Chapter 7: Jacquie

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Everyone's staring at me. Well, obviously not everyone. But anyone who seems to be anyone at this studio is staring at me. Or glaring, in some cases. I'm not stupid. I'm going to bet this has something to do with Noah.

We're not dating. I don't even like him. Sure, I was a bit disappointed when he said he had a girlfriend. But I would never be that girl, the one a guy cheats on his girlfriend with. Me and Noah are just friends. Full. Stop.

Me and Henry are definitely a murkier area. I do feel bad about what happened between us, about the way I treated him. The old Jacquie was ruthless and mean and didn't have feelings. But the new Jacquie wants a fresh start. I want to be friends with Henry again. But I seriously doubt that he feels the same way.

But if I make A troupe, then I have a chance. A chance to fix things, a chance to turn my life around for the better. Noah understands. He gets it. Hell, he agreed to help me. But now he's a reason to for everyone to hate me. Great.

"Ok everyone, your time's up" Emily announces. "I want everyone to spread out and give themselves space to dance. I'll play the music and you'll all do the choreography together. If I tap you on the shoulder, you're out. I'll keep going until there's only ten dancers left. There won't be any alternates this year but anyone who doesn't make it is welcome to join B troupe, where they'll have a chance at making A troupe later on in the season if we ever need replacements."

We all spread out. I end up next to Henry and smile at him but he just shakes his head and turns away, laughing humourlessly. Fist Pump comes on and we all start dancing. Emily and West are walking around, occasionally tapping people on the shoulder. Emily comes to a stop in front of me for what feels like ages, and just as I'm convinced I didn't make it, she moves away. My turns are the cleanest they've ever been and stick the rest of the routine. I smile as the music finishes - I can't believe I made A troupe. "Ok everyone, look around" West grins. "This is your new regionals team!"

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