Breaking Pointe by Samantha-Ellen Bound Read Free Book Online

her chest. ‘You make me so proud.’
    Her reaction was very different from Ms McGlone’s. Even if Ms McGlone was thrilled with what we’d just done, all we’d get was a tight smile and then a ‘good’, or, if she was feeling extra mean, ‘once more’.
    Jasmine got off the floor and brushed down her jazz leggings that probably cost her one thousand dollars. She looked across at me and smiled very, very icily. I smiled back.
    No one could question my right to be the Fire Maiden now.
    â€˜I’m so glad you won!’ Ellie squealed to me, bounding over. ‘That was so awesome!’
    â€˜She only won in the dance,’ Jasmine said. ‘It’s not a personal victory. We’re acting .’
    â€˜I know that,’ said Ellie. ‘Um, I do musical theatre? Riley still won, though. Don’t you think she did well? I mean, you were both great, of course.’ Ellie didn’t look at Jasmine when she said that.
    â€˜Thanks,’ said Jasmine.
    â€˜I can’t wait until I watch you both on Saturday,’ said Ellie.
    â€˜I hope it isn’t too boring for you,’ said Jasmine. ‘I’m sure classical ballet isn’t as exciting as musical theatre .’ She said it like musical theatre was about as exciting as cleaning every mirror in the Silver Shoes studio with a tissue.
    â€˜Anything with you in it gives me plenty of laughs,’ said Ellie. ‘Come on, Riley, let’s go.’
    She led me off to the change room, where the jelly snakes were waiting and where we changed into our street clothes. That meant Ellie ended up in a pink dress, pink cardiganand pink ballet flats; Paige ended up looking like her mum had dressed her for a high tea party; Ashley was in her denim shorts and t-shirt, and I just threw one of Fergus’ old hoodies over my jazz gear.
    â€˜So you’re feeling better?’ asked Paige.
    â€˜Yep,’ I said. ‘Especially after that.’
    I ran into Ms McGlone on my way out.
    â€˜Hello Riley,’ she said. ‘I heard just then you and Jasmine gave an impromptu performance of the Fire Maiden and the Ice Queen, and it went very well.’
    â€˜It did,’ I said.
    â€˜I’m glad to hear that,’ said Ms McGlone. ‘And I’m looking forward to our final rehearsal on Friday.’
    â€˜Me too, Ms McGlone,’ I said, trying not to look at Ellie prancing around behind her.
    Ms McGlone smiled and leaned in a little closer. ‘I knew you’d be all right,’ she said, andthen she straightened up and walked stiffly down the hall.
    It was funny how everyone seemed to know I’d work it out in the end. I guess what I needed, all along, was to trust myself.

Chapter Sixteen
    Saturday afternoon.
    Four o’clock.
    Whistle blows.
    The game begins.
    Before I knew it, the ball was in my hand and I was passing it to Bella before running down the court.
    A girl from the other team, St Monicas, was instantly up in her face.
    â€˜Back, back!’ I called. ‘Bella, pass!’
    Bella threw the basketball back in my direction. It wasn’t the best shot, but I snatched it just before someone from the rival team did.
    And then I was running, tearing down the court, imagining I was at the athletics carnival and flying towards the finishing line. Bounce, bounce, bounce went the ball, I took two steps and then … GOAL!
    It was a good omen. I have a thing where whichever team scores the first goal will win the game. And I’d just scored the first goal.
    Nana, Fergus, Heath and Aidan were cheering from the seats, and when I looked over at Stacey she gave me the thumbs up.
    Imagine if I had only just got here, all sweaty and tired and stressed from the athletics carnival. There’s no way I would have enjoyed that first hoop like I was enjoying it now!
    The game went on. St Monicas was a tough team. They had a great defence whokept sweeping the ball from right under our