Tomorrow Never Dies

Chapter 13 - "I thought you needed to be talented"

"Flozza wake up," Grace poked me. "I need to watch your dances before the showcase."

"When is that?"

"Next Saturday."

"Fucking shit," I cursed. I didn't feel ready, I didn't know if my costumes had arrived or if they fitted, my ankle was screwing with me again. The worries kept piling up and suddenly my breath was gone again.

"Flora talk to me, tell me about your family," Grace instructed.

"I've got my mum and my two brothers."

"What are your brothers' full names?"

"Tobias James Lighthawk and Matthew Jack Lighthawk."

"How old are they?" This was all information that Grace knew, but she was aware that asking me to tell her mundane information would help me regain and normalise my breathing.

"They're both twenty two, they're twins."

"Good, tell me about your pets," she encouraged me gently.

"I have a husky called Joey and a cat called Scratch but they live at home," I said. By this point my breath had returned to normal and I had stopped crying.

"What happened?"

"I just got really stressed about the showcase," I admitted. "Grab my bag and my laptop and we'll go the studio." I picked a leotard and skirt out of my drawer, got changed, and we set off.

We arrived at the studio and I plugged my laptop into the sound system before warming up quickly as Grace found my music. She put Tomorrow Never Dies on and I began dancing.

I finished the dance crouching, remembering how Michael had walked in on me at this point. I smiled, panting slightly, amd stood up, turning around to face Grace, who was clapping. I took a bow.

"Put on Proud Mary, I'll mark it," I told her. The song came on, but I hesitated. "Put it on like two minutes thirty, that's when it starts." She skipped through the song and the tune sped up. I launched into the routine, pulling faces occasionally.

The song finished and I collapsed, exhausted.

"That looked like effort," Grace said as I lay down.

"You think?" She laughed a little and helped me up. I sorted my bag and we got ready to leave, but just as we were about to exit the studio Georgina walked in.

"Excuse me," Grace said, approaching her. "I believe you've been very physical with my best friend."

"I don't know what you're talking about," Georgina replied cockily. "I've not seen her since we met with Miss Lorna."

"I have a bruise on my cheek and an angry best friend and boyfriend that beg to differ," I put in. Georgina glared at me, but my best friend gave me a thumbs up.

"Fuck off," Georgina spat. "This is my studio time."

"You don't need it though, do you? You've been kicked off the course, what do you need to practise for?" asked Grace, sass poured into every syllable.

"The showcase," Georgina said. "Leave."

"I'm sorry, I thought you needed to be talented to perform in that?" I was almost crying laughing at Grace, but I stayed silent. Georgina turned as if ready to throw a punch, but Grace dodged. "I've been working with horses all my life, I know how to move when I'm about to get hit."

"Fuck off," repeated Georgina, and Grace ran off with me on her tail. As soon as we were out of sight and earshot, we fell about laughing.

"That was amazing!" I laughed, wiping tears from my eyes. "The bit when you said you needed talent, fucking hell!"

"That felt good to get it all out of my system though," she smiled. "Wish I'd thrown in a punch though."

"I'm glad you didn't, knowing her she would have reported you."

"I'll get your brothers to beat her up for me."

"Toby is in Ecuador and Matty is studying, they won't come."

"Trust me." I shook my head and gave up arguing. We wandered back to our dorm and we both sat on my bed.

"We need to plan a double date, me, you, Ash, Michael," I said.

"Yes oh my God," she replied. "Go for a meal together in that fancy Italian place in town?"

"Yeah man," I agreed. I grabbed my Macbook and went on the restaurant's website. "Text Ash, make sure he's free tonight?"

"Works for me," she said, getting her phone out, and I did the same.
are you free this evening?xx
Moments later, a reply came through.
Michael C(era): sure, why?cx
My reply was brief.
no reason, just curious... see you soon x
I put my phone away and looked at Grace.

"Ash is free," she confirmed. I booked a table for four, and then shut my laptop. "Let's get ready!" I picked an outfit out of my wardrobe without looking at Grace, and she did the same.

"3, 2, 1," I said, and we turned round at the same time. Grace had picked an electic blue skater dress with a sweetheart neckline, and she's chosen a white cardigan to go over the top. I'd elected a mint green skater dress, shorter than hers, with open shoulders. I went for my leather jacket over the top but baby pink flats instead of my black hidden heel sneakers, which I usually would have chosen.

We got changed, and I sat obediently while she did my makeup. She gave me a pinky eyeshadow with white winged eyeliner, which looked incredible, and she went for a fairly natural pink lipstick. She did her own makeup while I pulled my hair into a half-up, half-down style, and held it with a mint green flower clip. I styled hers in two Dutch braids, and we were ready to go.

*****
wtf is this > http://www.sugarscape.com/lads/a1072654/20-facts-definitely-didnt-know-5sos-michael-clifford/
i just
okay

song of the chapter is like i would by zayn
lauren out