Chapter 3
The ILBPC
Katey ran into a classroom numbered 239 huffing and puffing.
"I'm so sorry Mrs. Caughfield...Rosalyn was late for school, and then she forgot her lunch..." Katey began to apologize furiously to a red haired middle-aged woman.
"It's quite alright, Katey. Just don't let it happen again." Stated Mrs. Caughfield in her British accent, which she gained from the many years living in London teaching dance.
Katey gave Mrs. Caughfield a smile, thanking her.
"Now class, I know ever since Friday you've been waiting to hear what I've been wanting to tell you for a long time," said Mrs. Caughfield with a smirk. "How many of you have heard of 'The International Latin Ballroom Pairs Competition'?"
No one's hand raised.
"Well, I'll be damned," said Mrs. Caughfield in a bewildered voice, she sighed loudly and then continued. "The ILBPC is a world renound Latin Ballroom dancing contest. For the last five years, Cuba, has won the contest. This year, Radcliffe has been selected to represent America, that means one of you might be chosen to compete in the contest, and it's not only glory you'll be winning, but money and two scholarships too. For the semi-final, $10 000 dollars, and for the final, 100 000 dollars and two scholarships. So, by the end of this month I will have chosen two of you, one girl and one boy. You two will become partners. For the next 3 months you will have time to make a routine and get used to each other...while vacationing in Cuba."
At this many cheers and gasps were heard from the class. But from Katey, all that she could do was turn horribly pale.
"That is right," Mrs. Caughfield continued again. "The two students I choose will be flying of to the country that last won the contest to represent America in the contest. You will be staying at the Oceana hotel and will be making up for your other classes at the Havana University and practicing your routine there too. Now that is all for today class, I'm giving you all the rest of the day off to reflect over what I've just told you. I expect you'll all come back refreshed and ready for a hard day of class."
Mrs. Caughfield grabbed her purse and left the room serenely.
"Can you believe it?" asked a brunette girl.
"Believe what Sadie?" answered Katey coolly.
"That two of us might be going to Cuba! To compete in one of the greatest dance contests ever!" yelled Sadie loudly with excitement.
"Yeah, I know..." Katey said trailing off."
That night, all Katey could think about was her time in Cuba in 1958 and, Javier. She pulled out a silver chain from under her shirt and watched the ring Javier had given her before she left Cuba twirl around. She let her hand limply fall down to her side. She turned on her side and tried to get sleep. Even though there was a chance of seeing Javier again, which she feared, she was still going to give it her all at class the next day. Katey's eyes gingerly closed as the music of Cuba slowly drifted into her dreams.