The Timbers

Chapter 16

We got home, and I perfected a few moves from my routine and then went to bed. My stomach was turning. But I was excited. I finally had closure on the whole Ashley deal.
It will definitely make my routine better, emotionally.
I can finally sleep easy.

{the next day: tryouts}

I woke up ready to go. I packed my gym bag and went downstairs.

I ate a banana and made myself a protein smoothie to keep me balanced for the rest of the day or until the try outs.

I got to school and met up with Kayla and the other girls we talked until first period. The day flew by. Nothing fascinating happened.

I texted my brothers telling them the time and place of tryouts.

I got nervous. But it was okay. It made this more real.

I walked to the gym with the girls and immediately saw all these other people stretching and practicing.

"God they all looks so good.." I said rubbing my hands together

"Yeah and so are you." Claire said

"Don't let them scare you, you should scare them" said Anna

"Go out there and dance your heart out. Your routine is beautiful. Don't let them mess with your head." Jasmine said hugging me

"Alright, Alana go out there and kick ass" Kayla said smiling

The girls went over to where my brothers were sitting. They looked like excited dads, with their phones out and waving like maniacs.
I smiled and went to a corner to begin stretching. 10 minutes later Coach Abby walked in, with a clipboard.

"Okay!" Her voice boomed. "Everyone trying out for my dance team line up, shoulder to shoulder in front of me please"

Everyone scurried to line up

"Alright, I want to be clear, not everyone will make it, and that's not saying you aren't good or that you should give up, it simply means you need to work harder, get better and then try out again next year. If you do make it, there are things you need to know. To be on my team you have to have a passion for dance, you must be kind and respectful, you must have great sportsmanship. When and if you make the team you will learn the rest of my rules. Now on to the tryouts. You were asked to prepare a routine of your own, with a song of your choice. I want a story, I want to feel what you are dancing. I want to be blown away. If you can do that you will make the team. You have been placed in alphabetical order. When your name is called you will set up your music and begin your routine. Everyone else will wait in the stands. Here is the order:

1. Madison Blaire
2. Connie Belen
3. Janey Black
4. Rosa Callen
5. Daniella Hall
6. Vanessa Lamenni
7. Shana Smith
and finally
8. Alana Timbers" she turned to the spectators and said "and I ask from the families and friends watching today to please, silence your electronics and refrain from talking or making noise during the performances. Thank you, and let's get to it. Good luck everyone. "

The first girl went up, she was good but stumbled a few times.
The second girl was amazing, she did moves I've never even seen. She was definitely making the team.
The third girl was also pretty good.
The fourth girl fell twice and began crying. I felt bad for her, she looked really embarrassed.
The other girls also did really well, I was beginning to get nervous when she called up the girl that goes right before me. My palms started to sweat.
She was really good.  

Then she finished... my heart began pounding.
It's my turn.
Oh god.
I am so nervous. I feel like vomiting.

Then I heard the words

"And our final dancer, Alana Timbers." The coach said.

I heard cheers, but they felt distant. I stood up and the world began to feel like slow motion. I heard my breathing, my heart pounding in my chest. I went to my bag and I set up my music, the song was Warrior by Demi Lovato.

I took off my sweater. I could feel the surprise in the room when my brothers realized I wasn't wearing a long sleeved shirt, or trying to cover my scars at all. The girls hadn't known about my scars till now. When we practiced I did use a long sleeve shirt. But not now. Not for this. It was part of this dance, it was part of.. me.

I looked at them with a smile and they still seemed confused but less worried.

The music started to play and it engulfed me in the melody, my arms started moving synchronized almost perfectly with my legs. My eyes closed for a brief moment while I let myself be possessed by the song. I leaped across the room, and spun, and did everything I had rehearsed, everything that felt natural.

The song was powerful, it was painful

It was me.

I looked out into the stands when my scars became visible. Everyone looked surprised. I smiled and let my passion for this song and dance flow through me. I felt the cool air brush past my face as I dropped to the floor just in time to the beat of the song. I danced like I've never danced before. My heart and mind became one. The song came to its end and I felt a tear travel down my face. My heart pounded.  Adrenaline pumped through my body and I felt like I could fly.

I looked up and I saw tears on people's faces. The coach was staring at me. She didn't move. She didn't smile. She didn't frown. And then out of no where, I saw a tear stream down her face and she shot up. She was clapping. Everyone started clapping.

I couldn't believe I did it. It felt like I had been in a trance.

When it all died down the coach announced
"Wow... we have seen some amazing dancing tonight. If you will just give me a few minutes I will have a list of who will be part of my dance team. Thank you all, it was truly inspiring"

My brothers and the girls all ran towards me.

"Alana Timbers!!! That was amazing!!!!!" Cleo said

"You brought me to tears babe!" Jasmine said hugging me.

I laughed and hugged back.

My brothers looked at me. They looked proud. They looked amazed.

One by one they hugged me. And Weston whispered

"You are my inspiration" i hugged him tight.

Finally I got my hug from Vinny and he said out loud

"Ya see! I told'ya you are beeeeeeeUtiful!"

We all laughed. And began talking. Time passed and finally Coach Abby made the announcement.

"Alright I have list. It will be right on the table for you to look." She placed down a sheet and walked away

Everyone rushed to look at the paper and see if they made it. Some looked disappointed and walked away others leaped with joy.

I walked over and looked down.
And there it was.
My name was at the top of the list. I couldn't believe it. My life has done a complete turn around. I didn't even realize it was possible to be this happy.

If you made the team, you would go and get your uniform from a box beside the table. When my family and friends saw me walk toward the box they all started celebrating.
I picked up my uniform and was embraced by my brothers.

Again the world felt like slow motion. Everything was falling into place.
Everything that caused me pain in the past, no longer affected my life.