John walked aimlessly in the mall hallway. He didn't need anything. Technically he was with his Mom who brought him, but he didn't know where she was. It really didn't matter. She went to the stores she wanted to go to and he went to his. They would meet up later and she would take them both home. The family had only one car and being at the mall was more fun than staying home.

John felt a tap on his shoulder and turned to see a svelte woman in her early forties. He recognized her but couldn't place the face.

"I know you," she said.

"You do?"

"Yeah, your sister Sarah, is in my dance class...ballet I think. I'm Mrs. Eaves."

"Yeah, she loves that sort of stuff." "I think you would love it too."

"Me? NO WAY!"

"Have you ever tried it?"

John could see how this conversation was going so he started to turn his back on Mrs. Eaves while saying, "I think I'll be going. I have to..."

Mrs. Eaves grabbed John's back by his neck. John felt a sharp pain as if he was stuck by a pin.

"YOUCH!," John yelped as he reached for his neck where Mrs. Eaves touched him. Her hand had been quickly withdrawn.

"Oh, I'm so sorry. I must have poked you with my ring."

"It's OK, it just stung a bit."

"As I was saying, have you ever thought of trying out dance?"

"No, I haven't."

"You should, my studio is in the mall, let me show you around."

"I shouldn't my mother will be waiting for me."

"Phone her. Tell her you have a ride home."

John didn't respond to her words. He pulled his cell phone out of his back pocket and pressed the speed dial button for his mother.

"Mom, I have a ride home. I'll see you later," he told his mother.

"Sure, honey."

"Come let's take a look at the studio. You'll like it. You like everything I show you. I promise."

Mrs. Eaves led the way. John followed a half step behind. She unlocked the studio's door and helped it open for John who stepped inside.

John's attitude changed from skeptical to agreeable as he entered the shop. They passed the reception area and continued into a large dance studio. John entered the room. Mrs. Eaves turned on the lights and the room became well illuminated. Straight ahead of him were glass windows that overlooked the homes behind the mall. Mirrors covered both the left and right walls. There was a barre built into the mirrored wall on the right side that also extended the full length of the wall. On the left side were doors leading to other rooms. The doors were covered with mirrors also. When John looked behind himself, he saw that the wall with the entrance door also had a mirror. The floors were hardwood. They looked as if they had just been cleaned and polished.

"What do you think of my studio?" Mrs. Eaves asked.

John was impressed. "It's great."

"You know John, I hear that you and your sister are very competitive. You don't want people to think that she can dance better than you do? I'll bet you are more talented than she is. All you need are a few lessons."

"You're right."

"Let's see what you can do."

John hesitated. He didn't know what to do."

"I see the problem, you're not properly dressed. Come with me."

John followed Mrs. Eaves through the studio. They entered one of the doors on the left wall and entered a locker room.

They stopped in front of a specific locker.

"This one belongs to your sister. I'm sure she won't mind you borrowing her stuff. Get undressed while I open it up."

John didn't think about what he was doing He sat on the nearest bench and pulled off his sneakers and then his socks. He pulled off his T-shirt, then had to stand to get out of his jeans, leaving him wearing joust his briefs.

"Take those off too."

After stepping out of his briefs, John was naked standing before Mrs. Eaves.

"These belong to your sister. Let's try them on."

She handed him a pair of pink short-sleeved leotards with red piping around the waist, white translucent tights, a pink sports bra, and pink pointe shoes.

"I don't need this?" John complained about the sports bra.

"Think of it like an undershirt."