Unwritten Steps

Chapter 7: The Showcase Looms

The studio smelled of old wood and sweat, a place where dreams were made or crushed. Aurora stood in front of the mirror, her reflection staring back at her like a stranger. Rachel was sprawled on the floor, her water bottle rolling lazily beside her.

"Okay, again," Aurora said, wiping her forehead. Her voice was firm, but her hands trembled as she reset her position.

Rachel groaned from her spot on the floor. "Aurora, you're going to drive yourself insane. We've done this routine at least twenty times today. I'm about to lose a leg."

"It's not perfect," Aurora snapped, trying not to sound defensive.

"Perfect?" Rachel sat up, her curls bouncing. "Aurora, you don't need perfect. You need passion. That's what makes you stand out."

Aurora sighed, her muscles aching but her mind spinning. Every time she thought she'd nailed the routine, doubt crept in. Was she good enough? Did she deserve to be on that stage?

"You're in your head," Rachel said, standing and grabbing Aurora's shoulders. "You're incredible, okay? Stop acting like you're about to fail."

Aurora nodded, though she didn't entirely believe it. Rachel had been her rock through everything, but even her reassurances couldn't silence the voice in Aurora's mind that sounded suspiciously like Wanda.

As they packed up to leave, Rachel hesitated. "So... are you going to invite Finn to the showcase?"

Aurora nearly dropped her bag. "What? Why would I do that?"

Rachel smirked. "Because I've never seen you this distracted over someone before. Plus, he seems like he'd be into it."

Aurora rolled her eyes, but her heart raced at the thought. What would Finn think of her dancing? Would he even care?

As they stepped out into the chilly evening, Aurora's thoughts weren't on the routine but on the boy with the teasing smirk and eyes that saw right through her.