The art of dance is far from a trivial physical sport. The art of dance is something indescribable. A dancer can't construe the emotion he or she feels when the music compels them. The dancer may not be able to project an adjective for the high a dancer receives when the elements of music and spirits coagulate into one. The art of dance is the art of becoming one with your soul. Every instrument controls you and every rhyme compels you farther into a trance. This trance is only broken when the music stops, even then, the dancer still moves. This is the art of dance, compelling passion, soulful grace, and embodied heart.

"She has the grace of a gazelle, but the hunger of a lion" Some compliment. "Jesse Rose Edmond, a talented dancer with captivating stage presence. You can tell she wants it" Others would add lib. Yet, none of their opinions matter. The opinions of others outside of the dance industry never mattered to me. They are on the outside looking in. These journalist can't even decipher half of the effort a dancer puts into their craft, yet people listen to them.

I've always been told that I have a great chance in pushing past my limitations, but there was always an rebuttal. "You can be just as great as Misty Copeland, but you have to fix this" One voice would say. "You can do this girl, but if you keep doing that you will never get it" Another voice would add lib. These are the voices I listened to. The voices that falsely believed in me. That was until I was offered an place in New Yorks best dance company, Gallim Dance.

Along with the efforts of my father, the director of Gallim Dance John Stash, attributed to oblivion of negativity. "Why listen to the ignorance of others when the dance tells you all you need to know?" John would tell me when I stressed my feelings to him. His words spoke truth.

Why should I listen to ignorance? With a new retrospect of my dancing abilities I transfused ignorance into bliss, hence forth acclaiming the motto "When they tell you that you can't, nod and silently prove them wrong". This motto and the encouragement of others gifted me with the will to come this far. I can't thank those persons enough.

"That was really nice Miss Edmond, just hold the swan a little longer next time" Miss Polozzi encourages, moving onward to the next dancer.

I've been in Itay for the entirety of a month, and I will honestly admit I love this place. Asides from it's astonishing views and graceful civilians, Italy has given me the chance to redefine myself. I'm a strong believer of self definition. I believe that when a person is alone, the person should take time to rehabilitate their minds. The cranium is always a place of refuge when the world around you is in bedlam. A person brains allow them the freedoms that the world cunningly steals away.

My venture into Italy as another stepping stone of my career as a dancer is more than just a great opportunity. My venture to Italy adversely began with my longing for Michael to endure this with me, but eventually as days turned into weeks, this new adventure has become a way of self defining. I have learned to become more independent and learn more about myself.

As much as I love being with Michael, I've seemingly forgotten what it feels like to be on my lonesome. Being alone isn't necessarily terrible, I've come to realize that as well.

"You should try to elongate your leg a little more. It's all in the core" A voice directs from behind me.

Oddly enough, the male voice was not of the prevalent Italian accent I have come accustomed to. Instead of the long drawl of Italian, I am astonished by his light and well spoken American accent. Frankly, I'm relieved that there is another American besides me in this program.

I turn to thank the kind stranger. Upon turning, I catch myself holding my breath at the man before me. The memories of me as a young child dreaming of this moment floods my mind. I'm truly taken a back, and so are my words.

"I didn't mean to take you from your practice. I just thought I would lend you my penny thought" He chuckles lightly.

Still search my larynx for words, I take this time to glance over the man before me. Chehon Wespi Tschopp. The winner of season nine of a the popular dance competition show, So You Think You Can Dance. Chehon originates Chicago Illinois, but was raised in Sydney, Australia only to move at a young age to Zurich Switzerland. He was a young ballet protege by the age of thirteen and by the mature age of fourteen, he was offered a spot to train at The Royal Ballet School in London. He also trained with many other performing arts schools but his last was Los Angeles.

His story is remarkable. He has faced racism which consisted of racial profiling. He would be turned down offers because many be perplexed by his nationality. Yet he beat the odds and now is a well known dancer as well as dance instructor at the age of twenty-six. He, along with Michael was and are my hero's.

"Are you okay Miss Edmond?" He asks softly, his thin eyebrows lowering with concern.

Falling back into reality, I nod naively and desperately try to regain my composure. I know I shouldn't, but I can't but marvel over his structure. Compared to Michael, he is a bit heavier in build opposed to Micheal's lean frame. His dark eyes are just as alluring as Michael's as well appeased by that bright and gentle smile of his. The man is gorgeous.

Stay focused Jesse!

Heeding the warning of my conscience. I void my gawk and continue onward with professionalism.

"Yes. I'm fine. Pardon my rudeness, I'm Jesse" I greet casually, offering my hand.

With that infamous charming smile, he chuckles and takes my offered hand in his.

"Nice to meet you Jesse. I'm presuming you're new here?" He makes for small talk.

Ignoring his focused gaze I nod. He nods in silent agreement, turning his attention on the dancers around us. When his gaze returns he folds his hands behind his bak in thought before speaking.

"You must be the American from New York? I've heard a lot about you. And if I'm not being too forward, I would like to know more about you. Miss Edmond" He smiles again.

I instantly hesitate, my heart skipping a measly beat. Not only is my life long hero actually conversing with me, he's genuinely interested in my life. Chehon wants to know about Jesse Rose Edmond, the fan girl and aspiring dancer, not Jesse Michael Jackson's girlfriend. Though I do wonder if he is aware that I am in a relationship with the now renown "King Of Pop".

"My apologies if I've made you uncomfortable. But it's very rare that an American dancer walks through those doors" He sighs with an concerning frown.

"No. It's not that at all. I'm just amazed. I heard of your story when I was a young girl and it's incredible. I can relate to you and the fact that you are here is even more bewildering to me" I admit, my cheeks growing hot with embarrassment.

He chuckles lightly at my fandom, licking his lips mindlessly.

"Thank you. I'm happy I have inspired you, but I'm just another dancer. Now you Miss Edmond, you are the amazing one. I've seen your profile and I'm in awe. You're very talented Miss Edmond. That's why I would like to help you, be your partner in your journey. Even if you choose not to stay in Italy as a member of Spellbound" He offers.

My smile slowly fades. Another director has approached me with an offer that shouldn't be turned down. yet I can't help but think of my last experience with mister Sanchez. He only gifted me with an offer because of my relation with Michael. I don't wish for a repetition of that with Chehon.

Noticing my hesitation, Chehon steps closer and places a gentle had on my shoulder. The warmth of his head sent my eyes onto his in wonderment.

"I know you're worried. Don't be. I want to know you. I want to help you. You're more than his girlfriend, I'm well aware of that. I wouldn't take a lovely woman like you for granted, it's not my nature. You're a dancer that I want help sculpt and mold, can I do that?" He asks softly, his eyes giving way to his honesty.

I'm unsure. I'm unsure of trusting him the way I trusted Mister Sanchez. I trusted mister Sanchez to fulfill his promise of bringing me one step closer to my dream, instead he played me like a casino game, gaining his bets from Michael's appearances and therefore winning the gamble. I will not take thing's so lightly this time around. No one will use me again.

"No thank you. I rather do this on my own. I do appreciate your offer" I forcefully reject his offer.

Frowning again in disappointment, he nods respectively and slowly slides his hand down my arm. When his hand reaches my palms, he clasps it and shakes it lightly as if we've settled a muted dealing.

"I appreciate your independence Miss Edmond. But I fear you're running away from something. I do respect your decision and will leave with this" He replies, retrieving his hand and stuffing it into his trouser pocket.

Removing a business card from his pocket. He also removes a fine, point ink pen and scribbles something on the back of the card before placing it into my palm.

"Contact me when you are ready to rid your fear. I hope to hear from you soon. It's been a pleasure Miss Edmond" He salutes, turning to walk away.

I watch him silently, ignoring the whispers of the other dancers. How can he be so sure that I need him? I've made it to this point by verbal support of others and training from my father. No one else can train me,I already know what a dance should. I don't need someone else trying to teach me their way. I'm here to find my own way. I don't need him.

My admiration has turned into resentment. Chehon may have been kind with his words, but maybe his hidden agenda was to have me reconsider my dancing abilities. I could be too analytic of the occurrence, but every dancer knows not to step on the toes of another fellow dancer. Chehon has certainly stepped on mine.

Huge mistake.

To Be Continued...