Cliché// Ethan Dolan

Chapter 15

Friday.

Show day is finally here. I'm beyond nervous. We get to leave at lunch to help set up and practice, and lunch is about to start.

Since it's our first show of the semester, we do a small kind of showcase in the gym. It's basically like what to expect when we do our second show of the semester, but that show is in an actual auditorium and it usually sells out.

So, there are three levels of dance; beginners, intermediate, JV, and varsity. Thanks to my dance background, I made varsity dance. Maya made varsity because I persuaded my teacher to give her a chance and it worked out.

Anyways, the bell just rang and I'm cleaning up my stuff.

"Hey, can't wait to see you perform tonight!" Ethan said, coming up from behind me.

   "Hopefully I don't fall. The gym floor can get so slippery, it's annoying." I rolled eyes and began to walk away.

"You'll do great." He grabbed my arm and looked into my eyes. I smiled at him and mumbled a quick 'thanks' before leaving.

I saw Marilyn walking out of her class, so I sped up to meet her. We've been dancing together for six years and we had this special routine we did before each show.

"Hey, Mar!" I bumped her shoulder and she turned her head to look at me.

"I'm so nervous! I've never had such a big part in a dance before." Her eyes widened.

"We're doing this together, don't worry. You mess up, I'll mess up." I smiled at her. That seemed to put her at ease as we walked to the dance room. We warm up first, then get the gym ready, and then do one final run through.

I'm extra nervous as my father decided the news he wanted to tell me was to be saved after my dance show. He said he was going to tell me at the dinner my mom, dad, and I always have after a recital. It's been on my mind ever since...

Ethan and I have been getting along just great. Flirt here and there, jokes thrown everyday, and we hang out a lot. We're in a really good place.

"Rowan!! Get out here! You start this dance! Or should I give it to Jen??!!" Our dance teacher yelled at me. The beginners looked frightened as they sat around the dance floor. It's their first time, they don't know how stressful a dance show is. I saw Jen's eyes go wide and she shook her head. She didn't want this part. She already had the beginning for three of the other dances.

    I got in the middle and prepared for my turns. Marilyn leaped in as the second beat hit. We opened up the show with a remix of Wild by Troye Sivan and Work From Home by 5H. I know these songs don't seem like they go with each other, but the edit sounds good.

   The Wild part is lyrical and jazz, while Work From Home is hip-hop. It looks really cool all together.

    When we finished the first dance the first set of the beginning classes went up and we cheered them on. The advanced team went first, it was probably intimidating. So, we try to show them there's really nothing to find intimidating.

   Once we were done going through it the first time we went in the gym and started setting up. By setting up I mean eating a lot 2 hours before the show because if you eat an hour or 30 minutes before you won't feel too good. But we also plugged in the stereo equipment and put a tarp over the bleachers that we don't face.

    Basically after that, we just marked it but went over it one final time before the first show starts.

----------------------------------------------
    "I'm sorry, I just don't think you're ready for the middle or front. We'll see how you do and maybe move you back up." I heard our dance teacher tell someone.

    I finished putting my setting spray on and saw it was Maya she was talking to. She looked sad as she brushed her hair and looked into the mirror.

  "Dude, that sucks." Marilyn mumbled right by me as she curled her hair.

  "Did she move her to the back row?" I asked.

   "Yup. I thought she looked fine, a little sloppy, but good." Marilyn shrugged. I was debating if I should go talk to her or not. I don't want to annoy her.

I decided to just go and talk to her. I feel bad she got moved.

"Hey, Maya. Are you okay?" I asked. I sat in the floor next to her. We change in our dance room and the rest change in the locker rooms.

"Yeah. I'm sorry for snapping at you. It's just all the stress. And now I have to show her I belong in the middle. I need my spot back."

"I kinda got the feeling it was that. Just smile and go full out. Don't stress too much! You'll do just fine." I gave her one last reassuring smile and went back to my spot by Marilyn.

---------------------------
   It's show time. The first show of the night and school year. Before every show we have a "prayer circle." Which is just us holding hands and wishing for the best of the night. The second prayer circle is with everyone in the dance program and it's just hyping each other up.

   We walked to the gym and the lights dimmed. It's time.
---------------------------
Don't need permission, made my decision to test my limits

Dangerous Woman started playing and it was my part with Jen and Marilyn. Once the chorus started, everyone joins in. It was the fifth song and everything was going fine. Until, Zak and Maya forgot their parts. Which that led to Alicia and Mark missing their part. It was a ripple effect where the guy caught the girl as she two cart wheels across. It was only those two pairs doing it. Luckily, Jack, Alyssa, Sylver, and Louis were by them and took over their parts. They were two seconds late, but the crowd didn't notice.

   I knew Ms. Gomez noticed. I really hope she doesn't move Maya down...
----
   "THAT WAS SO MUCH FUN!" Marilyn yelled as we walked into the dance room. Everyone agreed, except Maya. She just looked sad and nervous. We all hugged each other and congratulated one another. Ms. Gomez said she would talk to us on Monday but she was very proud of us. She let us go home and I went to pick my stuff up and change into reveille clothes.

    After changing, I went to talk to Maya.

  "Hey.  You did really good. It was your first show, don't stress too much. Let's hang tomorrow and talk, if you want?" I wasn't sure if she was over being annoyed with me or not.

   "Yes, please. I love you." She hugged me and smiled.

    "I love you, too. I have to go, today's the day I find out my dad's news!" I hugged her good bye and heard her say 'good luck!'

    I went out into the gym and saw my parents. I walked up to them and they praised me. I was so ready to find out the news.

A/N I suck, I know.