Dazed

Chapter 4

I sit in my chair nervous, impatient, excited, and sweaty as the minutes tick by. My professor rambles on; she sounds unintelligible in my ears. It was Monday, the first day I was going to work with Les Twins. I couldn't believe how anxious I'd been the last three days.

My choreography had been the easiest part about the entire experience so far. Ms. Winter sent me the music Friday night, and I was able to dance out an entire routine in my first few tries. Mercy and Katrina knew what was going on by this time, and I'd spoken to both of them about what was required for today. Katrina was more anxious than me though. She had both of us doing hard core work outs in the gym since Saturday morning. My legs were beyond sore, but I was bringing my all to this practice today.

I restlessly glance at my phone. There were only two minutes to spare before the end of class and an hour before my newfound destiny. I see a text message from Katrina and Mercy on my screen. I don't want to seem rude to my professor though, so I just slip my phone back into my pocket and wait quietly for class to be dismissed.

As soon as the teacher began uttering the words, "That's the end of cla-" I'd already shot out of the door like a bullet. I was down the hall and into the quad within seconds. There was no possible way to contain my excitement; this was really it.

Something I didn't even know was a dream of mine a week ago was now the only thing I was looking forward to. I texted Katrina and Mercy in our new group chat to remind them both of what they needed to bring to the theatre, where Ms. Winter was already helping set up.

I half walk, half run back to my apartment with 45 minutes to spare before I had to be to the theatre. As soon as I'd unlocked the door and stepped in, Terry was in my face gushing. She hadn't been in the apartment all weekend, because she'd gone back home and I'd completely forgotten about her and my promise.

"Isn't today.... THE DAY?!" She asked, excitedly. I nodded, as I closed the door behind me. I already felt weird about the fact that I'd unintentionally lied to her, but she really was ready to come with me. She was decked out in her cutest shirt and jeans with her hair and makeup done. She looked so pretty, and I felt like a dick.

"Terry... can I tell you som-" I began, but she cut me off. "You don't even have to say it. You KNOW I owe you for this. I'll buy you all the mangoes in the store next week I promise!" She gushed. I could see the enthusiasm spilling out of her rosy cheeks. 

I smile at her sweetly. 

"Wait here. I'll be right back ok." I say as I walk to my room quickly. I have to think fast, because there's no way I can sneak out of this apartment without crushing this girl's entire dream and getting on her bad side at the same time. If college has taught me anything, it's that you never want to be on your roommate's bad side.

I see the bag I'd packed that morning in preparation for this afternoon. Ms. Winter doesn't actually know Terry, so I might be able to finesse this. I grab my bag and my ID off the top of my dresser and walk back into living room.

"Listen Terry, I have to be honest. I'm not supposed to let anyone into this practice with me." I watch as her face drops. "Butttt... I think I'll be able to sneak you in, but you just have to listen to what I say."

She nods her head so hard that I fear for her neck and spinal cord. I hand her my duffle bag. "Just hold this and act natural when you get in there," I tell her, opening the door and locking it behind us.

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Katrina POV:

I pushed through the theatre door slowly and peeked inside. Was I in the right place? Where is everybody else? 

I was about to walk out when the spotlights flipped on and lit up the stage. Ms. Winter was standing on the there surrounded by a couple of other people who were looking up into the booth beyond the lights. 

"THIS IS JUST THE FIRST DAY OF PRACTICE, SO WE CAN GET THIS RIGHT TOMORROW!" She yells into the open space. The spotlights turn off, and the auditorium floods with light.

I put my bag down between the first two rows of seats and hop onto the stage. I came prepared in my tights, leotard, and shoes with my hair pulled into a tight bun at the top of my head.

"Thank you for being early, Katrina." Ms. Winter says, clasping her hands together. "You know early is the new on time," I say with a tight smile.

"The twins will be here in the next 35 minutes, and I guess Layton and Mercy are on their way." She looks at the watch on her arm and mumbles something to herself. "Start stretching. Get yourself limber. I'm gone once Layton gets here." She snaps, as she walks backstage.

I plop down on the stage, spread my legs, and put my cheek down onto the cool wood. I'm only a few minutes into stretching when the auditorium door opens. I look up to see not only Layton, but the big girl herself stumbling alongside her.

I shoot up from my spot on the stage and narrow my eyes at Layton. I watch as they somber down the aisle, and Layton motions for Terry to sit down. I glare at her as she sits down in one of the seats, and Layton waves me to the side of the stage.

"Bro, what the fuck is she doing here?" I hiss, gesturing at Terry who's looking down at her phone. "Watch your damn mouth and lower your voice," Layton hisses back at me. "She wanted to meet them, and I want to help her."

I throw my arms in the air, attracting attention from one of the people on stage. "That's not your problem! You're going to get our asses in trouble if Ms. Winter sees her." I spit, drawing Terry's attention from her phone. I mug her, and Layton pulls me further into the corner. "Listen it'll just be today, and if Ms. Winter asks then I'm saying she helped me make the choreography or something. Please be nice. Just act like she's not even here."

I stare into Layton's brown eyes, and I can feel her begging. "You're lucky that you're pretty and I'm gay as fuck, because if you were ugly then I wouldn't be going along with this shit." I huff. Layton beams and hugs me. I roll my eyes.

Ms. Winter's voice booms across the stage and we whip around to look at her. "Good thing you're here Layton I have to go pick up my sist- WHO IS THAT?" She freezes and points a manicured finger at Terry, who's clearly trying to sink down into nothing in her seat. Good luck with that.

Ms. Winter's voice echoes through the theatre, quieting everybody in the room. There's a tense silence, as the anger radiates from her tiny body. I glance at Layton who's frozen in terror. A couple more seconds pass by and no-one says anything. 

"SOMEBODY BETTER SPEAK UP BEFORE I HAVE TO POP OFF!" Ms. Winter barks. Layton looks like she's about to pass out. I can't believe she's going to make me do it.

"SHE'S WITH ME!" I pipe up, seeing Layton's eyes widen even more in my peripheral vision. I curse myself internally as Ms. Winter's glare fixates on me. I start accepting my fate as a dead woman, when suddenly the theatre doors burst open. There's a muffled squeal from Terry as a tall silhouette floods the floor. I glance back to look at Layton, but she's not in the same spot she was. When I turn around again she's on the stage, talking rapid fire to Ms. Winter.

I'm caught between staring at the man walking down the aisle and watching Layton try to smooth Ms. Winter over as she stares at the man walking up the aisle. I exhale in relief as Ms. Winter nods hesitantly at Layton and motions for the man to come up on the stage. As he walks into the stage lights, I know exactly who he is.