Finding Ellie
By: Jay
The arts…
One
art school…
Hundreds of talented students…
One scandalous
rumor…
What do you do?
Meet Ellie Summers, the good girl,
the hard worker, the girl who knew what she wanted. One problem
though, she has a problem with reality. She runs away from everything
that's real. When she gets the opportunity of a lifetime to go dance
at one of the most prestigious dance schools in America, she’s torn
between leaving her home, her family and friends, and chasing her
dreams. She was about to reject the school, but after a too real
confession from her friend scares her off, she runs to New York to
pursue what she does best; lose herself in her dancing and escape
reality. It all goes well too; she quickly excels, and even finds
someone to lean on. One scandalous rumor though is all it took for
her to fall. So what do you do when you fall down? Ellie does what
she does best, she runs from what's real. Life's not that easy
though, and you can't keep running. So how long is Ellie going to run
and hide until she reaches a breaking point? This is Ellie's story.
Chapter 1:
It was love at first site. Literally. Not in the literal sense your thinking. I was 5 years old. My mom had taken me to the dance studio for my older sister Shay’s dress rehearsal. Normally I would’ve been at home with my nanny coloring. Fate had different plans though. It was there (Studio 2 to be exact) I heard them; the ballerinas. My sister was in the studio next store getting ready for her and her group’s tap number. I could’ve cared less. I was mesmerized by the ballerinas’ next store. It was sound their shoes made, the way they moved, even the teacher’s posture and stance had me hooked. Each and everyone of those girls stood so tall, yet their was no intimidation, no matter how tall they stood, their arms, posture and grace gave them a softness and elegance that had you hooked. I couldn’t take my eyes off them. That was the day I knew I wanted to dance.
“We’ve now landed in Richmond, Virginia. Thank you for traveling with Delta Airlines.” The lady’s high pitched snarky voice snapped me from my daydreaming. Richmond, Virginia. I hadn’t been home in so long. All those years in boarding school were catching up to me as I walked out the gates. What a waste, I thought to myself. All those years wasted because of one stupid mistake that had me running. I couldn’t face it; the humiliation on my behalf, the shame on everyone else’s, and the smugness of others. I keep asking myself is this really going to be the reason that I run from something I love. That’s when I open my eyes and see, yea I’m really running. I’ve never gone home during summer break. My family usually came up to New York to visit me. We’d spend most of our breaks and holidays like that. It’s been 2 years since I’ve actually been home with my family, and back home in Virginia. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous.
Coming back home isn’t just some random thing, this summer my sister’s getting married. Everyone was insistent that I come home, and I would’ve anyways. My sister and I are two peas in a pod I wouldn’t have missed this for the world, dance or not. This year however had to be the best timing there was. After the incident I don’t think I could roam the streets of New York freely without the fear of someone from school recognizing me and giving me that look of shame. Going back to school was not on top of my “to – do” list either. I really was coming home for good.
I got my 2 suitcases of clothing. The third was my duffle bag, with all my dance clothes, and shoes. I was debating on weather I should dispose of it anytime soon. “Ellie!” I turned around and saw my future brother in law running towards me. “Trey!” I yelled back. “Where’s Shay?” He laughed. “Your mom and Shay are at home freaking out. Your return has made a big impact on the Summers’ household. We’ve been cleaning your already spotless house for days!” “Oh my god, someone call the Fox news, Trey Anderson has been cleaning.” He shuddered. “Worst days of my life, no debate needed.” I laughed. Trey’s funny carefree attitude had always been contagious. He’d always had this friendly aura about him. I never doubted him and Shay. They were great together. My sister quit dancing after mom signed me up for ballet. Her friends had introduced her to the art of “cheerleading” and let’s just say the rest is history after that. “Come on; let’s get you home, your sister will have my head if I don’t get you home on time.” I rolled my eyes and followed him to his car.
The ride home was silent. He didn’t ask me how me how school’s been, because I’m sure most of my family have an idea of what happened. By the looks of how he was handling my situation the rest of my family was probably the same. The announcement of moving back home was obviously a shock, but by the looks of it they’ve accepted it and aren’t going to press the situation.
I didn’t ask him what’s been up in Virginia because I honestly didn’t care. I didn’t know what I was going to do back home in Virginia. Dancing was obviously not an option right now; I couldn’t face what I was running away from. I obviously would have to go back to regular high school, and to be totally blunt I wasn’t sure how I felt about that. As far as I’m concerned my days back in boarding school consisted of technique, choreography, floor and bar classes. Education was second priority. If anything, our school time was break time. Literally, I swear most kids were asleep during that time.
It’s times like this when I wish I could buy more time for myself to figure things out. It’s times like these when I wish I could be seventeen forever.
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“I should warn you, we’re here a little earlier than expected, so it may be a little crazy…” Trey trailed off.
I got the message though. My mom and sister were perfectionists. Not to be blunt, but I was too.
I laughed, “Wow Trey, I’m surprised you lasted so long.”
He smirked, “I’m just awesome like that.”
I rolled my eyes at that.
“You go ahead; I’ll get your bags.”
I smiled and walked towards our house. I felt a little queasy. No, that’s an understatement, I was hyperventilating. The door was open, the inside was so familiar; the woodsy, lavender smell, the high walls, and wood floors. I didn’t realize how much I missed home until I took a whiff of its familiar scent. I started walking to the living room.
“Ellie?” I turned around and saw my dad.
“Daddy!” I ran into his arms. There isn’t anything more comforting than being in the warmth of your dad’s embrace. He laughed.
“You’re home early.”
“We weren’t expecting you until a half hour from now.” I laughed.
“Trey’s a bad driver. He was going 90 on a 75 mile freeway.”
“Hey hey now! Don’t insult the driver.”
I looked over my dad’s shoulder and saw Trey giving me a mock glare. I couldn’t help it I burst out laughing. Two minutes at home and I already felt so much better. I guess family is always there for you.
“Your mom’s in the kitchen, I’m going to go help Trey with your bags,” My dad said. I started walking over to the kitchen.
“Mom?” I yelled out.
“Ellie? Is that you?!” No shit Sherlock.
“Yeah! It’s me!” I yelled back. Next thing I knew my mom was running over to me, her hair sticking in all directions, a mess on her apron, and flour all over her face.
“My baby’s home!” she screeched. I laughed, I couldn’t help it she looked ridiculous.
“What happened to you?” I asked.
“I was baking you a cake!” She said. I smiled. My mom the baker, she lived for cooking. I was dying of starvation right now. It’s been too long since I’ve had real food!
“Come here, Shay’s been dying to see you!” I walked into the kitchen and was instantly assaulted by my older sister.
“Babe, I’ve missed you so much!” Shay yelled. I laughed. Typical Shay…I missed her youthfulness.
“Shay you never call, answer my emails, or answer any of my Skype requests!” I scolded.
“Sorry, I’m…busy at night,” she said slyly. I almost puked.
“Ewh Shay, I don’t want to hear about you and Trey sharing cooties!”
She laughed, “You’re so innocent, Ellie.” She said ruffling my hair. “We’re going out in an hour, I want to take you around town and show you off. You got hot.” She said bluntly.
My cheeks flamed. Shay was the best and worst company to keep around. It all depended on your mood, and right now I didn’t need her bluntness.
She started laughing. “I’m just kidding! We’re getting you a dress for the engagement party tomorrow night! You didn’t forget I’m a newly engaged woman did you?”
I snorted “woman” that sounded hilarious to me right now.
Shay rolled her eyes, "Be ready in an hour," she said in a deadly serious tone.
"Okay MOM!" I shot back sarcastically. Shay rolled her eyes and walked off. My guess was to go swap spit with Trey. I shuddered. They looked really good together, it's just they had a problem with hiding their..."affections" towards one another. Let's just say I feel sorry for their future kid one day. PDA is going to be a serious problem...
“Come on, Ellie, come eat, you look frail! Did they not feed you back in New York?” My mom scolded. I smiled and shook my head. “Not enough, haha.”
More of I skipped meals to go practice more. What a waste all that extra work was. I shook all my thoughts out and dug in. Molten chocolate lava cakes, MMMM. I was in personal heaven right now.
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“Come on, Shay! You said we’d be leaving an hour ago!”
“Sorry, sorry!” she yelled. “Excuse me, if I like to look presentable!”
I rolled my eyes. Total girlie girl, that was Shay for you. Don’t get me wrong, I loved shopping and dressing up, but I didn’t mind letting my guard down every once in awhile.
“So,” Shay started, as we were getting into her car, “You remember Sam Evans, you guys were pretty tight back in middle school?” I gulped. I remembered Sam.
The summer before high school, I tried out for a prestigious boarding school in New York. I didn't think I'd get it in but I did. When I couldn't decide what to do I asked everyone what I should do, desperately seeking advice. My parents told me to pursue what my heart wanted, Shay was no different, but Sam...Sam was different. He didn't want me to go. At first I couldn't understand why and I was so angry with him for suddenly changing his views on dancing. The Sam I knew would've wanted me to go, he would've wanted me to go a pursue what was mine. My dream, my impossible dream, that I wanted to achieve more than anything in the world. So why was this one holding me back.
Two weeks before I left I found out. Sam didn't want me to go because he didn't want me to leave him. He liked me he said, maybe even loved, and he couldn't let me go. I, being the young, naïve foolish girl I was, couldn't believe him. His confession scared me. Why did he have to confess his feelings for me now? Why not sooner? And so that when I lead myself to believe that he was a young, delusional, foolish boy who didn't know what he was saying. He was upset that I was possibly leaving and so that lead him to say crazy things. His confession though, still scared me. I couldn't face him after that, and so I left to run from him, while he stayed here hurt and confused. I did tell him I’d stay in touch, but I never did. Whenever I tried, a little voice in my head told all the reasons I shouldn't, and so I didn't.
Looking back I realized I was the foolish one. Sam did love me, but I broke his heart. I eventually realized what I did too. I never truly regretted it until now, when I had to come back home and face everything.
"Ellie? You still there?" Shay asked. I snapped out of my thinking.
Oh great, way to seem inconspicuous, Ellie. You go girl. I said to myself sarcastically.
“Yeah, what about him?” I tried to say as casually as possible.
“I invited his family to my engagement party.” She said obliviously.
I choked on my own spit.
“What? Why?” I asked.
Shay gave me a look. “He’s a nice kid, Ellie,” she said vaguely.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I spat. Shay shrugged.
“You might want to find something nice to wear tomorrow afternoon," She said once again much too vaguely for my liking.
What did she know? I never told anyone about Sam and I’s last summer together. All they knew (they as in my family and small acquaintances) is that we grew apart and a long distance friendship was too hard to keep. What was Shay keeping from me? I was about to ask, but she turned the radio on and started singing loudly and obnoxiously to Whitney Houston’s I Will Always Love You. Wow really, what's the universe trying to tell me, and most importantly what does my sister know? Does the rest of my family know as much as she? I hope not. I didn't want them to know what a coward I was running away like that...
Stupid, vague, blunt, sister…How was I going to face Sam after two years?
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Chapter 3:
Don't forget to
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Jay :)
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“Alright class, gather around!” Max yelled out. We all gathered around him. Today his crazy outfit consisted of bright orange sweats rolled up to his knees, a black tee that said “WHO GIVES A SHIT?!”, and a black bureau.