All The Faith In The World

Chapter 28: Nationals

Faith's P.O.V

"Next up, we have number 84 with Anna Sun," a booming make voice says, prompting me to go onto the stage and get into my sitting position before the music starts.

"Go Faith!" Various team mates scream from backstage.

How I've missed this. How I've missed the bright lights and sparkly costumes that make you feel like royalty. How I've longed for the sweet sensation of spinning around and around before leaping out and into the next 8 count. How I've thought about the possible solos I could have this season or the groups or the duets I've wanted since I was 8.

This is the part of my life I've missed.

Seconds before the music starts, I hear one last "Go Faith!" And this ones from Noah. That's all I needed.

The music starts and I become the girl on the tv from when I was little. I spin and I twirl, giving the judges all I've got to get me to this point. My smile never leaves my face the whole dance. I leap, chasse, spin, and perform like there's no tomorrow.

Because, at a point, there almost wasn't a tomorrow.

As the final chords of the song come through the speakers, I stand tall in my ending pose, hands out reached to the light fixtures above my head, and how prancing around my brain as to what place I got for that.

The crowd is silent for a minute, before going into insane applause. I strut off the stage, smiling and knowing that I, Faith Porter, just gave the best performance of my life.

"That was absolutely amazing!" Clara says, welcoming me off the stage.

"Thank you!" I squeal, the energy buzzing through my veins.

"Girls! Come on! We're going to the dressing room while we wait for the scores," Mrs. Kathy tells us, pushing us out of the way.

"Is Faith back here?" Piper says, out of breath and frantic looking.

"Yeah, I'm right here," I wave, getting her attention.

"There's someone you really need to talk to," she says, calming down a little bit. "Come on!"

She grips my wrist and runs off of the stage and into the hallway of a random high school the competition was being held at. Through the many dancers and coaches we fly to meet this unknown person whom apparently has a big impact on me.

"Piper, who exactly is this person?!?" I ask, nearly tripping over my own bare feet.

"A talent scout from Juliard!" She exclaims. My breath hitches in my throat.

"L-Like the college?" I stutter.

"Of course!" She stops running abruptly. "Do you see that women over there? She's the scout and she's asking about you! Okay, now don't be nervous, and let's do this."

We catch our breath for a few moments before going over to join the lady.

"Hello again, Mrs. Sherkovski. I have brought Faith," Piper says, hand on my shoulder.

"Hello there, Ms. Porter," she holds out her hand which I shake politely.

"Hello, Mrs. Sherkovski," I say.

"I saw your solo, and let me say, it was exquisite technique," she says.

"Thank you so much," I say, my cheeks heating up.

"I actually came specifically to see you this weekend. You see, I'm sure you've seen the news report about you and your brothers, and ever since I've seen it, I've been interested in you and seeing how you are doing. With a little research, I found you were actually a dancer who was competing this weekend, and I had to come see for myself if you recovered," she starts.