Today, I decided to go to the lunch room to grab lunch instead of going to a rehearsal room to practice the choreography from my dance academy. Jennifer has had me working overtime in the studio learning this dance for this showcase; I didn’t realize that the time of year for Jennifer’s annual open house showcase was here. I feel like I had at least a couple of months before that showcase performance. On top of that, Mr. Kamalani had us doing some after-school rehearsals for the show coming up. I felt like I had no time to actually sit down and enjoy some down time.
I sat at the table I would normally sit at lunch whenever I went; usually, Milo and I would sit together and talk about anything that we could possibly think of. I sometimes miss those days. Sometimes, I wish I had my best friend back; the one that made sure we always hanged out at lunch and after school. I don’t remember the last time I even spoke to Milo outside of being at some stupid family gathering.
I see everyone sitting with their friends at different lunch tables, which reminds me why I don’t come here in the first place. I threw out my lunch tray and walked out of the lunchroom.
I figured I’d practice this dance routine before rehearsal tonight; I was tired of Jennifer constantly outing me in the rehearsal because I was one or two steps behind everyone else. I put my headphones on and begin to play the music to the dance. I immediately begin to dance and allow the music to take over my body. For someone that hasn’t been in rehearsals regularly, I was able to memorize the dance really quick. As soon as I engulf myself into the dance and music, I hear a knock on the door through my headphones. I jump up, looking towards the door. I sighed when I realize that it was Aaron looking into the small window of the door. Gosh, how much did he see?
I opened the door for Aaron but he doesn’t say or do anything. I felt nervous, and quite sick to my stomach after dancing on a full stomach of lunch food.
“Everything alright?” I quietly asked. Aaron still didn’t say anything, but he walked into the rehearsal room and closed the door behind him. “Aaron?”
“Mols,” Aaron finally said, still looking as if he was shocked. “You can dance?” Fuck. He did see me.
“How much did you see?” I asked, hoping he says only a little bit.
“I was going to sit with you at lunch until you walked out,” Aaron began to explain. “I saw you came into the rehearsal room and that you just started dancing. I didn’t want to disturb you, or even stop you.” He smiles before he continues with his thought. “I didn’t know you could dance like that.”
“Dance like what?” I asked, beginning to feel a bit exposed and overwhelmed at the attention.
“Dance better than the actual dance majors at Waverly,” he answered. “Seriously, why didn’t you tell me you could dance?”
“It never came up,” I said, turning off my headphones and placing them back in my bag. “Dance is something I do outside of school. I don’t like doing it other than on my own timing.”
“Why didn’t you apply for the dual major program? You would’ve would’ve been the best of the best at Waverly.”
“I didn’t want to,” I said, not wanting to go into detail about this anymore. “I chose vocal.” Aaron sits me down on the bench against the wall.
“I’m not saying that you aren’t a good vocalist; you know I think you’re the best, but what I just saw you do just now… it was completely different than what you do in vocal.” I look at Aaron, taking in everything that he’s telling me. It meant a lot that Aaron thought I was a good dancer and that he was being genuine about it. Aaron’s opinion mattered to me, not because of how I felt about him, but he was also very talented himself… and of course because I liked him.
“How long have you been dancing?” Aaron asked.
“Since I was very little,” I said, loosing up a bit now. “I danced before I sang, that’s the crazy part.”
“So, why did you pick vocal as your major?” He kept questioning me. I know Aaron is trying to understand the situation as much as most people try to. I couldn’t bring myself to tell the truth to them; instead I would lie and say that I like to sing more than dance. My knowledge of vocal is what really saves my ass; I at least know what I’m talking about and know what I’m doing. Thank that to Milo.
“The truth?” I started to say, facing Aaron on the bench now. “I couldn’t afford the program. The dance program is the one program that costs the most to be in because of the constant competitions and costume changing.”
“Did you audition for the program at least?”
“I auditioned for both vocal and dance,” I admitted. “I got accepted into both.” No one knows that; not even Milo.
“Wait, what?” Aaron reacted, shocked by the news. “You were gonna be in the dual major program, but—“
“Couldn’t afford it,” I finished Aaron’s sentence. “So, I settled with vocal. I hate putting it like that, but it’s the truth. Like I love vocal, but—“
“Your heart is in dance,” Aaron was now the one finishing my sentences. I simply nodded, confirming the fact. Aaron sighed, readjusting in his seat. “Sorry for forcing you in the band. I didn’t know you had your heart set on something else.”
“Are you kidding me?” I quickly said. “I love being in the band. It’s different and—I don’t know—I have so much fun being free like that.” Aaron smiled at me; it has to be the biggest one I’ve seen on his face.
“I’m glad you feel that way,” Aaron said. He leans in and gently kisses my forehead. “So do I have the pleasure in seeing your dance routine in full?” I smiled sweetly at him, tilting my head as I tasseled his hair with my hand.
“Of course; at the showcase next week,” I teased Aaron. Aaron playfully rolled his eyes as I laughed out loud. Thank you for saving me from my own thoughts.
Letters From Liz. 