𝒓𝒉𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒎 ➙ 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒘𝒏 𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒔

eight

natalie atkins
7:26AM
los angeles, california

my alarm blares out a sound similar to a police siren noise, making me groan, i shut it off as i groan and get out of bed, going to take a shower.

i had absolutely no desire to leave my bed but i knew that if i didn't, juliana would be on my case.

once i'm out i thrown on some athletic wear because i have a feeling i'm going to need it with today's rehearsal, i put on a pair of black leggings and a black sports bra with a blue gym tank top, i throw on some sneakers quickly, i was running out of time so i grabbed my free hand and formed what looked like a ponytail - even though there were pieces sticking out.

sometimes i like to dress nice for when i do dance rehearsals, they bring me back to my childhood but on days like this i'm so tired i just grab the first thing i can reach for, and today it was this.

today's going to be so draining, mentally, socially and physically - i can already feel it, but i'll be ok, if i can do seven years of dance practice i can most definitely handle this one day.

i apply some natural makeup, just so i don't look exhausted or like i had just rolled out of bed, i reach under my bed to grab a gym bag, in there i throw extra makeup, headphones, keys, a water bottle and some extra clothes. i grab my phone, and quickly opening my bedroom door, tiptoeing downstairs trying to be as quiet as i can so to not wake up my parents, who by the sounds of all the snores were still asleep.

they were still asleep because it's a monday and my mom doesn't work on monday's, she actually has three days off, so my dad doesn't open the store until later, so they get to enjoy some time together, i quickly make myself some breakfast and decide on some avocado toast and coffee.

as i swallow that down as quick as i possibly could, i get a text from drew that he's here, i quickly throw my plates in the dishwasher and walk out, once again being careful to not wake my parents up in the process.

"hey guys" i say as i close the car door and place my bag on the ground, "hey!" ally says, pulling me into for a hug, i smile, hugging her back.

"how are you drew?" i ask looking into the mirror to look him in his eyes, well his sunglasses, he smiles and looks into the mirror, "i'm good miss, how are you?" he asks which makes me chuckle, "tired." drew chuckles back as he starts the car, driving us off to the dance studio.

"juliana! i'm here!" i shout as i jog up the steps to the studio, ally following close behind me.

once i've reach the top of the stairs, i see juliana, two other people and shawn, wait shawn? what in the hell is he doing here? not that i'm not glad to see him, i'm just surprised, i guess he's not exactly the type of person that dances, and why's andrew here too?

"shawn?" i ask and he looks at me and shrugs, before looking back to his phone, oh yeah i forgot he's got to keep up this rude guy act in front of his manager.