Sonja had been awake for hours. Today HAD to be the day. It just HAD to be the day.

She just couldnt STAND another day of waiting to find out if shed gotten in. Of course, she probably had gotten in her brothers had both gotten in. Her mother was a teacher at the school for gawds sakes! She HAD to get in! But what if I didnt get in? Sonja tugged at her dread-locked hair, her nervous habit. What if I am the only member of this whole family who didnt get into the school Oh my gawd, I cant even think about that! Just think positive, it helps it to happen And Sonja tried to do what her mother had taught her to do: she took a deep breath, she closed her eyes, and she pictured clearly in her mind getting on that train with her mother and brothers. Ah, but she couldnt keep the worry from her mind! But what if I DONT get in? Sure, shed get to spend another year with her Dad as he stayed in Toronto to teach at U of T, but it would be a year of disgrace! What would she do if she didnt get in? Go to a regular middle school? Learn boring math and boring physics the oldfashioned stupid way? Seven years of boring, regular, NORMAL oh my gawd! Sonja groaned and rolled out of bed, a hot ball of anxiety burning her stomach. She went to her dresser and found her dance leotard, pulled it on and then quietly lifted the straight-backed wood chair away from her homework desk and set it down next to the mirrored sliding doors of her bedroom closet. In the dim light of dawn leaking through her bedroom bay window, Sonja went through her five basic ballet positions on the worn dark wood floor. She perfectly executed her practice series of plies and stretches, using the chair back as a barre. She pulled out her mp3 player and earbuds, selected the Pas de Quarte, Swan Lake and hit repeat. Her anxiety moved to the background of her mind, no worse than stage fright now as she focused on the swift footwork of the classic piece. Not bad, Sonja thought, as she regarded her form in the mirror, her dark-skinned arms gently rounded in first position, her lean, muscular legs effortlessly elevating her onto her beautifully arched, strong feet. No pointe shoes yet, but perhaps next year. That was something to think about, other than getting into the school getting on to pointe! Surely this year she could progress to pointe.

One, two, three, four she glided easily through the entre movements of Swan Lake. Sonja! Venir ici - dpchez-vous! Serena, Sonjas mother called her daughter from the kitchen in her high, cheerful French. Oh jeeze, thought Sonja and she rolled her eyes as she threw her bath robe over her leotard. I was probably shaking the light fixtures, woke them up! Sonja hopped down the stairs, of her familys old Toronto Victorian home. The staircase was a dark-stained wood with a heavy carved banister she used to love to slide down when she was a younger child. Still in her ballet flats, she rushed into the kitchen. Her brothers, Samuel, the oldest at eighteen and Jordan, just one year older than herself at fourteen, were already seated at the large maple wood table, along with her father Damien. Its here! Her mother was waving a small manila envelope, fluttering the paper in front of her excitedly. Sonja glanced at her father and brothers, all looking at her with goofy-toothy grins. The hot ball of anxiety was back, and Sonjas hand graceful and steady just moments before, shook as she took the envelope from her mother. The family held hands and their breath and the youngest daughter opened her first letter from the Alternative School. Dear Miss Sonja Johnston, We are pleased to accept your application to the Alternative School, effective September 1st, 2012. Transportation to the school will be provided by Via Rail, leaving your city of Toronto, Ontario from Union Station on August 27th, 10:00 pm Eastern Standard Time. Please find the enclosed list of clothing and equipment you shall require in the coming school year. Kindest regards, Regina Wilson, Secretary and Administrator WELL?? Jordan eyed his sister expectantly? Am I gonna have to look out for my little sister in the WILDS of British Columbia this year?

I GOT IN! Sonja shouted, leaping into the air. Her whole family shouted in celebration! She got in! She got in! She got in! Her brothers executed their complicated series of steps in their private brother handshake, as though they alone were responsible for her acceptance. SHE GOT IN! SHE GOT IN! SHE GOT IN! Her whole family chanted as they danced, laughed and sang around her! I got in! Finally! Sonja felt like her life was about to begin.