LOVE ME HARDER • jb

14.

"...In places you wouldn't think would sweat."

-

It was a rather cold Saturday evening as I walked through the school hallways making my way towards the auditorium. I was wearing only black leggings, a petticoat jacket that was covering my white sports bra underneath, and all white Nike Roshes. I dreaded my decision to wear a sports bra but it was necessary with the auditions today. I knew I would be hot after this upcoming two hours of events I would be judging and showing the people what to do. I was holding auditions for the showcase. With the help of Mandy, Cierra, Bella, and Mr. Lavish I would be picking backup dancers to perform with me on the stage. It was Mr. Lavish's idea to hold auditions so that we could begin to practice. He said that to put together the actual show would be a process so we should get started early.

I walked in the auditorium doors, my eyes going wide at the sight of all the people standing before me. I scanned the area my eyes burning at the sight of all the people who actually showed up. I did not expect this.... There has to be at least 100 people here, my god. I walked down the aisle my eyes still wide and beginning to tear up as all the people stopped stretching as I walked by and waved. This was crazy and not expected. I finally made it to the stage where my friends and sister sat down at a plastic table and Mr. Lavish was directing all the dancers to line up.

"This is so crazy," I said as I walked up the stairs of the stage and towards my friends who turned their attention to me as I spoke. "All these people here. I didn't expect it."

"The star of the show needs the best of the best," Cierra said, pulling a seat out next to her and patting down on it for me to sit.

"I mean I guess," I said as I sat down. "But there has to be over 100 people here. Don't you think that's crazy."

"112 people to be exact." Bella said pushing a pile of brown folders toward me. "Mr. Lavish said it's our job to pick 12 dancers. That's all the incoming gross can pay."

"Wait....we're paying them?" I asked, my eyes going wide.

It wasn't the fact that we were paying the dancers at all, no. It was just weird that all this was actually happening. We were treating all of this as if I was some big shot singer who was having a world tour. From performing into the stadium to getting dancers to actually perform with me, this was all so surreal. What was next, back up singers?

"Yes we are." Mr. Lavish suddenly appeared from behind the curtain. He walked over to me smiling and gripping hand in my shoulder giving me a squeeze before talking. "In order to actually perform at the stadium I had to convince them it would be worth the watch. So what better way than to get dancers?"

"That's true," Mandy said. "Sometimes at photoshoots we get people to hype us up so that the photos come out right. Like if we want a bigger smile we have someone doing funny faces and stuff behind the camera."

I nodded my head at Mandy's words, turning my head towards the people who were continuing to stretch. This was all actually happening and I couldn't be more excited, confused, and dead. As in like a fangirl way I was completely dead. This was just too much for my soul. I was mentally gasping for air. I was screaming at the top of my lungs just like.... alsndosbdbwkmaosmdbdnsk. My emotions right there.

"Shall we get started?" Mr. Lavish asked snapping me out my thoughts. I turned my head toward him nodding my head in an almost slow like motion, watching as he smiled at me and moved toward the front of the crowd screaming the words "Alright, dancers please take a seat."

"I can't right now..." I whispered towards Cierra. She turned her head towards me laughing lightly.

"It's okay girl." She said turning her attention back towards the crowd as I did too.