Serenity 🌸
My eyes scan over the flier over and over again. This is it. This could be my breakthrough for my dancing career. My hands tremble as i pick up the phone to dial the number on the paper. I bite my lip as the tone starts to ring.
" Hello this is Terrell speaking, are you calling for the audition to be a backup dancer." A monotone voice answers the phone. I nod my head yes and wait for a reply.
" Helloooo.. You there?" He says. I mentally face-palm myself for my lack of speech abilities. Of course he can't see me through the phone call.
I lean back on my white dresser, "'Yes I'm here.. And yes I am." I lift my hand up to look at my nails but realize I'm shaking more than ever. My heart seems to feel like it's poisoning through my chest.. Over one simple call.
" Aright can I get your full name, email and address?" The guy says. I give him all the information he needed and the line went silent for a few seconds. " Okay Ms. Serenity the audition starts tonight at 6. You are so lucky you called in right before we closed entries"
He's right. I thought about it all morning and lost track of time. " Yes Im sorry. It's because I'm so nervous. Thank you Mr Terrell..."
" You're very so welcome. Please follow the address on the flier and it will lead you to the place. Have a nice day." And with that he hung up the phone.
I let out a big sigh and slip my phone back into my black leggings. I did it, I'm actually going to audition. There was a slight knock on my door causing me to jump a little. The door opened revealing my big sister, April.
She creeps into my room with a big smile on her face. I stand up fully and shake my head while smiling. "Did you do it?"
" Yes I did it April. And I'm going to need you to drop me off tonight at 6.." I say as I walk to my bed and plop down on it it. I roll myself over on my stomach spread eagle style. The bed dipped in making me open on pre eye to see April right infront of my face.
" Oh my goodness! You're going to win, I just know it." She squeals. I roll my eyes and lose them again. April is the type of girl who gets excited over any little thing. She's high spirited and bubbly, totally the opposite of me.
" Well, somebody is waiting outside the door for you. I'll leave you two alone."
I opened my eyes so quick but by the time I did she was out the door and a new person was coming in. I hide my smile and close my eyes again as he walks over. " Silly, I saw you open them you ain't sleep."
The bed dipped in again and a strong pair of arms pried my arms away from my face. I open my eyes and bite my lip over and over again to prevent my smile. " No stop that. You happy to see me so smile." He says, showing his pearly whites.
I give in and smile while putting my head down again. " Trae why are you here?"
" Cause I can be. Why you don't like it"
" Where is your daughter at? Why you ain't bring her." I say trying to change the subject. Of course he knows I like him being here with me. " She's with my mom right now... What's this?"
I peek one eye open as I hear the shuffling noise of paper. Trae's eyes scans over it and then looks at me with a big smile. " Finally Ren! I really think this is your chance to get out there."
" yeah well you know." I shrug it off and turn my head the opposite way. I felt the bed dip in some more and the covers lift up and then down. Hands snake around my waist and pull me closer.
" I missed this you know? " His minty fresh breath whispers on my ear. I lick my lips and press them together. My body reminds me of how much I missed this by it starting to get butterflies.
I just stared and looked around my teal colored painted walls of my room. " Ren I know you heard me. I'm trying to do better to you I promise." He sighs.
" I know Trae, and believe me it's working. But I'm not ready yet to just fall back into things like they were."
Disappointment is in his voice, "Your right. I guess we can take it slow and build up to that again." I turn my head back to him and give him a warm smile.
" Look if it makes you feel better, just know that I'll always love you forever and ever. You were my first love and don't forget it."
-//-
I hop out the car and wave goodbye to my sister. I turn to see the long ass line of people waiting outside. They all had their portfolio in their hands. Different types of races and dancers I've seen before or never had. I let out a nervous sigh and shake my hands to get rid of the shyness that was kicking in, as I make my way to the back of the line.
It feels like hours had passed by before I had even got up to the check in table. The guy hands me back my portfolio and gives me a piece of paper with the number 84 on it. I thank him and shove the folder back into my pink duffle bag.
I follow another dancer into the waiting tank. I just stood in the doorframe watching the people stretch and talk to they friends. Man, I wish April was here to be with me the whole way.
I pull out my phone and see a text notification from Trae and another from April wishing me good luck. I smile to myself and open it to reply to them.before I could even press send, my name was called.
" Serenity Onchez? Ms Serenity Onchez?" The lady semi screams. Look up to her and raise my hand. She motions for me to go with her so I grab my things and follow her into a very huge dance studio.
She guides me to where I could put my bag at, I set it down carefully and slip my phone in there. I turn around to see a white table with 4 people sitting. Not to mention they were all boys and one man. Two of the boys had these masks on, they looked mean by their facial expression.
" You are umm... Serenity oncheese?" The dark skin boys with the cornrows says.
" It's umm... Onchez. Chez it um rhymes with Tez so Onchez." I stutter with my head slightly down. " oh okay okay. So... Oh Teo this is your favorite song." He says.
" It makes me even more excited to see how she dances to it. Don't mess up. You get one chance. Are you ready." He says. I nod my head in approval and get into position. Once the music starts to play, I forget about everything and just let my body flow...
The music fades out and I look back up at them. Their eyes were piercing right back into mine, making me nervous again. After nothing was said for atleast a minute i put my head back down and turn to go grab my things. I pick up my bag and phone and give them one last look before heading out the door.
It seems like the world just stopped when I stepped out the studio door. Everything just went in slow motion when I passed by anything. I could feel a lump in my throat about to form. My heart was beating really slow.
I finally got outside the studio, it was a breezy summers night. I crack a smile knowing summer has just began a few days ago. The sun was beginning to go down leaving the sky a peach color. The streets of Chicago was full of cars and people just talking on the streets. And of course we have your typical drug dealers on each corner.
I mentally remind myself that if I ever can get a chance out of the ghetto I would. I pull out my phone and start walking to the bus stop.
" Hey Mama! What's your name!" I snap my head to the direction of the cat caller. He's an old black man, the ones that try to dress like their still young but fail.
I smile and raise two middle fingers, " FUCK OFF!" And with that I continue my journey to the bus stop. But somehow that masked boy was on my mind, both of them