"Hayden Baker!" The announcer yelled. I stood up and followed her.
I have done this routine over and over in my mind. I can do this. It's just like any other audience I've performed in front of. Except, this time they're judging me to see if they think I'm good enough for this company. I've gone through hell my entire life just to get to where I am now. I have a father who grieves for the loss of my mother who left us right after I was born, doesn't approve of my boyfriend and takes it all out on me. He calls me a slut for having mostly guy friends and doesn't appreciate anything I do. I'm trying to hold the house down but, having a job and applying for companies isn't working out together. It's one or the other and I've picked the other. Dancing is my passion, my way of life. Without dance and a man who loves me more than his own life, I don't know where I would be right now.
The song "Set it on Fire" by Rooftop blasted from the speakers of the room and I danced and moved like I've never danced before. The adrenaline flew through me and just like that, it stopped. I cupped my hand over my mouth and ran from the room to the restroom. There, I emptied the contents of my stomach. This is the second time this has happened during my audition. Dad said it was probably just the flu. I accepted that but barely believed it. John, my boyfriend of nearly two years had no idea I had been violently sick for over a week. I didn't think it could be true, but I think that now is the time to go see a doctor.
I walked slowly back to the audition room and the judges looked at me.
"Dear, are you alright?" asked the judge on the far left. I think her name is Jennifer.
"I honestly don't know. I came to apologize for my audition. Normally this wouldn't happen. I would have kept dancing even if I was feeling uneasy or nauseas, but I was just so overwhelmed and it wasn't because I was nervous---" I kept talking until I figured out I was just blabbering.
"Hayden, I admire you confidence. Anyone watching you could see that this is what you love to do. The way you dance is so flawless. Honey, most dancers are trained to dance, but you, you were born to dance. Despite your little mistake in the middle of your audition we will still judge you fairly. So I believe now is the time to vote and comment. I'll go first since I'm already talking. It's a definite yes from me and you already know why."
"Thank you." I said.
"It's a yes from me too. I enjoy watching you dance, and it will be a good change for some of the others to come out of their comfort zone. If it was up to me, you would be our new choreographer."
I slightly nodded this time. I didn't want to seem too excited or desperate. The third judge just stood up and clapped.
"It's a yes hands down. I don't even need to explain why; you are just an amazing little dancer.
"Little?" I questioned him.
"You get what I mean. It says here in your resume your only eighteen and about to graduate high school."
"Oh, right."
"Well, Hayden Baker, welcome to the Florida Dance Company."
"Thank you. Thank you guys so much, you have no idea how much this means to me. Thank you!"
"We have your contact information; we will send you the details. You start in the early fall."
I nodded my head and walked out the door. This is the biggest thing that has ever happened to me. My dad was wrong; I am definitely good enough to be a dancer.
