Ethan hung up the phone and quickly checked his watch. It was almost time for Mackenzie to perform her solo, and he wanted to be there to see her shine. He rushed backstage, looking around hurriedly to find Mackenzie amid the chaos of nervous dancers and excited parents.
He finally spotted her, standing alone in a corner, wearing her dazzling costume and taking slow, measured breaths. Approaching gently, Ethan asked, "Are you ready for your solo, Kenzie?"
She nodded confidently and gave him a little smile. "I've been practicing so hard; I know that I'm prepared."
Ethan returned her smile, feeling proud. "I believe in you, Kenzie. You're going to do great."
With that, he left Mackenzie to focus on her performance and found a seat in the audience among the other spectators. The energy in the room was electric as talented young dancers competed for top honors.
Finally, it was Mackenzie's turn to take the stage. As she stepped into the spotlight, Ethan could feel the anticipation in the air. The music began, and she started moving gracefully across the floor – each step perfectly timed and executed.
Abby, from her seat in the corner, watched intently. She was the one who had choreographed the dance, after all. A frown creased her forehead as she saw Kenzie freeze for a fraction of a second. "A mistake," she murmured under her breath, already thinking about how she would scold Kenzie for it later in the dressing room.
However, sitting next to Abby, Ethan couldn't help but smile. He knew better. He knew that pause, that seemingly out-of-place freeze was not a mistake but an intentional part of the performance. An innovative move that added a touch of surprise to the choreography. He made a mental note to tell Abby about it later, hoping to spare Kenzie from her unwarranted criticism.
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When the performance came to an end, Kenzie, drenched in sweat but beaming with satisfaction, made her way back to the dressing room. The applause still echoed in her ears, and her heart was pounding with excitement. As she opened the door, the first thing she saw was Ethan rushing towards her, a big smile plastered on his face.
(Like this!!!)
He enveloped her in a bear hug, lifting her off the ground. "You were amazing, Kenzie," he whispered into her ear, his voice filled with admiration.
Just as Ethan released Kenzie from the hug, Maddie, Kenzie's older sister, pulled him aside. Her eyes were shining with an unspoken invitation. "Ethan, do you want to go to the water park tomorrow? Just the two of us?" she asked, a hopeful note in her voice.
In the hustle and bustle of the dressing room, Ethan found his gaze drifting towards Brooke. She was engrossed in her phone, completely oblivious to the world around her. He took a deep breath, realizing that her indifference made his decision easier.
Maddie was waiting for his response, her eyes full of anticipation. "Sure, Maddie," he agreed, "Let's go to the water park. Just the two of us."
From the corner of her eye, Abby, the group's choreographer, saw Ethan's nod of agreement and couldn't help but feel a rush of excitement. Ideas started flowing through her mind like a river in spate. A duet! A duet between Ethan and Maddie would be perfect, she thought. The theme? 'Corpse Bride'. It was dark, it was romantic, it was just the thing they needed.
But then, her gaze landed on Brooke. She could also fit into the role, Abby mused. But she decided to reserve her judgment. She would wait till after the water park date. Maybe the date would forge a bond between Ethan and Maddie that would be perfect for the duet.
As the clock ticked closer to the awards ceremony, the dressing room was a flurry of activity.
Everyone was getting ready, adjusting their outfits and doing last-minute touch-ups. Mackenzie was shivering slightly, the adrenaline from her performance wearing off, leaving her feeling cold.
Seeing her discomfort, Ethan unbuttoned his jacket and draped it over her shoulders. Mackenzie looked up at him, gratitude shining in her eyes. To her, Ethan was more than just a co-dancer. He was like an older brother, always looking out for her.
However, this act of kindness didn't sit well with Melissa, Mackenzie's mother. She felt a pang of jealousy as she watched her daughter walk hand in hand with Ethan towards the awards ceremony. As her mother, she believed she had the exclusive right to comfort and care for Mackenzie. But she held her tongue, reminding herself that it was all part of being in a dance troupe, part of being a family.
As they stepped onto the stage for the awards, Ethan holding Mackenzie's hand and Brooke on his other side, they all knew that this was just the beginning.
(Sorry guys, for not updating but I really wanted to give Maddie and Ethan a full long chapter coming next Chapter!!!! I love you guys! This is my longest book and I love it!)