The story revolves around Joyce, a young woman who was once a promising ballet dancer. Five years ago, she won a city ballet contest, but her life took a drastic turn when her father died in a car accident, and she sustained life-changing injuries that left her wheelchair-bound.
Joyce's passion for ballet was reignited when her half-brother Dylan helped her enroll in a ballet class, which was actually paid for by Philip, a famous ballet dancer and the son of Bernie, the woman responsible for the car accident that killed Joyce's father.
As Joyce returns to ballet, she faces challenges and setbacks, including a rivalrous cousin Nancy who is also a ballet dancer and has feelings for Philip. However, with the support of Philip and Dylan, Joyce perseveres and eventually wins a prestigious ballet competition.
The story takes a dramatic turn when Joyce discovers the truth about the car accident and Bernie's role in it. However, instead of seeking revenge, Joyce chooses to forgive and move on. The story concludes with Joyce continuing to pursue her passion for ballet, undergoing treatment for her condition, and starting a romantic relationship with Philip.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The International Ballet Contest is being held in New York this year.
2. The narrator won the City Ballet contest five years ago.
3. The narrator's dad died in a car accident five years ago.
4. The narrator was left with life-changing injuries after the car accident.
5. The narrator's aunt, Robin, is a gifted ballerina.
6. The narrator's cousin, Nancy, is a student of the New York City Ballet.
7. The narrator's half-brother, Dylan, is in trouble and comes to live with them.
8. Dylan's mom is a gambling addict and is in debt.
9. Dylan and the narrator's aunt agree that Dylan can stay with them temporarily until his mom is found.
10. The narrator is forced to cover for Dylan's misbehavior.
11. Dylan helps the narrator pursue her passion for ballet again.
12. The narrator meets Philip, a famous ballet dancer, at the mall.
13. Philip is friends with the narrator's aunt and is interested in helping the narrator.
14. Philip and the narrator start spending time together, and he helps her with her ballet practice.
15. Nancy is jealous of the narrator's relationship with Philip.
16. The narrator discovers that her aunt has been keeping secrets from her about her past.
17. Bernie, a famous ballet dancer, was responsible for the car accident that killed the narrator's dad.
18. Bernie has been sending monthly money to the narrator's aunt to compensate for the narrator's condition.
19. The narrator's aunt was using the money to invest in Nancy's ballet career.
20. The narrator is upset and feels betrayed by her aunt's actions.
21. The narrator performs at the International Ballet Contest and wins.
22. The narrator forgives Bernie for her past mistakes.
23. The narrator decides to pursue a career in ballet instead of business.
24. The narrator is undergoing treatment for her condition.
25. Philip and the narrator start dating.
26. Dylan and the narrator move into their own house with Philip's help.
27. Dylan gets a scholarship to a prestigious high school.