I’m a fighter, always in control, never crying. Yet at this moment, I feel thick tears of joy forming at the corners of my eyes. I quickly blink them away.
"We need to go out." Maxime's hand suddenly rests on my back, urging me
Before I know it, we step into the spotlight again. With weak knees, I dance at Maxime's side toward the center of the dance floor.
The announcer starts a speech I can partially understand now, thanks to my improved French skills. "Now, let's move on to the placements," he says after what feels like an eternity.
I feel dizzy.
"Sixth place goes to Mareike Hausmann and Adam Berger." The German couple steps forward. Both smile, but I can see their disappointment. They collect their trophy from the judge, bow to the applauding audience, and step back.
The tension rises again. "Fifth place goes to..."
I feel sick.
So much so that I don't even hear what the announcer is saying. I only register that the couple with number thirty is dancing onto the stage.
I can barely notice anything else. I am too busy trying to stay upright.
Suddenly, a jolt runs through my body. "That's us. Come on, Aurora."
Was that Maxime?
Confused, I walk with him to the podium next to the announcer. Indeed. On the right side, a couple is already positioned. The left and middle places are still vacant.
Oh my God. We came in second!
I can barely hear the applause. I notice that someone hands me a rose.
Maxime takes the trophy. At least, I think so.
Somehow, I find myself on the podium, and the winning couple from Russia is announced. The band plays a fanfare, the audience applauds standing up, and all my physical discomforts are blown away in an instant.
We came in second. In a Class S tournament! That is... wow!
I feel like the brightest star in the sky, radiant with joy. I quickly turn my head to Maxime. "Unbelievable, right?"
There's a loving warmth in his gaze, and I'm not imagining it. "But it's true," he says, and we both know that we have taken a significant step forward today.
For a long time, I only believed in it because I wanted to.
But that is no longer necessary from now on. Today's success proves it. We will make it.
