Top Class (On Top Sequel)

Chapter 24

*Lucy POV*

"To the center everyone! Start with pliés and follow through with arms starting in preparatory and ending in fourth if you please." Ms. Olivia stated as she turned to face us after our work at the barre.

It was the end of warm up. We had an hour to get to the performance hall and get our make up on and be ready for the performance.

The music started and so did we, all together and in sync. But while I may have been dancing well alongside my class, my nerves were on a roller coaster. I was not calm but rather I was freaking out. I looked to my left and saw Jade and Alice strictly following the dance, their arms changing from third to forth in sync with their heads moving up and down. They looked like their normal selves this morning.

I dropped my arms from fourth and placed my arms back to preparatory just as the music started to slip away as did my resolve.

I needed to find a quiet spot and just chill for a few minutes.

*Jade POV*

When the music ended and everyone came out of fifth position, I started to roll my arms back, stretching my upper back and neck before letting go. For having stayed up till three last night, I was in great shape for later today.

I felt great.

"Before you all do reverence, I need to go over with you all the final details for today just in case some of you have forgotten. The last thing I need is for one of you to show up late and miss curtain call." Ms. Olivia stated, glancing at us all accusingly. I turned to Alice questionably and she shrugged in response.

"As you all know at 12 we will have curtain call and the performance will start immediately. You must be there within the hour, fully dressed for you first entrance and make up must be finished. Once there I need everyone who has a prop to check before the performance starts where that prop is and place it close to your entrance. I do not want any more extra running around back stage."

There was movement from the class but all stayed silent.

"Also please no eating until after the show. If you must drink water, do it with a straw so as not to spill anything on your costumes. Now reverence please," Ms. Olivia said quickly, hitting the floor with her wooden marker causing everyone to quickly resolve back into first position.

After reverence Ms. Olivia let us out and asked us all to be careful in not getting into any crash or possible painful accidents that could cause any one of us to fail to dance today.

"Does speaking to your great grandmother count as painful?" Alice asked as she came up to me with her bag on her shoulder. I gave her a pointed look in response but internally I agreed full heartedly.

Grandmother Emerson had been in a state of panic for over thirty minutes after Lucy left. I was still pissed off with her for not waking me up when she was home. It's not like I needed sleep or anything. I was sure that if I was awake while she was there, my great grandmother would not have gotten so worked up.

When I turned to Lucy as we left the studio I noticed that she was still holding herself as if she was stressed. I groaned internally and volleyed back to her and grabbed her arm. Lucy glanced at me confused.

"Why are you holding my arm? You never hold my arm." She asked in confusion.

"This is me trying to comfort you." I responded simply. It was obvious that this was my intent. Why question it?

"This is not how you comfort a person, Jade. You are squeezing my arm. Look, it's turning red." Lucy exclaimed, now trying to pull her arm away from me but I held on.