Shadows to Stages

1 Feburary 2016

A.N the video isn't related to the book, like how Michelle messes up that happens to the other team competing against Oatfield in this book, I just used the video to relate to the chapter. Enjoy, vote and comment. xxxxxx
Dear diary,

Today was the day. Today Oatfield talent school was attending INTERNATIONALS IN L.A. I was so excited and I know we can win this.

My plan was about to start. I know running away and going to internationals isn't right but I have no choice. So I started my plan. I unlocked my door and started packing for a week away in L.A. Pretty much I'm going on vacation. I finished packing and started to write my note to my parents and it wasn't easy. Here's how my letter went:

Dear Mam and Dad,

I'm very sorry that I have betrayed you but I've decided to attend internationals without your permission. Yes I know Dad you told me we are packing this week but internationals means more to me than packing. You don't understand how much I've settled in here, I love it here, and I can't just leave it all behind and go somewhere else and start over. I know how much this means to you but internationals means so much to me and that's something you have to take in and understand.

I have attached two tickets for you both to attend internationals and see me perform. I know you are probably disappointed in me but it would mean the world if I got to see my parents watch me perform in L.A. These tickets give you front row seats that I requested. If you don't attend I totally understand and we will talk about it when I come home in a week. I love you both dearly and again I'm so sorry for going ahead without you consent. Hopefully I see my two biggest fans in the front row cheering me on.
I love you, 
                    Bella.

I left the letter and tickets on the bed. I also left a picture of me, Mam and Dad at my first dance class when I was 3. I then left out the window. Maya and Abigail were waiting outside. Coming down the ladder I felt hot tears flow down my face. Each step down I kept thinking if my decision was wrong. I knew I had to go. So I met Maya and Abigail and they saw me crying. Maya said 'Bella, are you okay. Why are you crying?' I said 'I just wrote the letter for my parents. That was harder than I thought. I left a picture of me with them at my first dance class.' Abigail said 'Listen, they will come. If they don't well than they don't care about your passion.' We linked arms and walked to the school.

I saw Nathan and we hugged and he whispered 'Everything sorted?' I whispered 'Yeah, don't worry.' We all got on the bus and me, Maya, Abigail and Nathan sat at the back of the bus. It wasn't a long trip as our school wasn't that far from L.A. We had so much fun on the bus. Mrs brought a speaker and bopped the tunes. We had a massive rave. The bus soon changed to a party bus in about 3 minutes. It really got everyone pumped for internationals. We were ready. We've practiced like crazy and ready for any curveballs thrown at us. I know we could win this even though it's my first time at internationals. I think my nerves will give me all the adrenaline I need to do my solo and hopefully win.

We arrived at the theatre and signed in. Mrs Williams signed in and called me over 'Bella, listen. Our team needs a captain, so I was wondering if you want to be captain for our team?' I was shocked she asked me. I said 'Sure, why not.' I signed my name and ran over to my friends. Guys, guess what? I'm dance captain.' We all hugged and laughed. Mrs called us all over 'Hey guys, so it turns out the competition starts tomorrow so you guys can go hang out for the day.' I was so excited to hang out with my friends.

I've never explored L.A and it was so exciting. Me, Maya, Abigail, Nathan and the rest of the team were walking through L.A and we saw a lot of people crowded in the centre of this massive park. We went in and there was this street dance crew and they were flipping and doing tricks and totally showing off. We walked in and they came right in our face. It was so pointless. They finished and everyone was clapping except for us. One guy came up and said 'You guys aren't clapping.' I stepped forward and said 'Yeah, so. I clap at things that are good.' Everyone was clapping and cheering for me. He came right in front of me and said 'So you can do better?' I pushed him back and said 'Oh yeah, my team can take you and all your team.' So pretty much we signed up to a dance battle but I knew our team were ready.

They played some hip hop song so I knew our team had really strong hip hop and break dancers on the team. Before we started we all huddled 'Listen guys, you go and have fun. We can beat this team. All of us. Are you guys ready.' We all put our hands in and shouted '3...2...1...OATFIELD.' We were pumped and ready to go. So how it worked was they do a move we do a move and there can be bits of group work throughout. It was them first. So me and Benjamin (finally found out his name) were face to face at the start and then he just back flipped out of nowhere. We decided to start out with a trio, so me, Maya and Abigail did a more hip hop trio then our internationals trio. We ended it the best way. We all slowly brought our legs up, close to our heads and we held it for a while and then our bodies all dropped right down. Everyone went crazy. They came back harder. Some girl was continuously doing cartwheels. This time we counted on the boys. In class the boys usually practice their tricks. They were flipping way better then the other team. They came back with a group this time and it was good. They were getting better and more determined to win. This time surprisingly Maya stepped up and totally rocked it. She was doing the tricks I've never seen her do. Loads more rounds went by and Benjamin came with a trio. It was really good and it started to worry me but then Benjamin messed up. I knew we had won. I finished it off with a flip straight into the splits. We immediately won. I walked up to Benjamin and showed him my hand for him to shake. Him and his team brushed past me and I ran back to my team to celebrate. We went back to the theatre to tell Mrs about what happened. We ran up to Mrs and said 'Mrs, you won't believe what happened.' Mrs was ecstatic. She screamed 'Congratulations, you won the dance battle. Now you guys are ready.' We all looked at her 'How did you know?' Mrs pointed to the big screen 'It was shown.' We all laughed.

We finally went to the place where we were staying for the week. It was huge, it was a mansion not far from the theatre. It could fit all of us and all the other teams. I was out on the balcony of my room. I kept calling both my parents but they kept going to straight to voicemail. I decided to leave a message on one. 'Hey, it's me. Listen I know your disappointed, because obviously you don't want to talk to me. Em, I hope you got my letter and I really hope you come. I know I'm a terrible daughter for doing this and you can punish me. You know I'm doing this for us, the family. You don't care, we're moving because you two got back together and it's obviously for you. I could win us the chance to move to L. A but no you two don't care one bit. Listen I still hope you guys come. See ya, bye.
I chucked my phone onto the bed and stared out onto all the buildings. Nathan walked in. I didn't notice him at first. He came and put his hand on my shoulder. I turned around and saw him smiling at me. I smiled a small bit and instantly looked at the floor. I walked over and sat on the bench, Nathan came and sat beside me. He put his arm around me and I rested on his shoulder/chest. He said 'I know how you feel. My mam and dad didn't want me going to a competition, but I still went and won. You're going to do the same.' I said 'They won't even talk to me. I say they hate me.' He said 'They don't, they love you, it's just the way they say it to you. My dad said you're not going to that competition, I'll make sure of it. See I had made him angry, that's why he said that.' I said 'My dad was pretty angry too, I did agitate him. Do you think me coming here was a good idea?' He turned my face and said 'You coming here gives us a great chance of winning internationals. Of course.' I got up and walked over to the balcony. He came after. I was gazing at the stars. He said 'You know, each star can mean something to one person. Some people say that each star is one dream of every person in the world, and the highest stars are the dreams that are out of this world, but the person who wished wants it so much. So say your dream, I say your dream is the highest and most shiniest of them all. See you're always glowing, like a star should glow.' I couldn't believe Nathan said that about me. I was speechless. He really gave me hope. I turned around and jumped into his arms. It lasted forever which is what I wanted.