A Fresh Start

Fresh

Chapter 2: Fresh

One day I'm gonna pick up and leave.

Move to a different city,

meet new people,

start a new life,

become a new person.

-Nathalie Lorraine

Present Day

The days are long. The nights are short. Wake up, run, practice at the dance studio, eat, sleep. This has been my routine for the past 4 years. My name is Andraya Leanne Lee. I am 24 years old and I currently reside in LA. I left my hometown as soon as I graduated, instantly becoming a student at UCLA. After graduating from UCLA, I became a dancer working at Instinct Dance Studio as the head choreographer. To make extra money I compete in dance competitions. I am content with my life, but there is something missing. I know what it is, but I hate dwelling on the past. This is my new life and I am a new person.

*beep* *beep* *beep*

"Five...More...Minutes...Please", I swing my hand toward my alarm clock, missing it and hitting the table instead. Ignoring the pain in my palm I attempt to shut my alarm clock off again, which is a success. I turn my back away from my window and go back to sleep. As soon as I started drifting back into dreamland, my phone started ringing. I looked at the caller ID and rolled my eyes in annoyance.

"What, What, WHAT??", I asked irritated.

"Good morning to you too", the voice answered cheerfully.

"Cherrie, this better be good, you interrupted my date with Bryson Tiller", I stated sleepily.

"Draya, did you forget what today was?"

"Today is Saturday A.K.A my day off"

"OMG DRAYA YOU FORGOT DIDN'T YOU", What is Cherrie talking about? Today is the day I am supposed to be left alone. No one should be bothering me. I glanced at my calendar and noticed something on it. I walked closer to it only to realize that something important is happening today: the showcase.

"THE SHOWCASE, THE SHOWCASE IS TODAY!!!! OMG OMG OMG OMG. HOW COULD I FORGET? I'M SO STUPID", I started pacing around forgetting about the Cherrie until I heard her voice.

"Draya, it's okay you have plenty of time it is still super duper early in the morning", Cherrie assured me.

"Thank you so much for reminding me", even though Cherrie is annoying she is helpful.

"No problem Draya, I'm just doing my job. I'm your personal assistant after all"

"Okay well I have a lot to do so I'll hang up first", I ended the call not waiting for her response. I have so much to do. I need to go to the dress rehearsal, I have to meet up with the Director of the Showcase, and I have to prepare for my performance. Overall, I am going to be busy, and I won't be able to take naps in between anything.

8:30 am

I look over my papers outlining the timeline of the showcase. I oversee five dance groups: 2 ballet groups and 3 hip-hop groups. Ballet is first, followed by tap, contemporary, and jazz routines, and the hip-hop group concludes the group performance. After the group performances we transition into the next segment of the showcase: Director's Choice, where a war through dance occurs between choreographers. Then the winner of Director's Choice will end the showcase with a final solo performance.

I have never participated in Director's Choice. I'm not a bad dancer but I just don't like the attention on me. I was practically forced to participate. Cherrie threatened to call me every morning on my off days if I didn't do it. I swallowed the rest of my protein smoothie, and made my way to the bathroom to freshen up and get ready to meet up with my dancers.