Receiving

Chapter 20

 Sophie’s POV

 The stage that we are performing on at Juilliard is massive and the hall seats around 900 people. They have 200 dancers and 10 males and 10 females will be accepted with the top 5 of the 20 getting full scholarships. I know that Riley really needs a scholarship as there is no way she could get the money to come. Today is Monday and we have solos and then the choreo that they are going to teach us. They haven’t told us what we are going to do tomorrow.

 Riley was the first one out of the three of us to perform. You could wear costumes and have props if you brought your own so she has hers from Nationals. She is performing her first duet because she thought that she performs that one better.

 Peyton is next and he performs his Nationals duet as well. I am one of the last people to perform. I have a costume because I had to have a solo ready in case Riley couldn’t perform. It is a very happy song and it is very fast. I am wearing a dress that comes down to my mid-thigh. It has thick straps over my shoulders and it is silver with lots and lots of sparkles.

 Standing on the stage looking out is nerve-wracking. You can see the judges sitting in the front row and it is really scary. Once I start though I forget my nerves. I was just trying to jump higher and spin faster and dance the best that I ever have. Once I walk off I am so happy with how I have performed.

 “Now we are starting to learn the choreography. You will split into groups of about ten to learn it,” the guy said who I think is called John.

 “But first we have clothes that you have to change into,” a woman said, called Lauren.

 They had ones for everyone in their size. For the guys it was a tight singlet and shorts and for the girls it is crop top that is like the ones that athletes use at the Olympics and shorts. Everyone also has a number for their front and back. Riley looks at it in disgust.

 “What, are you expecting us to dress like sex bunnies?” Riley snapped.

 “If you don’t wear it you won’t be considered and you will be asked to leave,” John snapped.

 Riley rolled her eyes but followed the rest of us towards the changing rooms. The numbers must be assigned by studio as Riley is 64, I am 65 and Peyton is 66. As soon as we get back we are split into groups. All three of us are with Lauren in some studio.

 I notice that most of the other people at staring at Riley.

 “Yes, I have realised that I have scars on my back now stop staring,” she snapped.

 I knew she had them but I had never seen them. They were still red and there were probably about 30 or 40 on her back. Luckily Lauren called our attention before Riley snapped again.

 “We will spend about an hour learning the choreo then you will have another hour to practise before performing,” Lauren told us.

 We were in two lines of five with her at the front. As we started to learn I realised how hard it was. There weren’t too many moves that I hadn’t seen before but it was so fast and it included so many different styles so it was difficult to learn. The hour past quickly and then Lauren left. Riley seemed to already have it.

 “Do you want some help?” she asked.

 “Please, I have to first half not too badly but I struggled with the second half,” I said.

 “Sure,” Riley smiled.

 By the time we are called to perform I am pretty confident with the routine. Riley really helped me and I knew it well. Peyton practised it with us too but he knew it better than I did. We are in one row right across the stage. Riley is in the middle. I am second from the left and Peyton is next to me.