Alexandria moves to the center of the stage. Lifting onto her toes, she is floating. Magic, that's what it is, for nothing ever made her feel so complete; so whole. The audience exploded in applause. Alexandria bowed. DING! Alexandria woke with a jolt. Looking around she spotted the clock. It was 7:05. "I'm late!" She shreiked with another look at the clock, "I have to get ready! I'm not going to make it!" Alexandria jumped out of her bed and raced to get ready. Alexandria, or Alex, was an 11-year-old hardcore ballet dancer from South Amboy, New Jersey. She wanted more than anything to break out of her small town and become a famous dancer. Today, if she made it in, would be her big break. She was going to audition for The New York Preperatory Academy for Dance, or NYPAD. Half of the students that get accepted into NYPAD have either gotten into Julliard, NYCBT, or Broadway. Alex wanted that more than anything. Dancing was her life, and to make it in to such a school would be a dream. After fixing her hair into a perfect ponytail, she raced into her mother's car, pale pink Converse sneakers slapping the pavement, and they both drove into New York City. Stepping out of the car into the Big Apple, she felt like an ant. The Empire State Building towered over her head. Alex felt scared at the enormity of the place. "Keep moving, honey! I don't want you to get lost," Mrs. Collins gave her a little push in the right direction. After what seemed like an eternity, she opened the door to The New York Preperatory Academy for Dance.
Alex walked into the school auditorium and was suddenly overcome with nervousness. She took a seat way in the back of the auditorium and rolled her neck and arms out, stretching. Alex psyched herself out by watching the others dance. I'm not going to make it, Alexandria thought. Seeming to read her mind, Alex's mom smiled and whispered, "You'll do amazing, I know it."
"Alexandria Collins! You're up!" The judges announced. With a smile at her mom, Alex walked onto the stage. She lifted onto her toes, and like in her dream, she suddenly felt a warming happiness shoot through her body. Magic, Alex thought as she landed a perfect turn, her pink wrap skirt flowing out and around her body. The magic she felt was sort of tingly feeling, and it was so indescribably good. A couple turns later, she pressed her feet into the floor and landed in a beautiful arabesque. Alexandria walked off of the stage, a triumphant smile on her face and sweat running in rivers down her cheeks. Watching the rest of the dancers sent a strange jumpy feeling through Alexandria's body. It was fear. I'm not going to make it! Alex thought. After what seemed an eternity, the results came. Only 15 people would get in. Another jumpy feeling went through her body. 14 people's names had already been called, and none of them were Alexandria's. The last name was going to be announced the very next second. Shaking, Alex clutched her mother as if holding on for her dear life. She felt as though her life was about to end. Oh please be me, PLEASE! I know I'm not going to make it... "The last person to be accepted into NYPAD is..."