The Porcelin Dancer

Sammie finally made it; to her first year of college. She had worked so hard to get to get this far!

She wanted to please her roommate, and her school. So, she listened to the stories Bethany had to tell. Her favorite memories seemed to all be laced with obsession for one girl – a senior at the school. Her name was Julia. She was entering her senior year with a Theatre and Voice Performance degree. Sammie had seen her before, in plays and music performances. But she had never looked closer, to the person behind the persona. Bethany obviously had seen her outside the glitz and glam. “Who is this obsession-worthy person?” she thought, “I guess I need to find out for myself”. Luckily for her, there was a campus-wide dance that night. There was her chance! Of course Julia would be there; it is a dance after all. All Sammie needed to do was to follow Bethany at the dance. With the obsession she had shown for Julia, she would surely go right for her the moment she arrived. Sammie was right. She followed Bethany, and just as she predicted, she immediately sought out Julia. She was much more beautiful in person. Sammie stopped, stunned and entranced. Bethany was there only for a moment, before she was swept away by another boy that caught her eye. Julia looked up, and their eyes met. She had the most beautiful eyes Sammie had ever seen. Her dark black hair framed her beautifully sharp cheekbones. Her gray/blue eyes drew Sammie in; and with a smirk, she began to dance. Julia was the most beautiful dancer Sammie had ever seen. Without a thought, Sammie forced herself to introduce herself to Julia. “Well, it is lovely to meet you”, Julia spoke the words into Sammie’s innermost being. After a few minutes of introduction and conversation, Julia asked her to dance. “Oh, I don’t dance very well – I don’t know what I am doing”, Sammie replied. With a flash smile Julia said “It doesn’t matter, just follow me!” She grabbed Sammie’s hand and the two were off. She twisted and turned and floated right off the ground. The moves she was teaching Sammie were simple, and repetitive. It was an actual dance, but an easier one. However, mid dance, Julia introduced a spin that required her to thrust herself towards Sammie. Then Sammie’s job was to gently guide Julia’s waist across her and to the other side. The dance continued to go back and forth, each partner taking the turn to spin. Sammie held her breath, and tried to spin. Feeling Julia’s gentle hand on her waist, guiding her, was something that scared her. But, a fear like this had never been so desired before! They danced for what felt like an eternity. Everyone else around them began to fade. Julia was the only person Sammie saw. When the music ended, Julia bowed low. “M’Lady” she said under her breath. Sammie stood there with a smile; she bowed low too, and thanked Julia for teaching her the new dance. The excitement and gratitude was obvious, but no one could see Sammie’s heart – glowing with an intimate joy. She stood there for a moment, frozen in place. Her breath was heavy while her heart raced. Sammie wondered if the others could hear it too – it was so loud! She left the party that night in a trance. In that moment, she understood why Bethany was so obsessed…Julia was a goddess.

The next few days were foggy. Julia was the only thing that filled Sammie’s thoughts. She didn’t know what to do with all the emotions she was feeling – until she walked into the library. There, hanging on the door, was a flyer for a concert in the main lobby of the school. Sammie knew that any place with music, would also have Julia. The whole day she spent counting down until the concert. She couldn’t wait to see those beautiful eyes again! Finally, it was 7:00. Sammie walked into the lobby and saw her there, just as she expected. Julia’s long, black, curly, hair was held back with a loose hair-tie. She was wearing a tight, 1/3 sleeve shirt with dress pants that flowed around her black ballerina shoes. Her clothes wrapped every beautiful curve of her body. She turned to Sammie, smiling. “Hey there pretty lady!” Julia exclaimed. She went to Sammie and gave her a big hug. She could feel Julia’s soft hands caressing the back of her neck while she gently spoke in a whisper-like tone “It’s so good to see you again”. Sammie shook, as a chill went up her spine. She realized Julia was cascading over her, romanticizing the environment. They talked for a while, and mingling among friend groups. But they didn’t go too long without making eye contact – just knowing that the other was still nearby. They began a conversation about life. They discussed each other’s experiences and thoughts. More people showed up to the concert and the lobby got more and more crowded. The voices multiplied and the music built louder. Julia suggested that they go up to Bethany and Sammie’s room. Sammie blushed. But they went upstairs. Once in their room, Sammie offered Julia a place to sit on their futon. Sammie sat down on her bed, but Julia motioned her to come sit next to her. Sammie moved over next to her. They continued to talk; and as their conversation grew, so did their trust. A friendly conversation grew into an intimate sharing of life stories. Julia’s life was wild and full of passion and desire, which filed her beliefs on life – and in sort, religion. The stories were vast and moving; both Sammie and Julia enjoyed the company, and the listening ear. It was almost as if they had stepped into a world all their own. Time drew on, and hour after hour they opened their lives to each other. As the hours passed over them, so did the boundaries of their spirit, and heart. Unique moments turned into joy-filled moments, which turned into life changing moments, which turned into heartfelt memories, which turned into challenging moments, which turned into tear-filled identity moments, which turned into heart-changing, God-breathed moments. Sammie knew that her walls had broken away, and it exposed the very essence of colors that she held in her soul. Sammie waited for Julia to run, overwhelmed by the emotions that intertwined in her heart. But she did not. Instead, Julia called the colors forth. She pulled them from Sammie and held them gently. With eyes glittering in wonder she asked Sammie for more. That’s all Sammie needed. She opened her heart to Julia, and Julia opened her heart to her. Their minds moved and explored, their hearts full beamed joy, and their souls together danced.

Sammie had never had someone who so wanted to be intertwined in her life. She had always experienced her emotions as negatives that were problems to others. Julia was different than anyone Sammie had ever met. What a beautiful feeling it was! As Sammie spoke, she felt valued and meaningful. Julia held on to Sammie’s every story, every word, and every breath. They talked that night for what felt like a lifetime. Next thing they knew, it was 7:00 am. Sammie had a class at 8am, and Julia had to practice. They both had a full day ahead of them, but neither were tired. The emotional energy they shared with each other that night had produced such a power in their hearts that there was nothing to stop them.