Ella's Shoes

Dealing With Panic Everyone had the dress except me. I panicked. Did I miss the mail stating where and when I should get my costume? Was there something or some place I was not checking? I hurriedly ran to my sisters dressing room but like others they were dressed in the same costume and most importantly,they were ready for the show! An evil smile escaped my chaperone's mouth as she led the other girls through the back stage. I could hear giggles and muffled laughs from little girls of my age obviously mocking my non corresponding outfit. I held back my tears. This was not the first time I was being left out. It was gradually becoming a routine but I kept thinking something was out of place. Of course, nothing was, I was the one that was out of place. Maybe I should just give up my dream of being a dancer and think of other boring occupations like accounting. "Look who's here! I've been looking everywhere for you!" Someone shouted from behind. The voice sounded very familiar but I didn't care,I just want to be alone. I shut the door to my dressing room and sobbed hard. "Darling, please open the door" my dad pleaded. I didn't respond. I'll make good use of this time to cry because by the time we get home, I'll be occupied with my chores. "I brought your costume!" My dad continued. My ears sprung up. "Is that a prank to get me to talk to you?" I asked hoping it wasn't. My dad had the habit of bribing me into talking to him but somehow I had lost connection with the outside world. I'd rather write,sing or dance during my spare time than let someone else steal that luxury of time from me. Time, they say, is important. Disconnecting from Dad wasn't easy but through series of labour and harsh words from my step mother which surprisingly he acted cool with,I had lost all iota of feeling for him. He used to be my number one person and I apologise to my late mum for letting dada to be my first words. I knew that hurt her but she never showed it. "It's not a prank, open up before the show ends!" My dad replied snapping me out of my thoughts. I ran to open the door. Avoiding his eyes,I collected the cloth he had stretched towards me. The cloth looked like the others except for the glitters it had all over it. Red turtle neck and white ballet flare. "It looks a bit different. Where did you get this?" I asked him while putting on my dress. It was perfect on my not so perfect body. "I made it for you. Now hurry up and make daddy proud." The statement brought a smile to my lips. "You left the show while your kids were performing to come here!" I heard Lucy my stepmother shriek. Dad didn't respond to her. I ran to the stage.