The Lost Chance

Franny's Recital

  Camila and Fabian bonded a lot during the months they spend together. Though Fabian never told Camila how he died or who he was. He knew that the longer he kept it hidden the harder she'd take it but he was too scared to tell her.

   Camila finished her year in her university and was finally on her summer vacation. In summer, she'd usually rehearse more in dance. Fabian knew that Franny had a recital that Saturday so he begged Camila to go. Camila hasn't talked to Lena nor Franny since the day they met, so the thought of appearing there for no reason scared Camila. But eventually she agreed to go.

   Because Camila was a dancer at that studio, the teacher made Camila encourage the young dancers before going on stage. Camila felt like digging a hole and burying herself in it. Talking in front of people wasn't Camila's favorite thing to do, but she had to take one for the team.

   Fabian loved the look of concern on Camila's face that day, she was scared for a totally harmless event. "They're kids." He kept telling her, but Camila didn't listen, no matter the age, speaking to people freaked Camila out.

   When it was time for the recital, Camila took a deep breath and approached the young dancers: "Okay dancers, ah, you worked really hard for this, and, ah, you got this. Use those skills you used in class and show your parents how you are all beautiful ballet dancers. Good luck."

   When she finished, the little kids clapped for her and went to get ready to go on stage. Camila stood alone next to the makeup stand, Fabian appeared next to her smiling at her saying: "That wasn't too bad."

   Camila looked him in the eye, breathing heavily, and contradicted: "I am still shaking. I can't even, that was the hardest thing I've ever done."

   A minute before going on stage, Camila realized that Franny was standing alone, so she went over to her. "Hi Franny, are you ready?"

   Franny moved her head from side to side, so Camila asked: "What's wrong?"

   Franny answered in a very faint voice: "I am scared I will fail. I wish Fabian was watching me."

   Camila bit her lip as she looked at Fabian, he looked miserable after hearing Franny's words. Camila knew that she had to do something, so she tried encouraging Franny by saying: "You know, when I started dancing I used to fail a lot, I used to do the wrong moves and totally embarrassed myself. But you know what failure does? It helps you learn. Just because you fall doesn't mean you lost, you get back up and continue dancing, that's what a winner is. Us dancers, we're fighters, we don't let mistakes beat us, we beat them."

   Franny let out a little laugh to Camila's words, especially since Camila's face expressions were so funny that it even cheered Fabian up. "And trust me, Fabian knows how good you'll dance. He is watching you without even being here. Trust me." Camila added.

   The teacher started calling the kids over to the stage, so all that Franny could do was say: "Thank you."

   Camila stood next to Fabian backstage and watched the kids prepare behind the closed curtain. Fabian looked at Camila and smiled: "Thank you Camila."

   Camila smiled back saying: "It was no big deal, I used to wish that I had someone to help me cheer up before a recital too. Sometimes you have to be your own hero, and sometimes you have to be others'. It just depends on the situation."

   Watching the recital made Fabian feel proud, Franny was a fast learner and it was obvious that she was the best in her class. Camila also felt proud, watching the next generation of dancers made her remember her own experience.

   She remembered the first time she stepped on stage was the time she knew that she wanted to be a dancer. The stage was her home. Even though she had social anxiety, she loved performing, it was the only thing she could do in front of people. When she danced she felt free, as if everything in her life was history and her future was right in front of her, laying there for the taking. She just hoped that the next generation felt the same way and had the same passion she did.

   After the recital, Camila stood with her teacher to help her make sure all the kids went back to their families. When Lena approached Camila, she smiled saying: "Well isn't this a surprise, Camila right?"

   Camila smiled back at Lena and answered: "Yeah, hi again Lena."

   Lena held Franny's hand and complimented in a baby voice: "You were incredible Franny. Such a little angel fallen from heaven above."

   Camila couldn't help but smile more towards Lena's words. Lena realized this, so she added: "Franny is like my little sister, and her parents couldn't come, so I had to. I know it means a lot for her to have family supporting her."

   Camila nodded: "I understand that, my parents are always at work, so most of my recitals I would only have one of them in the audience. Now they don't have to come because it's recorded on the internet."

   "Are you sure we don't have the same parents?" Lena laughed. "By the way, I have been wondering what happened to you? You never called back."

   "I am usually shy, so I am always afraid to talk to people." Camila replied.

   "Well I don't bite. I actually would use a friend around this time, you see I have also been a little shy lately too. My friends think that I have changed, so they left me alone. Franny here is my only friend lately." Lena confessed.

   "Oh, I am sorry. Your friends don't seem like the true ones." Camila frowned.

   "You're telling me. Just when you need someone too much, they leave. That's how my life has been, ever since I was born." Lena admitted, trying to stop her voice from breaking.

   "Well if you need a friend, I don't mind being one. Maybe we can help each other." Camila offered.

   "I would really appreciate that." Lena smiled. "We better get back home before it's dark. See you later Camila."

   Fabian looked at Camila and felt thankful for her. He thought that maybe Camila can try and fix the hole he left in his sister's heart, and maybe help Lena feel loved again too.