LOOK ME IN THE HEART

Hi, Y’all!!!!

How are you, guys? I hope you’re doing great!

Are you ready for a new romantic adventure? If so, fasten your seatbelts, and let’s start this new ride together.

This book is very loosely based on a true story. Significant portions of the story, or major plot turns, have been rewritten.

With this being said, follow me into the magical, gracious, exquisite, beautiful world of ballet. I love this amazing form of art since I was a little girl. At some point, I tried becoming a ballerina, but I wasn’t built to be one, so… I did other things.

But ballet kept being a part of my life every step of the way. I saw the most important shows: “Swan Lake”, “Giselle”, “The Nutcracker”, “Romeo and Juliet”, “Don Quixote” and so on. I live in Italy, so, I hope, one day, to see a ballet show at the “Scala”, in Milan. (just a little dream of mine.)

Before “taking the stage”, allow me to explain a few things. In this story, you may find mentioned some strange French words. They are ballet moves. (I promise I won’t use them too much). If you’re interested to know more, check all the ballet videos you can find. This world is absolutely MAGNIFICENT.

Fouetté – A quick change of direction of the body, or a movement of the leg. From French, meaning ‘whipped’, can either be a quick change of direction of the upper body and hips with the leg extended, or a quick movement of the working leg as it passes in front or behind the supporting leg.

Plié (bent, bending) - is a bending of the knees, usually performed in one of the six positions of the feet. Demi-plié is a small or half bend of the knees, keeping the heels of the feet flat on the floor. Grand-plié is a full or large bend of the knees.

Rond de Jambe - a circular movement of the leg that can be performed on the ground or during a jump.

The En Pointe technique in classical ballet is one of the most challenging to execute. In this move, a dancer has to support their entire bodyweight on their feet, which are fully extended.

Grand battement (large beating) - is a move in which the leg is lifted to hip level or higher and held straight.

Prima ballerina (Italian) - literally translates to ‘first principal dancer’. These female dancers are the best in their companies and perform the lead roles in ballets, along with their male counterparts.

An Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) rupture (tear) - If you injure your ACL, you may hear a popping sound and feel pain in your knee. Your knee may feel unstable and give way (or feel like it will), and you may not be able to bear weight on it. If you're playing sport or you're a dancer, you're unlikely to be able to carry on, you won't be able to walk on it.

Okay, the info list is over.

Let’s start our romantic dance together.

Thank you so much for the opportunity you’re giving to this story. I hope you’re going to enjoy it. Remember to leave a comment or a gem (if you feel the story deserves it).

Baci & Abbracci

Emma.