There are two types of dancers in the world. The first are the people that are born to dance; who have the natural talent and don't have to work for it. These people aren't just dancers, they are dance. Then there are the people who spend hours upon hours practicing and working for it but can't seem to get quite up to par even though they love the art. They spend their whole life trying to be good enough but no amount of practice will help them acquire the praise they deserve. The type of dancer I am?
"Isabella, keep your form." My dance instructor, Richard, snapped.
I straightened my back even more and lifted my hands above me to fifth position before gliding them to the side and then the other as I took my first step. It's so easy for me to lose myself in the music and fall into step with the soft steady beat as I flow from step to step, picking up speed as the tempo rises.
"Stop!" Richard shouted over the music making me lose my balance and stumble. And just like that, I can be snapped back to reality.
"What did I do wrong now?" I asked, getting irritated that he keeps stopping me for some reason or another in the middle of my routine.
He huffed as he came over to me and jiggled my arm, "Your arms are like noodles, your steps are off, and form is sloppy. You are supposed to want to be a professional!"
"I will be!" I snapped, "My steps were fine, my form was fantastic! If I was any straighter I'd break my back! And my arms are not 'noodles' as you say! They should be loose and move with the music which they were!"
"You've been a student here for two years Isabella, I have been working here for 25. Who has the most experience out of the two of us?" He asked as he stood tall.
"It's not about experience, it's about heart!"
"You are wrong and as long as you keep believing that, you will never get anywhere in this industry." He said snidely, "I think we're done for today. I suggest you get more practice in outside of regular practice time Isabella."
I rolled my eyes as he walked toward the door. I stomped over to my things, grabbed them and headed to the change room. Richard has been my private instructor for two years now and it's always the same bullshit. If he thinks it's so easy he should do the audition. The audition I'm preparing for is for a major dance company stationed here in New York.
I begged my parents to let me come out here four years ago to try and live my dream. They weren't exactly happy about it but I told them if they didn't let me come out here to dance, I would do it anyway but live on the streets. They couldn't let their little girl live on the streets of course so they gave in. That may make me seem spoiled but I need to do whatever it takes to get to where I want to be.
I'm twenty-two years old, I live in a small apartment near Central Park and I'm a student at one of the best dance studios in the state. Regardless of what Richard says, I'm well on my way to reaching my goal.
Once I changed into my floral skirt and white tank I put on my flats and peeked out the door making sure Richard wasn't around before leaving the room. Not only did I not want to see him anymore today but I knew if he saw me in my flats he would give me a long lecture about how they would ruin my posture and blah blah blah.
Once outside I let out a breath of relief and started walking down the street toward Central Park. I loved walking through Central Park, especially at this time of day because the street performers were out and there was just so much talent to be discovered. As I got there though I noticed that the NYU orientation was taking place and rolled my eyes. I didn't really want to put up with a crowd of teens fresh out of high school but I didn't want them to ruin a happy Monday morning ritual.
As I was walking I noticed a crowd cheering and walked over, keeping my bag close as to not get in anyone's way. The music was a fast hip hop beat and there were guys battling in the centre. One of them was wearing all black with a baseball cap and the other had curly brown hair with a grey beanie. The first guy I've seen dancing here before but the skinny curly haired kid was new…and talented.
The curly haired kid got up onto the picnic table and the other guy, not wanting to be shown up got up after him. The curly haired kid just kept doing his thing, dancing around the park and the guy in black just eventually stood and watched. It was like he waiting for the right moment to jump in and steal the spot light.
I never understood the whole dance battle thing. People trying to one up everyone and trying to prove who the better dancer is? It just seemed kind of…
The area covered up with smoke and it was blown right in my face. I coughed and tried to wave it away as I got out of the way of spray. I noticed balloons flying around everywhere before this guy with a camera grabbed the curly haired kid and started running from the police.
I looked around and noticed the guy in black back up with his friends before going back to the area they were dancing at before. I followed, curious to see what else this guy could come up with. He may be flashy but he's talented. I could use some inspiration for my routine as well.
I watched as he continued to freestyle with his friends. It's hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that he can keep with the tempo, keep dancing without a routine or any choreography. It's like his body knows what's coming next without thinking about it.
From my spot in the crowd I tried to subtly move my feet along with his quick footwork but stumbled and bumped into the person next to me.
"I'm so sorry." I said as I caught my footing.
"Watch what you're doing and maybe leave the dancing up to people who actually know how to." The girl said. She had dark skin but blue eyes and her hair was done in a French braid down her back.
"Excuse me?" I said, crossing my arms, "I said I was sorry and how do you know I can't dance?"
She looked me up and down and laughed, "You girl? Please."
I looked myself up and down self-consciously and then around everyone else realising I had drown a lot of attention to myself. Including the attention of the dancers who had stopped what they were doing to watch the scene. I made eye contact with the one that was battling the curly haired one earlier before bringing my attention back to the girl I'd bumped into.
"I don't have to prove myself to you." I snapped and then turned to walk away.
"Yeah that's right. Walk away rich girl."
I stopped for a moment, debating on turning around or not but decided against it. I don't have to prove myself to her or any of them. I can dance and I do it well. This is what I tried to convince myself of as I kept walking toward home.
This was turning into a bad day and I didn't want it to get any worse so I kept my head up and walked toward home. I didn't expect things to get worse when I got there however.
…
"Mom? Dad?" I asked as I walked in to see them sitting on my sofa, "I wasn't expecting you, is everything okay?"
"Come take a seat sweetie. We have something to say." My mom said as she pointed to the love seat across from them.
"Richard gave us a call today. As you know we talk frequently about your progress." My dad said.
I stayed quiet trying to figure out where they were going with this conversation. I had a feeling but I didn't want to believe it and tried to keep the lump from forming in my throat.
"He said you're not getting any better Isabella." My mom tried to say gently but how does one say something like that and expect it be gentle?
"I am though, Richard is just a dick who-"
"Watch your language young lady!" My dad snapped.
"Stop treating me like a child!" I said standing up.
"You are a child!"
"I'm twenty-two years old!"
"And what do you have to show for yourself?!" My dad raised his voice. He is always the parent I butted heads with the most while my mom sat idly by waiting for the arguments to end. "You live in the apartment we pay for! You buy groceries with the money we give you! You go to a dance studio that we pay for!"
"Because you want me to make something of myself and I am! I will!"
"It's been four years! If something was going to happen it would have by now! You just aren't good enough to be hired by any dance company!"
"I am though! I know I am!"
"Stop living in the clouds Isabella!" He shouted! "It's time to move on and get into the real world!"
"This is the-"
"ENOUGH!" He yelled, "Isabella, enough is enough. It's been four years, it's time to come home. An associate of mine has offered you a job in his office. It will do for now until I can teach you the family business."
"I'm not ready to go dad. I know I can make it as a dancer. I even have an au-"
"I don't want to hear anymore on the subject. I played to your fantasies long enough. Pack up your things; we'll be back Sunday night with the movers." He said as he stood and grabbed his suit jacket, "Let's go Eleanor." He left the apartment.
My mother came over to me to kiss me on the cheek but I moved away from her, "I know it may not seem like it but it's for the best." My mom said.
"For you and dad maybe but not for me." Was the last thing I said to her before she left.
I picked up my phone and dialled.
"What's up Izzy?"
"Hey Lisa. You know that club you're always trying to get me to go to?" I asked, "Are you going tonight?"
…..
We walked into the club and the music was thumping, lights were flashing, people were dancing, others were drinking, and couples were making out. It was a club like I see in the movies. It wasn't really my scene but I was tired of being the perfect daughter.
"I'm so glad you decided to come tonight! It's going to be so much fun!" Lisa screamed from beside me before dragging me to the dance floor. I watched as she swung her head around before breaking into some moves. I tried to copy her but I couldn't get it right and eventually shook my head ready to leave the dance floor.
I would have if I didn't feel someone grab my hand and spin me toward him. We were chest to chest and I looked up into the strangers eyes to see the one of the dancers from the park. He was the battling the curly haired kid. I swallowed thickly while trying to keep his intense gaze.
"Can you dance?" He asked.
"Yes." I said softly, unsure if he even heard me or not.
"Show me." He said.
I looked around at all the people dancing around us and then back at him shaking my head no, "It's not really the right music."
He smirked before taking a step back, "It's always the right the right music."
The crowd started to part as the curly haired kid from earlier fell onto the dance floor. The guy in black and his crew started to dance in the centre of the dance floor as another group surrounded curly. Once there set was done, guy in black went for curly and pointed.
"I just want a few rounds with the kid!" He pointed, "We have some unfinished business me and you."
The guy who had the camera in the park seemed to be the leader and he stepped in front of curly, "To get to him you have to go through us."
"Come on Luke." Said a guy as the crowd parted, "Be a good sport."
"What are you doing here Julien?" Luke asked.
"You place?" Julien asked with a smirk, "It's not going to be your place for much longer. But don't worry, when I buy it, I'll take good care of it."
"When we win the World Jam? You and your trust fund wont be able to touch us." Luke said.
The crowd ohed and Julien laughed, "That's funny. Your boy can't even finish his battles."
"Oh my gosh! What's going on?" Lisa said coming up beside me as we watched.
I was about to answer when a fight broke out and I was pushed away from the crowd.
"Hey let's get out of here before it gets more rowdy!" Lisa called to me. I nodded and was about to leave with her when an idea came to me.
I looked to the guy Luke as he came out of a photo booth with a girl in red. They were headed toward the stairs. I turned to Lisa and told her to go on without me because there was something I had to do first. She nodded and left. I went to the bathroom and hid there until I heard everything calm down outside.
I left the bathroom and noticed a few people left who I assuming was Luke's crew. I coughed to get their attention and they all looked at me.
"And who are you?" A black with an accent asked.
"Uh my names Izzy. If it's not too much trouble could I speak to Luke?" I asked, suddenly feeling awkward.
"What business do you have with Luke?" The same guy asked. Maybe he was second in command?
"I just think I might be able to help him. Maybe even help all of you." I said.
…
I sat with Luke and the black guy, who I now know as Jason, in their office. The three of us were quiet as we waited for someone to speak. I suppose it's not everyday that they get a stranger coming in telling them they can help them.
"Jacob said you might be able to help us." Luke said.
"Yes and I'm hoping in return you might be able to help me." I said.
"What kind of help."
"I come from a rich family, just like that guy Julien does." I explained, "I have a good some of money in my bank account and you can have all of it. It might not be enough to keep you stable for long but it should be enough to keep this place opened long enough for you to win this Jam thing."
"Why would you give us all that money?" Luke asked, "What's in it for you?"
"A place to stay?" I asked, "I could even join your crew if you wanted me too."
Luke looked at me as if he was weighing his options. It was Jacob that spoke up first, "That is very nice of you to offer but-"
I cut him off before I could be rejected, "I know you don't know me and I don't really know you but you need the money and I need a place to stay come Sunday."
"Why are you so desperate?" Luke asked.
"All I've ever wanted to do was dance. It's the only thing I'm remotely good at and the only thing I've got left. My parents are going to take that away from me and make me move back home and run the family company. I don't want that. I want to continue dancing but in order to get anywhere I need to be here in this city."
"Can you give us time to think about it?" Luke asked as he leaned back in his seat.
I shook my head, "No, I don't think I can. I don't know when my parents are going to freeze my accounts but I'll have to go first thing tomorrow morning to get the money if you take the deal. They'll eventually realise that I'll try something like this. I just hope they haven't already."
Luke looked to Jason who closed his eyes, silently leaving the decision up to him. Luke looked back to me and I knew he could see the desperation in my eyes.
"How good a dancer are you?" Luke asked.
"I great…excellent even, depending on who you talk to. However…I'm not exactly accustomed to your style of dance."
"Alright, come back here tomorrow after you get the money. We'll go from there." Luke said.
