The Open Door - Sean and Kaycee

4. A Way Out

Sean

I'm sort of dreading this audition. It's been a while since I've danced in a room with other people, and I'm not sure that I want to go back to that.

When I get into the elevator, I put my earbuds in and try to calm down and forget what's going on. Mura Masa's "Are U There" starts to play, and I immediately zone out, remembering a little phrase that I choreographed to it a while back.

I need to know, that you're here with me

I don't know what I'm so worried about. After all, I know I can dance well, so it's not like I have to prove anything to anyone. (Actually, that's a lie. I have everything to prove, especially to myself) And it's not like I'm worried about the people either. I don't really care about them at all. (Another lie. The people are exactly what I'm worried about, them and their judgement)

I've been so lost in my own thoughts that I didn't even notice that another person had walked into the elevator, a girl with brown hair and sparkling brown eyes (with a hint of green, although it's not like I'm paying any attention), who looks like she's around my age. She's staring at me, but immediately blushes and looks down when she realizes that I'm looking at her.

She's kind of cute, I admit. She has an open and welcoming face, like she's perpetually gazing at a beautiful sunset with complete awe and innocence. But at the same time, looking past the lightness of her features, I see a sort of starved desperation -- like she's a little spider trying so hard to make a web, desperately throwing out her spindle fibers, but they aren't catching onto anything.

What in god's name has gotten into you, Sean? Why are you still looking at her, as if you care about her or anyone else? I quickly avert my gaze. See Mom, this is what even being near dance does to me. It makes me so much weaker.

As a matter of fact, the elevator ride has been going on longer than it should. It feels like we've been here for an hour, although it's only been around a few minutes.

Suddenly, I hear a loud thunk, even though the music blasting in my ears. The elevator has ground to an abrupt halt.

But the doors remain stubbornly shut, even after a few more minutes have passed. It's still just me and the spider girl.

I quickly glance at her again, and she's staring at me again with those ridiculously bright eyes. I realize that she's trying to start a conversation, and not wishing to be too much of an impolite bore (or maybe because I actually am interested in her, as much as I hate to admit it), I take the earbuds out of my ears.

"Hi, I'm Kaycee," she says, in rapidfire, cheerfully staccato tones, "Seems like the elevator broke down. Do you know what's going on? I don't really know what's going on. I just really don't want to be late for this audition because it's like the opportunity of a lifetime and I just love dance so much and I really hate being late and isn't this just the weirdest thing that's ever happened to you, I mean isn't this just awkward being stuck in the elevator with a complete stranger who you've never met before?" She pauses for a second to catch her breath. "Did I mention that my name's Kaycee? What did you say yours was again?"

"I didn't," I say abruptly.

She looks slightly abashed, and her cheeks are tinted pink now. "Oh... right, I mean, sorry... I meant to say, what's your name?"

Her awkwardness is really endearing and adorable. Wait, what? I have to bite back a smile that's creeping its way onto my face.

"Um... I'm Sean."

She smiles, and it makes her entire aura glow. "Hi Sean! Nice to meet you. Hey, did you know that the ground beneath you is burning? Do you always carry fire with you?"