Backstage: Third Time's the Charm

Carly Catto

Carly Catto
Grade 11
Dance Program

I took a deep breath as I began to practice my audition piece for Prima Captain. Keeping my thoughts in step with the rhythm of my body, I carefully ran through the notes I'd memorized from my history class. As the song ended, I stepped off the mat and glanced over my notes, making sure I was ready for the test tomorrow.

I reached for a towel and wiped away sweat dripping off my forehead.

I'd been struggling. Keeping perfect grades for the scholarship. Practicing my audition piece as well as the group piece for the showcase. Trying to keep Vee and I's friendship from falling apart. And Sasha... It was all too much. And now Helsweel had decided to have two duets perform during the showcase too. Jenna and Beckett. And me and Sasha. The last thing I wanted was to see him.

The studio door swung open and Sasha walked in happily.

"Hey, Cee."

"Hi." I gritted my teeth and glanced over my notes one last time.

"Ready to practice?"

I nodded curtly and slammed the notebook shut.

Sasha stretched for a few minutes. Then he turned to me and said, "It's kind of nice to be partners again."

I grunted.

He scowled at me. "I know you're still mad, but dancers have to be professional. If that's a problem then I'll go talk to Helsweel." He turned to leave.

"Wait, Sasha." I stepped toward him. "Don't. It's fine."

It, obviously, was not fine, but tattling to Helsweel was low even for Sasha. I didn't need another thing for Ms. Staut to complain about. If my grades even slipped a little I could lose the scholarship. And, right now, dance was the only thing keeping me sane.

I just kept concentrating on the history dates as Sasha and I began practicing.

"Carly, your core," Sasha hissed.

I straightened my back as he twirled me into a spin. I continued spinning across the floor, but a sudden burst of emotion spread through my body. My vision blurred as I blinked back tears and then lost sight of my spot.

History facts and unwanted emotions swirled in my mind as my feet wobbled. I spun off the mat and my shoes caught in strap of Sasha's dance bag.

"Carly!"

I crashed to the ground.

"Carly." Sasha rushed over.

I sat on the ground, feet still tangled in his dance bag. I pulled my knees to my chest as tears streamed down my face.

Sasha touched my shoulder. "You're crying. Are you hurt?"

I shook my head, unable to form words.

"C'mon, Cee. What happened? This isn't like you."

"I...I just need to be alone." I stood, but tripped over his dance bag again.

Sasha grabbed my arm and held me up. "Carly..."

I pushed him away and ran out of the studio. I wiped my face with the back of my hands as I walked into the girls change room, which, thankfully, was empty.

My phone chimed and an alert for the Keaton Kable popped up on the screen.

Failing Temper, Failing Relationship

Aspiring musician's temper causes failing grade for interdisciplinary project.

I frowned. It was Sasha's first article for the Tattler. Quickly scrolling through it, I saw he'd dished on all the details, including how Miles had been jealous of his girlfriend's friendship with Matteo. I was just glad Julie graduated last year and didn't have to deal with the fallout of this gossip.

Luckily, he hadn't named me as a source, so only my friends knew where Sasha had gotten his information.

My phone chimed again, this time a text. From Miles.

I apologized. I didn't think you would go behind my back like this...

I stormed out of the change room, tugging on my ear. I burst into the studio where Sasha sat on the floor, smiling at his phone.

"Are you satisfied?" I looked down at him and put one hand on my hip.

"Carly—" he started.

"Zip it! I can't believe you would post that about Miles. He's already in the hospital."

"It's not like you're involved." He rolled his eyes and stood. "I didn't name you as my source."

"But Miles knows and now I have to explain it to him." I took a shaky breath. "You said we're friends, but you don't treat me like one. You rejected me and then broke me and my boyfriend up and now you're using me for this stupid blog!" I waved my phone in his face.

"Stupid?" He swatted my hand away. "Do you know how much money tabloids make? Besides, I like writing, investigating, connecting the dots."

"When you're writing, I hope you think about how this has cost you our friendship. Permanently." I turned to leave.

"Real friends don't give each other ultimatums," he called after me. "Friends don't keep each other from doing what they love. You think I wanted you to go this summer? I didn't.

"I wanted you to stay here, but I didn't say anything because I knew how important being J.J. Hawks apprentice was to you."

"Why did it matter you if I stayed or left?" I crossed my arms and narrowed my eyes.

Sasha swallowed and adjusted his glasses before closing the distance between us.

"Because I have feelings for you, Carly Catto."

Sasha leaned forward and kissed me. Suddenly, my arms slid around his neck and his hands settled on my waist as he pulled me closer. His lips passed softly over mine before he pulled away.

"I don't understand," I said breathlessly with my arms still around his neck.

"Rejecting you is the stupidest thing I've ever done," he said.

"I should probably argue that risking your health was the stupidest thing you've ever done, but I actually agree with you."

He let out a small laugh. "I told myself I was protecting you when I broke you and Austin up, but the truth is I couldn't stand to see you with him."

Instantly aware of our close proximity, I dropped my hands to my sides. "I can forgive you for that. I can forgive you rejecting me. I can even forgive you for kissing Vee."

"That really was unintentional," he protested.

I rolled my eyes, but smiled at him.

"What?" He asked.

"Sasha, I can forgive you for all those things, but you were still wrong to post the blog about Miles."

"So wrong that you won't even consider dating me?"

I punched his arm lightly.

"I'll take that as a 'no'."

He smiled and leaned in to kiss me again.