Upheaval: Day 3

Word Count: 19,107

Summary of Events:

Leon got kicked out of his seat in school by one of the bullies and was sent to the principal for punching the bully in the eye; he ended up escaping punishment when the principal got distracted. At ballet class the three strangers were present again, and Leon got to find out who they were and what they were there for . . .

Excerpt of the Day:

"We have a special guest today, Mr. Stanislav Chekov," Miss Corrine said. "Mr. Chekov and I danced together in the Berlin Ballet twenty– no, almost thirty years ago now. I then moved on to dance in the Netherlands before coming home."

"Да," Mr. Chekov said. "A long time ago. Berlin was the last company I danced for before I retired. But we are not here to talk about ancient history, we are here to talk about the future. Since I retired I have become a teacher at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Москва. The Bolshoi is looking for a new student of exceptional quality, the sort of quality that will turn them into a primary dancer someday, and so are visiting all the ballet schools across the world to find this dancer. In one week you will all compete to be this dancer and win a one-year scholarship to the Bolshoi Ballet Academy to get the premier dance training in the world."

"Yes Maeve?" Miss Corrine asked.

"If we only get a one-year scholarship then what happens after that year is up?" Maeve asked.

"If you are good enough, you get a contract offer to dance with the Bolshoi," Mr. Chekov replied. "If not, you are sent back home."

Leon couldn't help but reel. The Bolshoi was one of the premier ballet companies in the world and they'd come here to find their next principal dancer? Why here?

"Is this going to be a contest for all the dancers in Toronto?" Daphne asked in her subtly French-accented voice."

"Да," Mr. Chekov replied, adding a nod. "It will be held at the Toronto Centre for the Performing Arts."

Leon's eyes widened. The biggest theatre in the city? They would be performing at the biggest theatre in the city to win a scholarship to the best ballet company in the world?

"What will we be dancing to?" Justine asked.

"That will be decided on the day of the event," Mr. Chekov replied. "We want fairness to all students."

"So then what will we wear?" Ariel asked.

"I have already discussed that with Corrine," Mr. Chekov replied. "You will be prepared, don't worry."

Miss Corrine clapped and everyone moved over to the barre except Leon. His mind was racing. There  was to be a competition to see who was the best dancer in all of Toronto at one of Toronto's premier theatres, with the winner getting to join the premier ballet company in the world all the way off in Moscow. He could get away from Mama and her constant nit-picking. He could just dance.

"Leon Bogomolov, to the barre please," Miss Corrine's terse voice broke into his thoughts.

"I'm sorry," Leon said, quickly getting into line behind Ariel.

How was he supposed to focus now? He had the chance of a lifetime to get something he'd only ever dreamed of having: the opportunity to dance for one of the best ballet companies in the world. He could hardly believe it.

Pronunciations:

Да: dah

Москва: mohskvah

Barre: bahr