The Secret of Happiness Is Freedom

I stood looking out on the rain. I snapped out of my trance to see my best friend Linde standing at the door. His full name was Mikko Viljami Lindström. I called him Linde for short all because when I was little I couldn't say his name. So it stuck.

"You know your lesson starts in 10." He smirked

"Yes mother." I laughed

I threw the pointe shoes and outfit into my bag along with other essentials. I pulled a hair scrunchy around my wrist and slipped my shoes on.

"Your going to freeze in that" he sighed

"Fine" I huffed pulling an orange beret out of my wardrobe and placing it over my reddish brown hair.

He laughed and pulled me from the clutches of my house. We started to walk down the street to my ballet studio. When we got to the doors I breathed in and sighed. I took Linde's hand and pulled him inside. The air smelt of vanilla and lavender. I left Linde in the front foyer and went to get changed. The other girls stood changed and doing hair. I quickly pulled on the leggings and skirt. I pulled on my other items of clothing and stuffed my hair into a quick bun. I was out with the rest of the girls.

"Good afternoon girls" Madam Petrova smiled

"Good morning madam" we chorused

"Okay girls I think we will start with some stretches" a quick clap followed her words.

We quick filed over to the barre stretching as Madam shouted commands.

"Okay girls I think you have that covered. Now one at a time. Aurora pirouette then Fondu, to finish give me a series of chaînés turns."

I sighed but did as I was told. I used to dance for fun. I enjoyed it and looked forward to the classes. Since my mother had found out I was good and after nearly six weeks was ready for en pointe, she pushed me. Pushed me to do better, more classes and more private training. Our basement was then turned into a second studio. I no longer look forward to it. I dread it. Linde Stands behind the one way mirror and watches me. He will then walk me back so I can drop my bag off and we then usually head off into town to look at the guitars and camera's. I stand in the shop wishing I owned just one camera.

You see my mother wants me to go on and join a professional ballet company. I how ever desire to work as a photographer. To capture the moments that make people smile or to take photo's of someone doing what they love. I go along with her plans to keep her happy. Sometimes I wonder if she even cares about what makes me happy?

On finishing my lesson I stepped back into the changing room and slipped on a clean shirt a new beret and my jeans and an old pair of DC's. I stuffed my sweaty ballet clothes and scrunchy into the bag and swung it over my shoulder. I sighed and went to get Linde.

"Well hello there" I smiled as he came from the room with the one way mirror

"Hi, you were incredible like always dear." he complemented

"Thanks. So where to now?" I asked

"Well today I thought we could just go back to mine a play guitar and video games."

"Sounds great."

We walked for about 15minutes before coming to a stop in-front of his house. Linde opened the door and we were instantly greeted with by his mother.

"Terve. Mites menee?" I asked politly

"Ei mitään oikastaan, Ja sinulla?" She responded

Lined laughed and walked to his room.

"Kiitos hyvin!" I smiled

"Oho, sepäs hienoa! Anna tämä minulle.!" she stated taking my ballet bag.

She pushed me toward Linde's room smiling. I opened his door to see him sitting on his bed with his guitar in his lap.

"I can't believe you and my mother stood there talking finnish" He laughed

"Why? What else was I meant to talk in?" I asked confused.

"English" he stated in a duh tone.

His phone rang to the sound of Jimi Hendrix and Purple Haze.

"What is it Valo?" he snapped.

"Oh okay." He responded to the mysterious 'Valo'

"Yeah I'll leave Aurora home first." his foot tapping impatiently

"Okay yeah bye." He smiled He hung up the phone and turned to look at me with a pained expression.

"Rora. I'm so sorry. I have band practice. I'll have to go now. I'll walk you home though" He apologized

"Lilly Lazer it's fine." I chuckled

"Valo want to meet the girl who has captured my attention" He responed

I laughed and went to collect my bag. I lifted the bag from the cupboard filled with coat and waved good bye to Riita.

Once outside I pulled a packet of cigarettes from my bag and a small pink zippo decorated with Audrey Hepburn. I light up and smoked it whilst walking the 20 minute walk to my house.

"Rora." Linde said quietly

"Yeah?" I asked

"Take care of yourself OK?" He said before walking down the street.

I shook my head and walked inside. I was greeted with warmth and the sound of the news. I sighed and walked back to my bedroom.

"Aurora your father and I are gong out. Your brothers going out. Your to go with him" My 'mother' shouted.

I didn't argue I just did as I was told and left with Burton.