What The Heart Wants (ON HOLD)

Chapter 6

One week later....

Leila

"Ms. Lei!"

I turn around and see Kayden running towards my car with her arms wide open. I pick her up and give her a bear hug.

"What's up, ladybug?"

"Not much. Just waitin' for school to be over. Then I get ta' spend all summer wit' you and Ms. T."

"I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing, you're already attached to our hips as it is."

She puts her hands on her hips, " Ms. Lei, you already know I'm your best friend. Don't try it."

"Uh-uh, you know Ms. T has been my best friend forever."

"Yeah, but she'll be okay."

This little girl is too much.

"Mhm, are you ready for your tryout next week?"

Shrugging her shoulders, she lowers her head and focuses on the ground, "I guess so."

I place my hand on her shoulders, "Kay, what's the matter?"

She looks up at me sadly, "What if I don't do a good job? I luh' ta dance, and I didn't know how much I did until I came hea'. If I mess up, then I won't be able ta' do the showcase and I won't eva' be a good dancer.

I pick her chin up, "Listen, Kay, don't ever think that you're not good enough for anything. You are a strong, beautiful, black girl and nobody can tell you otherwise. Now listen, I've seen you dance and you've got what it takes to slay this audition, but you have to believe in yourself enough to make it happen. Myself, Ms. T, and Mr. Dom can't do it for you, no matter how much we want to. Even if you mess up once, keep going like nothing happened. I mess up all the time, but nobody else can tell when I'm performing."

"Really?"

"Yes girl, but that's our secret. So, when I see you here next week, I want to see some attitude and that game face because I want to keep seeing that smile all summer, got it?"

She giggles and sports a wide grin before wrapping her arms around my neck, "You got it, Ms. Lei."

Hearing a car horn blaring behind me, I turn to see Travis rolling down his window.

"Kayden, you ready to go?"

"Coming Uncle Trav! I'll see you next week Ms. Lei," she shouts as she gets in the car.

"Alright. Make sure your uncle behaves himself!"

"I'll try my best, good-looking," he replies with a smirk.

His car pulls off, leaving me to my lonesome in the parking lot.

Getting in, I attempt to turn on the ignition...

-Click-

"Ok, let's try this again..."

-Click, Click-

"This is just great."

Slamming the car door behind me, I start walking towards the mechanic's.