A Step To You

Nine

Yukti's pove..

Every afternoon after class became very busy for almost all of the students in our school.

It's still 2 months before the festival but all clubs are treating it like it will be happening any time soon.

I am really, really serious about this performance. We are not the last performers, but still, we wanted to make an impact.

"I asked the members as you have said and these are the dance choices we come up with," Chavy showed me the list she's been filling since yesterday.

I read each. Mostly love song ballets.

I looked at the fourteen students sitting on the floor in front of me. Some are talking with each other, while a few are checking their phones.

I stood and cleared my throat. "Excuse me everyone--"

They looked at me.

"Thank you for the dance choices that you have shared. But since we can only pick up three---"

"Only three?" A boy said, "so not all of us are going to perform?"

"Yes. We got a limit of--"

"What?"

"I was excited for no reason!"

"I want to dance on stage."

"I don't want to-"

"Silence!" I said loudly. They looked at me with obvious resentment. "As much as I want for everyone to perform--"

A girl spoke to her friend, "My sister's in Idle club. I heard they will all perform."

That made my blood boil. "Idle got fifteen minute allowance for the performance! We only have five-- "

"It's because Idle is good, right?" A guy said.

"No but--"

He stood, "I was invited by Mishri Pandey, you know. But I don't want to sing that's why I am here."

I sighed. "Will you all listen to me first--"

A few stood up, "What are we going to do here? We're wasting our time."

"Yeah, if only you will perform," a freshman said, pointing to me and Chavy.

They went to the door.

"We don't even have chairs here," I heard someone whispered.

Three students were left. They are the ones who are the most reserved members, one of them was a guy whom I rarely hear speak or interact with the other members.

"The meeting is cancelled. You may go home now, I will notify you of the next one," I said as sat back in my chair. They three went out quietly.

Chavy sighed, "What shall we do, Yukti?"

"Let's think about it... At home. Shall we go?" I stood again and took my bag. My head is hurting.

"Okay. I'll look for some ideas on the internet," Chavy said.

"Thank you."

When we got out, I was surprised to see Anurag by the doorway. He waved at me.

"Well? I gotta go." Chavy pushed me jokingly and walked away.

"Chavy wait--"

"Is everything okay?" Anurag looked at me as if he's scanning my face. I looked away. "You seem to have a problem."

"No, I'm fine really." I smiled.

"I don't think so. Your smile is different," he took my bag. "Let me carry this."