“Of course, Lila. You are an excellent student, and I’m sure you will succeed.” The teenage girl’s enthusiasm for dance brought a smile to Yelena’s lips, but a protective instinct urged her to issue a gentle piece of advice. “Do not stress yourself too much though about being accepted. You must be confident.”<br/><br/>The dance instructor really did worry that Lila pushed herself too hard; perhaps it wasn’t her place, but she couldn’t help worrying about her. She nodded her permission as the girl headed toward the changing room, calling after her.<br/><br/>“I think I left the music in my office. I’ll be back.”<br/><br/>Madame Naumov headed towards her office, down the hall from the bathrooms and studio proper. She was distracted as she entered, mentally trying to remember where the practice CD had ended up in the bustle of students, mothers, and package delivery men wandering into the office and the subsequent flurry of paperwork and boxes that found themselves on her desk.<br/><br/>It was a tight fit in the small room, and she would have to close the door behind her to squeeze around her desk and reach the drawers.