The Shoe Must Go On | Teen Ink

The Shoe Must Go On MAG

November 6, 2010
By routemaster07 GOLD, McLean, Virginia
routemaster07 GOLD, McLean, Virginia
11 articles 2 photos 14 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;Work hard, be yourself, and have fun.&quot;<br /> -Michelle Kwan


This is not good.
My shoe, an object that had been one with my right foot moments earlier, was now cartwheeling through the air in slow motion.

For a moment, my line of sight floated above it all: I saw the shoe – black patent leather glinting in the stage lights – as it tumbled agonizingly closer to the first row audience members and farther from my stocking-clad foot; I heard grainy French music buzzing in my ear, a pounding reminder that I had mere milliseconds before I either ran offstage (and possibly into a neighboring country) or continued doing the can-can with my fellow étudiants de Français; and I saw myself – bug-eyed, jaw dropped, and with a leg still in the process of extending to full kick position.

It was this kick that had provided my shoe with the force and will power necessary to make its journey across stage left and toward my math teacher (and writer of college recommendation letter #2) in seat A8. My mind raced ahead: in a flash, I could see the shoe's heel whacking Mrs. Gregor in the kisser.

This is so not good.

I'd love to say that what followed was due to some great revelation along the lines of The show must go on or If I continue, Mrs. Gregor might overlook her swollen lip and write of my heroic courage in the face of fashion mishaps, but I can't. Instead, as the shoe neared the end of its journey, my mind blanked. I couldn't think, and (despite all the slow mo) I didn't have time to think.

The shoe clattered down upon the edge of the stage.

Five seconds later, my mind caught up with my body and realized that Elizabeth Leader was still on stage and still dancing (albeit in a slightly lopsided manner). Bit by bit, a grin spread across my face.

The author's comments:
This is a short piece I wrote about a certain "Incident" that occurred during my school's Spring Concert. Enjoy!

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This article has 6 comments.


on Dec. 22 2011 at 5:21 am
routemaster07 GOLD, McLean, Virginia
11 articles 2 photos 14 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;Work hard, be yourself, and have fun.&quot;<br /> -Michelle Kwan

Thank you!

on Dec. 21 2011 at 11:39 pm
otherpoet SILVER, Wayland, Massachusetts
6 articles 9 photos 254 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.&quot; - Audrey Hepburn

Amazing! I love that you wrote this piece about 4 secconds of your life, and made it seem like the most important 4. Great writing!

on Nov. 5 2011 at 11:49 am
routemaster07 GOLD, McLean, Virginia
11 articles 2 photos 14 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;Work hard, be yourself, and have fun.&quot;<br /> -Michelle Kwan

Thanks! I'm glad you liked it. :)

on Nov. 5 2011 at 11:07 am
alwayssunshine PLATINUM, Charlotte, North Carolina
24 articles 5 photos 147 comments
So great...especially since it's about your shoe!

on May. 21 2011 at 2:50 pm
routemaster07 GOLD, McLean, Virginia
11 articles 2 photos 14 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;Work hard, be yourself, and have fun.&quot;<br /> -Michelle Kwan

Thank you so much! :)

Hover BRONZE said...
on May. 21 2011 at 7:00 am
Hover BRONZE, Mukwonago, Wisconsin
2 articles 0 photos 85 comments

Favorite Quote:
Sophistication isn&#039;t what you wear or who you know<br /> Or pushing people down to get you where you wanna go<br /> They didn&#039;t teach you that in prep school, so it&#039;s up to me,<br /> But no amount of vintage dresses gives you dignity.<br /> ~Taylor Swift<br /> *Defy Gravity!*

This was very witty and had marvelous descriptions. :) Good writing!