Black Diamond- Chapter 14
Shelby.
"Babe your gonna do great." Chris smiled as he pushed a stray hair to the back of my ear.
"I'm so nervous thou'."
It's the night before my performance for Juilliard and I'm freaking out. My mom decided to let me off punishment so I asked Chris, India and Simone to come over.
"Honey we've all seen you dance your ass off so just pretend it's only us out there and you'll do fine." India smiled after she spoke.
"Awe, boo thank you."
Out of boredom we ransacked the kitchen for something to eat. I grabbed my twizzlers before Chris greedy ass got a chance to touch them then we went back out onto the back porch.
"Have you ever thought about what life would be like after high school?" India asked randomly.
The silence of everybody processing the question had me really thinking about life after high school. Sometimes I kind of wished I had the ability to see into the future but since that wasn't possible I'd settle for taking it day by day.
"I honestly have never thought that far. I'm just wishing and hoping to make it to graduation." Chris replied staring at nothing in particular, just sort of spaced out.
Nobody really said anything after that. My mom came intruding through the back sliding doors announcing that it was well passed midnight and everybody had to go. Simone and India hugged me then Chris before I walked them out the front. Chris and I stood in the middle of the side-walk consumed in our own thoughts.
"Bae, stop stressin' please?" Chris smiled as he pulled my waist closer to his body.
"I'm not." I lied through my teeth.
Chris bent his head down then looked into my eyes before speaking softly.
"You don't have to lie to me Shelby. It's okay to be nervous but you've got talent and tomorrow I wanna see you kill the stage and come January I'll be taking you out as the newest Juilliard student."
"You really have that much faith in me?" I smiled wrapping my arms around his neck.
"Fa'sho girl." he smiled.
"Awe, thank you baby."
For some reason Chris turned his head towards my front door. His hold on me loosened making me turn towards his gaze to see my mom standing in the door way with her arms folded.
"I guess I better go."
He nodded then pecked my forehead. I watched him get on his motorcycle and zoom away before I slowly made my way up to the front door.
"Why are standing in front of the door?" I asked brushing passed her.
"Because I can."
The struggle to not roll my eyes in front of her face was real because she's been on this rampage ever since I came home that night. She acts as if I'm suppose to be this perfect little angel and for the record I have been for the last seventeen years without so much as a single tardy at school to blemish my record but the first time I mess up I'm Satan's child.
"Whatever you say mother." I smirked sarcastically.
"Skylar get back here, now!" My mom warned.
I wasn't in the mood to hear her complain or comment on all the things I've been doing since that's become her hobby. Instead I jogged up the stairs and slammed my door. To drown out the sound of her yelling I popped in my headphones then put Battle Scars by Lupe Fiasco on repeat.
**Friday Evening**
My nerves were on edge as I paced the shiny wooden floor backstage. Several other people were way before me and as I watched behind the curtain at all the talented people coming from different schools I started to doubt myself. Sitting on the floor I listened to the song over and over then practiced my routine in the small space.
The last girl came off stage then threw me a smug smirk before grabbing her water bottle and exiting through the door.
"C'mon Shelby, you got this." I said trying to encourage myself.
The announcer got back on the mic and this was it my turn to finally fulfill my dreams, this would be the most exciting moment of my life only if I didn't feel the need to vomit.
"And last but certainly not least we have Shelby Anderson representing Richmond High School. Everybody give a warm welcome for Shelby."
The lights dimmed and the applause died down as the curtains started to rise and the slow beat to the song started. With my head bowed and my back arched I could feel the saliva build up in my cheeks. My Que came and went as I stared out into the awaiting audience.
I froze.
"C'mon Shelby, baby you got this!" Sounded from the front row but I couldn't move. It felt as if someone had super glued my feet to the floor.
The stomach churning I felt earlier was now all over the stage. Embarrassed I ran backstage and collapsed on the floor, crying.
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Be honest, how many of y'all thought she was going to kill it? lol.
Comment. Vote. and Fan!
