Incognito [j.k]

03

July 21st, 2024
7 Years Later  (Present Time)

My days have been so hectic lately, I've been worrying over the past two weeks about my college application that I sent in, was it good enough? Is there something else that they're looking for that maybe mine was lacking? Endless questions with no answers was what my days consisted of.

I had applied to New York University, I've heard they have an amazing dance program, dancing is my dream, my passion. Nothing beats the feeling of letting my mind and body loose and emerge into its own carefree world, swaying to every beat, dancing is always a good way for me to wind down, especially on stressful days like today.

Deciding that was what I needed right now, I quickly poured a strip of my ultra white colgate toothpaste on my toothbrush, pushing the toothbrush into my mouth I began covering it entirely with the minty paste, my reflection doing the same.

I spit into the sink and began rinsing my mouth off under the facet, I was too lazy to use my cup. Finally tossing my hair into a ponytail with my hair bobble, I was ready to go.

I was dressed in a white tee and simple black sweats, there just wasn't any need to dress fancy as I was only going to dance.

Making my way out the bathroom door, I headed downstairs with my bag in hand and earbuds plugged into my ears.

My mom was already in the kitchen cooking, the sight of my mom in the kitchen alone was a shock to me because she's usually never up this early, it's only 7.

The smell of eggs and toast lingered in the air, welcoming my noise the moment I walked in, the smell alone was enough to make me hungry.

"Good morning sweetie" she smiles, her eyes fixed on cracking the egg into the bowl, bacon frying in the pan on the stove beside her.

I walked up to the pan, shaking it so that the bacon moves around in the pan, causing her to turn her head in my direction.

"Good morning" I hum, focused on the bubbling bacon, It was almost done, already golden and crispy.

"I'm going to the studio again" I inform, turning off the stove, if left on any longer the bacon would be on the verge of burning.

"Oh... I see" she glances at my duffle bag in my right hand like she hasn't noticed it earlier. She smiles and continues mixing the egg she previously cracked.

"You know..." She trails off, staring into the bowl "I used to do a little dancing when I was younger" she smiles at the memory.

"Really?" I was surprised, I just couldn't picture my mom as a dancer, she just doesn't come across as the dancing type. But I guess we all were different when we were younger.

"Yeah, actually I used to take lessons, I wasn't the best but I wasn't that bad either" She gets deeper into her past, placing another frying pan on the stove. I grabbed the oil which she had already had out on the counter and unscrewed the lid, handing her the topless bottle.

"I'd like to see you dance someday" I smile, suddenly a funny idea popped in my head, what if she comes with me to the studio?

"Why don't you come to the studio with me to dance" I suggest, it would be nice seeing her do something out of her comfort zone, even if she wasn't that good anymore.

"Don't be silly, I'm old, I don't dance anymore" She chuckles while pouring the oil into the pan.

"But wouldn't you like to?" I encourage, sometimes we just don't do things because we think we'll be judged and we're afraid of rejection. She hesitates to answer which tells me that she isn't fully against the idea as I thought.

"Mom why don't we go dancing sometime this week, I know you're not fully with the idea but sometimes it's good to let loose" I state, walking around her to grab the bowl of mixed eggs, the oil was starting to sizzle.

I poured the eggs into the frying pan, the hot oil splatting into the air, causing us both to jump back, we both looked at each then laughed.

"Since when do you cook this early anyway?" My earlier thought coming to mind. There had to be some underlying reason she was up at 7AM. Usually she gets up at 9 or 10. Traditional breakfast cooking wasn't usually a thing in our house, especially with my dad and brother always out all the time.

"Your father is coming home today and I wanted to have breakfast ready for when he gets home" She glances at me for a millisecond.

"When is he supposed to be here?" I question, I wouldn't wanna be late because I was out dancing.

"Around 8:00" She flips the egg on the other side, the crispy part facing upwards. I glanced at my watch, the time reading 7:16 AM, I just needed a good 30 minutes to clear my head, I'd usually go for an hour but I didn't have that much time today.

"I'll be back before 7:50" I slid my duffle bag up over my shoulder, signaling that I was ready to head out. I peeked mom on the cheek before making my way towards the door.

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The moment I stepped foot into the studio I was overcome by relief, like all my worries were washed away once inside. My footsteps echoed throughout the studio. Mirrors surrounded all the walls, allowing me to have a good view of myself dancing. I set my watch to 30 minutes to be sure I won't over stay.

Making my way over to the music player, I placed my duffle bag down, unzipping it to retrieve my music disc. Once I got ahold of the disc I placed it on the music player.

The disc spun, letting out its beautiful melody, the piece Gayaneh Suite filling the air, I loved that piece. I took out my earbuds and placed them into the bag, deciding not to use them anymore.

I sighed and began letting my body emerge into the music. All my headaches slowly disappeared with each move I made. As time passed I became more immersed within my dancing.

The sudden buzzing of my watch brings my dancing to a halt, I turn off the watch, slouching down, hands on my knees to catch a breath. I was a sweating mess. It doesn't feel like it's been 30 minutes.

Grabbed my towel from my duffle, I began drying off my face and then drank some water which I also brought with me, I cooled off for 2 minutes and then began packing up.

Once I reached the door to open it, my phone began buzzing in my pocket, I was getting a call but from who? Reaching into my back pocket, I retrieved the phone, the caller ID reading New York University. Immediately all of my headaches reappeared. This can't be good?