Kata dashed through the halls of the school, bumping into some annoyed people. She kept glancing over her shoulder, and once she was sure she had successfully avoided the person she was trying to get away from, she slowed down. She passed the cafeteria where callbacks were going on on the stage. She slowed down and waved to Mr. Benj who smiled back. Kata started walking over so that she could watch some of the people who she would most likely be working with for the next few months, but then she heard the voice of the person she had just been running from. She quickly turned away and sprinted into the fine arts hallway. She ducked into the theatre classroom, clutching her terrified heart.
Kata set her backpack down and moved a few of the bags off one of the tables so she could sit down and get started on her homework. Her mom had texted her that she was going to be late picking her up today and told her to go to some tutorial, but she didn't currently need help with any of the courses she was taking so she decided that she would get a head start on her homework. Really she should probably be practicing cello in the orchestra hall, but there were so many people there after school and she didn't want to practice in front of them.
Kata looked down at her algebra homework. All the numbers blurred together and jumbled up into useless piles in her brain. She blinked a few times, but focus wasn't coming to her. Kata pulled out her ILA assignment hoping she would have better luck with it, but after five minutes of trying to write the same one sentence to no avail, she gave up.
Kata sighed and took out her phone. She started playing music in the silent classroom. She made sure that it was quiet enough for the sound to not seep onto the stage. Kata got up on the small stage in the back of the classroom. She envisioned that she was in front of a large audience. The lights were dimmed and then...Kata shot into action, her movements graceful as a swan's but as powerful as a firework. Her arms moved fluidly as she spun and leaped about the stage.
"Kata?" Kata froze, looking like a deer in headlights. She turned to see Mr. Benj standing in the doorway of the classroom. "I didn't know you danced," he said. "You're good." Kata smiled awkwardly.
"Oh um, thanks. It's just something I do in my free time. I don't take classes or anything." Mr. Benj nodded.
"Did you choreograph the routine you were just dancing?" Kata smiled wider. She nodded. "It was really good, do you want to be in charge of choreo for this production? I haven't found anyone to replace Leela yet." Leela was an eighth-grader last year and she had been in charge of choreographing since her sixth-grade year because Mr. Benj had discovered she had a knack for it. Kata nodded eagerly.
Kata loved to dance, but she never really danced for anyone else. Since about fifth grade she had been teaching herself how to dance and choreograph by using Youtube. She had gotten pretty good. She had asked her mom if she could take dance lessons once but had merely gotten a lecture on how it would just set her off wanting to be a performer more than she already did and wasn't she grateful that she got to do theatre? Why was she asking for more?
"Hey Kata?" Kata looked up at Mr. Benj. He looked concerned. "I saw you run off, you looked scared. Are you okay?" Kata swallowed hard. She didn't want to talk about this.
"Yeah I'm fine," she said with a forced smile, but the worried look didn't leave Mr. Benj's face.
"You really don't seem fine. Kata if you're in trouble you need to go talk to someone." Kata nodded.
"I'm not in trouble, there was just some stupid jerk in the hallway," Kata said. Well, that was mostly true, it wasn't a full lie. Mr. Benj nodded.
"Okay," he said, still looking a little worried. "Well if you ever need to talk my door is always open. Plus, you are a wonderful young lady who is a natural-born leader. If someone makes fun of you for that then they are a jerk and an idiot." Kata laughed a little.
"Thanks, Mr. Benj." Mr. Benj smiled.
"I need to get back to callbacks now, but I'm serious. You can come and see me any time. And if you need free compliments I've got a lot for you." Kata laughed again and Mr. Benj turned to walk out the door.
"Hey, Mr. Benj?" The teacher turned around to face Kata.
"Yeah?"
"Have I ever told you that you're by far the most amazing teacher in this school?" Now it was Mr. Benj's turn to laugh a little.
"No you have not, thank you though." Mr. Benj turned to go, and after a moment Kata decided to get up and follow him so she could watch callbacks.
As soon as Kata saw people on stage, she felt right at home. This was where she belonged. This was her family.
***
A/N: Thanks for reading and if you liked this chapter please consider leaving a vote/comment, it really means a lot!!!
I don't really have much to say in this A/N lol. If any of y'all want to chat I'm totally up for it, and I hope you're enjoying the story so far!!
Love,
Sunny <3
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Dear Ocean Sky
General Fiction[first draft - this story will be edited later on] "I just worry about people. Especially my friends." "Friends?" Alex looked over at Kata with kindness in her eyes. "Of course."...
