Chapter 1:

When most people think of an apartment in New York City, they think of the wonderful penthouses that the famous celebrities and models live in. They usually don't think of the small and cramped apartments that still cost an arm and a leg to live in.

Claire, a young woman of only 15, is the first to wake up in her apartment, as usual. Her light brown eyes look around her "closet," since it was really too small for her to sometimes consider her room. All she could fit was her twin-sized bed, a nightstand, and a small clothing rack she found behind a warehouse and hung her clothes on. Still, it was better than living back at home in her little town in Pennsylvania. She already knew her long, light brown hair was a mess and already dreaded combing it out after her shower.

Her roommate, Zoey, was snoring in the other bedroom, although with paper-thin walls it wasn't hard not to hear her. Claire stepped out of her room, took a quick glance at Zoey's door, debating whether to wake her up before or after her shower.

'I'd better wait until after. She probably came home late.'

Claire took three steps and opened the door for the bathroom. Zoey's pink leotard for the day was hanging on the towel rack. After a quick shower, after all she didn't want the water bill to be too high this month, she pulled out the blow-dryer and the comb. While she enjoyed having her long, mid-back length hair, detangling it in the morning along with the eternity it took to dry it was always such a pain.

When she was done, she put her hair up in a ponytail and went to Zoey's door.

"Zoe, time to get up. We have the opening shift, don't forget."

Grumbling from inside the room made it seem Zoey heard the message.

Claire went over to the small kitchen and made herself a bowl of fresh fruit and cereal.

'Thank goodness we got paid this week. I don't think a diet of ramen would've been good for another week.'

Claire pulled out her binder and started planning out the schedule for today. She and Zoey both worked in a gymnastics studio a few streets over. Zoey's older sister was taught by the current coach there and when he heard about the pair wanting to come to New York, he gladly offered a job.

While it sucked having to wake up at 5 in the morning on a Saturday, at least they had a job they could stay in school and have flexible hours.

When Zoey came out of her room, she didn't exactly "walk." Claire liked to say she "zombied" her way to the bathroom. It was only when Zoey would turn on the cold water that she would finally start to wake up.

Claire finished eating and tossed the dishes in the sink for now. She picked out a black and gold leotard for the day and made sure to bring water and her first aid kit just in case. After applying a little bit of makeup, she stepped out to the kitchen and waited for Zoey.

"CeeCee!" Zoey shouted from the bathroom, remind me to grab more shampoo on the way back!"

Clare glared at the bathroom door.

"What did I say about calling me that?! I'm not 5 anymore!"

When Zoey came out, she put her long black hair up in a ponytail just like Claire's. Her dark brown eyes stood out even more with the faint black eyeliner. The pink leotard was old but it was Zoey's favorite so she would never throw it out.

"Hey did you figure out that Calculus homework last night? You know if you want during our lunch break I can help you."

Claire blushed out of embarrassment. Zoey was really the envy of most of the girls at school and at the studio. Not only was she one of many gymnasts in her family but she was incredibly smart; she even was a year ahead of Claire despite only being a few weeks apart in age.

"Yeah thanks. I just don't understand why I need to know any of this stuff."

"Hey as long as you take care of any papers I have to write, I'll gladly work on any science. Ok, CeeCee?"

"Knock it off!"

The girls put on their sweatpants and sweatshirts, all with the NYC's Star Potential Studios logo, and headed over to the gym. Claire pulled out her set of keys and the two girls went through the daily opening chores after clocking in.

The spring floor made it easier for the gymnasts to maneuver around and Claire loved to do flips and tumbles on it. Zoey enjoyed gymnastics but she never wanted to go to the Olympics like her family wanted. She would prefer using her mind to solve some type of math problem or mess around with a science lab than spend the whole day being doing somersault after back handspring after all kinds of other moves.

Claire loved gymnastics so working at a great studio like this was always one of her dreams. Her real dream would be to open one of her own and show everyone back home that she wasn't some "ninja-wannabe."

Zoey looked at the classes for the day and groaned.

"Great. The Bauman twins are coming today."

"Come on give the two a break."

"Sure right after they get an attitude adjustment. I get it their parents are high-class lawyers and all but their kids are spoiled little brats. They just hide behind Mommy and Daddy and expect us to do everything for them."

"Which is why we have to be good leaders and have them see the rewards of-"

Claire stopped when Zoey started to give her the puppy-dog eyes.

"All right fine. I'll take them. You take the intermediates."

Zoey back-flipped out of joy.

"Thank you!"