Our Story So Far

Chapter 3

"Alright Mac, thank you for your time." Cassandra smiled while dabbing at her forehead with a towel.

"That. Was. Horrible." I said from my spot on the floor. My sweaty body was practically sticking to the varnished wood panels but I didn't care. I was too tired to move.

"Your dancing actually isn't that bad." Cassandra smiled at me and I groaned. She picked a bottle of Gatorade up from a nearby table and rolled it over to me. "You just need some practice." I sat up to take a sip from the bottle while shaking my head.

"No offense I appreciate you helping me, but I don't really think choreography like this is necessary." I told her. "I play guitar, so I'm pretty restricted in the movement department."

"These classes aren't exactly for creating routines, it's just another way to build up your endurance." Cassandra sipped from her water bottle. "These shows can get intense, and I see you as someone who gets caught up in the moment." She looked at me and I nodded. I do tend to get caught up in the moment... "Performing in front of people is way different than making a video on the internet- you've gotta keep your energy up the entire time. The crowd mirrors what you do so you have to stay energetic if you want them to be energetic."

I breathed a sigh of relief. "Okay, so I won't actually have to dance in front of people?" I asked hopefully.

"I didn't say that. I'm still going to help you with your stage presence; I mean you do play songs where rhythm guitar is not necessary-" I was about to cut her off in protest, but she kept going. "So you can't just stand on stage doing nothing- you need to move: react to the crowd. And that's what I'm here to help you with." She finished.

"Okay, good. Because I need all the help that I can get." I jerked my thumb to the area in front of the mirror where I had just embarrassed myself for about two hours.

"Most of it is going to be improvised on your part, but I'm going to teach you what to expect. It's just really important that you get used to moving in short bursts of energy for long periods of time. I've seen too many artists crash out there on stage which is why I'm starting to train you in the beginning." Cassandra smiled at me. I sort of hated her for making me go through those last two hours of hell, but at the same time I wanted to hug her for caring so much about me. We had only just met today, and I was happy to have another girl friend on tour. Like I said before, I'm kind of constantly surrounded by guys.

"So how often do we have to do this whole dance thing?" I asked her.

"Well I took the liberty of making you a workout schedule. From now on I am no longer just your choreographer, I'm your physical trainer too." She laughed. I took the piece of paper from her and glanced it over as she went down the list. "Mondays you're in here with me for actual choreography- like stage blocking and all that jazz. Tuesday-Thursday I suggest you go running to help keep your endurance up as well. It will keep you from getting tired on stage. Then on Friday you're back in here for actual dance class." I groaned to myself looking at all the work I had to do.

"Okay, I don't hate running as much as I hate dancing." I laughed thinking back to all the years in high school that I spent running track.

"I'll send someone who knows their way around to come out and run with you each morning. We can't have you getting lost." Cassandra said jokingly.

"Or running away to never come back." I added. I heard Cassandra laugh but I wasn't kidding. All this working out was going to be the death of me. Well, that's certainly ironic.

"A lot of people on tour are on the same exercise schedule as you, so I'm sure there'll be someone to pair you up with." Cassandra waved her hand at me and I sent her a pleading look. She saw me staring at her and rolled her eyes. "Okay, fine. You can go."