You and me

Part 14 🦋

Rachelle POV
Everything had been so busy lately. The tech crew that Kalen and Beatrice have been working in have been asked if they wanna work in the concert hall we're the nationals are taking place. It's a big and amazing opportunity especially to gain experience so their group leader has said yes. So as much as I love Kalen and Beatrice them being there just adds to the pressure. I HAVE to win 1.to get of the deans bad books and 2.To just better myself and talent in general. There's also loads of dance directors coming to watch performing with all I got is the most important thing.
Anyway Lake has been brilliant during practice he has been hitting every beat and just eating up the choreo in general. Shit I low-key hope he doesn't outshine me...Wait is that a bad thing to say Urm well anyway I just hope we win all in all. Two dancers in our group already got us through the audition so
At the competition it will be it will be just be,Two Rounds...
Round one is Amber and Toby and the last round is down to me and Lake. But to be honest I don't think I have to worry me and Lake have already taken the choreography to town and we just dance to make sure we're on point uno. I believe I can do this. I believe WE can do this.
Lake POV
The competition was only 48hrs away and even though me and Rachelle already got the choreo down it's doesn't mean we shouldn't practice anymore. I was by the water fountain filling up my drink when I saw mr Song and some of his hench men. I dropped my water bottle. The piercing clank sending single to them that I was here. There hears snapped towards me grim smiles drawing them closer to me. That image of them walking reminded me of that night,that night that changed everything inside my head. As I was about to turn away things took a turn for the worst. I felt a deathly grip on my wrist spin me around swiftly.
"Shouldn't you be practicing..."
My song said aggressively
"I was just on my way" I knew better then to try and run away. I was trapped.That's it.
"I see you've found yourself a partner...pretty girl let's hope her family connections aren't like those of our darling Kariana's hmmm"
I turned away at the sound of her name. Although I was scared I was just as angry who the hell did he think he was.Because his daughter just wanted to be happy and do something other than take over her dads shady ass business... heavy on the shady. Also that she wanted to be with someone of her choice rather than someone of another shady family her father picked out. But what I've realised is that this life ain't no fairytale shit doesn't have happy endings uno.
"I have t-to go p-practice" I shakily whispered
Suddenly my head and my back got slammed into the wall by the water fountain.
"I think I just like playing with your emotions"
Your bad luck with falling in love wit my daughter is my opportunity for a new game" song said poison dripping from his words
"I was in love with your daughter yes but it wasn't my fault she's dead ITS YOURS" woah
SLAP!
My face began to sting the ruthlessness of the slap settling in my pores. He then viscously grabbed my jaw.
"Don't talk back to me, have you no respect?How do you think it would pan out for your family if they got to know there son was the reason for my poor daughters death...it wouldn't look too good would it"
Me song let go of my face him and his henchman laced with evil finally backed off and strolled away.
Shock.Pain.Fear.
I sunk into the corner tears cascading down my head.Why do I keep letting him get to me. I'm honestly nothing...nothing at all. How weak must I be I try to stand back up to him but my confidence is thrown right back at me. I'm at a crossroads both roads leading to nothing I would've wanted.
Ring Ring
*Rachelles calling*
I decline the call. I'm sorry.The walls going back up. I can barely face myself how am I supposed to act like I'm ok in front of her.
Rachelle POV
Why is he not picking up. I've been waiting her an hour.
And that hour turned into a day and that day turned into two.
"Kalen have u heard from Lake we literally have nationals tonight and I haven't heard form him in two days" I said my voice tinted with annoyance and worry
"Rachelle I don't know what to tell you I haven't seen him since two days ago to I keep calling and waiting for him to come home but he hasn't shown up. I'm as worried as you Rae, your not the only one who needs him" kalen said with the same tone as mine
"Ok whatever I'm sorry for getting on your back see you at the concert hall" I hung up the phone frustrated as ever I was now in the school minibus on my way to the show and still no Lake. Everyone kept asking me questions that I literally had no answer to.I don't think he knew how important this was to me. If he didn't show up I don't think I'd be able to forgive him this time...Oh mahn I really just don't know anymore.
20 minutes later
Nationals was about to start people already were filled up in the seats.As I was a finalist act i decided to sneak up to the tech room and chill with the tech team it wasn't like Lake was there to keep me company.
"Still no sign of Lake" Asked Beatrice anxiously
"No not even a phone call" I felt the tears brimming at my eyes cause on one hand he could really be in trouble but on the other he could've just not been bothered.But my bets are more in the first one cause I really couldn't not comprehend a reason to why he would t be here...with me.
Anyway it's not like I could do anything I decided to just watch the performances and get prepared with what's going to happen for mine.
*text message*
"
*Amber and Toby are on !*
I took my headphones out of my ears and walked up to the front of the tech room to get a good view of the performance.
Do you your thang,do your thang with me now
Do your thang do your thang with me now
What's my thing? What's my thang? Tell me now
Tell me now yeah yeah yeah
Black swan...good choice with this song and Amber and Toby's talent we were deffo getting through to the finals.
The smile that grew on my face quickly died I don't know why I was moving like he'd show up .
As I watched the performance it nearly came to the end when they prepared. I stood at the tech window when suddenly a roar of applause echoed through the hall as Amber and Toby just pulled of the 3 split lift. Amber swung around Toby with a certain elegance and poise she's never shown before. Toby's form was better than ever they sure did deserve that standing ovation.
If anyone could pull it of it would've been them.
However,selfishly I resented their performance as I knew that it would for sure get us into the finals. The finals that was up to me and Lake to win. Voting for the schools who would be in the finals would take another half an hour. I left the tech room and went down to were the other dancers were to do my stretches. I would probably be disqualified for going on on my own but it was better than nothing. 25 minutes had passed.
"Rachelle your ok we made it to the finals even if Lake doesn't get here the show MUST go on okay we'll deal with him later." My dance teacher said trying to act calm.
"Ok miss you got it"
I was on the floor doing my stretches before I was about to get called on.
"Rachelle..."
I whipped my head round instantly as I heard who's voice it was. The room went silent everyone was eager to hear what was going to go down.
"I have nothing to say to you but you best not fuck up this performance" I got up and pushed by him to stand at the corner of the stage.
*Rachelle Asante and Lake Park please take your positions*
It was time.
We walked towards the stage Lakes arm around me. We were so close but miles kilometres away.
We stood in our positions waiting for the song to play.
Why...Why am I afraid.
This..this is the wrong song. I looked to Lake but his eyes and mind was elsewhere.
Lake POV
I caught his eyes right away they were glimmering with evil. He just had to play this song didn't he. I couldn't be here not right now. I went to run off the stage but Rachelle caught my hand I pushed it away. And just left her there. I know it was wrong of me but I can't even keep myself together.
Rachelle POV
I watched him as he left me. This wasn't a new sight. Shoulda gotten used to it but it hurts every time. I just stood there I had nothing left anymore at least if I was alone and they played my original song I'd be able to do it.but we've already lost there was no point. I just stood there and watched the curtain fall in front of me.
We will be back after a short interlude
"Rachelle come here " Toby said with amber I walked into their arms and hugged them it wasn't much but it helped.
After that short but sure comfort I walked back up to the tech room. Everyone just stared it's not like there was anything they could do or say to save me from my sheer embarrassment and pain.
"Rachelle I will deal with him I promise" kalen said trying to comfort me.
"Come here" beatrice pulled me into a hug and that's when I let it out all the emotions that built up inside me fell heavily through my tears.
Lake was gone and probably everything we had was out the window too.