Backstage: Third Time's the Charm

Vanessa Morita

Vanessa Morita
Grade 11
Dance Program

"Ms. Cristinziano, that might be the most uncoordinated routine I've ever seen." Ms. Helsweel rubbed her temples. "You need to connect with Mr. Roy. At least look at him."

Jenna brought looked up from the floor. Her eyes flitted to Sasha's briefly before landing on the mirror behind him.

Good. I was glad she felt embarrassed. Jenna had ruined everything.

Ms. Helsweel groaned. "Ms. Morita trade places with her."

I felt Beckett flinch beside me. He glared at Sasha, and then gave me an equally hateful look. I shrugged. When it came to being on Beckett's bad side or Ms. Helsweel's, I'd always choose Beckett.

Sasha and I performed the routine perfectly. Beckett watched angrily at the bar, his eyes flitting to Sasha's hands around my waist.

"Much better," she said. "Ms. Cristinziano, you could learn a few things from Ms. Morita."

I blushed involuntarily.

"He shouldn't have been touching you like that," Beckett grumbled.

"Like what?" I asked. "It's just a dance routine. You and Carly have danced like that multiple times."

"Oh, please. He was all over you."

I rolled my eyes. "Beckett, we're dancers. We have to be professional."

He snorted loudly. "It's not like mom doesn't know what happened. She's doing it on purpose."

I was thankful for that. I missed Carly and Sasha, but Beckett remained cold and angry. I didn't know what to do, or how to fix this.

After class ended, I packed up my bag. Carly and Sasha walked by, holding hands. They smiled at me, but didn't speak. Carly looked over her shoulder as they left the studio. Her sad eyes flitted between me and Beckett.

My phone chimed, and I pulled it from the outer pocket of my dance bag.

"Is that Sasha?" Beckett looked over my shoulder at the phone.

I whirled around, and quickly locked the phone so he couldn't see the text.

"No! It's my mom."

He crossed his arms, and looked at me in disbelief. "What'd she say?"

"You're not serious," I said. How could I tell him my mom had asked me to pick up feminine products on my way home from school?

"Yeah, I am."

I picked up the bag, and walked out, Beckett following close behind me.

"If it's really your mom, then why won't you tell me what she said?"

"Because it's private!" I yelled. I turned back to look at Beckett. "What is your problem? I gave up my friendships for you, and you still don't trust me."

"Why should I?"

"If you don't trust me, why are we even in a relationship?" I squeaked. "Nothing is good enough for you."

Beckett huffed. 

"You know what? I'm done. This relationship is over. And I'm going back to my friends."

"Vanessa—"

"Beckett, we're done." I walked away, fighting down tears.

*****************

I caught Carly and Sasha in the school parking lot.

"Cee," I called. I waved at her, and she stopped. "Can you give me a ride home?" I'd walk to the store and pick up the stuff for my mom later. 

She looked at Sasha hesitantly. "Sure, but what about Beckett?"

I shrugged, and struggled to keep emotion out of my voice as I said, "We broke up. He's not being fair. And I can't date someone who makes ultimatums."

"I'm so sorry, Vee," Sasha said.

"Don't worry about it." I waved my hand dismissively. "He kept wanting to read my texts."

"Is this about us dancing together?" He asked.

"It's whatever. I'd rather be with my real friends anyway."

Carly smiled, and reached out an arm. She hugged me. "I'm glad you're back, Vee."

"Carly and I have a double date with Jax and Kit tomorrow," Sasha said.

"Who?"

"Kit and I were at the same high school before Keaton reopened."

"And Jax and I worked together in the interdisciplinary project last year."

"Wait, isn't Jax Jenna's ex-boyfriend?"

Carly unlocked the doors of her 2002 Toyota Corolla.

"Jax has a lot of exes, but yeah," Sasha laughed. "And you really need a new car, Cee."

Carly let out a small huff. "I can't even afford new pointe shoes, let alone a new car."

"Is everything okay at home?" I asked, and slid into the backseat.

Carly turned the key in the ignition. The car rumbled as it started.

"Fine," she said quickly. "It's honestly better than anything else right now."

"What do you mean?" Sasha asked, suddenly concerned.

Carly's irritated features vanished. "Nothing. My dad's been doing odd jobs, and my little brother mows lawns now, so it helps. I just meant that it's tough juggling school and work."

"Where do you work?" I asked.

Carly pulled out of the parking lot. "A dancewear store down the street. It's good, I guess. My employee discount helps a lot with new shoes and leotards. It's just kind of embarrassing. Jenna came in the other day. Super awkward."

"I bet," Sasha said.

"And I have to deal with snotty prima ballerinas too."

I snorted. "Oh really? Any as bad as the evil dance dictator?"

"Cassie's not that bad!"

Sasha and I shared a look.

"Actually, I've met some really horrible girls. Worse than anyone at Keaton."

I couldn't imagine anyone worse than Cassandra.

Carly pulled into my driveway, and shifted the gears to park. "I'm really sorry about Beckett." She turned back to look at me.

"I'm not," I said. "Thanks for the ride home. Have fun on your date."

I slipped out of the car, and trudged up to my house. After I'd tossed my bag into my desk chair, I curled up on the bed in exhaustion. My phone chimed. I saw that I had multiple texts and missed calls from Beckett. I turned the phone off, and slid it under my pillow. Beckett wasn't worth my time anymore.

Oooh no more Beckett and Vanessa... Stay tuned. More drama coming your way. Do you think Beckett will win Vanessa back? What is Carly really stressed about? And who's excited for their double date with Jax and Kit?!