Chapter 11 Eleven

Still intoxicated by the cheers and applause, I rush backstage with an armful of flowers and Adam s hand resting on my lower back.

"Well-done!" Ms. Azizen gushes; she pulls us both into her arms, grinning like a child on Christmas morning. "You made me very proud!"

The other ballerinas look at me with a mixture of disdain and admiration. Maybe even jealousy. I feel like myself again; powerful and thriving, like I can do nothing wrong. Dad appears, grinning from ear to ear. I do not waste any time to jump into his arms, squealing like a toddler.

"You were stunning out there," he whispers into my ear. "I could not help but tell everyone that you are my daughter."

Dad cannot stay long; he tells me that he is running late for his flight.

I change from the costume into a tracksuit and rush to visit Cleo at the sick bay. When I arrive, Cleo is sitting on the bed and staring intensely at her phone.