Chapter 1
Philipp
After the break-up with my ex-boyfriend, I was one hundred percent sure I had to leave my home and move away. I couldn't stay in the same town as him, especially a small town like ours.
But he left – changed his major for the summer semester and was gone. I don't know where he went, and I don't care. But it was a relief. I had still a few months of school left to finish my A-Levels-Degree so I was stuck and now I can stay. The question is, why should I? My family aside, I don't have anyone left here, he took care of that. No friends, no hobbies. Nothing.
But thisismy home. I like being outdoors, hiking or on my mountain bike. I love the view from the first hills of the Black Forest over the vines and the Rhine plain to the Vosges mountains. On a clear day, you can see Strasbourg Cathedral, and, in the fall, the Vosges Mountains are so close, it feels like you could reach out and touch them. I can breathe here, and I don't want to leave.
My parents have a house with a granny apartment in the basement. I moved in there three years ago when my ex thought my parents were spying on us and listening in on us having sex. That caused a big fuss with my little sister, but as I'm the older one, there wasn’t much she could do. My older brother is studying in Karlsruhe, so he didn't care. I'm happy now, because as much as I love my parents, I also love the peace and quiet I have in my own space.
***
I have no idea how I managed it, but my grades were good enough for me to get accepted at the University of Education Freiburg. I've always wanted to be a teacher at secondary school level, concentrating on Math and English, and I'm delighted that is going to happen now. My English is already very good, but maybe I'll go abroad for a semester or two. It’s all up to me.
I’ve steered my life back onto a path that I chose, that I like, that has perspective. Something I didn't dare to hope for a year ago. Only one thing is still missing. And I miss that fiercely.
Dancing.
Of course, I could go back to my old crew. But they weren’t very happy that I left, and with how I left. I get why though. I need a fresh start. We have one other mixed crew in town, the others are girl groups. I could go there for practice, but I want more.
This other mixed crew is really good. They are very popular in the scene around here, and they dance in a lot of competitions, most of them successfully. Their style is HipHop-based and it's incredibly difficult to get in. They have a balanced number of boys and girls, as they do a lot of partner elements. That’s what makes them different from so many other crews, and if you ask me, that’s ultimately the key to their success.
I have no idea if I have a chance of getting in, if I'm good enough, if they even need a man right now. But I think I want to give it a try. The website says you should just come to practice on Fridays at 7pm, without registering.
Three Fridays later, I've made it. I’m standing in front of the door and trying to push myself a little harder to actually open it.
What if I make a total idiot of myself? I haven't danced for over two years. Well, okay, I still danced, but not tochoreography. I have no idea if I can even keep up with memorizing new routines that quickly.
Just as I'm about to turn around and leave again, I bump into a girl.
"Oh shit! Sorry! I thought you were going inside! I didn't mean to run you over!"
She is tall and slim with toned legs in black dancing tights and a firm, flat stomach that flashes out from under a short, loose top. A typical dancer's body, she’s definitely no newbie in this business.
"Uh... no problem, I could have looked before I just turned around, sorry." I must be flaming red. Now that's a great start. "I... I changed my mind... "
The girl raises her eyebrows questioningly, challenging but soft, not annoyed. "Why are you so nervous? There's no reason for that. We haven't eaten someone alive in a long time. The worst we’ll do is laugh at you a little…”
When she sees my shocked look, she starts to laugh. "That was a joke. Just breathe. We're a relaxed bunch. You dance?"
I nod hesitantly.
"And you're looking for a crew? Is that why you're here?"
"I thought... but that's a stupid idea. I'm just leaving, okay?" There’s no chance I can keep up with them, I've seen videos online. They are insane. Fast and precise. Super synchronized.
"WHERE DID YOU EVEN GET THIS STUPID IDEA THAT YOU COULD DO THAT? YOU CAN'T DO ANYTHING! WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE? GET OUT OF HERE AND DON'T STEAL THEIR TIME WITH YOUR WORTHLESS JUMPING AROUND. NOBODY WANTS TO SEE YOU ON STAGE ANYWAY!"
Hisvoice takes over my mind again. My ex’s voice.
"Have I intimidated you? Shit, I didn't mean to. Oh my God, I'm a mess, and I thought I was having a good day today andhandled this super nicely and professionally." She slaps her forehead with the flat of her hand. "Okay, re-start. I'm Nika, I'd like to say I'm really nice, but that would be a lie. I don't really talk to anyone and certainly not to people I don't know. You can thank my anxiety disorder for that. I don't understand what I'm doing here with you this moment. I'll be quiet now. Can you just come in with me, please? If you leave now, I'll blame myself all evening and I'll have a headache, and I don't need that right now."
Nika rolls her eyes and shakes her head as if she’s shaking something off. I can’t help but laugh. I don't think she's doing it on purpose, but she's super funny.
"Okay... I can't do that to you, I guess."
"Thank you! Finally, someone who understands me here!" Nika opens the door, and I follow her. I couldn't say no now, could I? And she's nice, in her own way.
