, personality and dance style. Chase is like a strong puma on the dance floor, both in confidence and in demeanor with strong decisive moves. However Anthony is like a quiet Gazelle, elegant long strides and jumps that land softly. The contrast between them is amazing. If your wondering how I view Henry's dancing style well for me Henry is like a Stag, with graceful yet strong movements, calculated jumps and a dignified air around him when he dances but during the preparation for the Lantern Festival Gala Performance he has not been dancing full force only showing Chase how certain steps should be done.

"Now that we have the male lead's understudy, the next one is our female lead's understudy. I have so many young talented and hardworking young women in the seniors but one of the newbies from the Corp de Ballet has caught my attention. I know that she has a natural gift for ballet but I seem to see some hesitation so by being the female lead's understudy I hope you will unleash your real talent, Christie Miller."

When Mr. Michael mentioned my name I was in shock and did not respond after a few minutes when Alexa and Indigo nudged me to stand up. I stood up and went to the front. Standing there up front I can see the facial expressions of some of the senior dancers as I have bypassed them and usurped their coveted understudy role.

"Okay now, you all know that an understudy can no longer dance in the Corp's group performance since they must dedicate their time and talent into learning the same choreography as the leads therefore they will be replaced by other members in their former positions. Any objections? (Mr. Michael shot dagger looks at those who seem to question his decision about the female understudy) That's right, since I, your choreographer have made this decision it is but natural to agree to it. Good! Good! Hahahaha! Alright, everyone don't forget to get a good night's rest. You two will stay and begin your work in learning the steps we have so far for the lead roles."

The rest of the GABC ballet dancers left to get their much needed rest while Anthony stayed behind along with Chase, Amelia and Mr. Michael. We were given a 10 minutes rest and to refresh. Mademoiselle Amelia asked me to accompany her to the bathroom and freshen up a bit before the next practice begins. While we were washing our faces a bit, mademoiselle Amelia talked to me from the mirror's reflection.

"Congratulations mon cheri for being selected as my understudy." mademoiselle Amelia said in her french accent."

"Thank you mademoiselle Amelia." I shyly replied.

"Oh you can call me just Amelia, I want us to be close." She takes Christie's hand in between hers.

"Well, if you insist, A…Amelia." I try out her name without any honorific and it seems odd to me.

"See that wasn't so hard was it? Come, they must be waiting for us already." Amelia stated as she was redoing her hair into a bun.

"Ye. . .Yes. . ." I stuttered at her reflection in which she looked stunning.

She looked more like a princess to me than I am although I am not too shabby myself all I have going for me are my Olive Green eyes against my dark brown hair. She however looks like a real princess with her golden locks and stunning blue eyes. We came back to the studio and began with the next part of the practice. Anthony and I were given the instructions to shadow the movements and steps from the side as understudies.

"Uhmm, hello my name is Christie. . ." I nervously spoke for the first time with Anthony

"Hi! (Slowly waving his hand)"

"YELP!" I squealed out.

As eccentric as he is, Anthony put his hand on my waist and lifted me up. Everyone seemed to stop because of my yelp, and looked at what was happening to Anthony and me. Anthony simply shrugged his shoulders and put me down.

"I was just making sure I would be able to lift you. You seem light but I just had to make sure." Anthony explained casually to me.

"Ah yeah sure. . . So will you be able to lift me?" I asked to ease up the tension.

"Yup! I can. You are light as a feather. Even a weak person like me can easily carry you." He said without batting an eyelash.

"Ahehehehe!" was my only reply.

The leads were practicing the lifts for their pas de duex (a french term in ballet which refers to the dance or intricate movements of a female and a male lead together like a dance duet) of their choreography so I guess, Anthony found it necessary to do a test. He is right though, it would be a waste if he would be struggling to lift me. Both Anthony and I watch carefully as Amelia and Chase were directed by Mr. Michael and Henry.

"Mon cheri Amelia, this is were you will glissade (a side to side movement done in ballet) three times and on the fourth, Chase comes in to scoop you and glide both you glide on the floor."

"Clap! Clap! Clap! 1. . . 2. . .3. . . and 4. Again. . . And one more okay now Chase and glide on the floor." Great! Good job you two. Henry go monitor the understudies for me dear." Mr. Michael instructed.

Henry nodded his head in agreement and was heading towards Anthony and I, his expression was blank and professional. I could not see any emotion at all, that's good to know since that incident with Anthony lifting me all of a sudden I was a little wary of his reaction. I am his girlfriend after all and if I remember correctly he warned me before that he is a jealous guy.

"You saw what they did right? Can you do it too?" Henry asked nonchalantly.

Anthony put his thumb up and I nodded in agreement. So Anthony and I get into positions, I move and make three successful glissades and on the fourth Anthony scoops me and glides on the floor. It was a good take for a first time try.

"Good! But it needs to be more defined and what was that you two had no emotions on the movements at all. Did you look at Amelia at Chase's face they were not just dancing the steps they were also acting the part out. This is a scene where the prince slowly falls in love with the Swan Queen as she dances and he joins her. Capture the emotion as well."

I have never seen Henry so worked up like this in a practice, it was just a practice and Anthony and I's first time doing a pas de duex so why is he so strict all of a sudden? We both move into positions again. We begin again and this time I tried to look enchanting which I think I did a great job in and Anthony also tried to look like he was falling in love for the first time. On our part, we thought that we did good and Mr. Michael also nodded in agreement as the three of them stopped because of Henry's little speech a while ago.

"Great you at least you know how to show emotions. Now do better and show me love. I want to see love at first sight, Anthony you should know this by now." Henry continued to berate us.

"Okay. . . " Anthony spoke up his brown eyes a little more determined than before. He swept his jet black hair back and went into position.

I followed suit and prepared to refocus and show enchantment. I repeat to myself "be lovely, be gorgeous." I charge my movements more and try to exude more appeal and charm.

"1. . .2. . .3. . . And 4 . . Okay great start Christie. 1. . .2. . .3. . . And 4. . Good! Okay last one 1. . . 2. . .3 . . . And 4 now Anthony. . . " Henry directs us.

Anthony comes in a little different and it seemed like he was a different person entirely as he scoops me with his arms being more defined than a while ago then he glides on the floor and as he finishes his turn he looks at me deeply that it makes me blush. He brushes the stray hair on my forehead. . . caresses my face. . . touches my upper lip and then he kisses me on the lips.