[ E P I G R A P H ]

Ever since you were five, you had found the love of being in the centre of a ballroom. With the sparkling chandeliers which shone even when the lights were off. You had been approved by your family all your life, and there was never a dull day. Competition after competition you were granted every time with a reward, whether it started off with medals which soon turned into trophies and names on a board. You had competed across the world, and now at the age of 22 were taking things slow, heading back to Madeleine's Master's Ballroom Dancing Boarding School to reunite with some of your old friends. There, you were surrounded by so many memories, and yet some fresh faces you were yet to discover what lay behind them.

[ E N J O Y ]

[ let me know your thoughts ]

You had arrived back at the place that held so many memories, granting you access to those moments which were locked away in the back of your mind. After leaving just under five years ago, a thought about returning to the Boarding School never crossed your mind. Since retreating, things had changed, and you were ready for that.

Before you left, the school was open to all ages, ranging from ages seven to nineteen. Now the ages had moved along and was only available for permanent use form the ages of twelve to thirty, the rules tightening down and the school now offering out lessons to the youngsters. Your heart flourished as you saw the newcomers lining up outside the large, quite intimating, oak wooden doors which then lead into the grand mansion of Madeleine's Master's. You remembered the adrenaline brought by fear back in the days when you first arrived. It was tough on your end, having not made many friends throughout the trimester that the girls got to spend together. Almost like a short boot camp for... Essentially ballerina's.

A warm smile greeted you as you stopped to look upon the newer groups, spaced out into the younger and more adult ages. You were met by the face of your old trainer, Emma Wisely. She hadn't changed a bit, and she was always your favourite, the same the other way. She was like an older sister, only being two years older than you. She had brought you on from the age of thirteen, herself being fifteen, and it was a sorrowful day when you came to leave.

"Oh my goodness, if it isn't the champion herself!" she giggled, bringing me in for a hug. You smiled with a light chuckle as your wrapped your arms around her, taking in her familiar scent, which had remained the same even over the five years you had been away. "It's so nice to see you" she smiled as she brought you back.

"Back at you, girl." you smiled before looking over at the group "So, you got this lot this year?" you gestured towards them. Emma turned her head to look over with a smile before she nodded. "Yeah, some of these kids are so talented, here let me introduce you" she took your hand, bringing you over towards them.

Firstly she brought you to a young girl, her hair was a silky blonde and her cheeks were dotted with small freckles. "This here is Jessica, she's a big fan" Emma excitedly whispered to you, grasping the attention of the small girl in front of you. You waved at her gently, a grin spreading across your face. She waved shyly, a blush appearing on her cheeks. Next, Emma lead you around a small group of girls who looked like trouble, which you loved. You were in a group like such when you were a member of the school. Their names were Emily, Amelia, Rebecca, Jamie and Paige.

After being shown around the rather large group, there was one last person to be left over. He was a taller, much older boy, well, much older than the kids. His curls were unruly and he certainly didn't look like he belonged in a ballroom. More in a sweaty gym playing basketball somewhere. Emma brought you over to him, catching his attention away from his phone.

"This is Tom" she smiled. You turned your head to face him, catching his brown doe eyes which seemed to ignite when they caught yours. His cheeks flushed a deep red, fumbling to place his phone in his pocket.

"Nice to meet you, Tom" you smiled, holding out your hand for him to take. He took your hand in his, his face looking a little star struck.

"N- Uh- It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss L/N" He smiled shyly, stumbling over his words. You looked over at Emma confused, who tilted her eyebrow slightly. "I hear he's a fan" she smiled, making you nod, understanding his stuttering and sudden recognition. Emma was pulled to the side by one of the children, leaving you with Tom at the back of the group, slightly separated form the others.

"So, you joining the school?" you asked, placing your hands in your pockets.

"Well I thought seeing as one of the greatest dancers off all time came here, I might as well try it out" he smiled, point blankly referring to yourself.

"That's very kind of you, Tom" you smiled. "How long have you been training?"

"I-Uh- I've been dancing since I was three, but when my mum forced me to go to drama school I kinda took a break, then I got into a little accident a few years down the line so I'm a little nifty on the feet" (no pun intended ;)) he shrugged, his nerves getting the better of him.

"Well I'll be here for the summer so, why don't you show me what you can do some time?" you asked, pulling your phone out to check the time.

"R-Really?" he asked, his confidence growing a little as the comfort began to settle in.

"Sure, maybe I could show you the ropes" you giggled, himself returning the gesture. Before the conversation could continue, Tom answered his name on the register and was called to follow the group inside where dorm assignments would begin.

Travelling up the steps and entering the great hall, you came face to face with Madeleine herself, the headmaster of the school. She was always proposed as higher than everyone else, but in the past three years you had achieved more than she had in a lifetime. Not that it would become a topic of conversation. 

She greeted you with a dull smile, wandering over to you from her group of staff. 

"Y/N my dear, it is such a pleasure to see you again" she smiled, her hands folding together. You nodded, returning the gesture; "It's nice to see you too, Ma'am" 

"Please darling just call me Madeleine" 

"Yes, Madeleine"

"Now, I hear your joining us again for the summer" she said, her hand slowly travelling to your back as she ushered you to walk with her. "That would be correct"

"Lovely, now I was wondering if you would like to set up a class for the youngsters. With you being a professional now I would like my hard work to be passed down to the newcomers" she offered, just like the old days, her head was still jammed too far up her own ass. 

"That would be great, miss" You smiled, on the inner side slightly shocked. Madeleine was one of the most feared head mistresses of her time, and the fact she was asking you to teach a class for the summer was liking winning a gold medal of approval. 

"Good. Now, you can start by teaching our more troubled students, you know; the ones who need a little breaking in. Just like yourself when you arrived" she smiled, remembering back to when you first joined the school. Having being hand fed every success in your life before you joined, meant you were just a little spoilt and stubborn when it came to doing something for yourself. You nodded, a giggle leaving your lips as you realised how much you had changed for the better. 

"Yeah, I was quiet the trouble maker" 

"You don't need to remind me" she smiled. She seemed much more relaxed, a lot less strict now she was getting on in her old age. You preferred this softer side of her. 

"When do I start?"

"You can begin tomorrow morning, I expect some precise talent coming from these youngsters"

"I wont let you down, Ma'am"

[ I know this first chapter was mainly based around the character - yourself - point of view, but trust me it gets better x ]