The odor of perfume lingered in the room from all the other finalist of my year. A feeling of tension in the air. Everything felt so strong it could suffocate. The walls are a pale biege. A large mirror along the long side of the room with a barre under for the torturous stretches. A table with ten people sitting was in front of me. Young children, all females, sat on the floor at the end of the judge table. They were taken from their families and put here to examine me, all having big eyes that looked at me with admiration as I dance. Older females around ten years old to sixteen examined me with fascination and possibly will use parts of my dance in the future to pass their exams in order not to get eliminated.
I start from first position. Taking a deep breath, I then my lift leg swiftly raising it in front of my right knee, bending it sharply as it tilts to the side. My hand raised to keep balance, the other in front of my body. A soft smile plays on my lips as I remember my mother teaching me this. Or at least trying. My heartstrings were tugging painfully as I push back the tears that threatened to fall. Retiré devant. My body, having a mind of it's own, began twisting and turning in harmony with the music.  Quickly I began spinning on one foot, on pointé. Pirouette. As I slowed, one leg slowly extended up straight into the air while I leaned forward. My arms out in order to balance myself. Arabesque pencheé. My muscles burning as I held the position for a few seconds my body began trembling before bringing my leg down with a spin, now twirling.
I took one last leap into the air, Grand jeté. I repeat in my head after my instructor. Starting from one leg and land on the other while doing an airborne split. I land in a plié, my feet firmly on the floor. Head downcast, eyes not daring to meet with the judges, sweat drippd evidently down my back.
Rustling and scribbling spills admist the room.
"Levántate." I heard the raspy voice of the lead judge telling me to stand.
I stood, fixing my feet to be side by side. Eyes nervously fixated straight.
   She has strong features. Sharp cheekbones, small thin long lips. Elegant cat-like unblinking eyes that stare at me steadfast. "Naisha." My name was announced in monotone
"¿Sí señora?(Yes ma'am?)"My palms sticky with sweat. I didn't look at her for nothing, waiting for her to state the key words. This is my last evaluation, if I pass. I'm not sure what will happen if I don't pass. All I know is that it has gruesome consequences. My mind was racing, What if I get eliminated? What is gonna happen? What will they do to me if I pass? Do I get to go?

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