Page 38 of Ask No Questions

Cassie remained next to me and introduced me to the other girls as they arrived. The majority of them seemed nice enough, but I could easily spot which girls were not welcoming of new arrivals. The instructor walked in, wearing a beige sweater knotted over her black leotard and had a severe bun that emphasized her stern expression. Her appearance alone commanded strict obedience. Immediately, all chitchat cut off, and the girls moved into straight rows without one spoken direction.

Cassie nodded her head to the left so I followed her and we took positions next to each other. Quiet music filled the room as the instructor turned toward us.

“Good evening, class. I see a new face has joined us. Your name?” She was standing in perfect first position as if it was the most natural thing.

“I’m Aubrey Tate. This is my first class at the studio.”

“Miss Tate, I hope you are adequately prepared for this class. If not, I will ask you to leave. Being friends does not mean you are of equal ability.”

Was this woman serious? The class hasn’t even started, and she’s threatening to kick me out?

“I understand…”

“Miss Amy. You will only address me as Miss Amy.”

I nodded. “Yes, Miss Amy.”

I thought I caught the smallest hint of a smile, but it could have been the lighting. “Very well, let’s start class. Begin stretches.”

Without any further instruction, I glanced around and followed the others through the various stretches as Miss Amy strode around the room observing. It was several minutes later that she spoke again.

“To the barre, ladies.” We each stood and drifted to the mirrors along the perimeter of the room and placed on hand lightly on the barre. “Plié.” I bent my knees instinctively and counted in my head as I went through the familiar motion.

A few eight counts later, she barked again, “Tendu rigid structure.” I followed along with the girls around me and got lost in the movements. This was all second nature to me, so I had to remind myself to keep my posture and remember my lines so I didn’t appear sloppy.

“Battement tendu jete.” I made the change seamlessly and felt Miss Amy’s eyes on me. I held my head high and tried not to get ahead of the counts. My pulse was rushing as everything in my body once again felt as if it had a purpose and position. I had been craving this feeling without realizing it. My life always felt in order when I was dancing. I forgot the drama with the guys and focused only on my body bending and moving flawlessly.

“Ronds de Jambe.” Once again, she changed command without warning. I flowed into the graceful movement. I kept my shoulders and back pin straight as Miss Amy glided up behind me and watched my movements with the intensity of a hunter watching its prey. I refused to let her gaze frazzle me in the slightest.

“Port des bras.” She changed much sooner this time, but I merged into the move without missing a count. I kept my legs locked in place and extended my arms paying special attention to keeping my back straight as I bent forward then back. She gave no comment but clucked her tongue as she moved past me.

Had I messed up or was that a cluck of endearment? Before I could mull this over anymore, she spoke again. “We will finish with Frappés.” She counted off for the first time, and the other girls immediately fell into the routine. I was reminded how slow I’d become in just two weeks off as I struggled for the first time in the class to keep up. I told myself I needed to refocus on what is important to me rather than wasting time on boys and formal dances.

Miss Amy ended the class and excused everyone. Girls changed their shoes and pulled on pants and jackets before gathering their things to leave. Miss Amy caught me as I was walking out the door. “You did well for your first time. You need to practice on your own, but I think we can improve your technique.” I nodded in agreement. “Are you auditioning for the company team?”

“Yes, Cassie told me the auditions are this Saturday.”

“Very well. Practice before then. I will see you on Saturday.” I took that as my cue to leave, so I headed out the door and waved to Cassie as I got in my car to drive home.

Seventeen

Mckayla had done a lot of the work behind asking Sean to the formal, so it was pretty easy. The plan for Alexis and Talia to ask Justin and Mark was more challenging and required more scheming. They bought window paint the night before, and during lunch, we devised our plan. Mckayla and I were going to stay after school and write on their cars during their practice so it would be a total surprise for the guys.

Once they started practice, Mckayla and I snuck through the parking lot to the first car. We were trying to be stealthy but ended up laughing the whole time.

“You have to stop laughing! We’re ninjas right now, and ninjas don’t laugh.” Mckayla was definitely trying to be serious, but I ended up laughing so hard I had to stop and catch my breath.

“You’re laughing too. Plus, they’re inside, and it’s not like they’re going to hear us.” I continued sneaking behind her, half hunched over between cars.

“Someone could appear at any moment and report us!”

“Seriously, do you hear yourself? The only people left here are people with practices. No one is going to report us. Who would anyone even report us to?” Ha! That stumped her for about two seconds. We were almost to the first car when I heard a chuckle coming from behind us.

We both slowly turned still hunched over and saw a girl staring at us with her keys held out like she was ready to get into her car. “Um… what are you guys doing?”

Mckayla sighed in relief. “Oh, hi, Kelly. We’re on a mission for Talia and Alexis.”

The girl stuck one hip out with her hand on it and gazed at us with a curious expression. “A mission?”