with total embarrassment. The girls let out a scream as he clambered to his feet. At first they
were shocked but a fit of the giggles soon followed. Ian felt himself go as red as his gym bag
that he had swung round his shoulder. Still giggling they watched him carefully as he stood
awqwardly in front of the whole class. A sudden sharp clapping came from the corner of the
room. It was the teacher. She looked strict with her grey hair tightly scraped back into a bun,
which sat neatly on top of her head. “Right girrrls” she shouted “back to your places!”
The girls quickly fled to their standing positions at the dancing bar. She looked at Ian with
sympathy on her face as she asked “What might you be doing here?”
Ian’s eyes darted around the room looking for an excuse, but the best he could come up with
was “I was looking for my dog.”
Although he did not have one. She looked at him with great disbelief. He felt himself going red
again as beads of perspiration ran down his forehead. “Best be on your way then?” She said
as she quickly walked towards the girls.
“Well actually I would rather stay, if that is ok?” He replied “I have never seen these type of
movements before and I am very interested.”
She looked at him in amazement “This type of movement my dear, is called ballet. And of
what interest is it to you, may I ask?”
She seemed to be getting angry as if he was winding her up. “Well I have always been
interested in dancing, but never seen anything as beautiful as this.” He stared with wonder.
“Very well.” She said “What is your name?”
“Ian, pleased to meet you, Miss?”
“Miss Route, that is.” She had a slight grin of pleasure on her face as she turned to the class.
“Right girls, Ian will be joining us for the day. You WILL carry on as normal and make no
fuss!” Clapping her hands once more the music began to play.
Ian sat down on an old bench at the corner of the room. He had totally forgotten football
practice, which started half an hour ago. The girls ran, high on their tip toes across the floor.
The music stopped as the teacher approached Ian “Would you care for a shot?” Her mouth
held a smile of encouragement.
Against all his fathers will Ian stood up and began his first ever steps of ballet. Miss Route
watched with marvel as he moved his feet just as the girls had done. Eventually the end of the
class came and Ian approached Miss Route. “Do you mind if I was to return next week?” He
asked.
“Certainly, I see that you have a great talent for ballet. I could make great fame out of you.”
Her eyes were fixed on his a she smiled, then walked away shouting “Same time next week
girls….and boy.” She looked back in his direction and gave a quick wink.
Week after week Ian said he was going to football practice, but he never did. He always
returned to the ballet classes. He was great at ballet, unlike football and he was doing
something that he actually enjoyed, without his father knowing. Soon Ian had reached a first
grade in ballet. He could pivot and swirl just like all the girls could and he loved it. One evening
just after class had finished Miss Route grabbed Ian’s attention. “We are performing a show
next week and I was wondering if you were interested to show of your amazing skill to the
public?”
Ian felt the blood rush through his body with excitement. He was never good enough to
participate in anything he has ever done, let alone been asked to perform what he has learned.
He put on a huge smile and shouted “YES! Of course I will.”
She glanced at him with delight “Great rehearsals are here tomorrow, see you there.” She
walked off.
Ian was so happy that he leaped in the air. He had never done anything he enjoyed, without his
father knowing about it.
It was the night of the final rehearsal and Ian was getting ready in his room when he heard his
father shriek with laughter. He ran down stairs to see what all the commotion was. Ian
entered the living room to find his father standing in front of the television in hysterics. “Will
you look at that. Male ballet dancers, what a joke!”
Ian felt all the blood from his body rush to his head as he turned to walk back up the stairs.
Suddenly a feeling of shame pounded through his body making him go weak at the knees. He
was angry at himself for not being “normal” as his father had always put it. As he packed his
bag ready for the rehearsal, reality clicked as he thought to himself “Dad is never going to
know. He hates ballet and would never turn up at the shows.”
This gave him a sudden boost of confidence, but the anger still lingered inside.
The rehearsals went great and Ian was really excited about performing his skilful ballet in
front of a crowd. Ian walked home late that night, for he wanted to make sure that his moves
were precise. As he opened the door to his house his father stood there “Where have you
been?” He glared with anger.
“At football practice. You knew that!” Ian replied looking at the floor.
“Your back late. You were meant to look after Marie tonight, so I could go out.” His father
had a look of annoyance on his face.
“Sorry Dad. I wanted to make sure my playing was perfect, before the match next week.”
Ian’s palms sweated. He hated lying.
“Very well. You can look after her tomorrow night. I am going out with my work colleague to
the ballet.” He had a slight smirk on his face.
Ian’s heart stopped at that very moment. “I can’t! I promised John I would stay in his tent
tomorrow.” He began to get weak at the knees again, as he looked around for extra support.
“Ok I suppose it has to be the babysitter. Again!” His father stormed of towards the phone.
Ian quickly sat on the stairs before he fainted. What am I going to do? I must perform, I
cannot let down the others, or myself. The night passed really slowly. Ian could not sleep. He
had the thoughts of his father in his head, repeating all the words that escaped his mouth.
The day of the big performance. Ian was filled with both excitement and fear. He rushed out
of the house towards the hall. As he entered everyone was ready in their outfits, practising for
the show. The feeling of shame flooded his body again, but he carried on as normal. The stage
was set up and people began to arrive. Ian’s stomach churned. Before the show started Ian
approached Miss Route and asked her if he could wear a mask. He explained that he was too
nervous, as he had never done this before, but really he could not face seeing the
disappointment on his fathers face if he knew what his son really was. After one last
rehearsal, the show began. Ian swiftly ran onto stage pointing his toes gracefully. The crowd
clapped with amazement as the masked dancer moved beautifully across the stage. Ian
glanced in the audience. He spotted his father watching with wonder. It shocked Ian that he
looked as if he was enjoying it. The show was amazing, but right at the end just as Ian took a
bow Miss Route signalled for him to remove his mask. He pretended he did not see her.
Just as Ian was about to walk of the stage one of the female dancers ran up behind him and
grabbed his mask, baring his face to the whole audience. Ian’s eyes darted around looking
frantically for his father, who was staring straight at him in horror. Ian ran of stage, grabbed
his bag and left the hall. As he walked home a hand hit him hard on the shoulder. It was his
father. He looked angry, but somewhere in those deep eyes Ian could see a look of marvel.
“Why son, why did you do it?” He asked.
“I wanted to. Its the only thing I have ever enjoyed!” He looked up at his father whilst tears
ran down his face. “Hit me if you want. I deserve it.”
Ian closed his eyes, but all of sudden he felt his fathers' arms wrapped around his body. He
was giving him a hug, something Ian has never experienced from his father. “I should have
never told you what to do. You were so amazing tonight. I am so proud.”
Ian and his father talked for a whilst about how Ian had managed to develop such a wonderful
talent. They were bonding like they had never done before and Ian realised that no matter how
many people put you down, you should never be embarrassed about who you are.
Lynsay Bradford 4k After the First Death Essay.
