The New Girl

Chapter 4

"M-mom can you come and pick me up." I asked with sadness in my voice.
"Of course sweetie. I'm right down the street, i' ll be there in a minute."
I hung up my phone and shoved it in my dance bag. I kicked a rock around with my feet until it landed somewhere in the bushes.
I was outside the dance studio, a few feet away from the door. I could hear the sounds of dance music being played from the walls. I couldn't imagine what my teachers must be thinking now. I wanted to apologize, but another side of me was angry. I didn't want to go back in to that studio. I felt bad for yelling at Emma, I took my anger out on my best friend.
She probably hates me right now.
I also felt a little bad for disrespecting my teachers and walking out in the middle of class like that but I couldn't handle one more comment. I can take constructive criticism, but that was the last straw for me. I couldn't handle them comparing me to little miss perfect.

My moms Range Rover pulled up and I hopped in the front seat, not saying a word.
"Do I need to go in and speak with John or Mary? Is everything ok?" She asked.
I tried to speak, but I broke down crying. I explained to her everything: Emma, always being compared to her, losing- everything.

"If there's anything I've ever learned, it's that you need someone to push you, Chlo. You need to have a rival. That's what makes you work harder." She told me.
"Doesn't seem to be pushing me right now." I said as I looked out the window.
"When I was younger and did Irish dance, I had rivals too. And if anything, they shaped me into a better dancer and a better person. You'll learn soon." She said.
"How soon?"
"You'll realize it soon. How about you take a few days off of dance, that'll help. How about we go shopping tomorrow?" She asked me.
"Sure." I said, smiling again.
I need break from dance, It'll help clear my mind.

Later that night, I got many calls from Emma. I didn't feel like talking to her, but she would not stop calling me. After the 4th call, I picked up.

" Hey...Chlo?" She said from the other end. She sounded worried.
"Hey...Em."
"Are you alright?" She asked me.
"Im not sure." I answered.
"Look, I completely understand how you're feeling. I used to be compared to all the time, and it's not a good feeling. But your teachers love you, I love you Chlo. Your my best friend, and we're both good dancers. That's why our teachers push us."
"I guess you're right." I told her.
"And just because we're 'rivals' or whatever, doesn't mean this has to affect our friend ship, ok?" She said.
"I completely agree Em. I'm sorry for freaking out."
"Don't apologize for having feelings, Chlo. I'll talk to you tomorrow girl."
"Bye Em."
She hung up.
I felt better after the advice she told me. How did I get so lucky to be best friends with someone like Emma?
I decided not to be angry at Emma for being better than me. I decided then, at that moment that I needed to work hard for Oireachtas and train harder than ever before.