The Nerd Can Dance

First Classes

I rummaged through my suitcase looking for the right clothes. First day of school, and the first day back for the rest of the students. First impressions are important. Given that I danced my first impression at the assembly it was more about myself than my dancing. The students wouldn't be seeing me on a screen or dancing to win, they're meeting me. "You're already the coolest kid in school, do you really think you have to worry about this?" I looked up at Emma-Jean as she stood in leggings and a crop top.

"I can't be the coolest kid in-"

"You are. Even Anastasia was freaking out once we knew you were going to win. Trust me, she's won plenty of competitions and dance-offs. You're the coolest." Emma-Jean walked off and looked back at my schedule. I wanted to be comfortable all day. I started with morning practice Contemporary followed by Jazz. Then I continued with my regular school subjects Algebra Two, Biology, Then English but each class was only forty-five minutes. Then evening dance modern hip hop and Ballet. I'm not exactly excited about ballet as it's always just been to slow passed for me but I can push through. I grabbed shorts and a little baggy long sleeve shirt. After Emma-Jeans warning it's always cold in the morning I grabbed sweatpants to throw on over my shorts before I put my hair up in a bun and slipped on my vans. Emma-Jean walked with me picking up Andy along the way even though she's in a different class.

Being in this school is like being in another world. Stopping by coffee cart that just gave us coffee or tea, I chose green tea, and granola bars if we didn't go to the mess hall to eat breakfast. The open space between buildings and just how everyone was really happy to be there made it almost like a dream. It was a dream but it's real. I'm not asleep and dreaming. I'm awake and living my dream.

Andy split from us once we reached the main building and Emma took me to our first class. I walked into the room seeing a full studio, amazing floors, perfectly clean mirrors, and my new teacher standing in a pair of leaggings and a baggy smiley face yellow t-shirt. Then I saw the camera's they're already starting to record us for the documentary. I felt goose bumps rise on my skin as the cold air hit my arms. Emma-Jean wasn't kidding. I'd have to bring hoodies from now as well. "This is Mrs. Pash, the most chill of our teachers besides Mr. Veniete'." Emma said as we dropped our things on the edge of the wall. I pulled out my water bottle and started taking a drink when Lucas walked in. He right away walked over kissing me on the forehead.

"I'm excited, not excited about having to get even more flexible but, excited."

"You're pretty flexible." I turned to him confused.

"Not enough, I was informed that was everyone's one thing about me. I need to be more flexible."

"One thing- do I have a thing?" I quickly turned back to Emma-Jean "Do I have a one thing?"

"Anxiety much?" She asked. I just pinched my face at her. "Your one thing was that you're too good for someone who hasn't had proper classes in years. It's frustrating because we can't keep our eyes off you."

"Everyone space out!" The teacher yelled out. Everyone took spots spread out on the floor Lucas stood close behind me while Emma-Jean stood next to me. After stretching and warmup, she worked it just like one of the workshops Lucas hosted during competition just more intense. Correcting people as she walked around between run throughs. Reminding me to complete the movements. Hearing her complain about Lucas and a few other students flexibility aswell. In all it was a bit nerve wracking but my body screamed with excitement.

After a bit she started grouping us. I stood with Emma-Jean and a girl named Rosemary. We watched every group go. Lucas and his group went second. He stood in the back and I watched as he moved. I made a mental note to help him work on stretching to get more flexible. Eventually we were called and we stepped up.

Letting the music flow throw me from the vibrations from the floor to the beat I can hear with my ear it basically takes over. It wasn't about anyone else in the room. It wasn't about someone judging me anymore. It was only about me and what I want. I'm more free to be anything than ever before.

I watched as Lucas and Burkley cheered us on after finished making everyone quickly follow and we walked over to them. The cameras caught everything until eventually class ended and the principal stood in the doorway.

"New dancers please stay behind. Hey Principal Clayton," Mrs. Pash said.

"Hey Mrs. Pash. How are our new students?"

"Great," she crossed her arms. Lucas, Zoey, and Keith and I are thankfully in the same classes. Andy and Mike were placed in a separate class. "What's going with the cameras? I need to know so I can work with them."

"As of tomorrow the cameras will be following each of you for the day once a month. As today is the first day we're going to Start with Zoey. Followed by Mike, Kieth, Andy, Lucas and Best for last, Skylar." I glanced at Lucas as he smiled at me. "But they're just filming them as a group for today. The cameras will do their best to stay out of the way and just get what they need. This is helping the school Mrs. Pash so just work as good as you can with them."

"Thanks," the principal left leaving the teacher to turn to us. "Okay kids, have a good day, I'll see you tomorrow." We left as a group Lucas's hand in mine as we moved to the next class. Jazz was fun and active as we got to work with some props. Then came time for Algebra. I wish we could avoid said normal classes but we can't fully graduate without them. Putting up with them and passing would be the best thing anyway and they're no longer and hour and a half. Always something to look forward to.

Like getting lunch before English class which we're allowed to eat during class. This school honestly just gets better every minute.

"I don't want to be filmed first." Zoey said she grabbed a BBQ Ranch salad from the cooler. "I was expecting to do the competition and just come to school. Not be filmed again."

"We made them a lot of money-" Andy said grabbing a Mac and Cheese. "I overheard them. Doing this film is only going to make them more."

"Lucas and Sky made them money you mean," Zoey said glancing at me. "We're just along for the ride."

"I see it as we're still getting noticed-" Mike grabbed a burger and fries.

"The school knows when they've got good kids. You all won the competition and your all making the school money." Emma-Jean said. "But yes, Lucas and Sky are crowd favourite and that's just fact.though they're crowd favourites for other reasons." Grabbing a wrap and bag of chips she turned to Lucas and me. "You're ship-able. Nothing sells like good old TV love," I playfully hit her making her smile before walking in the direction of English. I picked up the food I wanted with a sprite as Lucas grabbed a water. Holding my warmed chicken broccoli Alfredo pasta and drink we followed the group close behind.

The class was decent and didn't have regular desks like our other classes. There were beanbags in the back. A few couches with folding TV trays for desktops. And a few smaller tables with big chairs that looked more than comfortable. The middle of the floor had a carpet that was furry and clearly going to be a place I'd love to lay down. Pays to be in a rather small sized grade. Campus was big and fancy while it's was far bigger than it needed to be fore the class sizes.

"Welcome everyone!" I turned to the teacher seeing a young a beautiful woman. "Find a seat wherever you like," I sat with Lucas and Zoey on a couch. Emma-Jean sat in front of us on the floor. Kieth took a seat at a table near while Mike and Andy were in their own class down the hall. Once everyone was settled and in she closed the door. Turning back to us I couldn't help but question how long she's been teaching. "Four our new students, hello everyone I'm April and welcome to my classroom. I've been teaching here for a few years and as you can see, I'm not like the other teachers. I want my students to be comfortable and in a free flowing work environment. We're here forty five minutes a day and for those forty five minutes we work and play." I raised my eyebrows. I wish she'd been my only teacher my whole life. "If you have questions feel free to come to me during class or even after school hours. My email is always available for you to ask questions. So with that, all I ask is do the work. You do the work you can do whatever you want later. So let's get started,"

I looked at Lucas. "I'm going to love it here." I said. He pulled me closer as April started the lesson.