Tiny Dancer : The Story of a Michael Jackson Back Up Dancer

Chapter 2

She couldn't move. She couldn't even speak, he greeted her with a smile. Her palms became clammy as she looked into the eyes of her dancing idol.

Selene had always loved Michael Jackson. He inspired her to take the dancefloor as her own. Her lip trembled as he spoke in that soft, satin like dialect, "It's a pleasure to meet you..I'm Michael Jackson.."

As if she had no clue who he was? He was everywhere in the news. He sells out concerts in seconds, a well known sex symbol in the magazines.

Everyone wanted to be with him, or BE him.
"Pleasure is all mine.." Selene hardly spoke and she grabbed her hands behind her back after timidly shaking his gentle hand.
"You have a very sexy walk.." Michael said and she turned bright red in embarrassment.
"Well..uhm..thank you mister Jackson..."
He smiles and says,
"Oh please do call me Michael..."

Her heart melted into her stomach at his luminous smile and she felt herself go dizzy.
"You used to be in ballet correct?"  
Selene refrained from nervously stroking her hair and answered the most honest that she could,
"Yes, but I thought ya..know...switching to more contemporary and rhythmic genres would open more doors for me.."

Michael smiled and he smirked, "Well its proper etiquette to hold a door open for a lady. Welcome to the crew..."

Selene fought the tears in her eyes and Michael brought her into an awkward embrace. She hitched in her breath and Michael went on,

"If you'll wait there to the left in that small studio, we'll all get to work momentarily. I have to watch the other canidates..."

She nodded to him but found herself even more awkward as she walked away. Opening the large metal door to the hardwood dance studio, she found herself curled up into a ball in the middle of the floor. Her forehead pressed against her knees. She just looked into the eyes of her idol, the one and only person on the planet to inspire her and she stuttered.

Stuttered like an idiot.

She held back her hair frustrated and Tatiana walked through the door. She smiled looking to her and Tatiana shined,
"Some boss huh? Can you believe it?"

Selene found the strength to chuckle and said,
"I'm still trying to cope..."

Tatiana sat beside her and whispers, "I've wanted to shake his hand ever since the Wiz movie. Man, what a man."

They both giggled. The doors swung open with Alison and Bobbi entering. Ivanka followed behind and answered flicking on the light, "To your feet!"

The girls stood in a line in front of their reflections in the wall mirrors and Michael entered. He removed tinted ray bans and smiled so wide. In that smile, Selene felt time stop. Then continue, at a gorgeous speed.

He was beautiful. Breath taking even. His eyes were painted with same deepness as a painting and his movements were careful to the rhythym of his own choreography.

She felt her soul find the need for a deep breath and he claps his hands saying, "Thank you ladies for auditioning. I thank you for being so passionate. Passion is what I need. The world doesn't know quite yet but this upcoming summer I am releasing a new album.."

The girls all shared a gasp looking to one another and Michael finished cheekily, "And one of you shall star in a music video with myself."

They all tried to contain themselves and Michael snaps, "Let's get to work..."

The music that was played for the girls to walk to was Michael's new song. 'The Way You Make Me Feel..' he called it.

Little did Michael know, it was the way he was making them feel. Selene danced in synchronicity with the other girls and felt his eyes never leave her. It was torture. Her feet could have lost feeling as he began to show them the moves. His hips winded. He spun with his jacket flaring out.

He told the girls that only one of them would be the star and the other three would play street girls 1, 2 & 3.
Selene tried her hardest. She fought every turn with everything she'd ever wanted.

After an hour of dancing, Michael stopped the music and stood in a hault, in front of them, he spoke deeply and grave,
"Alright. My decision is clear..."

The girls all seemed to hold their breath at the same time and Tatiana held Selene's hand.
"I bet its gonna be you!" She whispers and Michael announces.

"Tatiana!" She looks to him shocked and he finishes,  "I want you to star with me in my video.."

They all clapped for her as she gasped like a small town pageant winner.

Through her clapping, Selene felt her first bit of competition. Michael hugged Tatiana and so did the dancers but her embrace didn't feel as magical as before. She let her eyes fall to the floor and they were dismissed until tomorrow. Before she left, a tug was placed on Selene's shoulder and before her stood Tatiana.
"I just want you to know...I think you're a really good dancer."

Selene shrugged and said,
"Hey, you don't have to comfort me.." She giggled and said through her disappointment,
"This is show business and they'll pick the best. I'm happy for you. You'll do great."

They shared a tension filled embrace and Tatiana glowed, "We'll be such good friends. I can already see it! Here I'll walk you out..."

Selene regained repose to smile again and Tatiana seemed to be the only friend a girl could hope to have. Before wishing her goodbye, a limo pulled up to the curb next to Tatiana and the window rolled down to reveal Michael. He motioned her inside and she waved goodbye to Selene.

They sped off into the turnpike and Selene was left alone there on the corner. She put the walkman head set over her ears and played whatever she could to drown out her thoughts of pure envy for her so called friend, Tatiana.