"Everyone listen up. Just a reminder that everyone has to pay for costumes by the end of the week." Kate said. "Emily's gonna warm you up so just follow her."
"Emily, your shoe is untied." Eldon said to Emily.
She gave him a dirty look but he kneeled down and tied her shoes. Everyone laughed at him but I felt bad.
We went through the steps but then Emily stopped the music. "Chloe, you know the steps?"
"Yeah." Chloe said.
"Are you sure? Riley can you show her the timings?"
Riley went through the steps with Chloe. "Hey, Chloe." I came up to her at the end.
"Yeah?"
"Are you okay? You look a bit exhausted."
"Yeah, I just... I had to work last night and I'm really tired."
Hearing Chloe has a job didn't surprise me.
"Okay. Do you wanna go over the steps?"
"Please."
"No problem." I went through the dance with Chloe slowly in her own pace.
I sat down at the juice bar when James and Riley came over to me. "Hey guys." I told them.
"So umm... we saw you with Chloe." Riley said. "We kinda overheard your conversation that you're gonna help her with the steps."
"That was awfully leaderish of you." James said.
"I'm just trying to be kind, okay?" I said, angry.
"Kindness is a great skill to have as a dance captain." Riley said.
I don't wanna be dance captain. They have to back off.
"You have to at least think about it."
"I did." I said.
"Not seriously." James added.
"Yes, seriously."
"You have to believe in yourself. You'd be perfect for it. You gotta replace her now before things get worse."
"No."
"Just think about it okay?"
Fine. Whatever.
The next day we were warming up for the solo evaluation.
It would have been cool to dance a solo but I don't know if I want to.
I danced like I never did before. I didn't dance to show I danced to perform. I danced because I loved it. I didn't care if I get the solo or not.
Kate finally realized Chloe is not there and I volunteered to call her.
I don't know what Chloe is gonna do if she'll miss the opportunity.
"Where are you?" I asked Chloe when she answered.
"My shift ends in 15 minutes. I'll be there in an hour."
"Fine. Hurry up."
I went back to Kate. "She'll be here soon."
At the end, when everyone stopped dancing Kate asked if Chloe is there. "She'll be here in five minutes." I said.
"She missed the whole solo audition." Emily said
"Yeah, but I said five minutes." I repeated myself.
"Still missed the whole thing."
"Listen, Emily's right. She didn't show up for her solo audition. What am I supposed to do? I can't wait for her to show up at her own time." Kate said.
I'm freaking out inside.
"I have decided who's going to be awarded the solo." Kate said.
"The dancer is going to be... Daniel." Everyone clapped for him.
He did really good. I'm happy for him.
"And James, you came second so you'll be his understudy." Kate added.
I smiled towards him but let the rest of the team hug him.
Ever since the day on the bus something just been off.
"Chloe!" I heard Emily exclaimed. I looked at her walking inside the studio. "How nice of you joining to join us. You missed the solo audition."
"I'm sorry. I... was doing stuff." Chloe said.
"You're sorry? I'm not sure if you're aware, but this is A troupe."
"Miss Kate wouldn't had put me here if she didn't think I could do it."
"She wouldn't have put you here if she knew you're gonna be so late. I don't have time for someone who is not here."
"I deserve to be here."
"Really? I think you deserve to be in B troupe."
"Guys save it for later. Let's just rehearse." Daniel suggest.
"I would love to. Why don't you show us the moves?" She asked Chloe.
"I don't know them." Chloe said quietly.
"I know you don't know them. You're behind in everything. Everything!"
Chloe was so hurt. I could see it in her eyes. She turned around, grabbed her bag and ran out of the studio.
It's a sick feeling knowing someone can't dance because they don't have money.
"You know you don't have to be so mean!" I yelled at Emily. "She missed the audition. It's not that big of a deal."
I've had enough.
"It's not just the auditions, Isabel. She comes late, she leaves early, she's not dedicated. This is A troupe."
"Do you know all the facts about Chloe? Do you know what's going on in her life?"
"No. Do you? Cause if you do, how about you tell everyone?"
I took a deep breath. "I can't."
"That's what I thought. Listen, this is my team. I'm the dance captain."
"Yeah, I know." I said really annoyed.
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"Supposed to mean, I always wanted to be a dance captain, you just never noticed!" I screamed.
And then I realized what I've said.
James: when Izzy said that in front of everyone, that was the beginning.
Riley: she was doing so good.
"Excuse me?" Emily asked me.
"Just forget it, okay?" I said softly.
"No. What the hell are you talking about?"
Steph kept giving me dirty looks. "Forget it, Em." I said and walked out of the studio.
I walked towards James and Riley in the juice bar. "Still wants me to be a dance captain?" I asked them.
I am so sick of Emily's attitude. It's time someone would actually care about this team. Truly.