Two of a Kind

Back to Square one

"From the top!" screamed the entitled choreographer at us. Margarite Velez always came to surprise us all with the hours we could rehearse without any water. 

"Are you serious?" I mumbled looking at the clock. Always the same thing with us. 

She said we'd be done by 5:00, it's fucking 6:30 and she's still going at it!  I thought to myself.

"Five and six. Grace! I need grace! I want those arms light as feathers and those legs firm as rocks." she shouted again, making the freshmen flinch.

"Ugh. I'm done with this." I scoffed. I left position and went to the corner where my things were since 9:00 am. 

"Excuse me Ms. Castillo, rehearsal isn't over." the snobbish, tall woman signaled to the pianist with her hand to halt immediately after I left position.

"Rehearsal might not be, but I am." I walked right out of the studio, leaving a full first day of class student left with the devil of this institution's precious Dance Department. Margarite Velez could officially kiss my ass. 

I walked as fast as I could out of the building. I was furious. It has been 4 long years of putting up with this woman's ego. I saw red and left before I created a special little scene just for her. Four years in the making. 

When I finally reached my car, I threw my bag and clothes in the back. I raced to my apartment, i was severely late, I just knew it. I looked at the clock again as I opened the door.

"Fuck!" I shouted as I shut the door and stripped for a much needed shower.

About 30 minutes later, I stood in front of my full length mirror, in a short navy blue dress and black high healed short boots trying to fix my tangled hair.

"Well, down it is then, aaaaaaand I'm late. Awesome." I said sarcastically, grabbing my clutch and phone. Somehow, I jogged out the door to my car without falling. People don't realize how long eight hours can be when your a dancer and how much your body can still protest. 

--

By this time, my hair was bothering me. My much hated split-ends were on display and my hair was beginning frizz slightly. I took a deep breath.  "Remember Xiomara, not your day. I'm here for her." I told myself, shaking off the day.  

"I'd like to thank everyone for coming tonight. I'm a bit overwhelmed and most of you know how I get when things, as wonderful as these, happen." My breathtakingly beautiful aunt stood behind a small podium on a stage as she spoke to her life long friends and closest co-workers . It was her 32nd birthday and I had arranged it to be a surprise. 

To nobody's surprise, however,  I was late. But I had made it just in time for her speech. That woman is like my mother, she took me in when I most needed it.

"Everyone please enjoy yourselves and drink!" she shouted, walking off stage. People loved Myriam, she was a powerful woman with such a kind heart. She helped everyone she could. Charities, oppressed communities, homeless shelters, feminist organizations. You name it, she supports it.

I met her at the steps of the stage and helped her down, giving her my hand as support. "Sweetie, you made it!" she said wrapping her arms around me, hugging me tight.

"You noticed?" I was officially the worst person in the world.

"Of course I did baby, but you're here now. That's all that matters." She took a big chug of her champagne glass, which was weird of her.

"Hey, easy there, tiger." I said as she almost tripped coming down the last step.

"I'm fine honey bee. Please grab yourself a glass." She handed me a glass of champagne from the waiter. I didn't drink often since I'm very much underage, but I was feeling the music and so was Aunt Mary.