“Are you nervous? Because I’m nervous for you.” Lexie sucks in a deep breath before pushing it out in a rush. “There’s a slight possibility I might throw up. That’s how sick I feel right now.” She squeezes my hand as she utters the words.

I shoot her a quick glance before my eyes arrow back to the massive building in front of us. “Don’t you dare puke. But, yeah,” I whisper, “I am.”

I have no idea why I feel the need to hush my voice, but I do. It’s kind of like being in church. Even though there is a ridiculous amount of noise coming at us from all directions, this moment feels somehow sacred. Like I’m standing on the cusp of something amazing… something life altering.

So yeah, I’m nervous all right, but I’m also excited as hell. This moment is the culmination of all the dance classes I’ve been enrolled in since I was three, the long grueling hours spent perfecting choreography, the blisters and bruises on my feet, the muscle aches and strains. I wouldn’t be standing here right now without going through all that.

And I’m ready.

So ready to do this.

I’ve spent the last week and half learning new chorography with Eric. Other than going to class and cranking out whatever work needed to be completed, I spent all my free time in the studio.

I wasn’t sure how Lexie was going to react when I told her about the audition, but she’s been so supportive about the whole thing. When she suggested we road trip here for the day, I wanted to hug and kiss her.

Actually, I did hug and kiss her. Too many times to count.

After the audition is over, Lex and I are going to walk around the city before driving back to Barnett which is about six hours away.

For just another moment we continue staring up at the Aronoff Center with its gorgeous wall of glass. It’s such a beautiful piece of architecture. It’s almost impossible to believe that in precisely one hundred and twenty minutes, I’m going to be performing on stage here.

Again she squeezes my hand. “You ready to head inside?”

We really should. I need to check in and stretch before running through my choreography. I should slip my headphones on and get into a good mental space.

But I can’t help wanting to stand out here for a moment longer and just soak up the freaking awesomeness of this moment. I did the same thing when I went to Paris. The first time I entered the Conservatoire. I just stood there and took a moment to appreciate that I was actually there. That I’d made it happen.

This experience is another one of those defining moments in my life.

One I’ll look back on in five, ten, or twenty years and still remember exactly what it felt like to stand right here. In four hours or so, the audition will be over. Done with. I won’t be able to change the outcome.

But right now… right now, anything can happen. The moment is full of possibilities and dreams and hopes.

Silently Lexie and I just stand there, admiring the theater, thinking about what will happen inside and on stage. Pondering how different the next year of my life could be if I impress the panel of judges.

Taking another deep breath, I finally nod my head. “Yeah, I’m ready.”

I don’t think I’ve ever felt more ready for anything in my entire life.

“You’re going to nail this, Ivy. I just know it. You’re such an amazing dancer.” Her words are soft but full of pride.

My eyes slide to hers. “Thanks for being so supportive. No matter what, you’ve always been there for me. I couldn’t have asked for a better friend than you.” In the good times and the bad, Lexie has always been by my side. She was there to wrap her arms around me and hold me tight when my mom was first diagnosed with breast cancer and she was there when we finally buried her on a warm July morning. I bawled on her shoulder when my dad turned my whole world upside down again by announcing his engagement to Leah, who was three months pregnant.

No matter what, Lexie has been an unshakable fixture in my life. I don’t think I’ll ever find another friend quite like her. Everyone should have a Lexie Abbott in their lives. I know exactly how lucky I am to have her in mine.

“Hey,” she says, her voice sounding suspiciously thick, “we’ve been there for each other throughout the years. We’ll always be best friends. No matter what.”

Pulling Lexie into my arms, I hold her tightly to me. “No matter what happens today, it means a lot that you’re here to share this moment with me.”

She gives a watery little laugh like she’s trying to rein in her emotions. “Like I said before- you’re going to nail this. I have absolutely no doubts about it.” She pulls her lips down into a pout, but I can tell she doesn’t mean it. “And then you’ll be living an amazing life here and I’ll be stuck at Barnett for another year and a half.”




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