Young Folks (Ross Lynch AU)

six.

I walked into the library and was instantly surrounded by silence. The walls were lined with books, and shelves reached to the ceiling that resembled the walls identically.

I situated myself at one of the empty tables that sat in the middle of the large room. I grabbed my laptop, earbuds, trip application, and a pen from my backpack. I fired up the laptop and scanned over the questions once more before jamming my earphones in the assigned headphone jack and logging into my user.

I quickly opened a new document and then turned on Pandora. The sound of Peter Bjorn and John's "Young Folks" instantly filled my ears, and I couldn't help but smile, for this was one of my favorite songs.

I went back to the blank document and then read the first question on my application.

Why do you want to go on this trip?

I turned back towards my computer and rested my fingers on the keys for a few seconds, thinking of an answer, before letting them dance around the keyboard.

I would like to go on this trip because I have always had a passion for photographing nature. My dream is to one day travel the world as a photographer for National Geographic, so this would just be the first step towards achieving my goal. It would be an amazing experience and learning opportunity for me, and I would be extremely honored if I was chosen to join this trip.

I finished typing out my answer, pleased with what I was coming up with. I was just about to read the next question when my phone started vibrating in my back pocket. I pulled it out to see that Nina was calling me. I declined the call and quickly pulled up iMessage.

Sorry, I'm in the library. What's up?

I went back to working on my application for about a minute when my phone started vibrating again. And again, it was Nina.

I pulled my earbuds out of my ears and stepped out of the library, making sure I had a good view of my laptop, before answering the call.

"This better be good," I groaned.

"Aspen, I need you to drop everything you're doing and run back to our dorm to grab my pointe shoes."

"And why the fuck should I do that?" I scoffed, slightly annoyed.

"Because I need to audition for the winter showcase in fifteen minutes, but they won't let us leave once we've checked in, and I forgot my pointe shoes!" Nina exclaimed. Stress was evident in her voice, and it sounded as if she was on the verge of tears.

"I'm on my way."

I went back into the library and packed everything up within a minute. I was out of the library in a flash and I arrived at our dorm in roughly four minutes. I tore up the stairs, jammed my key into the door, and pushed it open. I then threw my backpack onto the floor and proceeded to ransack her closet before quickly finding the pink, silk pointe shoes.

I ran out of the dorm room and slammed the door behind me, not bothering to lock it. I flew down the stairs and out of the building before realizing I had no clue where the auditorium was.

I pulled my phone out of my pocket and called Nina.

"Cmon, cmon," I muttered, listening to the dreary ring through the speaker.

"Hello?" Nina asked, her voice groggy, as if she had been crying.

"Nina!" I yelled. "I'm standing outside our building. Where is the auditorium?"

"Turn right and then it's three blocks down on your left," she instructed.

"Thanks. And, hey, no more crying. I'm gonna get there in time and you are going to kick this performance's ass, yeah? See you in a bit."

I hung up, stuffed my phone in my pocket, and sprinted down the city sidewalk. I was never much of a runner, so I was winded within minutes, but I knew I couldn't stop. I just kept pushing myself.

Soon, the auditorium came into sight. It was a giant, one story, rectangular building that had a rather large sign in front of it that read "Columbia College Auditorium."

I entered the building to see the lobby filled with college aged dancers. There was a receptionist who sat at a white, plastic, fold up table, looking quite bored. I hurried over to her and smaller my hands on the table, breathing heavily and trying to keep my balance.

"Which," gasp, "way is," wheeze, "backstage?" I finished, my breaths short and uneven.

"To the right, third door on your left. But you can't go back there, Miss, I'm sorry."

"Too bad," I shrugged and took off in the direction she pointed me to. I busted through the third door on the left to see several dancers warming up and one sitting in the far corner, crying.

"Nina!" I whisper shouted, knowing there was a performance going on. I scurried over to her and plopped down next to her. "I'm here!" I grinned and handed her her shoes. "Now, put your shoes on, stop crying, stretch a bit, and go kill it out there, okay? I know you can do it."

"Thank you so much Aspen. I don't know what I would do without you," Nina gasped and reached her arms out for a hug.

"Yeah, yeah, save all this sappy shit for later. You, my friend, have an audition to kick ass at. I'll be in the audience watching, yeah? Break a leg!" I grinned, gave her a thumbs up, and then left backstage to go find the seating area.

Mission accomplished.

Hey guys I'm back! Sorry this one took so long, I was gone for the weekend and was pretty busy.

Go check out my Riker fanfic, Photograph, and for all you Directioners, I have a Louis Tomlinson fanfic, Fireproof, that I think you might enjoy.

Kisses!! xx