Ever After

Chapter 1 | Dancing

"Ever after". A phrase with a magical meaning. "Would I ever experience it?" I had wondered on many occasions. I wasn't sure. I wasn't sure of many things, life overall, in all honesty. I often found myself questioning every step I had ever taken towards what I thought was my dream. "What would I do if I didn't become an idol? What if they rejected me? Where would I go? What would I become?" These words haunted me at night, like my own shadow, never leaving my mind.

They were haunting me now. Making me nervous and shaky as I handed the judges my personal profile information and a tape of my vocals. They looked at it warily, before motioning for me to began my dance. Auditions, the intial start to my soon-to-be career, if I made it past this obstacle. And if they accepted me, then training under a company. Then debut, if I made it that far. My knees got wobbly and the color drained from my face at the thoughts of would could happen. It would be my Ever After, and it was so close. If I made it past this round, it would be closer than ever.

I shook my head, and rolled back my shoulders, faling confidence and ready to follow my heart at the sound of the first note in the music. As it began to play, I let myself go to the Tempo. Literally. As I danced my heart out to my favorite song sung by my inspirations and role models, I zoned out, putting myself in a place where there was just me and my music. No judges, no camera recording, no future on the line. Just me.

As the song came to an end, I slowly looked up at the panel of 6 eyes staring back at me. I tried my best to read them and their thoughts while I attempted to calm my fast breathing, but they remained stonefaced. Expecting the worst, I bowed and put on a shy smile, walking towards the door, the last remaining bit of hope I had left in me slowly dying. "Wait." A woman on the end spoke, standing up, with her hands on her hips. She eyed me up and down, as if sizing me up. She turned and nodded towards the others, before looking at me once more. "Wait in the hall." I nodded, bowing again before rushing out of the room.

The hope flared in me once again, igniting like a spark. As it lit and spread throughout my body, I finally had real hope for my future! I smiled to myself, and mentally hugged myself, already planning idol life. I almost laughed with joy, despite the fact of feeling so depressed and down less than 1 minute ago. I caught myself though, my inner mature self coming out and scolding me when I hadn't even been told if I was in or not.

As I quieted my mind, I listened to music echoing throughout the building, a curiousness arose in me. Music was coming from somewhere on this floor. I looked at the door I had just exited from, "They probably won't come out any time soon." I said, dismissing my order. I walked down the hallway, towards where the loud music was coming from. As I got closer and closer to the room where it was originated, the music became clearer. I got to the door and held my breath, peering in slowly so I would not be seen.

An unsettling sight met my eyes. People. Dozens of them, all dancing to the loud music. As the the squeaks of shoes filled the air, it was joined by a loud and stern voice; a voice that demanded you listen to it's owner or else suffer consequences. "What is this? This is crap! You will continue to dance until it is perfected! Your feet will not still and this music will not end until it is done right!" A man screamed with such intensity, veins began popping out of his neck. I stepped back a little, frightened by the intimidating man. I let my eyes sweep over the rows of dancers, who all seemed unphased by the outburst. They were all dancing in perfect synchronization, they were like robots, it was so perfect. How that man found flaws, I didn't know. As I continued to stare in awe, I was startled by a cough behind me. I jumped in suprise before whirling around to find myself facing the woman from the audition.

"Trainees." she said, speaking softly but firm. "And you will be joining them." She thrusted a paper in my hands. "Be back in a week with all of your belongings. You will start your training journey as soon as you arrive." I looked down at the paper, before bowing and looking back at her. "Thank you so much! I will work very hard!" I said, ecstatic. "I'm sure you will." She said dismissively, turning and walking back down the bright corridor, her shoes tapping loudly against the cold tile.

Suddenly she stopped and turned, looking at me with what I could've sworn was an evil and menacing glare. "Oh, and I would suggest packing only the select necessities. You're living space is rather... cramped." She smiled and turned, heading back towards the room I had began in. I pondered her comment in my head, attempting to decipher its meaning. I slowly turned towards the opposing end of the walkway, where the elevator was located, but not before stealing a glance at the dancers, or better yet, my fellow trainees. As much as I admired them for their precision, I was also scared of them and their determination. If that man couldn't scare anything out of them, what could?

"Will I ever be like that?" I wondered quietly aloud. I wasn't sure. And to say I was unconfident, would've been an understatement. But a surge of willpower roared through my veins at the thought of the intimidating peers, like swirling waters being released from a mighty dam. With a cocky smile and a determined mindset, I pushed the button for the elevator and turned back to look at the room filled with the sweaty trainees, one last time. "Watch out world. I'm coming to the top."