Gemotions

The ballet studio echoed with excited chatter, but Amelia felt a strange disconnect. Her name wasn’t among those selected for the lead role in *Swan Lake*. Her heart plummeted. She’d dedicated her life to this, the grueling rehearsals, the sacrifices. The disappointment was crushing, but a different emotion bubbled up, a warmth mixed with a deep ache. She saw young Clara, her understudy, practically vibrating with excitement. Amelia remembered the late nights Clara had spent perfecting the steps, the sacrifices her family had made, too. Amelia imagined the joy this must bring her.

She approached Clara, and the girl’s smile wavered. Amelia reached out and put a hand on Clara's shoulder, and smiled, "You are going to be fantastic.”