CHAPTER 1
“Where are you going Jess?”
“I’m sleeping over at Liz.”
“Okay but remember tomorrow we are going by grandma’s”
“Alright mom. Good night.” I walk out the door and get into my car and drive off. Liz is my best friend; we have known each other from grade 2. Not only was she my best friend but also my cover when I need to sneak out. This is my life, and your about to go CLUBBING!
I park outside of the club, now I know what you’re thinking. This 17 year old is going to a club what a “Bad Girl” but it’s not a club with drinking it’s a club for the teens, with a few drinks.
“Hey, finally I was about to go in there without you.” Liz says meeting up with me on the entrance.
“Well I had a few things to straighten up. What did you tell your mom?” I ASK. There IS no need for asking. She IS a great liar.
“I said I was sleeping over at your house.”
“Oh my god I said the same thing.” I SAY very proudly, since that MEANS I learnt something from her.
“I taught you well.” She SAYS as we WALK into the club. It is an old building, with graffiti all over. The music is loud and the people even louder. In the middle of the room is a stage.This isn’t just any club… it’s a club to show off your dancing skills.
“Hey look who decided to join us!” screams Drake. He is the oldest of us, and a professional choreographer. He retired and decided to open a club for teens where they can dance freely.
“Always!” I say while hugging him.
“How have you been Jessica?”
“Great, I have something to show everybody.” I run up to the DJ and give him my CD.
“Play track 7.” I run up to the stage and take off my jacket. The music begins and my body immediately replies. I feel it through me and I jump. Spinning and turning to One Republic’s very own “Feel Again.” I clap to the beat and step off the stairs I go down real low….then get up slowly. Guiding the crowd…then JUMPING!!!!
“Hey Jess, look who’s here.” Liz tells me. I turn around, and the world stops. It was him and next to him was her. I stop and the memories return.
“I’m sorry Jess but you’re not the one.” said Thomas. He was the cruel director of New York’s Dance Academy. I will never forget those words, the ones that brought me down when I was 13, the ones that made me never step foot in a studio again.
Next to Thomas stood Drake, Drake was furious. I decided to get out of my memory bubble and walk towards them. As I was walking it felt like years. What was I going to tell them? Do I shake his hand or just send my hellos in a very polite manner? Was I still mad at him or have I forgiven him? As all these questions were going through my head, I notice a boy with blonde hair and blue eyes. He was behind Thomas but looked nothing like him. He looked more like the lady standing next to Thomas. She was Thomas’s wife, whom I really hated. She told me that I didn’t have the potential to be a star. I finally reached them, which took me like two seconds.
“Hello Jessica.” said Thomas, pulling out his hand for a formal handshake.
“Hello Thomas. What brings you here?” I said sternly. I guess I was still mad at him for not accepting me, also ignoring his hand.
“Well, I had second thoughts about you. I thought maybe you would like to join our program.” He smiled and showed maybe all the teeth he got.
“You think you can just come here after 4 years and request me! I don’t want you or your program.” I was upset, angry and about to kill him.
“Well I need a partner for this young man, which happens to be my son. You were the first person that came to mind.” So that’s who the Blondie was, his son. I hate him already.
“So basically you want to use me?”
“Well it was just a question, and I can see that you’re not interested but you can call me anytime,” he said handing me his contact number, “I would love to have you in the program, and Sam really needs a partner. Good bye, have a splendid evening.” I watched them as they left. I turned to Drake and walked out of the club.
I was upset at myself, but why? That’s not what I want any more, or that’s what I convinced myself. I went into my car and turned it on. I took the card and threw it in the back seat. I turned up the music and went to my favorite restaurant, Café de John. Everybody knew me there since that restaurant was a few blocks away from home. I went in and he was there. This day couldn’t get any worse. I slowly walked out before Betty stopped me.
“Jess, how are you?” screamed Betty. I turned around and smiled trying to avoid eye contact with him.
“I’m great, just great. How are you?” I replied sitting down at the far end of the counter.
“Well, let’s say business is so slow now-a-days. I work so hard and I earn nothing.” I feel her pain; she has competition with the store across the street. Ever since he opened the store he was giving Betty a hard time.
“I’m so sorry, but I have to go.” I said trying to get away from any awkward conversations with him.
“No please stay, Milkshake on the house.” she said in a pleading way.
“Actually, I’ll pay for her.” He sat down next to me. It was him, the son of Thomas.
“No I’m fine.” I didn’t want him bribing me into becoming his partner.
“Let the young lad pay for you, which will be $7.50.” I stare at Betty and give her a look I usually give my brother when he annoys me. She scrunches up her nose and mouths “What!” she goes inside and she leaves me with Sam.
“Don’t worry I’m not following you or anything. Actually I was here before you. Are you following me?” he says smiling from ear to ear.
“NO! Are you insane?” I say confused as hell. Although it seemed like I did. I didn’t know he came here.
“Here you go, enjoy.” Betty gives me my milkshake and slides two straws next to it. I look at Sam and grab my bag.
“Wait, where are you going?” says Sam. I wanted to leave but then he says something that makes me turn back. “I’m not being nice just to get you to be my partner, I feel like I owe you.” I turn around and place my bag on the counter. I sit next to him.
“Well you don’t owe me anything, your dad does. How can he come to the club and request me like nothing ever happened. He practically ruined me.” I tell him everything, and he just sits there listening and looking at me.
“He is pretty stubborn; I honestly didn’t know where he was taking me. I never liked him anyways.” I was very confused now.
“Wait, isn’t he your dad?”
“My step-dad, my dad died when I was 7.”
“I’m sorry.” I offer him some of my milkshake. He took a sip.
“So your name is Jessica?”
“Yea but I prefer to be called Jess.”
“Well Jess it was nice meeting you, I hope to see you around some time soon. You seem like a crazy fun chick.” He shook my hand and walked out. I starred at my milkshake then realized Betty staring at me.
“What?!” I asked ignorantly.
“Somebody has a crush.” She says giggling and being all mushy.
“No I do not. I hate him,, his dad, and his mom. So if that’s the definition of crush then yes I have a crush on him; like I want to crush his head.” I said looking at her, smiling.
“If you say so.” She replied as she takes my milkshake.
“Well I’m leaving, goodnight.” I walk out leaving a $5 dollar tip on the counter. I got into my car and looked at my phone it was 12:30. I decide to go home since I don’t want to go back to the club. I call Liz and tell her to go home.
When I get home I notice my dad and mom were out. This is great since I don’t have to make a huge lie, which I suck at. I go up to my room and lay my head to rest. Thank god tomorrow is Saturday. I have so much on mind.
