Gabrielle loved to dance. She had been dancing for fifteen years, she’d been en pointe for a most seven. Now she’s eighteen.

But her teacher’s two studios built inside a farmhouse and a church had become to little for her.

She was leaving.

She was going to Amaryllis City to dance on the big stage.

She had auditioned for the Amaryllis Ballet (AB). The second biggest and greatest dance group in the world. Plus she would get a great education and dance all day long.

In September she was going to audition to be in the AB Hansel and Gretel ballet. Two kids from the Amaryllis Youth Conservatory of Dance (AYCD) we’re going to play the kids Hansel and Gretel.

So today Gabrielle was performing at her dance studio’s last recital. Today was Monday, June 12th, 2028.

The curtains opened for the finale of the show. Gabrielle was the only senior this year, so instead of a senior group dance, she got a solo.

She began in fifth position. She leaped, turned, pirouetted, and even had a floor routine.

She heard dead silence . . . and then deafening applause.

Today was her death, but also a new birth. The beginning of a new book, and new story, a new chapter.

It was time to say goodbye.