Dance

The Production

I know I haven't updated in a while. I'm sorry. I really didn't know where this story was headed so I took some time to think it through. Now that I feel sure of where I want to take this story - I'm ready to start picking it up again. I also now have a personal friend reading this - and I know that if I don't continue to update she will kick my butt. Hope you enjoy!! As always - comment, vote etc. Thanks lovelies!! :)

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The phone call with Caroline lasted forever and a day. As soon as she picked up, she demanded to hear every detail Of my entire time so far in California. Which only consisted of a day and a half. Yet some how it took me two hours to relay everything to Caroline - probably because she kept stopping and interrupting me so she could ask questions. I told her about meeting Reece, which she replied with "just remember I'm your best friend. Not her." I told her about the house, and my own personal dance room in the attic. I told her about how boring my history class was and meeting the other dancers. Immediately Caroline hate Tiffany, as I knew she would. "What a bitch" I heard her mutter over the phone when I told her about the dirty look Tiffany gave me when she saw Brice looking at me. Of course Caroline demanded details of Brice, her number one question being, "Is he hot?" I replied with, "Totally!" Then carried on with telling her about going to Danni's Dance Academy and how much I already loved the studio and how Danni loved my dancing. "Who wouldn't, Anna? You're an amazing dancer." I wrapped up the rest of my time in California and then Caroline told me of the few things that happened back in Minnesota. Like how Brad Thompson got into a fist match with Shawn Taylor, and how the schools infamous 'on again off again' couple, Shay Max and Conner O'Mally were now officially off again, due to the fact that Conner forgot their anniversary. Though I don't know how they could keep up with that, considering they have more anniversary dates than I have fingers and toes, but I'm not one to judge. After this news, we both bid our goodbyes and good nights and hung up the phone.

Immediately after, I dialed Mrs. Elliot's number, listening to the monotone ring and waiting to hear her wise voice. "Hello Anna dear!" Mrs. Elliot greeted me, I could hear her smile through the phone. We talked idly for a few moments, me replying in way less detail what had happened since I got to Cali. I got excited and nervous when I told her about Danni and her studio. I really wanted Mrs. Elliot's approval. "Oh Anna!" She cried. "I've heard so many wonderful things about Danni - you couldn't have chosen better. In fact she is really close to my friend who puts on plays and such." I smiled, happy at my former dance teacher's reaction. "Yeah Danni mentioned him and a play he is doing." We talked about this for a few minutes more before Mrs. Elliot wished me a goodnight, saying she had to go tend to her cat. I laughed at this and hung up the phone.

After slipping into my pajamas and throwing my hair into a messy bun, I skipped down the stairs to the kitchen where my dad was eating Ramen noodles and reading the paper. He was one of the only people I knew that still read the paper, instead of just reading it online. He had an obsession with Ramen, and we always made sure to keep some in the house. I smiled and sat down in the chair next to him, grabbed an apple that sat in a bowl in the center of the table, and bit into it.

"How was your day?" My dad asked, setting down his paper and turning to look at me with a smile. I finished chewing and smiled back at him. "It was good," I replied, "I found a dance studio." This announcement made my dad start laughing as he tried to spout out, "Somehow I knew that would be the first thing on your agenda." I chuckled a long with him, "Well then you know me too well." Dad paused for a second to calm his laughter and then asked, "Will you tell me all about it?"

For the next hour we sat there as I talked animatedly about the studio, Danni, Reece and the other dancers. I can't remember a time where we did this. Just sat down and talked about stuff. About me. When mom was here, no one ever talked. Dad was home late every night, after I was asleep, and I avoided mom as much as I could. The house was solemn all the time. Quiet. After she left dad was still working two jobs, and when he was home it was painfully awkward at first, he didn't know how to talk to me. Be around me. After I got out of therapy, and off the anti-depressants, things lightened up. My dad and I started communicating more. We started to have a relationship again. But we never talked like this. There was just too many unsaid things in that house, weighing us down. I knew this move would be a fresh start for us. Already we were talking and laughing and I loved it. I love this. When I finally decided it was time for me to go to sleep so I would be well rested for school tomorrow, my dad patted my leg, stood up, kissed my forehead and said "Goodnight, Belly." I sat shocked. Dad hadn't called me that since I was nine years old and in pig tails. Since my full name was Annabel, my dad thought it was funny to call me 'Belly' because my name didn't have any good nicknaming opportunities. But still - I had always loved the nickname.