I want to shine!

I'm still a novice dreamer!

It was during her first year of high school, but it felt like yesterday. The near empty building. The shining lights that seemed dull to her then. The feeling of being frozen as the tears fell down her face. Talia staring at her, asking if she was okay. She didn't want to remember it, but she did.

                                                                                             ~

"Everyone! There's going to be a performance on our stage tonight! Come see Aqours perform tonight, let's aim for a full house!" she shouted.

Wesley stood proudly on the soap box, holding dozens of hand drawn fliers, handing them out to anyone who would take them.

Kayla and Maria walked up to their friend.

"So you're putting on a show, eh, guera? Lemme see one of those fliers, I wanna come. Look out for our faces in your audience, we're two of your adoring fans." Kayla chuckled.

Maria accepted one as well. "Good luck, Wesley. I'm sure you and Talia will do great, do your best!"

"Thanks, we will! We'll sing our hearts out!" Wesley said as she waved goodbye to her friends.

                                                                                           ~

They stood behind the curtains, their show was about to start. It was their beginning. Their hands were intertwined, and the other was clenched in a fist on their hearts.

"Are you ready, Talia?" Wesley asked her friend.

"As ready as I'll ever be. I'm glad we're doing this together, zura."

"Me too, Talia. Now let's get out there and give these people a show!"

The upbeat music began to play, and the curtains parted. They stepped out on stage and Wesley jumped forward, eyes closed because she was smiling too big."

"Hello, everyone! We're Aqours, thank you for coming to our first show!" Wesley exclaimed.

Her words echoed more than they should have. The audience response was too quiet. Wesley opened her eyes, confused. Then it hit her, the building was nearly empty. Suddenly she felt sick, and her legs felt like jell-o. The only faces she saw were those of her and Talia's families and friends. She didn't even feel the salty tears start to drip down her face, but down they flowed, like a river of melancholy. Had all of their hard work been for nothing? Choreographing their dance, writing lyrics, making music, spending countless hours sewing their sparkling costumes...all for such a pitiful outcome? Wesley took it as an insult, a curse from God. Wesley clenched one shaking hand into a fist, and with the other, snatched the bow headband from her head and flung it onto the stage. She ran off stage, sobbing. Talia followed after her dear friend.

"Wesley! Wesley, are you ok?" Talia called out.

Those words echoed in Wesley's head for the rest of her fitful sleep.

                                                                                               ~

"Nice steps, Matilda! Put all of your heart into it, you can do this! You're feeling the love wind blow through you." Kasey called out, her gloved hands cupped around her mouth.

She glided and danced on the ice like the graceful animal she was, unbound by the laws of nature. A triple axle followed by a double toe...she had it all down. She felt the melody in her bones, to her very core. Nothing mattered when she was on the ice, why should it? Then, too soon, the love wind finished smoothly with a layback spin, and she struck a pose. In her glory, she could hear Kasey clapping and squealing excitedly. Matilda effortlessly glided to where she was waiting and was met with a fiercely tight hug.