Watch Me

Chapter 6

Today's the day, my love. Today will be the day you show your beauty and grace to the world of dance. All these extra mornings in studio 2 will finally pay off for you. Today, you'll get the lead you deserve, the lead that was made for you. Oh, my sweet goddess, the world will see you as I do. You'll share your gift with them and your love with me...

Zoe walked into the rehearsal hall at 8:55 and saw Sarah talking with Natalie and Kristen. She smiled as she walked up to them. "What's going on ladies?"

Kristen looked at her. "Not even a little hungover, are you?" Zoe shook her head. "You suck, you know that right?" Natalie and Sarah laughed.

"You love me, and you know it," Zoe said as she threw her arm around Kristen and kissed her cheek with a very loud smack, causing the two women to laugh harder. Kristen squealed and pushed Zoe away from her smiling, drawing the attention of a few people.

"Why are you in such a good mood this morning?" Natalie asked.

"I'm no different than I am any other morning," Zoe said.

Kristen's eyes widened. "Does this have anything to do with your ride home last night?" Natalie and Sarah looked at her, grinning.

Zoe rolled her eyes as Anna, Robert and Jesse came into the rehearsal hall. Everyone stood silently as they all made their way towards the center of the stage. "Ok, everyone, we've got a lot to do and very little time to do it." Robert said as the company stood silently in front of him. "After a lot of discussions and arguments, we've decided on the male and female leads for our next production. Just know that this won't be your typical leads. Yes, they will be featured, but with this production will also feature more of the rest of the group as well. There will be parts where the leads aren't even in the number. Like I said the other day, this will be a very different route for us, but I have faith in all of you. So, say hello to our leads. Zoe and Colton. Congratulations."

Zoe sat there stunned for a minute before Kristen and Natalie crushed her with hugs. There were people cheering as she looked around the room for Colton. He looked up from where he was, being congratulated by other people and caught her eyes. He smiled widely at her before Robert cleared his throat.

"Congratulate them at lunch, because we have to talk about the new schedule," he said bringing the room back to silence. He smiled as he continued. "Our warms ups will be the same. Following that will be a lyrical class, lunch, and then rehearsals. Those will be posted daily, because they may change day to day. Those that will have bigger roles in the production will also be expected to stay for an extra hour of rehearsals. If you want to rehearse on your own, put in the request for a studio. I'll also be thinking of understudies as we go through this, so don't think your auditions are over just yet. We'll see you upstairs in half an hour." The three of them turned and walked out.

"I knew you two crushed it," Kristen said as she pulled Zoe in for another hug. Zoe laughed as Kristen let go of her. "I'm so happy for you Zee."

"Thanks. I still can't believe it," Zoe said unable to keep the smile off her face.

"Believe it baby, you earned it," came from behind her as a pair of arms engulfed her. Mack turned her around and smiled. "And it's all because I made you look so good." Zoe laughed at him. "Seriously, congrats Zee."

"Thanks Mack."

"Who's ready to head up?" Natalie asked. Sarah and Kristen grabbed their bags and turned to Zoe.

She shook her head. "You guys go ahead. I'll be right up."

"Celebratory cry?" Sarah asked.

"Cry, scream, which every hits me first," Zoe said as her friends laughed. Sarah nodded as they walked away. When she was sure she was alone, Zoe let out a happy scream. She jumped up and down before busting out in The Hustle when she heard a laugh come from behind her. She turned and saw Colton laughing as he watched her. She felt her face turn bright red.