2 kids

Stress and banquets.

Ashley.

It's almost been a week since River's birthday party, and I haven't crossed paths with Alex once.

I've thought about what happened every single day. He's like a parasite attacking my brain, and making it hard for me to focus.

We would've met sooner or later. It was bound to happen at some point, and it just happened to be River's birthday party. Drunk or sober, I would've let it happen either way. His smirk is still vividly engraved in my mind, his touch still lingering on my skin.

Truth is, I was dying to meet him, to see him just one more time. For weeks I had lived imagining the day, and when it finally came, it wasn't enough. We didn't have enough time. We didn't even get to talk. Flirting and teasing satisfied my drunk heart, but not sober mind.

There are three weeks left until graduation, and the last thing I need now is Alex messing with my head and emotions. Despite it, my mind's mostly been occupied with dancing. I've pushed everything aside to focus on my busy schedules.

The last two weeks have consisted of me not skipping a single day to meet with Jonah and design a perfect choreography. One that would secure us a win with no questions. We're attempting to create a perfect contrast between classical moves and atmosphere, yet at the same time bring it a touch of something new, modern and authentic.

"Let's do it again, guys." I say as I pause the music and scan the room. "Five, six, seven, eight."

I play the song again and carefully observe each and every one of them. I scan their every move, making sure they do it properly.

After the break up with Alex, it immediately struck me that I'd face Sarah twice a week. A part of me was happy, the other couldn't stand the thought. We broke her little heart too, and I didn't want to see the pain and sadness in those beautiful big emerald - green eyes. I didn't want to be reminded of Alex. And for that reason a part of me was relieved, and extremely proud, when Sarah moved a class higher.

Christina offered to teach a class of older kids. I admit I hesitated for a moment, but eventually accepted her offer. I accepted it as a new challenge, something to teach me new skills and experiences.

"Alright," I say when the song is over.

In the beginning I was scared I'd be too sweet on them. But I've surprised even myself. When it comes to dancing, there's an unintentional change of personality.

"Everyone listen." I clap my hands to get their full attention. "This move," I demonstrate it to them. "It needs power. If you miss out the beat, you're screwed."

It's a crucial move of the first part of the choreography. And it's my job as their instructor to teach them how to do it properly. They copy my moves, missing the beat at the beginning again.. And again. I shake my head, sighing. I make them repeat the move three times, but they still get it wrong.

"All of you, show me this one move individually."

According to Christina this group consists of quick learners and very skilled dancers with great potential. They've already won a few competitions and I was thinking of singing them into another one. Christina allowed me to be harsh on them, push them to the maximum.

So I decided it would follow her instructions.

The confusion that suddenly displays on their faces is enough for me to understand they've probably never been told this before. My old dance instructor in Florida used to do this – making us individually show the move. It proved itself to be a very effective method of spotting one's weaker points and therefore successfully correcting their moves.