Five of us hesitantly raise our hands, including Skye and Lia. Next to me, Jase makes a dismissive sound, but when I look at him, he has a neutral expression on his face.
“Okay, I suggest we do this a little differently than originallyplanned. I assume by this point you’ve all at least decided on a song and whether you want to work alone, in pairs, or in a group.”
This time, everyone nods, although I suspect there are still a few who haven’t even gotten that far.
“Wonderful, then let’s get started. Find your partners, if you have any, and then find a place to sit. I’ll see if I can organize a second room for us so it doesn’t get too crowded in here. I’ll be right back.” Melanie leaves the room without waiting for a response. She probably wouldn’t have gotten one anyway.
“Have you started yet?” I ask, and Zoe and Jase both shake their heads.
“Not really. We have an idea, but nothing concrete yet,” Jase replies.
“A duet is much more difficult than a solo,” says Skye, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
“How far have you gotten?” Zoe asks, and Skye actually blushes a little.
“Almost done.” Her answer sounds almost like a question. She shrugs. “But I actually enjoy choreography. I need it for my videos.”
Melanie returns before any of us can reply. She leads half the class into an empty room at the end of the hallway. Skye, Zoe, Jase, and I stay behind with the other half.
I see Jase’s shoulders slump a little in relief as his sister leaves the room.
“I’ll start with you guys,” Melanie says as she reenters the room, pointing at the four of us. “Are you a group?”
We shake our heads simultaneously. Skye and I step back.
“We’re working alone,” Skye says.
“Then let’s get started. Please find a spot and begin.” Sheturns back to everyone. “I just drilled this into the other group: Remember, it’s not about perfection. It’s about your emotions and the music. Use that. Don’t just focus on the rhythm, but also on the lyrics. Get into it.Feelit. If you have trouble with the beginning of the song, start somewhere else. You don’t have to develop the choreography from start to finish. You can begin at the end if that helps,” Melanie says, then turns to the first group.
I walk over to the window and stand there indecisively for a moment before closing my eyes, taking a deep breath, and blocking out everything around me. When I think about the fact that I’m not alone, I feel like I’m being watched, and that makes me sure I’ll mess it up.
Emotions and music. That’s what it’s all about. That’s all that matters.
Blinking little lights
Seems like a night sky right at my feet
I’ve been here a while
Wondering if once again we could meet
Easton’s voice in my head. Soft and deep. The noises around me, the quiet conversations of those working in groups, fade into the background. I relax my shoulders, recall the movements Melanie has been teaching us over the past few weeks. Less control, more grounding.
I open my eyes, find myself in the mirror, and take the first step.
Chapter 36
Rayne
Fuck It, I Love You—Lana DelRey
It’s already dark by the time I walk across campus to the practice building for the second time that day. Bright light spills out of the tall windows, but I can’t see anyone from down here.
Most people have finished training for the day, and I’d normally be the last one to go back in the evening for more, but today I’m too restless. I have been ever since I started thinking seriously about the choreography for “Dance with You ’Til Midnight.”
The practice building is quiet; apart from my footsteps, I can’t hear a sound. Until I reach the second floor. Soft piano music drifts into the stairwell, and I don’t know why, but instead of continuing up to the third floor as planned, I walk down the second-floor hallway. I just follow the music until I spot a blond girl in the second studio on the left.
I’m not all that surprised when I recognize Lia. She’s dancing, and she’s beautiful.
