If you think Crystal and Fender won't prevail as a successful relationship, you're wrong. Crystal tells the truth in this chapter. Takes a break from the dancing competition.

Chapter ten: The Revealed Truth

I arrived home from the competition. At this time it was only 4 pm. After changing and dropping off my stuff, I walked down the streets to Tracy's-at this time it was around seven p.m.

Tracy said,

"Crystal? Where have you been? We've been lookin' for you. And Fender been worried."

"Call Fender over here. I have something to tell you both."

As soon as possible, Fender arrived and he said,

"Crystal, you have to me what you've been doin'. You're always home and your aunt was at work. Then, you're not at home. And I see you with that Mike guy, your dance partner. What have you been doing? If you're cheatin' on me, I'd rather you tell me now."

"Fender, I have something to show and tell you."

I pulled out my silver medal that I had just won at regionals.

"Crystal, what is this?"

"It's a medal that I won."
"It's a regional silver medal-did you go on to state before you came over here?"

"No, sit down. I won this medal today. For the past month or so, I competed in the city championships and the regional dance competition. I had to practice a lot so I often wasn't around you."
"You know you're not supposed to! You could get kicked off the show!"

"At the first competition, city championships, I got fourth. I was forced to compete because I had to compete in at least one competition. However, I qualified for regionals."

"You could've stopped there," Fender replied.

"I was goin' to," I told them, "but two things happened. First, I liked to compete and then I received a letter from one of the girls at Montrose. Her name was Mary. She's an African-American inmate who needs to be let out. She's been there a year now and the owner of the building completely racist. He doubled her bail just 'cause I wanted to bail her out. But I needed to money. He's keepin' her there."
"What did she need from me?"

"She needed for me to post bail for her and also help her family-who gets ridiculous wages."

"You were goin' to use the money to help her? Why didn't you tell us?" Fender answered.

Tracy added,

"You know I am a girl who defends African-Americans. If I heard of this, I'd enter a dance competition, too!"

"I just didn't want to get in trouble at Corny Collins."

"I know," Tracy replied, "that you're doin' the right thing. As for the competitions, you're goin' to have to tell them why you did this. IF they kick you off, I'll leave, too."

"I'm enjoyin' dance competitions because that's always been a part of me. Amber knows it, too. She told the dance instructor to make me compete."

"Typical Amber."
"No, I am glad she did. Her own idea backfired 'cause she didn't think I'd risk bein' off the show. But I did."
"Tracy," Fender added, "I think Crystal did the right thing."

"Now we have to tell Corny Collins, Maybelle, and the Council. It's my job as the main dancer to tell the truth."

"I do agree with you." Tracy added.

Fender, Tracy, and I headed for our morning rehearsal. Tracy said,

"What your goin' to do is right. Honestly, there is a lot to know. Corny isn't racist; he'll understand.

Then, I walked in.

I yelled out,
"Everyone come over here! I have something to say."

"Crystal, what do you need?" Corny said.

"I have to say something."

"Okay. Everyone. Crystal's attention, please."

"As most of you know, I am a dance coach part-time, but I need to tell you something. I have competed in two major dance competitions this month. Yes, I know it's breaking the rules, but a first, I was forced into it. So, I did city. Then…"

"Come on Crystal," Tammy yelled, "what else?"

"I earned fourth at city and qualified for regionals. Regionals were the reason I always seemed in a rush. But before Regionals…I had help from…"

I told them everything, what I continued, why I won minor competitions, for Mary. And the wrongness of it all.

Corny asked,

"You were tryin' to help her?"
"Yes."
Maybelle said,

"Crystal, hon, you're gonna do more than bail Mary out-you're goin' to teach that racist owner a lesson."

"If you guys kick Tracy off the show, I quit," Tracy yelled.

"If you did that, I don't care. It was worth it. I enjoy this show, but I also want to help people with my dancing. I thought that was what a pageant was about. I am Miss Teenage Hairspray."
"I'd have to talk to the sponsors, but I am sure they'll understand. You've done the 'helping others by dancing thing.' The coaching and now this."
"I also have passion to compete and I don't want the other guy partner to compete with at state. I'm goin' to fire Mike and choose Fender as my state partner. I'm goin' to state and you're all invited. State's here in Baltimore. Twelve young adult couples, only two will go on to Nationals."

"And who's goin' to Nationals?"
"The top two go on from each state, making, one hundred entries."

"So, if you go to Nationals, you're one of the best in Maryland?"

"Yes, I am. But there's one girl who may want it as much as I do. Her name is Amanda. She was last year's state champion and this year's regional champion. She beat me closely yesterday. I was second. She almost tripped me, during the group dance. She's a lot tougher than Amber."

"Okay," Corny added, "I'll talk to them."

After an hour of rehearsal, Corny said,

"They're letting you stay. But on one condition. After you finish these competitions, you must never compete again while on the Corny Collins show. If you do, you'll be kicked out. Promise?"

I could've said yes. I did. But no one could stop me. I wanted to be the competitive girl with the skills. I had potential and talent. I knew it. I couldn't waste it. Even if I meant it, I wouldn't stop. I never would.

"I am sorry, but I can't."

"Why?"

"Dancing is my passion and even if I cannot compete while on Corny Collins at all after this season, I may as well not be in this show at all."

I walked out of the studio. I knew what I did was right. Fender held my hand and joined me. Tracy and Link did the same.

---

What a shock! Sorry for the cliffhanger. See you in next chapter.