The Gift of Dancing (Book 5 of the Ava and Mia Series)

Chapter 14

ITS DANCE DAY!!! We're in my ballroom right now waiting for my recalls! The whole morning was a blur but we just got Starbucks so it's all good.

Mira says I danced well enough for the recall definitely. I don't get to do my regular set because it's trad set and I'm doing king aka my secret weapon...

"I have the recalls for competition 7, girls under 10." Says the lady into the microphone. I'm super nervous... I know I recalled and got 4th last year but everyone is really good this year... We aren't baby U9s anymore... This is our year to start world qualifying for us so everyone is pushing.

"In numerical order, 154, 156, 158, 162, 166, 170, 173, 177, 184, 187, 192, 198, 200, 201, 205, 208, 210, 214, 217, 218, 220, 224, 226, 229, 230, 234, 237 and 242."

Yes! My number, 226, was called! 2 time all Scotland recaller right here! The recall round isn't for another 45 minutes so I finish up my drink and me and Mira go out of the ballroom so I can get ready for set. I put on King and we run through it a lot with Mira giving me last minute corrections. After about 20 minutes she makes me stop so I don't get tired and so I can go get ready. As we're walking in, a mom and her daughter, who can't be older than 6, are coming out. I lock eyes with the girl for a split second and I get a feeling that I know her... It's so weird...

We get back and put my shoes on just in time because we're called backstage 5 minutes later. I slip into my dress and head backstage. I'm at the end of the rotation so I have to wait a while but more time to catch my breath from practicing... If I'm not full energy, the dance looks super sloppy... Finally 224 is walking on to do her set which means I'm next!

The musician starts up blackbird and I'm not really paying much attention until I hear a loud boom and a judge ring the bell. I hear a sob from the girl and a shout from someone in the audience. The person lining us all up rushes out and comes off carrying the girl... Oh god that's so scary... He passes her off to who I'm guessing is her father and they disappear into the crowd.

I shake that all from my head as I walk onstage and the musician starts the familiar tune of King. Once I finish the right foot the entire ballroom is silent and you can hear by beats echoing quietly in the hall. I finish off feeling confident but the ballroom is silent... Then applause comes in like waves. All of the judges are nodding too! I guess it was good! I bow and walk off. On the way back I'm stopped by at least 7 people that I've never seen before say it was amazing... I'm glad the girls fall didn't effect me...

I get back to Mira and her mom and they say it was basically perfect! I take off my dress. Now we just have to wait for awards!