Panoramic Love

Chapter 1

Chapter One

“Alright ladies and gentlemen! Get a drink of water and let’s get back to the center for technique,” our dance coach, Allyson, smiled at us. “Kendra, can I have a word with you?”

I look up at my coach confused and nod my head. I grab my water bottle out of my duffel in the corner of the room away from everyone else and walk over to Allyson. I get to Allyson right as she's talking to Robby, our choreographer. “No I don't care if it takes another month for her to learn the new choreography. We just gotta do what it takes to pull off the best show,” Allyson finishes speaking and shakes her head at Robby. She turns to me and gives me a big smile, “Kendra.”

I nod and give her a small smile right before I gulp down some water. I wipe my face and mouth trying to look more representable but to no avail, “Allyson.”

Allyson smiles and then turns to look at Robby quickly, “We've been thinking that you should do a partner dance with Xavier for the show since you're so far ahead of the group in all the dances we have been doing.” I nod in confusion. What is this girl talking about?

“What we mean is that we really think you have a great shot of getting ontoThe New York Ballet Company if you try or maybe even Julliard when the scouts come,” smiled Robby.

My heart starts to speed up. An actual career in dance? That has been a dream of mine since my first dance class. Ever since I've been pushing myself to get to that one spot by evading injuries, looks from other people, the vicious gossip, and my parents disagreements. There is one small hitch, “But I have to dance with Xavier... He only does solos.”

Robby nods, his smile wavering for a second, “Yes but we got him to agree to do a modern partner dance.”

My heart sinks even farther, “But that's my worst area! And modern dance is considered to be the lowest ranking dance out there right next to hip hop!

Allyson tugs on my arm and I turn to look at her, “Kendra... You know that if you want the scouts looking at you... We can't help you choreograph it either. But come on! You know what they want!”

My heart drops down through the floor and into the basement and throught the cement itnot he ground. It would dig it's own grave if it could. My hands squeeze onto my water bottle until it's practically squirting out water. “This is a disaster,” I moan.

Robby grabs my free hand and holds it making me look right at him, “How do you know it's a disaster? It can become the best dance that Milwaukee will ever see! Think about it.”

I shake my head as I walk away from the two. I don't know what to do. If this dance turns out to be a total flop, I will never be taken seriously by any top notch complany or school. If that happens I might as well throw away my career... If that doesn't happen and it's actually above OK, then I will go nuts and so will Allyson and Robby. But no one is doing the choreography besides Xavier and me. Oh what can possibly go wrong? (Note my subtle sarcasm.) I throw my water bottle into my bag and walk over to the center of the dance room and stand off to the side. The other members and I don't exactly get along for reasons besides me. Maybe it's because of my attitude or the way Allyson and I are close friends. I dont' care. They don't have to like me.

“Relevé in first on every even count for four counts of eight, demi plié and then the same thing into second, fourth and fifth position. Skip third position since we hardly use it. You will then turn in retiré to the other side and only repeat the fourth and fifth positions on the opposite side,” announced Allyson as she walked over to the front of the studio with a sly smile on her face. “Except for... Kendra.”

All of the girls turn towards me and give me glares. I can hear their vicious thoughts forming as their hatred towards me radiates in from their bodies. My eyes snap away from all the girls and I quickly glance at the grimacing guys. They don't really care but they don't like it. I turn to look at Allyson. She's feeding me right to the sharks without even thinking about it.That is just so great. Allyson is smiling at me blindly as she ushers me to come to the front of the quiet and still room. Slowly I walk trying to make the least amount of noise possible but you can't while wearing pointe shoes. The box is wooden and it's hitting a wooden floor. The wooden box just loves to make the most awkward noises.