Tears well in my eyes as I touch the beautiful garment. “Are you sure?”
Talia gives the hanger to Jodie to pull me into her arms. “Positive. You go out there and slay it. I can’t wait to be teammates.”
My best friend and Tucker’s sister leave me to change into my new outfit.
I’m the last candidate left to solo. I don’t know if going last is a good thing or a bad thing. On the one hand, if I do well, my performance will be fresh in the judges’ minds. On the other hand, the judges will have been watching ninety-nine other dancers perform. It’s true that each solo lasts only an average of four minutes; but they’ve been watching performances for seven straight hours with a one hour break for lunch.
Gen is the only other person in the changing room. She is finished changing out of her pink leotard and back into her street clothes; but rather than leaving like I expected, she stays.
“Can I help you, Genevieve?” I’ve put on the red skirt, but the halter top is still on its hanger.
Her smile is surprisingly sweet. “No. I’m ok, thanks. There is something I wanted to say before I leave.”
I brace myself. So far our interactions have left me with the distinct impression that she doesn’t like me. Even though we barely know each other.
“I just wanted to apologize if I came across like a bitch.” She says. “My mom and Mack always tell me to count to ten before I say what’s in my head, and I just realized that I might have given you the wrong impression.”
If by the wrong impression she means that I kinda want to make sure she isn’t hiding a bucket of blood to drop on me right before the performance, then I guess we’re on the same page.
I don’t say any of that out loud though, waiting for her to say what’s on her mind.
“I swear I didn’t mean that you won’t make the team because you’re short or anything like that.” She begins. “I was just relaying things I’ve heard from my mom and from Carole. I actually spent last night watching some of the performances of your college dance team after I saw Jodie in that collab, and you’re a terrific dancer. Even better than Jodie. I think you’re going to do great out there. And I hope that if we both get selected, we can be friends.”
Her words leave me so surprised that I don’t know what to say.
“Mack always says that I sound so confident that I can come across as arrogant. And I realized that I do that a lot more when I’m nervous, like now.”
She sounded arrogant to the point of being obnoxious, and I don’t sugarcoat it. “You didn’t come across as nervous at all.”
Gen hangs her head. “I sounded like a grade A bitch, didn’t I?”
I open my mouth to say that she didn’t, even though I think her assessment was spot on. “I…”
“It’s ok. I know I did.” She says softly, “I’m not looking for excuses, but the reason why I’ve been so nervous is that I’ve heard what the other Zeta sisters who tried out have been saying behind my back.”
She looks genuinely sorry, and I feel bad for judging her. “What did they say?”
“They’ve been calling me Nepo Barbie because my mom and Carol were maids of honor at each other’s weddings. They’ve been saying that their friendship is the only reason why I’m gonna make the team.”
She’s the only one I’ve heard saying those things, and the words are on the tip of my tongue.
“That’s why I kept talking about it. If they accused me of it, I might as well flaunt it and act like their behavior didn’t hurt.”
Ok. It’s a slightly twisted way of behaving, but I think I get it.
Jodie did the same with her ex. The more he acted like their relationship meant nothing to him, the more she would parade a different hookup under his nose to prove to him that she wasn’t hurt by his behavior.
“Can we get a fresh start?”
I nod, accepting the hug she offers me. “Thank you for opening up, Genevieve.”
“My friends call me Gen.” She smiles, releasing me.
The same staff member from before comes to give me my five minute warning.
“Shoot.” I take the delicate, sparkly red top off the hanger and put it on. “I don’t have a bra I can wear with this. The straps will show and it doesn’t look good.”
Gen crosses her arms over her chest, observing me with her head tilted to one side. “Can you go without a bra?”
