The studio door swings open. Zara slides across the floor in her socks.
She stops in front of the mirror and holds up her ballet shoes. The ribbons are tied tight. She whispers, 'Next year, I will dance en pointe.'
Zara grips the barre and tries her first pirouette. One, two — she tumbles onto the mat with a soft thump.
She picks up the mat and shakes it out. Tap, tap. Dust floats in the sunlight.
One, two, three — she spins so fast her shoes make a whirring sound.
Something strange happens. Her reflection in the mirror dances perfectly, while Zara wobbles and giggles. She looks at the mirror. The mirror looks back.
Zara stares at the mirror. Then she tries one more time, slower this time.
One... two... three! She spins and lands on both feet. The mirror shows Zara spinning too. She jumps up and down. The floorboards creak happily.
Zara ties her ribbons extra tight and does three pirouettes in a row. One, two, three.
She bows to the mirror. The mirror bows back.
Zara stands tall. She practiced every day after school. Next year, she will dance en pointe.
She sets the shoes down by the barre and walks home. The floorboards creak behind her.