In Your ArmsA Story by Rachel RothIt was my competition essay for the Royal Commonwealth society. Now that the due date's past. I'm posting it here for the public.I chose the topic 'We're a good partnership you and I'. Please comment.
“Aah! Put me
down!” I screamed. Jason, my
partner put me
down with an
annoyed expression on
his face. “What’s wrong?” My
dance teacher, Miss Abby
asked, stopping the music
and coming over. “I’m
sorry! I’m sorry!” I said
sadly. Well built with
bulging muscles on his
arms, Jason was the
person who was
least likely to
drop me. However, he was a
hip-hop dancer who
had never lifted
a girl in his life. At
the age of 16,
I was
a contemporary dancer
who had never
danced with a
partner my whole
life and I
had to face
it, the tricks
that our dance
teacher had given
us were dangerous
for dancers, especially new
partners like Jason
and I. “What’s wrong with you?” Jason
asked me when
our teacher gave
us a break. “Isn’t
it obvious, you’re a
hip-hop dancer. No offense,
but hip-hop dancers
don’t lift girls.” I
said annoyingly. “So?” He asked. “So, I’m scared
you’ll drop me, don’t you
get that?” I said
as Miss Abby
came back to us.
She looked at
us as we exchanged angry
glances.
It was then Miss Abby
pulled me aside. “Listen, I know
you’re scared but
can you please
get yourself together? We
don’t have much
time left. Competition’s next
week and if
you can’t work
together, I’ll have to
pull your dance out
of the competition.” She said
as I gasped
at the fright
of being pulled
out of a
competition. “Alright, I’ll try.”
I said,
determined as Miss
Abby turned on
the music again. I
started again, slowly,
very nervous that
Jason was going
to drop me
but as the
music continued, I allowed
myself to get
lost in the music.
Everything was easier
after that. I did a grand jeté,
pirouetted and did
arabesques with the
help of Jason. When
we came to
the last part
of the dance
however, when Jason was
supposed to throw
me up, I screamed
as he got
ready to do
the throw. “What now!” He
scolded. Miss Abby came
over looking disappointed. “I’m sorry
but if you
two can’t learn
to trust each
other, I’m pulling you
out of the
competition.” She said. We sighed
and walked out
sadly.
“Look
what you’ve done! Now
we’re out of
the competition!” Jason said,
angrily pacing. On the
bench, I sat down
sadly while Jason
ranted. ‘What have I
done?’ I thought sadly. ‘I’ve
lost my only
chance to dance
with a partner
that’s what.’ Tears came
streaming down my
eyes as I
thought about what
I had done. I
started sobbing quietly
and Jason stopped
pacing and ranting. He
came over to me.
“Hey.....It’s okay. You’ve tried
your best.” He said
comfortingly as he
pulled me closer
to his chest. “I...I....I’ve ru...ru....ruined everything!” I said
in the midst
of sobs. “Well, I can’t
say I disagree with
you but you
know, there’s still
time.” He said. “No there
isn’t. The competition’s next
week!” I cried. “Okay. It’s clear
you don’t trust
me and I don’t
trust you but
can we just
work hard and
win this competition? Then we’ll
never have to
see each other
again.” He said. I stopped
crying and sat
up. “Deal.” I said.
The next week
was the hardest
in my life. Every day, after school,
Jason and I
walked over to
our dance studio
and practiced till
the dance studio
closed for the
night. Every morning, I would
wake up at
five o’clock to
practice at Jason’s
house. It was difficult
for the first
few days as
I still did
not trust Jason. However, over
the week, Jason proved
to be a
better partner than
I thought. He encouraged
and motivated me
throughout the week
and soon I fully
trusted him.
We were about
to leave for the
competition when Miss
Abby turned to us.
“What are you two
doing here? You’re not
dancing this week.” She
said curiously. “Miss Abby,
we’re ready.” Jason said. “You
gave us a routine
to learn
and we’ve learned
it. Now, we intend
to go through
with it, whether you’ll
allow us or
not.” I said, clutching
Jason’s hand tightly. A
smile slowly made
its way to
her mouth. “Alright. But don’t
disappoint me.” She said. We
got onto the
bus and made our
way to the
competition.
Standing
there, in my
nightgown costume, I felt
butterflies creep into
my stomach. I breathed
slowly, trying to
calm myself. This was
the first time
I had felt
nervous. Jason must have
noticed my expression
as he took
my hand. I let
myself be relaxed
but then my
thoughts went back
to the fact
that he was
a hip-hop dancer
and had never
done this. I started
to hyperventilate. “I can’t
do this.” I said
finally. “Yes, you can.” Jason
said. “I don’t know if
you know this
but you’re a
great dancer. Trust me, I’ve
watched and you
always look so
relaxed out there. You
were born to do this, Onyx. I
know you are.” He
said. “Next we have
number 22, Onyx and
Jason performing ‘A
Fairytale Dream’.” The announcer
announced and I took a
deep breath and
allowed Jason to
lead me out.
The
music played and
immediately, the butterflies in
my stomach went
away. Instead, my mind went
to the soft
flowing of the
music. As I started
my first steps, my
mind flitted to
how much I
had gotten to
know Jason over
the week. How much
I trusted him
now and especially
how much he
had comforted me
over the week
when I was
tense. As the last
notes of the
music played. I prepared
myself for the
big throw. When the
time came, without
hesitation, I flung myself
onto Jason and
he threw me up.
I heard
the crowd gasp
as I performed
a perfect back flip, then, bringing my
right leg up to my
side, performed a bow
and arrow as
the other leg
lands on top of Jason’s
head and he
balances me. Then at
last, I put
my right leg
down and fell
into Jason’s arms. At
first, the crowd
was silent, then
a moment later,
someone stood up and started
clapping followed by a row
in the audience. Soon, everyone
was standing and
clapping, we had
gotten a standing
ovation! We then took
a bow and
exited the stage,
grinning.
“Wow! Great
job out there!” Jason
said happily. “Thanks, you too.”
I replied. “Yeah thanks, you’re really
talented.” He answered back. “I
feel the same
way about you. But
you know, I couldn’t
have done it
without your motivation.” I said. He
stared into space
for a second,
probably considering what
I just said. “Well I
couldn’t have done
it without your
skills.” He said. I smiled
and considered our
whole journey here
and suddenly I
realised something. Throughout
our whole experience, I
would’ve never thought
Jason and I
could get along
but look at
us now! Here we
were complimenting each
other as if we had
been partners for
years. “We’re a great
partnership, you and I” I
burst out excitedly. Jason looked
shock for a
moment but then
a look of
utter happiness crossed
his face. “Yeah we
are!” He agreed and
then a look of regret
crossed his face. “Listen, when you
and I first
met, I thought you
were just another
one of those
prissy girls. And you
proved me right, for some time. But
then, throughout the
last week, I saw
a different side
of you. A more
dedicated side that
loves dancing and
I also realised, I’ve come
to appreciate you as a
dancer and a
good friend.” He said. “Well,when I
first met you. I
thought you were
just another one of those
rash hip-hop guys
that don’t know
how to handle
girls. But over the
time we spent
together, I realised you’re
kind, caring and
that I underestimated you.” I admitted. “So...why don’t
we just start
over.” He said, smiling. “I
would like that
very much.” I said. “So, friends?” He asked. “Friends.” I said. We
shared a hug
and walked, hand
in hand, back
to the dressing
rooms.
“ And now for
the teen division
duets and trios
category. Third place goes
to number 15,
‘I want to
be like you,
second place goes
to number 50 ‘Wish
on a star
and first place
for the teen
division, duets and
trios category goes
to...........number 22, ‘Fairytale
Dream!’” The announcer said
and Jason and
I practically jumped out
of our seats. We
had won! We had
won! We rushed up
the stage to
receive our awards. “Congratulations.” The head
judge said, handing us
our trophies. We took
a quick picture,
then we rushed
into the audience
where Miss Abby
embraced us with
a tight bear
hug. “Congratulations. You
proved me wrong
today. Great job out
there.” She said happily. Jason and I looked
at each other,
smiling happily. We both
knew this was
just the beginning
of a beautiful
friendship.
© 2014 Rachel RothAuthor's Note
|
Stats
213 Views
Added on May 30, 2014 Last Updated on May 30, 2014 Author
|