One Step at a Time

Chapter 13

Sadie POV

"You ready?" Simon asked as the team grouped together for the beginning of the auditions.

"Yep." I lied right through my teeth. The entire time I stretched and got warmed up, my stomach sat uncomfortably in my throat. "Are you?" He breathed out, "yeah, yeah," I could tell he was as nervous as I was.

Winona yelled out for us to sit down, creating a small "stage" on the gym floor. Finding Aedon's head in the crowd, I made my way over to her. She was already sitting down. Aishini was on the other side of her.

"Hey hey, Sadie," Aishini greeted me. I smiled at them in return and sat down. "Oh. Simon, right?" My head quickly turned to see him crouching down to the floor next to me. My mouth parted slightly in surprise. Usually, he opted to hang out with Brooklyn and her crew.

"Yeah, Aishini was it?" He reached across me to offer his hand. This amused Aishini. A playful smile ended up forming on their lips.

Aishini accepted the polite gesture. "It is. How'd you remember?"

"Same way you remembered mine, I guess." He let out a small chuckle, his smirk growing. He didn't seem nervous now. "Aishini." He let the name sit on his lips. "It's a wonderful name. Hard to forget. Where's it from?"

"My great grandmother. It was her middle name."

"Well, it's a beautiful name. Simon is much more boring." This was the first time I had seen Simon flirt with someone. I guess he wasn't lying about his skills.

"Sadie, you never told me Simon was this charming?" They laughed softly.

"Oh, well, I think Sadie, here, is immune to my charms. Or at least that's what she wants me to think."

"I think," Aedon brought herself into the odd conversation that was forming. "that Sadie is just so patient. Having to deal with you, Simon. You know she," Aedon continued to mess with Simon, disguising it as playful banter. I think Sadie can speak for herself.

"I would like to wish each of you good luck today," Coach walked in front of the seated crowd. "Whether you hope to have the duet spot or are just wanting to land a group number. Just remember: you know the moves. You know the song. Don't overthink it."

Easy for her to say. I will admit though, it was what I needed to hear in that moment. That's all I did, overthink. I began to breathe slowly. And for once, I wasn't being strangled by a thousand intrusive thoughts. My mind was empty. Expect for Coach's advice.

"Okay. I will read the first five pairs to perform for us.  Once they have, I will announce the next five. They will be alphabetical order. This way, you have a few moments to mentally prepare.

First, Zach Abbatecola and Alina Hugo.
Second, Simon Abbott and Sadie Philips.
Third," and that's when I quit listening. My heart began to beat out of my chest. Coach finished her list and the first partnership walked up. They began to dance, but I couldn't even hear the music. You were just fine two seconds ago. My skin felt like it was crawling. Sadie. No. Now is not the time for this. But I couldn't even listen to myself. It was Simon's voice in my ear that took me out of the small trance.

"I can't do this, Sadie." Simon was leaning down close, speaking softly so no one else could hear. My head moved barely to the right to better see him. His face had gotten paler. Sweat formed on his forehead. "I need this really badly. I can't mess up."

"Are you kidding?" I whispered back to him. "You had this down like the first day. There is no way you can mess this up." If it was going to be anyone, it was going to be me.