Dance For Me

Chapter 8

Camila

Class had been ridiculously hard lately, it was almost as if Emma had been given a personality transplant that had turned her to torture and an inconsolable need for perfection. Admittedly I enjoyed the push, the pain of working out, it made me feel accomplished and free

No matter how difficult the class however, I always made sure to return in the evening for another solo session. I needed this place, whether Lauren wanted to kick me out or not, being here was my only option

Tonight was no different, I stood in the centre of the studio with a deep breath, tired from being on my feet for the fourteenth hour in a row. I wasn't sure if I had even eaten, the practice and rehearsals so important to me I'd probably show up half dead

I waited for my music to start from the beginning, Gangsta's Paradise - 2WEI, the same song Lauren danced to the other night. Nothing compared to finding a song that resonated within your whole body, including your soul and mind. When the first line kicked in, I began to move, feeling every muscle in my body flood with blood and adrenaline

I didn't even need to think anymore, the music carried me and my body followed behind like an obedient puppy. I slid my palms down my stomach and threw my head back, the eruption of passion driving through my bones an immediate reaction. The mirror watched me lend my soul to the studio, surrendering my mind in exchange for ability

I'd been feeling so low as of lately, it was the only thing that helped. Other people did drugs or drank alcohol but I danced instead. I danced until my thighs burned and my feet went numb. Nobody knew this feeling like I did, nobody could take away this high

When the drop kicked in I threw my leg out to the side and took on the pirouette that had me falling all week long. It destroyed me every time I messed it up, but for some reason right now, I managed to get it perfect

Suddenly I became emotional, my eyes filling with tears as I continued to execute skill after skill. I felt joy but anger equally, my breath heavy but my chest tight. I couldn't figure it out, every inch of my body crawled and my stomach sank with heavy stones

Eventually a missed step turned into a harsh fall, my knee hitting the studio floor with a bang that made my body feel worthless! I rolled over onto my knees and sank my head into the wood, screaming into the creamy brown that had failed to keep me upright

Before I could lift my head however, I felt a pair of hot hands wrapping around my rib cage from behind. They lifted me onto my feet with ease and forced my eyes to identify the helping hand in the mirror, it was Lauren, standing there with a blank expression and a dominating stance

"Stop giving up!" She spat in my ear "Do it again!" My body shivered as she walked to stand against the mirrors in front of me, this was the second time she had walked in on me and the first time she'd touched me in days

I swallowed hard and wiped my tears with the back of my hand, waiting for the music to restart before beginning the routine again. She was staring, folding her arms and scrutinising my every move. Nothing in my life had ever felt this intense before, knowing her opinion of me only made it worse

"Straighten your arms!" She yelled across the room with a heavy rasp "Keep them up!"

I did as she told, focusing on my arms only to forget about my legs "Knee up, come on this is basic!" She yelled again, suddenly the pressure became overwhelming, knowing that she was judging me and my abilities a fear I despised

After a while I saw her eyes glitter, those deep, green orbs igniting with power I was in no way hungry for. She stormed over to the stereo and used her thumb to lower the volume before walking towards me "You were dancing like a professional before you knew I was here, so please tell me why you're now dancing like a baby goat!" She hissed as she walked behind me to stand only a few inches away "Now!"