Consider Me

Chapter Forty Five: Lily

Coach Jen's voice came from the stage below. Her instructions rang in my head. But I tune her out and concentrate on my hand holding the aerial hoop. My wrist is locked, my fingers tightly secured around the material as slowly it gains height, pulling me up with it.

I keep my chest facing upwards, my legs are supporting my body weight as I put them in a knee hold. Waiting as the hoop reaches the required height and then slowly I climb up using my both hands and roll. 

"Good," Jen says. "Now transition into same side crucifix,"

I flow into the pose as I straddle the fabric and wrap my one leg around it leaving my other leg free. Then slowly extend my other leg and started moving in circular motion. My core is engaged. My shoulders relax. I have my foot locked around the silk. 

I focus on my movement, my body and nothing. I don't look at the stage below, or measure the distance. I am not afraid of falling down. I am afraid of losing. 

"Yes like that," Jen claps her hand once, "The engagement is nice. Keep moving Lily,"

I try a few other poses to that'll go with the song I chose. My theme is White Diamond, a symbolism of purity, clarity and eternal love. My piece will show the innocence of a girl lost in the world of wealthy sharks. It's moving. It's vulnerability. It's everything I sometimes feel late at night. I hope I am able to pour my feelings into the dance moves and tell the story. 

After my practice, I quickly take a shower and head to the cafeteria where others are waiting for me but halfway in the hallway, Prof. Douglas catches sight of me and invited me to her office. "Is everything okay?" I ask as I follow her. 

"Yes. Everything is fine. I just wanted to give you a news,"

"Okay," 

She unlocks her office door and ushers me inside, "Take a seat," Once I do, she smiles at me. "How is your practice going? I hope no other problems have occurred after our talk last time,"

"No. Not so far," I say, pretending my problems with my mother doesn't exist. "What did you wanted to talk with me? Did something else happened?"

"Something happened but its not anything bad," She explains then looks me in the eyes and says, "Gloria is...suspended,"

"I...see," 

"That means she won't be a part of the competition," The golden words I longed to hear.  "That also means your opponent for the second round has been changed," 

I nod my head. The previous year winner has a face off with the person they feel are threat to their title. Gloria had chosen me, naturally but with her not being able to participate anymore, someone else will take her position. "Who is the new opponent?"

"Fiona Whittaker,"

I know Fiona. She is a senior like me and dances really good. She came third last time but won during the junior year. 

I thank the prof. for the news and see myself out. Knowing Gloria isn't in the competition helped. Maybe this time the fair play would allow the deserving students to win. With that thought I go to the cafeteria. My mood is better. 

I haven't seen Gloria the past few weeks, courtesy of the disciplinarian action. I am too euphoric to make sense of anything at the moment. I wave at the students who pass me. Nod at the quiet ones. Then I spot Sabina by the locker and for a second she thinks of hiding but then upon noticing me notice her, she takes a deep breath. Add a scowl too. That's old fashioned Sabina expression. "If you'll pretend then I'll pretend," She says.

"I am already pretending," I tell her, stopping a foot away from her. My locker is next to hers but since all our classes done for the day, I don't need to use it.