"Her or me?" A tear rolled down Michelle's puffy cheek, "You have to make a decision."
For Michelle, life has always been about control- control in the studio, in her friendships, and even in the secrets she hides. But with an unexpected pregnancy...
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Strutting into the auditorium, my eyes immediately find Summer. She's stood at the side of the sage, picking at her nails, and I can sense just how nervous she is. She doesn't have what it takes.
I mischievous grin emerges on my face as I make my way over to her. When she sees this outfit and how ready I am to go on stage, she's surely going to do what's right.
"Summer!" I shout, but she's too caught up in what she's doing that she doesn't hear me calling her name.
Now I'm standing beside her, looking down at her as she stretches in front of me. And after a few moments, she lifts her head, a look of confusion crossing her face when she notices me.
"R- Richelle?" She scans her eyes over my costume. "W- what are you doing?"
"I'm here to dance," I announce, my voice displaying just how sure I am about this.
"I'm sorry. You're what?"
"You heard me. I'm here to dance."
She scoffs. "You're here to dance? Richelle, I'm about to go on stage; I don't think right now is an appropriate time for you to dance."
I step in front of her, giving her a look to show that I'm not here to mess around. "Considering that I'm our best shot at winning, and considering the fact that every single person here wants me to dance the solo, I think right now is appropriate."
She furrows her brows, not understanding what I'm trying to say. "Richelle... what are you talking about?"
Confidently, I announce, "I'm going on for the solo..."
"You're what?!"
"What I just said." I smirk. "The solo was mine from day one; even Emily agrees. You just need to stand back and let me have this! Trying to fight is not gonna get you anywhere because, at the end of the day, we both know who the better dancer is..."
"You just want me to hand over the solo to you?!" She raises her voice, but I don't crack.
"I'm a few minutes from going on that stage; are you crazy?!"
I shout back at her, "No, you're crazy for thinking that you have a chance at winning this for the team!" I then point over at the opposite side of the stage where our opponent Chloe is standing. "She's going to eat you alive out there! Everyone knows that contemporary isn't your thing, but she excels in it! You're gonna look like a laughingstock out on that stage!"
She glances at Chloe before saying, "Well, if no one thinks that I can win, then why would they give me the solo?"
"Because Michelle didn't want me to get it! She knew that by giving it to you, she could get under my skin!"
I'm so close to walking out onto the stage; I can taste it on the tip of my tongue. I can see the lights, I can hear the music screaming against my ears, and the audience roaring as they watch such a magnificent performance.
