This is the last chapter. Also, this story is my longest fanficton ever written. In all my years of writing stories in general, this is my longest story-It was 95 written pages.

Chapter 19: The Nationals

The morning of the Nationals was just a hectic as yesterday morning.

It would be a long day. The morning would consist of having the National Dance Competition Breakfast and pulling the numbers for the order.

Then, at noon, the competition will begin.

I may have beaten Amanda, but she was still here. For it was how she performed that would keep her towards the Top.

The number that Amanda drew was 18 out of the 101 dancers to perform. I was 55. Meaning, I had a long day ahead. Most of today would be waiting and watching until our turn. I planned to watch Amanda's performance and then I'd go to practice a bit with Fender. But it'd be a warm up, and then a change of clothes after lunch. I was to perform until 5:20 pm.

I chose to watch every person until Amanda's performance was over. I even was able to see the winner of the California State Dance Competition.

It was a strong performance to me.

Amanda performed a salsa dance. She had choreographed the routine with her partner.

Even though she was second best at state, she was showing that she was a girl with a need for competition.

When her performance ended, Fender and I went to a "practice studio" to warm-up.

I made sure our steps were even. We reviewed both our routines and we headed back performances. By that time, it was 2:10 pm and almost time for lunch. We still had three hours to perform.

Amanda said,

"Looks like you finally are going to lose."

I spat back,

"Oh, shut up, Amanda."

Amanda still hadn't learned the old saying "If you play with fire, you're going to get burned."

I said,

"I'm not the one who lost at State."

"Well, you're not in Baltimore anymore. You might want to remember that."

"I was born here in San Diego."

"But you haven't been here."

"Just shut it already," I said.

All of us ate lunch at a nearby restaurant.

Tracy told me,

"101 dance couples-ten will go on."

"I know," I began, "I might go on."

"Might?" Maybelle responded, "Girl, you're kidding. You're a dancer. And if Amanda gets far, you will, too."

"This competition has been the best in the country."

"How did Amanda do last year at Nationals?"

"Here's some information about her. Amanda and Benjamin place 17th overall at Nationals…they did not make the finals. Maryland hasn't had a dancer win Nationals yet."

"But you're better than Amanda. Her not making the finals-that because she isn't the best. However, she was in the Top 20 of the Nation."

I went back to my lunch, but my mind wasn't on it. I competed my hardest at state and I had to do it again.

After lunch, I let my food settle and watched some of the competitors. At four pm, my coach said,

"Time for you both to change into your clothes."

We did that and did our hair. Time for competition. At five, we were ready.

My coach said,

"Wait her. You two are performing in 20 minutes. If you're nearby, it'll be fine."

Tracy and everyone noticed that were waiting nervously for our turn.

Good.

Amanda was sitting in the audience. She was so smug up there! She smirked as my as if to say,

You're not as good as you think you are.

All right, I thought, Now Nationals has begun for us. We no longer have a party here. That's no longer important. Just go on to the second level.


 "And now, number 55, representing Maryland, from Baltimore and the champion of the Maryland State Dance Competition, Crystal and Fender!"

I knew it was time for our poses and began our Paso Doble dance.

It was a strange sensation to dance at Nationals, to be a perform. All my life I had dreamed of it. No matter where I competed, I seemed to have that talent.

I heard the sayings of dancing over and over again.

"No, dance with passion."

"Passion wins competitions."
"Skill gets recognized."
"A perfect partner comes once in a life time and those who get one are lucky."
Maybe I had a calling here.

THE END