We have a new longer chapter. Enjoy Crystal's first "official" dance competition.

Chapter six: A Forced Competition

My dance instructor said,

"There's a new rule. Since you're one of my more advanced dancers, you need to go to at least ONE dance competition. The city competition is first. I have at least one couple in each division. And you're one of the best. Anyway, the younger children would like to see you dance again."

"I can't, even with the ruling. Is it like some new dance studio association rule?"

"Yes, now compete."

"I can't compete in dance competitions."

"If you don't, you're fired. And you'll be banned from the studio. Let me know if you wish."

After arriving at my aunt's house, I couldn't believe I had to do the dance competition. Why now? I mean, I had always wanted to compete. Did my instructor want me to compete for real? I did want to-but at the same time-I enjoyed doing the Corny Collins show. Just then, an idea popped in my head. I'll do the competition and perform for the students. After they were going downtown in less than two weeks on the 15th. All I wanted was to dance. If I competed, would they find out? How unfair would that be! Everyone knew that rule was put in there because they want you to be committed to the show. I couldn't perform my best in the show because of this. However, I didn't have to win to go on to regionals. I just had to be at least 4th. I wasn't going to be at 100 for the competition.

Two weeks later, it was the competition day. Neither Fender nor Tracy knew that I was going for competition. I didn't want to tell them. It just wouldn't be right. I didn't want to lose my privilege of being on the show.

Today was a hot day in the city of Baltimore. Of course, I had no say that the judges were. A tall brunette woman, an elderly man, and another woman judge. I recognized one of them right away-from Miss Teenage Hairspray! That was the agent that offered me a spot on Broadway. If she noticed me, I might not be on Corny Collins anymore.

But at the same time, I was to dance with the intermediate adults just 'cause I dance ten times better than all the teens. After changing into my costume, I went to get my number.

I told the steward,

"Hello, my name is Crystal and I am here to register for the competition."

"I don't see your name on the teen list."

"I'm not on the teen list."
"Oh, here you are, adult intermediate?"

"Yes."

She handed me a number. It was 16. There were forty-five couples in our division.

Ballroom dancing is partner dancing. What troubled me a lot is that I didn't have Fender and our amazing chemistry. Luckily for me, there was a guy in my intermediate adult class that was my age.

He was a determined guy who wanted to win of course. But honestly, I didn't want him to be my partner. The weird thing was that he was flirty around me (as if I didn't have a boyfriend). He was tall person-about 5'10" and with black hair. Other girls might call him handsome. I didn't. I hated his attitude on the dance floor-he overdid it. He tried to overdo giving "chemistry" in front of everyone. I never had ANYTHING with him. He was a total pig, too. Finally, when he made me angry, he stopped messing with me. He loved to try to touch me and I hated that. I had to slap him to get him to stop. He wanted me to review the steps-so I did. I noticed none of than Amber! She was there! At the dance competition! I wondered why she was here.

I walked up to her and said,

"What are you doing here?"

"Crystal, you're competing?"

"Yes, our coach made us, right?"

"Your dance instructor is also my dance instructor. I am in the advanced teen class."

"Amber how'd you know I'd be here?"
"Your dance instructor wanted me to compete. She feels that you are here so you won't get fired. Or lose studio privileges. So as a requirement, you had to compete."

"I have to compete because she said I had the skills to win state."
"Let me see it."
As much as I hate Amber, I wasn't goin' to perform at 100. I wondered if I'd win, even with a low effort.

Amber, then said,

"Just because I am banned from Corny Collins doesn't mean I banned from dancing. Anyway, Corny Collins wasn't worth it anyway-even though I was the best among losers."

"Amber, you don't know anything."

The teens were in the middle to perform. Amber's division made her look good-or she had improved. I did notice that. I knew I could still kick her ass.

At our performance, Mark and I did fairly well again, close to the top, but not ahead. Everyone waited for the results. Who'd go to regionals? The division results were announced.

"Okay…fourth in advanced teen is…"

"Third is…"

"Second place in Advance Teen is Amber Von Tussle and Mark Smith."

Amber was not overly excited about second place, but she acted like it was first 'cause to most, it was still a regional qualification

When it came to the adult division, the top four were going on.

"Fourth is Crystal and Mike, the youngest couple to qualify for regionals in this division."

Amber was unhappy that Crystal received no money. Now everyone knows that she received a trophy. She had to get the best out of Crystal.

She told the dance instructor,

"I don't think she wants to be here. You should give her one-on-one practice, as you do with me. We have to if we're going to regionals."
"Yes, Amber, you're right."