Page 31 of Healing Eleanor

Bell peppers (2 cups): 77 cals

Water: 0 cals

Total calories: 677 cals

All I want tomorrow is to be seen. Not from the rumors, but… for me. Who I really am. Even though I’ve prepared, it still doesn’t feel like enough.

I ate more carbs, just like Adrian suggested. Though I should’ve tracked my calories better this week. What if I’ve gained weight and it ruins everything? Gosh… one more thing for Mom to complain about.

Everything has to go well tomorrow… please.

I close the journal and slip it back into the drawer.

I have to get up early tomorrow. Hollingford is an hour from Manhattan, and with traffic, that one hour easily turns into four.

Thankfully, Paul gave me the day off, and Scarlett offered to drive me so I wouldn’t have to pay for a taxi.

At eight tomorrow morning, everything could change.

I pull the covers up and curl on my side, drawing my knees up slightly. I whisper a silent plea into the dark.

Please, let tomorrow be the start of something new.

I let the silence fall around me like a blanket and finally allow sleep to come.

7

Break a Leg

Eleanor

My alarm blares through the room, startling me awake. I blink at the ceiling, trying to gather myself. Anticipation already knots my stomach.

Today is my audition. The moment I’ve been waiting months for is finally here.

I sit up slowly, pulling back the covers. The air in the room is still, like the moment before something incredible—or completely disastrous—happens. My mind is already moving ahead of me, racing toward the outcome.

Which would be my fate?

In the bathroom, I brush my teeth, tie my hair back, and wash my face with cold water. The shock of it helps ease my nerves a little.

I pull on the soft pair of leggings and cropped hoodie I set out the night before, then move to the kitchen. My stomach growls, but my nerves flare too sharply to ignore. I grab a protein bar from the cabinet and only manage to eat half of it before tossing the rest in the trash. Instead, I take a few small sips of water.

My dance bag is already packed and waiting by the front door. Still, I double-check it. Tights. Leotard. Ballet shoes. Warm-up shrug. Bobby pins. Rosin. Almonds. All there.

At 5:58 a.m., my phone buzzes with a text.

Scarlett: I’m outside. Are you ready?

I grab my bag, shove my feet into my Converse, and pull the door open.

Scarlett waves from the driver’s seat, her smile wide and easy.

As much as I love my sister, I can’t shake the feeling that her being here isn’t entirely sincere. I was surprised when she agreed to drive me, especially after Edward shut me down without hesitation. I didn’t even bother asking Mom. So when Scarlett said yes, I couldn’t help but wonder if she wanted something in return.

I toss my bag in the backseat, then slide into the passenger seat, the protein bar threatening to make an appearance.

“Good morning,” Scarlett greets in a sing-song voice.