Maybe One Day

Zoe and Olivia have been best friends since they were 4 and started taking ballet classes together.  They both became accomplished ballerinas and leave their New Jersey school every afternoon to study ballet in Manhattan.  They plan their future lives together- live in a swanky apartment, dance, and have plenty of day to evening wear outfits.  Then "the worst thing that will ever happen" happens- they get cut from their ballet school.  They are then thrust into "ordinary" life.  Olivia takes the setback in stride, even teaching a ballet class at the youth center.  Zoe, the yin to Olivia's yang, cannot figure out what she wants to do now.  She throws away all of her ballet clothes and shoes, cuts her hair, tries out for soccer, which she hates, and is not willing to admit to herself how much she misses dancing.  Then the real tragedy hits- Olivia, Zoe's beautiful, happy, optimistic "other half" is diagnosed with leukemia.  She is admitted to the hospital and begins chemotherapy treatment.  Zoe is forced to continue to live her life with half of herself missing.  While Olivia is in the hospital receiving chemo, Zoe has to go to school, begins teaching the ballet class in Olivia's place, and tries to remain as normal as possible.  
I really loved this story.  So moving and sweet.  And while Zoe is not the most likable protagonist, I really felt moved by the circumstances she is forced to deal with.  She really feels as if Olivia is part of her, and she cannot handle not having her with her.  I think she is only reacting to the harsh reality of life, something many teenagers really don't have to deal with.  I really recommend this book!