Because of You

Chapter 5

Today was the day. Today I would perform my very first solo. I stood in front of the mirror putting on mascara, eyeliner, eyeshadow, blush, and finally lipstick. Today I would win the solo portion of the competition. I was determined.

I grabbed my costume, looking at it one more time before I drove to the auditorium. It was deep blue. Tight at the top with a crisscross design around the waist and a loose skirt. It was beautiful. In my mind, the costume made the dance. You could communicate a lot with how you moved, but if you weren't wearing the right costume, it wouldn't matter.

I pulled into the parking lot and walked into the building. "Wendy!" Miss Nina greeted me. "Run back and get ready I wanna run it through with you before it's your turn!"

I nodded and walked back to the dressing room. I slipped into my costume and put on my nude jazz shoes. I looked in the mirror. I looked good. I could win this if I just danced how I did at the studio. I walked out and ran through the dance with Miss Nina a couple times.

After she decided I was completely ready, she walked over and put her hands on my shoulders. "Honey you got this," she said confidently. I guess it was time for a pep talk. I didn't need one, but with my anxiety of talking to people maybe she thought I might. "Just dance like you dance with me and you got this in the bag! You're on after the next girl so prepare yourself. You'll do great I know it!"

She kissed me on the cheek and ran off to help someone with a costume. It was just like Miss Nina. She loved everyone and I was used to her kissing me on the cheek. She was like my family. I smiled in Miss Nina's direction, then walked backstage to get ready for my solo.

The girl dancing struck her final pose, the music fading off, and then there was one girl left before me. I closed my eyes. Before I knew it, they host was announcing my name. I took a breath, adrenaline rushing through me and walked into the stage. The music started.

Loving can hurt
Loving can hurt sometimes...

I let the words flow through me, putting everything I had into my movements. There were no judges. There was no audience. It was just me, in the spotlight, on the stage, by myself. That's how I got through these competitions. Nothing mattered to me but the dance, so I could push everything else out of my mind, my anxiety included.

I didn't even have to think about the movements I did. They were natural to me now and I did them without thought. I listened to the music and the last word rang out as I sat in my ending pose, breathing heavy. There was a moment of silence and then the audience burst into applause. I smiled to myself, then got up slowly and glided off the stage. I had a good chance of winning.

I chugged my water bottle and was about to push through the door to sit in the crowd and watch the rest of the dances when someone stopped me. I wasn't facing them, so I didn't know who they were, but then they said, "Oh my gosh you're so good at dancing! I could watch you all day you're amazing!"

I thought I recognized the voice. Strange... I turned around and froze. It was Jayden, the boy from the coffee shop. "Hey. You're that girl from the coffee shop," he said.

Hey! Hope you're enjoying the story so far! I've been updating everyday and I'm going to try to keep doing that, but pls don't get mad if I miss a day or two. I should keep my streak though hopefully! Anyways bye bye! Love you all! Don't forget to vote, comment, and follow me! 😘😍😋