Exiled (AmBw)

Chapter 40

Waking up slightly zombified and decently soar, I started to regret saying yes to Sato. Knowing my dilemma, Crystal made me breakfast and gave me a little pep talk before taking Mochi and I back to Naoto's house. Hyper and stressed out of my mind, I ran into the house at top speeds. Halting to a stop, I saw everything I left for Naoto still on the kitchen counter. I never knew untouched saran wrap could make a person so sad. Yet here I was, minutes away from qualifiers and standing here feeling Naoto's absence more than ever. I didn't know where he was or when he'd be back or what even made him disappear in the first place. I knew nothing, and that left me conflicted. Before driving myself crazy with this ache in my chest, I shoved away everything I felt as far away as I could until I could focus on not making a fool of myself in the next 15 minutes.

I was nowhere ready for qualifiers, not mentally, not emotionally, and let's not even mention how unprepared I felt skill-wise. But none of that mattered now that Sato and Nana were pinning my dance numbers to my shirt. Like two proud parents, they led me off to my first day of 'school'. Walking into a large ballroom fill to the brim with dancers, reality set in.

Layla:" What the hell am I doing here?" I whispered under my breath once my nerves took over.

Sato: "You're going to be great, Layla." Sato said, trying to calm me.

Layla: "Says the man not going into qualifiers." I said insensitively, not finding comfort in his words.

Sato: "I would if I could believe me." He said. I could sense his wanting to trade places with me.

Layla: "Yeah, I know. I'm just nervous. I'm sorry." I apologized for getting crotchety.

Sato: "It's ok. Just focus on having fun. Think of this as a dance camp or something." He said, trying to change my mindset.

Layla: "Do dance camps have cuts?"

Sato: "No."

Layla: Exactly."

Nana: "It's not going to be as bad as you think it will be. Today is going to be pretty mild. There's going to be basic group warm-ups and floor stretches. Then you are taught some routines to test your strength, flexibility, and control. They'll be judging your ability level by watching you learn the combinations and also while you execute it later during the audition process. Keep in mind your facial expressions, because they will be watching you during the warm-ups, so keep composed and make sure your number is visible, ok?" Nana said, running me through the day.

Layla: "Ok." I said, taking in what she said.

Sato: "And most in importantly, remember to breathe." He said, putting his hands on my shoulders.

Layla: "Of course." I said, letting out a breath I didn't know I was holding in.

After a few more points and reassuring smiles, Sato and Nana left, and now the real test begins.

Surprisingly I enjoyed the warm-up. It gave me a chance to work off some of my nerves, so by the time we got to the routines, I was excited. Although I did have a pesky eye watching my every move though, from the moment I entered the room until now. Thankfully before Sato and Nana left, they let me know the name of the woman who kept giving me the stink eye and why she would probably keep it up. Mika, EXPG's former dancer who left a few days before qualifiers to represent another rival company. Although she was the one who decided to go, she seemed to be extra pissed that they were able to find someone in time to replace her. Either way, her death stares didn't bother me one bit. If death stares actually killed, I would have been dead aeons ago. I put up with her hovering and migrating to where ever I was in the room. Winding down to the end of the day, I realized she had formed a little clique of women that kept whispering and snickering to themself while they kept an eye on me. During a small break before our last showcase for the day, one of her minions made me spill water on myself and a dancer next to me. Although Mika found ways to bother me all day, I ignored her, knowing I only had to survive today and tomorrow, and I'd never see her face again. For my last dance, I, Mika, and a few other dancers were 'called up' to dance. Picking an ideal spot, I stood where I had direct eye contact with the judges so they couldn't miss me. Conveniently Mika switched places with a dancer to make sure she was next to me. I paid it no mind and began to dance when the music started. Everything was going great. I focused on my facial expressions and making eye contact with the judges. I concentrated on my form, making sure my lines were immaculate. Like any good bully, Mika took advantage of a moment of weakness. While I was getting caught up in the music, she kicked dangerously close to my head, making me lose my balance and I fell to the floor. Just as she played off her sabotage as a dance move, I played my fall as a move as well. Thankfully I was dancing contemporary, so the fall looked like purpose work. Recovering seamlessly, I continued to dance and kept my distance from Mika until the end of the song.

Right up until the minute we were 'released', Mika made it her goal to get under my skin. Unfortunately for her, Chris was way more of a tyrant than she could ever be, so if she wanted to piss me off, she would have to try much harder.

Happy that I had survived my first day of qualifiers, I walked out relieved. Waiting eagerly, Sato's and Nana's hopeful faces turned ecstatic once they realized that they still had a leg in the race. Squeezing whatever little bit of breath I had out of my tired body, they both embraced me before interrogating me about my day.

Sato and Nana questioned me as they took me back to Naoto's and when I was saying goodbye, Sato snuck me a pint of ice cream. Quoting him verbatim, "Here's some happy food you deserve it. A bit of sinning for being a saint for us today." Waving goodbye, I exhaustedly walked into the house and yawned every third step, not able to properly focus on Mochi, who wanted my attention. I lifted him and walked with him to the kitchen to put the ice cream in the freezer when I caught the scent of my leftovers that were still on the counter. Sighing, I put Mochi down and threw the food away in the garbage. I was so tired from today I couldn't even muster up enough strength to fret like I usually do. I walked into the bedroom and collapsed on the bed. Instead of filing a missing person's report, I settled for texting him with one eye open. Pressing send, I didn't register the chime of a notification that came from Naoto's room. I drifted off to sleep.