They were there. Dancing in the cold streets of this big city. They were there, focused on their postures. Cold but together. They had dancing, the city, each other. Esther always liked Anna during their dance training in school. They were almost the same, in character and in appearance. Long, soft bodies with dark, long, black hair. The first time they met they were both fresh year students and quite scared of the other experienced ones. They thought they would fail from the first semester and soon they would be sent back to their homes. Places they hated and both promised to themselves never to return to. They both were not aware of how similar they were with each other.
One night, during their first semester, they met accidentally in the laundry room of their building, where both were going to wash their clothes. Oddly enough, none of them realized how close they were living to each other. They recognized each other’s faces immediately. They have seen each other in class before, right? Anna walked towards Esther in a slow and insecure way, but also with some excitement, determined to create something new. Yes, they both have spotted each other from the first days in school, but they never exchanged anything further than a usual greeting. However, both of them knew how they felt from the very first moment they laid eyes to each other. Strong, unidentified feelings. So, that night at the laundry, Anna took the big decision to talk to Esther. “Do not overthink about it girl, just do it”, she said to herself, as soon as she saw Esther entering the laundry room. “Hi, I am Anna. I think we are in the same classes in school”, said Anna quite determined. “Yes I know” replied Esther.
From that moment on they knew. They became inseparable. They were going everywhere together. Their souls unraveled and danced along without any interruptions. They spent hours talking and sharing, practicing their “secret” dance moves and exploring every possible new ones. They were so alike. How could that be? How could they miss each other for so long? The late nights they spent dancing and dancing all over again, combining their talents, would prove something more than they both have imagined. It would prove that they finally have made it. They both made it to the school’s finest of dancers and were offered by their department a full scholarship. Now they could conquer everything. Through their hard work the lives they were dreaming could finally become true.
Being popular was also achieved, almost overnight. They now had to prepare for the last show of the season, a duet with dancing parts of traditional ballet combined with modern pieces. People were talking about them. “The twins”, they would say and the girls wouldn’t bother. They were made for each other and yes they were looking almost exactly the same. In a period of only six months, those two lonely girls became from nobodies to someones, but together as a whole. Could it really be?
A phone call came late at night on a Friday. They were both tired from practicing and it was time to relax. But the call changed everything. It was a man from a Broadway theater. Broadway! He called Anna and asked for a meeting. Alone. He liked her temperament he said. Esther was too flat. When she heard it she protested. How could it be? She couldn’t go alone. What about Esther? They were a team, an inseparable duet. No way that would happen. Esther was devastated. All this hard work and now they want Anna alone? What was she doing wrong? Could it be that Anna was using her after all? That day in the laundry place, could it be that she was planning to use her in order to promote herself? Through their indisputable resemblance and common talent?
Doubt was planted now in Esther’s heart. What she shared with Anna was suddenly demolished. That phone call did change everything, especially for Esther. It opened her eyes. Yes. Blind all along. Stupid Esther. How could she fall for that? How could she be so ignorant? The next morning Anna tried to convince Esther that she knew nothing about it, but it was too late. The safety they built in each other’s company was now gone. But maybe it wasn’t safety at all and what Esther felt was all an illusion. But they still have to practice, added Anna, shaking Esther out of her thoughts. “So that is what she really cares after all”, thought Esther. The stupid dances and herself! Unbelievable. She didn’t even try harder.
But the decisions where already made. Ego appeared menacingly and was now threatening them roughly. They were blocking each other, they were killing each other. They both let doubt eat their beautiful companionship. Their egos grew enormously and they couldn’t think straight. Just a word could have saved everything. Just a smile or an apology could do so much. But no. Silence and dangerous thoughts overtook their hearts. All of this for nothing. All of this for the life they could actually share and now they are both throwing away. The ignorance of youth. How destructive.
(Photograph taken from Pinterest, 2014)