On Top Of The World (book 3 in the Irish Dance Camp series)

Chapter 7

Ciara
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One more day.

There's only one more day until I dance at the World Championships.

Worlds started yesterday, so the venue is already swarmed with parents, teachers, and dancers. I forgot how many people came to worlds until I got here.

I change into a light blue tank top and a pair of athletic shorts because I'm about to go down to practice. Marisa and Mom went down earlier to watch people dance, so I'm alone in the hotel room. I open the door to leave, and just as I do, the door in the room next to us opens as well. The person I thought looked familiar a few days ago steps out , but I recognize her this time.

Taylor.

I just keep walking down the hall and pretend like I didn't see her.

"Number forty!" She calls down the hall behind me. Don't listen, just keep going. "Hey. I'm trying to talk to you!" I sigh and turn around.

"What do you want?" I ask her, crossing my arms.

"I can't believe I'm seeing you here! I'll bet you're super nervous! Having to defend your national title and all... The one you obviously cheated to get!" She snarls.

"What are you talking about?!" I demand, walking slowly towards her.

"Oh, please, Ciara, everyone knows your teachers bribed the judges to get you to win nationals! You didn't deserve it, and you know it. Your teachers probably also told the judges to give me seventh instead of first, because you're totally jealous of me." 

"That's not true!" I snap, on the verge of yelling, "I'm definitely not jealous of you, of all people! And my teachers would never cheat! You're making all this up!"

"Fine, speak for yourself," she smiles, "just know I'm not the only one that thinks all that..." And then she grins wider and walks past me, hitting my shoulder as she leaves.

I feel like I'm going to throw up... I know my teachers didn't cheat, I've heard them talk about how they're always so disgusted by other teachers that do that.... But how many more people think I cheated? I definitely don't want that kind of reputation.

I walk down the hall slowly and over to the elevators. Thankfully, Taylor isn't here anymore.

I find the practice room downstairs, along with my teacher, Karen, and a few other kids from my school.

"Hi Ciara, go ahead and put your hardshoes on...." She says, "Are you okay? You look upset about something."

I just nod and start putting on my shoes.

I shake out my legs stretch a bit, and then we start with hornpipes.

I begin my round of three, but I'm not really focused. I'm still thinking about how people apparently think I didn't deserve to win nationals. I'll have to dance really well tomorrow to prove to them that I was meant to get the placement I did. As if I wasn't under enough pressure already....

Still pondering this, I start a set of tricky rhythms.

But then I'm slipping.

I hear a cracking noise come from near my ankle, and then I'm on the ground.