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Practice

The video up above/to the side is the choreography later on in the chapter (I wish I could dance like that😭). If the video doesn't work for some reason and you want to watch it, just go on YouTube and search, "Collapse - Eminem by URBAN DANCE CAMP". The photo to the side/up above is Lionel (I think the model is Marcus Aezer? All I know is that he's very attractive, and is the perfect person to play Lionel). Happy reading my loves!😊💜

Tryouts started on Friday after school. It being Monday meant I only had 4 days to practice what I was going to do, and half of that time was taken up with dance classes. I'm thinking of asking Roxanne to help me choreograph something when I see her at hip hop tonight.
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Before practice, Roxanne always made her students run around the studio for 10 minutes, then stretch for another 10 afterwords. She says it helps strengthen our bodies so we don't get an injury.

My solo hip hop practice ran from 4:00-5:00, where Roxanne and I would go over new choreography to teach the group lesson from 5:30-7:30. While they did all of their running and stretching, Roxanne and I would talk and go over the choreography just to make sure it's perfect.

"So, Roxanne...what would you say if I told you I'm trying out to be the school mascot?" I asked while touching my toes.

From the corner of the studio I could hear her spit out her water. I looked over to see her looking down in dismay, only to look back up at me with a perplexed expression.

"I'd say that I don't believe you, and that you should probably go home and rest. Are you sure you didn't hit your head during practice last week?"

Done stretching, I say, "Of course I didn't. Lionel and Rosie just decided they want to see me suffer, and practically forced me to do it."

Confused, Roxanne asked, "How'd they force you to do it?"

"They pulled the dad-card, basically saying, 'You know how he wants you to join something! Why not this?!'" I said with fake excitement.

"Aaahhhhh, I see." Roxanne says while nodding.

She knew how strong my bond was with my father, and that I'd do anything to make him happy or lighten his burdens. That's why I got a part-time job with assisting in teaching group dance lessons. Even though it wasn't much, I still wanted to help support our family and my future college tuition.

"Anyways, do you want to work on that choreography I was talking to you about? The group lesson will start in about 35 minutes, but we can work on it during the break if we need to."

Nodding, I got into position.
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By the time the group lesson had started, Roxanne and I were both warmed up and ready to instruct the new choreography. It was originally intended for 3 people, but Roxanne and I tweaked it so 7 people could dance to it.

As we were going through the motions of the choreography, one of the kids Ricky started complaining. He's around my age, but he can't seem to accept the fact that someone a year older is teaching him.

"I don't get it. Why is he teaching us as well? He's not even that much older than us." He complained, huffing.

"Maybe because I've been doing dance since I was 3, and you just started this year?" I muttered, turning to the side.

Roxanne tried to stifle her snicker by saying, "That's because June is the best dancer in this studio. You're lucky he's here to assist you guys." She said, winking at me.

I blushed. I get very flustered every time I receive a compliment - especially one as kind as that. Even though I'm often told I'm a great dancer, I can't bring myself to believe their words. I think it has to do with the fact that I can't trust people as easily as I used to.

My mother, Carrie, was cheating on my father for 2 years before finally confessing, leaving with her "new" man. It took a big toll on me and my father because we never saw it coming. She was lying to our faces easily for 2 years. My father's self-esteem especially took a big hit. He didn't believe that anyone else could love him if his former wife had been cheating on him easily for such a long period of time.

I was brought out of my dark stupor when I heard Roxanne tell the group to concentrate on the choreography again. I put all of my dark thoughts to the side and concentrated on assisting Roxanne.

Written: 11/13/18