~Melody~ [Chim]

Chapter Seven: Spark

Sweat. A lotta sweat. 

That was the only way I could describe this dance workshop. After the stretches, the warm up became dynamic, with running, jumping, stretches, even burpies. By the time the music stopped and we took a break I was sweating, but I still kept up. I could see Nicola struggled, her pale complexion shining with sweat. Kimberley too was sweaty, and she looked hot wiping her away from her face and flapping her shirt. Would be better without one on though. She looked up and saw me looking at her, and scowled. No love lost there then. 

Kristy quickly had us back working after our short break. "Right, now I want you to work on your own or with friends to develop solos. However you must all have your own 30 second piece to perform. You don't need to decide on any music, but you do need to decide on a mood for your solo, and express it kids." she said, her eyes scanning the group for any weakling who didn't think expression was needed in their solo. She then clapped her hands, signalling us all to get to work.

I knew straightaway that I was going to do streetdance, and in my current mood it was going to be an angry piece. I wandered over to a corner away from Nicola to work. She disapproved of all dance, especially streetdance, muttering "chav" whenever she saw me practicing in my bedroom. I picked a place near the mirror and threw out a few moves, locking and bopping. I saw Kimberley standing with a friend, who snorted at my dancing, and imitated a few moves, very poorly. Seeing another opportunity to piss off Kimberley, I walked over and smiled at her friend. "Actually, it's more like this" I said sweetly, showing her my moves in a slower fashion. Kimberley frowned at me, obviously desperate for me to stop cramping her style. But I wasn't about to stop there. I turned to Kimberley, ignoring the gobsmacked look on her friend's face."You could probably add a few booty moves in there with that rear" I said, raising my eyebrows at her ass. I hadn't really paid it any attention before, and I wasn't even trying to compliment her. But as soon as I noticed that magnificent pair of peaches I couldn't tear my eyes away - there was nowhere else to look. I was only drawn away from it by her disgruntled tone and the words that came out of her mouth. "Leave me alone, who even are you?" she snapped. I actually took a step back. Ouch. "Okay, bye then" I replied faintly, not looking at her - or her bum. I turned and walked away from her back to my little corner. What was I thinking try to be sassy and smart with her?

Dejected, I threw myself into sequencing moves, not focused on a clean finish anymore. I decided on my sequence of moves and practiced them over and over and over, each time I became less enthusiastic. Kristy was wandering around groups, checking out their work, and she came over to me with a furrowed brow. "What's happened to your moves ey?" she asked. "They were looking great before and you've lost your spark" I shrugged. "Guess I just lost the feeling." She looked at me sideways. "Well find the feeling again young lady, you won't get anywhere with a performance" she said sharply, before walking over to Kimberley's group and checking their moves. I watched her walk off but I didn't really see, my vision was glazed over. It hadn't even been 24 hours since me and Kimberley had kissed and she was a different person - I was a different person. My eyes followed Kimberley's body move, she was sashaying, arching her back and standing on her tiptoes. I longed to mirror her moves, to be the one watching her without feeling like I was invading on something that wasn't mine.

Then it clicked. I turned back to the mirror, a new idea at the front of my mind. My muse was still the same, but in a different light. Hip Hop was about to get sexy. I kept the same sequence, but added new expression to them, I took off the beanie and jazzed up my hair, adding more volume than necessary. I lowered my jeans so they were sitting on my waist instead of my hips, exposing part of my stomach. It felt all too deliberate and self centered, and I noticed Kimberley glance at me, and I swear I saw a flicker of a smile flit across her face. Maybe I was doing it right.

Then, Kristy clapped her hands and everybody went and sat by the mirror. I sat with Nicola as Kristy came and stood in front of us."Right, have I got any volunteers to go first?" Nobody put their hand up. She sighed, disappointed that she had no divas readily available. "I'll just pick you if nobody volunteers" she threatened. Still no hands. She sighed again, and pointed. "Come one then, show me you've got your spark back" I looked for who she was pointing at, then realised it was me. Nicola prodded me and I struggled to my feet and went over to the centre of the room. I took a deep, shaky breath and turned to the mirror, and faced the masses of people gawking at me. I trembled slightly, and Kristy nodded at me, and I nodded back slightly. Then I took another breath and started dancing.

30 seconds passed and I was finished on my last freeze. I was shaking and my ears were ringing. Then the clapping started. Even Nicola look impressed. I grinned toothily, and blushed, and Kristy came over to me, still clapping. "There's your spark" she whispered, then turned to the group. "Now do I have volunteers?" Kimberley's friend stood up and bounced to the front, as we passed she nodded at me and smiled a bit. I was heading back to my place next to Nicola, but I noticed Kimberley frantically patting the now empty space next to her. Confused, my feet found their way over to her and I sat down, looking inquisitively at her. She leaned over and whispered in my ear "We need to talk at dinner" then leaned away. Her breath tickled me and it was deja vu, and my lips burned. "You were really good" she said then, smiling at me openly, obviously happy it was something she could announce. I smiled back weakly, not at all convinced our 'talk' was going to be all that friendly. 

About 20 minutes later, we were all filing out to go to dinner, sweaty, but all glowing from the praise extenuated from Kristy. Kimberley had disappeared further ahead, into the crowd, having announced we would eat first then meet on the corridor. The punk chick Sarah was coming down from the recording studio and she linked arms with me as we went to the canteen. "Fancy seeing you again Nip Slip" she beamed, her loud voice carrying. I saw Kimberley slow her pace and fall back in the crowd, possibly recognising Sarah's brash voice. I smiled at her in embarrassment of the nickname, and she laughed at my blush. She also caught notice of my slight change in style and raised her eyebrows as she looked my up and down. "Liking the new look too, hot stuff you" she said approvingly. Then someone grabbed my other arm. 

"There you are Chez, I was looking for you" Kimberley said sweetly, beaming - or baring her teeth at Sarah. I looked at her confused at what she meant. She rolled her eyes and gave a slight tug on my arm. "You promised to eat with me" she pouted, tugging again. I cocked my head at her, and she pouted more, so I sighed and turned to Sarah and smiled apologetically. "I did promise her" I said to her. Sarah relinquished her grip on my arm. "Aww spoiling my fun Kimbers" she whined, then she ruffled my hair. "See you later Nip Slip" she said cheekily, winking before disappearing into the throng of people. 

I turned to Kimberley. "You said we weren't talking until after lunch" I said angrily. "Don't ask questions or you'll be lunch" she replied, not even looking at me. Our arms were still linked and she led the way, not to the canteen but up the steps to the recording studio. I kept my mouth shut, not wanting to be pushed down the stairs for asking anymore questions. We reached the recording studio, which was thankfully empty, without exchanging a glance or a word. She unlinked our arms and turned to face me.

"We're going to need some rules."