Happier

Chapter Two

Evie shakily finished her solo, her heart pounding. She struck her ending pose and the audience applauded politely, but it was obvious no one was impressed. Evie chanced a glance at the judges and wished she hadn't. They looked bored as they scribbled notes on her scoring sheet

Evie walked off the stage, numb, and down the steps where Mrs. Holland was waiting. Unlike her parents, she seemed to understand mistakes happened. She opened up her arms to the teenager and had a look of sympathy on her face. Evie walked into her arms and felt herself break down. She started sobbing, the shock and disappointment in herself sinking in. Evie took a great pride in her dancing and to have fallen at such an important competition was devastating.

Mrs. Holland didn't say anything at first. Just held her as she let Evie cry.

"These things happen," she tried to explain. "They happen to so many people. But you've got more dances coming up. Don't let this throw you off."

The seasoned teacher had pulled back, hands on Evie's shoulders as she looked her student in the face. She was supportive of all her dancers but she tried to make an extra effort with Evie. Not only was she incredibly hard on herself but her parents had ridiculous expectations. She could tell Evie was worried about what they'd say.

As if on cue, the Soos walked backstage. Stella ran to her big sister and just hugged her, knowing exactly what she was feeling.

"Stella," her father's voice said sternly. Stella stiffened and she reluctantly pulled back from the hug. She knew her father thought Evie didn't deserve a hug right now. Stella knew better. Her sister needed support now more than any time. Stella glances up at her sister and saw dread and disappointment on her face.

Her father stepped up to them, arms crossed. "What happened?" he demanded.

Evie looked away, tears forming in her eyes. "I don't know Dad. It just happened. I'm sorry!"

His daughter's tears annoyed him. He stepped forward and gripped her upper arm. "You're sorry? I pay thousands of dollars for your lessons. To fly us all here and you fall? You FALL?!"

"Mr. Soo, please-" Mrs. Holland tried to intervene.

"Stay out of this!" he snapped at her teacher. Mrs. Holland pursed her lips and kept quiet. Mrs. Soo stood back, her arms crossed. "Let's go back to the hotel. Now."

Evie cowered, knowing she'd be in for more shaming in the privacy of their own hotel room. She darted for the door, wanting to be away from the embarrassing situation. All her friends and tons of strangers had just witnessed her dad berate her. It was awful. She quickly found her bag in the practice area and ran for the bathroom. Evie locked herself in the farthest stall and just cried.

A few minutes later she heard some hesitant footsteps enter and knew it was her younger sister.

"Evie?" she gently called.

The teenager sniffled. "Yeah. I'm in here."

Stella went into the adjoining stall and sat down. "I'm sorry you fell," she said quietly. "And I'm sorry Dad yelled at you."

"Thanks," she pulled off some toilet paper and wiped at her face. "I don't know what happened. My foot just slipped."

"Are you hurt?" Stella asked.

"No," she said. "Just a bad bruise."

The bathroom door pushed open forcefully and angry heels sounded on the floor.

"Evie? Stella?" Their mother's tone was impatient. "Are you in here?"

Stella sighed quietly, annoyed with their parents.