BALLAD OF THE STARS

Mrs. Pierce smiled. "Of course. Well then, Alec, might I remind you that public display of affection isn't allowed. Make sure you warn Vanessa, or you'll both be in detention next time. Also, tell her that we accept her parents' dinner invitation. Such a lovely girl.." she smiled, trailing off as she walked away. Anneliese's jaw dropped. She couldn't be serious?

Anneliese nodded and followed him to Calculus, where Vanessa's best friend, Lily sat. Pointe shoes stuck out of her bag, and Anneliese groaned on the inside. More competition. "I'm not sure I want to audition for that role," she whispered to Alec, ignoring the hot stare from Lily.

She shook her head. "It's fine. My nickname is usually Elise, but it's new. I like it," she smiled. The teacher came over to her and examined her schedule. "Anna- Anne-? How do you pronounce this?" he asked, squinting at the spelling. "Anna-leese," she responded coolly, looking up at him. He nodded faintly and returned her schedule to her before turning away to find her a textbook.

//just what Alec needs- a spy for Vanessa

//poor Anneliese- i just came up with more trouble for her. i'll go into detail in the chat

Anneliese signed her name and wrote her name in the textbook given to her and looked at Alec before noticing that Lily was staring at her, phone in hand. "Who's that?" she murmured to Alec curiously.

"Lovely," Anneliese grumbled, turning away. Through the day, everything went smoothly. She didn't see Vanessa until lunch, but she was to occupied with Alec for her to really notice that Anneliese was just across the room, having lunch with her siblings.
By the end of the day, Anneliese presented Rose with her schedule. The instructor glanced at it. "I wasn't consulted of any new students, and we're pretty full as it is, but I suppose I'll let you try out. The supply room is over there. Go get changed," she murmured, folding up Anneliese's schedule and placing it where she had set down her things.
Vanessa's blood boiled. Sitting on the bench, clutching Alec's arm. "I doubt she knows what she's doing. Rose has already told me that I pretty much have the role, that auditions is just procedure," she said quietly.

Just as he was getting ready to stand up, Anneliese came out in the Odette costume. This absolutely enraged Vanessa. "I want to show you that I can move easily in the most uncomfortable costumes, and I thought it was convenient that this costume was back there," she smiled, and after Rose nodded at her, Anneliese winked at Vanessa. Rose pushed play on a nearby stereo and the opening waltz of the ballet began. It didn't take long, but Anneliese did choose a faster-paced routine.
"Where did you learn that?" Rose demanded.
"I've been a dancer for fifteen years, ma'am," Anneliese responded with a broad smile.
Nearby, Lily showed Vanessa photos of Anneliese and Alec she had taken during their Calculus class.
Vanessa narrowed her eyes dangerously and stood up. "Yes, you're good, but look around. Seniority rules in here," she hissed.

"Well, I would definitely like to welcome you. I want you and Vanessa to audition again for the role of Odette. This will be next Friday, so clear your schedules, girls. Dismissed," Rose announced. She and many of the other girls filed out. Anneliese hung behind to change out of the costume. She went into the supply room to change, but was interrupted. In came Vanessa, Lily, and another girl who identified herself as an "Erica".
Before Anneliese could say anything, Vanessa struck her hard across the face, breaking the skin. She gasped and fell back, hands flying to the side of her face. "What the hell-" Lily and Erica had grabbed her arms and held her still, giving Vanessa free range to her face. She was punched several times, causing a blood lip and a severe bloody nose. As quickly as it had started, it ended when the two other girls forced her to the ground and they all took the pleasure of kicking her- in the stomach, mainly, it seemed. Vanessa grabbed a handful of her hair and lifted her head so she could whisper in her ear, "If you tell anyone about this, I'll tell everyone that you hooked up with some of the guys on the football team."
They all left the room, as if nothing had happened, while Anneliese laid on the floor of the supply room, bleeding profusely. Anneliese had told Alec that she had planned to stay after school, and she prayed he would come looking for her when she didn't meet him by her locker.

Anneliese grunted with effort to get onto her knees, holding her stomach. The air had been knocked out of her. "Vanessa.... is blackmailing me," she gasped, wiping blood from her mouth.

"No- I'm okay- I probably deserved it. I just waltzed in- literally- and stole the role from her. I can understand why she would do this. I would never do it, but I understand her motives,"she murmured, shakily standing up. Blood stained the white feathers that adorned the dress she wore. "I'm gonna have to pay for a new costume," she groaned. "They're not gonna want a bloodstained dress, even if it was cleaned."

She shook her head firmly. "No, I've got it. And I don't want my parents involved. That's the last thing I need right now," she sighed, leaning against him for support. "But if Vanessa is going to make a habit of this, I think it's best that we don't remain friends. She clearly doesn't want me anywhere near you or this studio."