The Dream and His Dancer

By Hannah Stuver

Cecillia Noelle's dance troupe performed The Nutcracker differently. Instead of Clara being played by an 8-year old, it was reserved for a high school senior, ready to leave the troupe and explore a new experience. It was what Cecilia has worked towards her entire childhood.
And she didn't get the role.
As he does every Christmas Eve, her neighbor Mr. Drosselmeier comes to share the tale of The Nutcracker. As she drifts into dreams during his tale, she comes to learn that the Nutcracker gifted to her many years ago by Mr. Drosselmeier isn't any old toy, but the Prince still under the curse.
A curse Cecilia has the chance to lift.
As Cecilia dances the line between dream and reality, she must face the Mouse King and his magical charms, and take up the role that Clara failed to fill. But if Cecilia missed the role in ballet, can she fill the role in real life?

A perfect read for Christmas, come curl up with this modern fairy tale full of magic, love, and being true to yourself.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Hannah Stuver
• Release date: Oct 17, 2020
• ISBN: 9781005906238

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Hannah Stuver

The Dream and his Dancer

Copyright © 2021 by Hannah Stuver

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission.

This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

Cover design is by the author, Hannah Stuver.

Second edition

This book was professionally typeset on Reedsy

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Contents

Dedication

1. Christmas Eve

2. Princess Pirlipat

3. Midnight

4. Odalis’s Curse

5. Nutcracker Wilhelm

6. Nightmares

7. Talentless

8. New Years Eve

9. The Mouse King

10. The Missing Memory

11. New Years Day

Notes on the Second Edition

Acknowledgements

About the Author

Dedication

To anyone who ever wanted to be Clara or Marie in the Nutcracker.

Go be her.

One

Christmas Eve

Chapter Separator

Under blinding white lights, Cecilia held back her tears as she took her bow with the other ballet students and soaked up the applause. But as Lauren approached center stage, the crowd erupted.

Cecilia forced her smile wider. That applause should’ve been for her. But she messed it up. And now, Lauren had the limelight for playing the coveted role of Clara.

At this point, she was just grateful that this was the last night of performances.

* * *

Isa Noelle was the first to reach Cecilia in the cold Christmas Eve air.

Oh, Cece! I am so grateful that this dreaded affair is over!

Mom, not now, Cecilia hissed, burying her shame in her mother’s coat.

Now, now, Isa. You promised that you would support Cece in whatever role she received in the Nutcracker. And I do not believe this is support, Artus, Cecelia’s father, remarked. You did a wonderful job as the wind-up doll.

Cecilia gave a weak smile as she turned and hugged her father. Thanks, Papa,

Behind him, Oliver helped Mr. Drosselmeier hobble out the theater. It may not have been your dream role, but you performed wonderfully despite it. Oliver offered.

Nonsense! Mr. Drosselmeier wheezed. I know you’re a wonderful dancer, and you did do a wonderful job tonight, but you absolutely should have played the role of Clara!

Cecilia gave a bitter laugh, pulling away from Artus and wiping away a tear. What did I do to receive the wrath of two Germans? It’s not like I chose who got to play Clara. Come on, let’s go home and forget about all of this. I have all my stuff here and ready.

Artus picked up the box next to her, and motioned to the street. Come on, my little dancer, he said, smiling. Let’s go home and enjoy Christmas Eve.

The party headed to the car, and Cecilia was trapped between Oliver and Mr. Drosselmeier in the back. With a sigh, she leaned forward, elbows resting against aching thighs. This was it. The final performance was over. She tried to distract herself by humming along to Christmas songs, but it couldn’t fight off the ache of opportunities missed.

They soon reached home, and Cecilia raced up the stairs to shower. She scrubbed her skin and face until they burned raw, her tears flowing freely. This was her last Nutcracker performance with her troupe. Next year was college, and who knew if she would ever have time to be in the beloved ballet again? And if she did, she would never be young enough to play Clara.

Once out of the shower, she ran back into her room, threw on a set of sweats, and curled up in her bed, observing the collection of nutcrackers that lined her dresser. Twelve funny looking men, staring back at her.

What are you staring at? she snapped. I tried, okay? I tried to get the role of Clara.

They continued to stare at her.

She shook her head. Look at me. Talking to you as if you’re real. Just like Clara did in the story. If only you were. If only you could sweep me away to the Kingdom of Dolls.

There was a gentle knock at a door, followed by a You decent?

Yeah.

The door opened, and Oliver stepped in. Come downstairs. Papa has his famous hot chocolate all ready.

Not coming down tonight, but thanks, she replied, waving him away.

You’re joking. Because you didn’t get to play the role you wanted, you’re going to skip out on Christmas Eve traditions?

Yup. That a problem?

It’s extremely immature of you.

"Well, Mister I’m-gonna-be-a-lawyer, I am a teenager."

She watched his fists ball up as he tried to stay calm. I didn’t come home from Yale to watch you mope around over a dumb ballet.

It’s not just a dumb ballet! Cecilia hissed, jumping up.

Oh really? Then what is it then? he asked, voice raising.

She stopped for a moment, but it didn’t quench her anger. Not like you’d understand. You always were the one who sought after ‘sensible things.’

Cece, just try me, he groaned.

You always dreamed of being a lawyer. I’ve always dreamed of being Clara.

I know that, but why?

Because of her adventures! She saved a prince and faced a terrifying monster!

Cece, that’s all a fantasy! A made-up story!

That’s why I told you that you wouldn’t understand!

Just say something that makes sense!

It makes sense to me!

Just grow up! he yelled, making Cecilia flinch. You’re heading to college next year! You can’t pretend to be Clara forever!

His hands jerked up, and caught the face of one of her nutcrackers. And they both watched in horror as they toppled. One by one, crashing into the next man in line, until the one at the end toppled off the edge of