The K-Show

Chapter 8 ~ Unexpected Farewell

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Ruby's POV:

It was a typical Tuesday afternoon and we were all in our usual spot: Danielle's basement, prepping for another rehearsal. The energy and excitement grew as we went over every last detail of our fundraiser and brainstormed more ideas about the competition. 

However, I could sense something was amiss. Tara had not been her usual self- the one person able to calm anyone, including herself, with her composed silence.

And finally, as we were about to dive into practice, Tara coughed. "Guys," she said in a low, hesitating voice, "I want to talk with you all about something."

We turned to her, having caught the edge of seriousness in the tone of voice. Danielle stopped what she was doing, and we all quieted down right away.

"What's up with Tara?" I asked, already feeling some kind of knot of worry forming in my chest.

Tara shifted uncomfortably, fidgeting with the hem of her hoodie. Her eyes jerked up to meet ours before she said anything else.

"I. I have to leave the program."

The words just hung there, like some kind of heavyweight, and for a moment nobody knew what to say.

"What?" Danielle finally said, barely above a whisper. "Why?"

"My parents," Tara sighed, running a hand through her hair. "They won't let me do the competition anymore. They say it's too distracting for school, and they just don't see dance as anything. serious."

I felt the frustration and disappointment welling up in her words as she explained this to me. My heart sank. She was one of our team's most beautiful dancers. Losing her was going to hurt big time.

"Wait, what?" Myra exclaimed, eyes wide. "They can't do that! You are, like, a core part of our team. We need you!"

"I know," Tara continued, her voice cracking slightly. "But I have tried talking to them, and they just won't budge. They think I am wasting my time and, with exams coming up, they want me to focus on my studies."

"But you're not wasting your time," Ethan said, his voice now firm. "You're amazing, Tara. And it's not just about dance-it's about the experience, about doing something you love."

"I've told them all that," she says with tears lingering in her eyes. "They just don't listen. They just keep saying I should concentrate on college, get into some good school, and they just don't get how important this all is to me."

I stepped forward, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Tara you will be sorely missed, I know why your parents are concerned about you, but you have been such an integral part of this team. Things would not be the way they are without you."

She nodded, nibbling at her lip. "I don't want to let you guys down. I feel awful about it." "You're not letting us down," Julia said softly. "It's not your fault. We get it. But we're going to miss you, Tara."

It was like a part of us was dying, and time seemed to pause as the burden of the situation sunk in. Tara wasn't just another face amidst a lot of dancing bodies on stage; she was one of the pieces to the heart of *Fusion*. She brought that unique elegance onto the stage, and her quiet strength was something to which everyone looked up.

"Perhaps something will change," Zahra said, trying to be optimistic. "Perhaps they'll realize how much this means to you and change their minds."

Tara smiled sadly. "I wish, but I don't think they will. For now, I just. I need to take a step back."

"Do you want us to talk to them?" Dean asked. "I mean, if they heard from all of us, maybe they'd change their minds."

Tara shook her head. "I've tried everything, Dean. I don't think it would help. But thank you."

There was a heavy silence in the room as we all tried to process what this meant. The competition was only two weeks away, and now we had to adjust everything without Tara's part in the routine. It was hard to imagine going on without her.

"I'll still cheer for you" Tara said softly, but to the determination in her voice. "I'll come to the performances and support from the crowd. You guys are going to kill it—I know you will."

"Oh Tara," I said, trying to turn the corner of my mouth upward. "We are going to really miss you. But we will make sure to honor everything you put into this." Danielle nodded with tear-filled eyes. "We will dance for you Tara. You are part of us no matter what."

The group huddled together, and we gave Tara a collective hug. It was bittersweet as well-we knew we would miss her when we danced, but we knew her heart was still with us.

The basement was heavy with silence as Tara left that evening. We had so much to work on in terms of choreography and performances, adjusting them to our elements without her. But on a greater level, we lost a friend on stage. Tara was not just anybody; Tara was one of the dancers whose gracefulness and calm nature had always brightened up Fusion.

But through it all, I knew we would find ways to make it work-for Tara and for us. We had just two weeks ahead of us in which to make everything all right, and I intended to make our performance unforgettable.

"All right," I said, breaking the silence. "We have work to do. Let's make Tara proud."

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Chapter 8 is out!!

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