Backstage: Third Time's the Charm

Carly Catto

Carly Catto
Grade 11
Dance Program

"Carly Catto."

I took a few deep breaths before walking to center stage. Three teachers sat at a weathered table across from me ready to judge my performance. I only recognized one: Ms. Helsweel, and her face was far from friendly. The other two were new. I'd heard Keaton had only brought back a few select teachers and mainly hired new staff at a lower salary. 

The small, mousy man fidgeted in his seat, but the woman, who couldn't have been that much older than me, sat still. Her face looked tougher than Helsweel's and I noticed a cane resting against her chair.

The music started and I launched into my routine, which was dismal at best. I'd practiced as much as I could, but I doubted that it would win me the scholarship. About halfway through the music began to skip, irritatingly repeating the first line of the chorus over and over again.

My routine no longer matched the music, so I quickly decided to freestyle, throwing in a few hip hop moves I'd learned last year from my friend, Sloane. As I continued to dance, adding some jumps and tumbles, I began to feel more confident... until the music suddenly stopped. I stumbled forward.

"That is enough." The stern woman stood and glared at me. "I've heard a lot about you Carly Catto."

I glanced at Ms. Helsweel. Who else could have told her about me?

"I know you toured with Katy Perry, but Keaton is dedicated to producing elite artists, not back-up dancers." Her fist slammed against the table. "Was that hip hop in your audition? Rather than win the scholarship with skill you would rather impress us with cheap tricks?"

Cheap tricks? It had taken me months to learn some of the more complicated tumbles. Performing those moves without injuring myself took serious talent.

"Now, Ms. Staut." Helsweel stood and adjusted her glasses. "Ms. Catto has showed remarkable skill during this audition." She turned to me. "Am I correct in assuming those moves were freestyled to accommodate your technical malfunctions?"

I nodded silently.

"Ms. Catto has showed an incredible amount of flexibility and ingenuity, although her transitions still need work."

I smiled to myself. That was high praise from Helsweel.

"I see you cannot be expected to make an unbiased judgement," Ms. Staut snarled. "I'll be recommending Principal Durani suspend you from the scholarship committee and leave the decisions to Mr. Wilson and myself."

At this, Mr. Wilson lifted his head and said, "I thought she was marvelous, Ms. Staut. Rough around the edges, but plenty of potential."

Ms. Staut huffed and reached for her cane, leaning against it as she walked out of the studio.

Ms. Helsweel turned to me. "You performed adequately, Ms. Catto. You'll know our decision by the end of day tomorrow."

Her heels clicked against the floor as she and Mr. Wilson also exited the studio.

I slipped into the girl's change room and shrugged off my tights and leotard. I put on a pair of leggings and then pulled a loose tank over my head.

"How did it go?" Vanessa poked her head into the change room.

I shoved my dance clothes in a duffel bag. "Hold on, I'll be right out."

Vanessa waited with Beckett, Sasha, and Jenna in the hallway.

"Wait, Helsweel said you had ingenuity?" Sasha folded his arms and shook his head in disbelief.

"I couldn't believe it either," I said.

"But it's not fair to blame you for a technical malfunction," Vanessa said.

"I mean, I did add some hip hop to the routine. But only because my choreographed routine wouldn't have worked!"

Beckett stood by us silently.

"What do you think?" Vanessa slipped her arm around his waist.

"It's pretty hard to impress my mom."

"But who's this 'Ms. Staut'?" Jenna asked, concern crossing her face.

"She sounds like a terror." Sasha rolled his eyes.

"Staut," I said. The name sounded familiar. "Oh my gosh! Jessica Staut."

"The ballerina who broke her femur last year?" Sasha asked. "She'd just graduated Julliard and become the lead in 'Swan Lake', but the injury ended her career."

"She was using a cane," I said. "She couldn't walk without it."

"This would be prime TMK material," Sasha said. "You know, if I was still running it." He glanced at Jenna.

She held up her hands, "Don't look at me. I'm not getting involved with that this year."

"Sure," he said skeptically.

"The point is," Vanessa glared at them, "Ms. Staut obviously doesn't like Carly."

"Vee's right." I slouched a little. "Even if I get in, she's going to make my life miserable."

Beckett whispered something in Vanessa's ear and she giggled. Loneliness rattled through my body, but I quickly pushed it away.

"Look, Vanessa and I have plans so we have to go." Beckett grabbed Vanessa's hand and pulled her toward the exit. Jenna followed behind them, claiming she was late for family night. That left me alone with Sasha.

I walked out into the courtyard and headed for the parking lot to wait for my mom. Sasha followed behind me.

"Wanna come over and watch a movie?" He smiled. "It'll be like old times."

I shifted the duffel bag on my shoulder. "Maybe another time. I'm busy tonight." The excuse fell lamely from my lips.

His smile disappeared. I quickly looked back to the parking lot just as my mom drove up.

"I'll see you later, Sasha."

"It's not if, Carly. It's when."

I turned back in confusion.

"Getting into Keaton," he clarified. "It's not a matter of 'if'. I know you'll get in."

Despite the ache in my heart, I smiled. "Thanks, Sasha."

No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't stay away from Sasha, and I knew my feelings were going to land me into trouble.