Hannah's pov

"You remember where your classes are?" Ella asks anxiously Monday morning.

"Yes." I nod firmly.

"Remember you have-"

"Ballet with Emma," I interrupt. "English and algebra with you, chemistry and history with Amy, and my voice and piano lessons are privet."

"And-"

"Emma's brother Shawn will show me to my Spanish class after lunch." I interrupt her again.

Ella nods. "And-"

"Ella is a control freak." Amy dead pans.

Ella nods again. "I am definitely a control freak."

I laugh lightly. "I need to get to my first class." I say nervously. We were standing outside of the classrooms on the second floor, having just eaten breakfast.

"Okay." Ella gives me a hug. "I'll see you later."

I nod and follow Amy into the history classroom. I met Amy is my other roommate. I met her last night when I arrived after spending the day with dad. She's a pretty red head, with sparkling green eyes and a very perky attitude. She's really nice.

Once we enter the classroom, Amy spots a guy in the back and immediately goes over to him. She drapes her arms around his neck and places a kiss on his cheek. I turn away as they start kissing and find a seat.

I choose a seat in the back of the class in hopes that the teacher won't call on me and settle down with my stuff. I set out my notebook and pens to take notes and am leaning over to grab my phone when a deep, sexy voice speaks close by.

"Excuse me new girl, but that's my desk."

I look up and my mouth pops open in surprise. The boy standing over me looks just like Patrick Swayze. Same wavy brown hair, same muscled build. The only big difference is Patrick Swayze has blue eyes and this boy has brown ones. That, and this boy is taller than Patrick Swayze was.

(This is Andrew in the picture)

"Take a picture babe. It'll last longer." He smirks.

"That was the most cliche thing you could have said." I say pulling myself out of my stupor.

"You're still sitting at my desk." He crosses his arms causing his muscles to bulge.

I tear my eyes away from his arms. "Sit somewhere else." I say stubbornly.

"Hmm. I don't think you know who I'm am." He narrows his eyes at me.

"Precisely. And honestly I wouldn't mind keeping it that way." I snap irritatedly.

"Look, Hannah. It is Hannah right?"

I nod in surprise.

"Well, I'm Andrew Roth. The son of the founders and the ruler of this school. One word from me can get you kicked out. So I suggest you do as I say and get out of my desk." He says in a condescending tone.

For there's one thing I hate, it's being spoken to like I'm stupid. I stand up slowly, my head only reaching his chin.

"Well, Andrew." I put extra emphasis on his name. "If you are trying to threaten me you're wasting your breath. I will not be bossed around like a little child because some arrogant guy thinks he's the king of everything." I push his chest. "Get me kicked out if you want. I'll just go back to California and win myself another dance competition." I smile sweetly and sit back down.

He glares at me and sits in the desk beside mine. I look around the classroom and everyone is staring at me including the teacher. I blush and look down at my desk.

The teacher clears his throat. "Class, as you can see, we have a new student. Miss Hopkins, please introduce yourself and tell us your art and why you are here."

I stand up and begin speaking. "My name is Hannah Hopkins. My art is dancing and voice, but I also play piano. I'm here because my mother wanted me to have the best training I could and she felt like this would be a great place to start."

The teacher nods and I sit back down. The same thing happens in the rest of my classes throughout the day. I introduce my self then class continues normally.

As for my "help" throughout the day, Amy acts the same way in chemistry as she did in history. Ella is overwhelmingly helpful and slightly annoying. Shawn seemed nice enough at first but he was very noticeably staring at my rear end.

Emma was the most helpful person out of everyone. She took me to the dance building and introduced me to several of the other dancers. She also invited me to stretch with them, which was really nice of her.

By the end of the day, I'm hot, sweaty, tired, and I really just want to shower and sleep. I gather up my clothes and everything I need for a shower and head down to the showers. I choose the stall on the end and lock myself in.

Quickly, I strip down and start the shower. The warm water soothes my aching body and refreshes me. I wash my hair and comb it out good in the shower before getting out. I dress in the small space between the door and the shower and head back to my room.

Once in there, I use the towel to dry my hair out as good as possible. After drying, I run a brush threw the curls and add some anti-frizz gel. I stare at my reflection in the mirror attached to the back of the bedroom door and all I can see is my mother. The intense grief I've felt for the past week and a half since she died hits me again.

I turn away as a tear slips down my cheek and pick up the phone to call my dad. It rings once, twice, three times, then goes straight to voice mail. I sigh and leave a message.

"Hey dad. I know you said I could do this, but I don't think I can. I want to go home. I want mom to still be alive. Please dad, don't make me stay here."

I hang up and curl into a ball on my bed. I scroll through the pictures of me and my mom on my phone until I find a video of her dancing. I smile slightly as I watch the familiar waltz that she loved play out on the screen. She looked so graceful and beautiful. The video ends and I start another one. A tango. Eventually I fall asleep watching her dance.

                           •••

I wake up in time for dinner and decide to just eat in the kitchen here instead of facing the hassle in the main hall. The building is virtually empty as I skip down the stairs to the kitchen.

I eat Mac-n-cheese and a sandwich before grabbing my headphones and going on a walk. I select my oldies playlist which is basically a bunch of songs from before I was born. The song "She's Like the Wind" by Patrick Swayze comes on and I think about Andrew Roth.

He ended up being in all of my academic classes today. He constantly glared at me and made crude jokes directed at me. Eventually my walking leads me to the dance building.

I wonder inside and locate the ballroom. When I enter it I gasp. It's absolutely beautiful. Everything is in gold tones. Large windows line one wall, letting in the light of the setting sun. A large grand piano is over to the side.

I take a tentative step in. I turn around in wonder looking at the beautiful room. I pull out my headphones and start up a classical song on my phone, plugging it into the speakers on one side of the room. I move back to the middle and began dancing a ballet song I performed in a dance recital last year.

I was in the middle of a turn when I caught a glimpse of someone on the doorway.

"Oh I'm so sorry!" I exclaim flustered. "I'll just be leaving now."

"Oh no need."

I whirl around. "Max?" I rush towards him and he meets me halfway.

"Surprise!" He laughs spinning me around.

"What are you doing here?" I ask.

Max was a dancer on dancing with the stars with my mom. She always said he was like her little brother. I used to call him uncle max until I was ten. At the time mom was teaching me ballroom dancing. She had max help by being my partner. I haven't been able to call him uncle since.

"I got a job here." He grins.

"What?" I ask in excitement. "And you didn't tell me?"

"Sorry." He smiles sheepishly. "Your mom wanted to surprise you and made me promise I wouldn't tell."

"Oh." I look down as another pang of sadness hits me.

"How you holding up, baby girl?" He asks softly.

"Not good." I whisper.

He hugs me. "It'll be okay." He rubs my back soothingly.

"I miss her." I tell him.

"So do I." He sighs. "If you ever need anything just let me know." He says seriously. I look up into his eyes and nod before resting my head against his chest again.

After a few minutes he pulls away and grins. "Do you want to dance?"

I nod happily and select a song on my phone to dance to. It's the one Troy and Gabriella dance to on the roof in the third High School Musical movie. Which also happens to be the first song me and Max danced to.

Max chuckles, his shoulders shaking. "Good choice." He grins.

I study his face as we begin waltzing around the room. His black hair is styled messily, his bright blue eyes twinkle with mirth, and his perfect white teeth are on display.

We dance for hours. We tango, mambo, samba, waltz and cha-cha. We dance until both of us are exhausted.

"I'm so tired." I say collapsing on the floor.

"You think you're tired? Try being old like me." Max jokes.

"Please." I scoff. "You're only twenty-eight."

He rolls his eyes. "Thanks for bringing it up."

I laugh. "At least your not as old as dad!"

He chuckles. "Yeah because he's positively ancient."

I giggle. "What time is it?"

He checks his watch. "Nine thirty. It's time for you to get back to your room young lady."

"No. I think I'm just going to sleep here." I say half-serious.

"Not happening." Max bends down and pulls me up by my arms.

I groan. "Max."

"Hannah." He mocks me.

"Fine." I say stomping my foot like a spoiled toddler. I spin on my heel and March off towards the door.

"Good night Hannah!" Max calls.

"Good night." I reply.

"Love you!"

I freeze. A small smile makes its way to my face. "Love you too." I quickly exit the room and head back to mine.

Once I reach it, I find the girls still missing. I sigh in relief. I slip on a nightgown and climb into bed. All the exhaustion catches up with me and soon I'm fast asleep.

•••
Sorry about the wait guys! I've been super busy. I'm gonna try to write like crazy to make it up though. :)

Mara

(Picture of the ballroom on the top)