Show Time
By: Alayna Rivera and Elena Opp

It was a chilly Monday morning in Brooklyn, NY. The sky was  purple and orange from the sun still rising and pollution in the air. As I walk down the sidewalk, I cross to the other side of the street, avoiding running into the homeless man. This girl Gigi told me that he’s a drug dealer, but I don’t if I should believe her. 
I saw the bus and started running for it. I got on and it took off. We started down New York Avenue I thought about how horribly I've been stressing since thanksgiving. About how today’s the day that it gets worse or better. December 12th my friend Mitch and I signed up for the winter showcase. Mitch composed and played his music, and I danced to it. We attend New York City High School for the Performing Arts holds. The show is a chance for artists to get looked at by the colleges and broadway and off broadway scouts. This weekend I've been anxiously dreading the letter sent to Mitches apartment.
The bus stopped in front of my school and I got off. I hung my dance bag and my backpacks on my shoulders and headed into school. Mitch's face came into sight immediately.
“Hey Mitch.”
“Hey, Quinn. How was your weekend?”
“Fine,” I lied.
"Guess what,” he's said in a boy-do-I-have-something-to-tell-you sort of way.
“What?”
“I got the mail today”
“Do you mean the mail” I asked urgently. I was shocked that he got it this early.
“I mean the mail...”
“So what did it say?”
“We are in.”
It took me a minute to process. It felt like a thousand pounds had been lifted off my shoulders. Now we just have to pray that after we audition we will get into the show. They only choose people to audition who are worth their time.I couldn't believe it. I was so excited I wrapped my arms around Mitch and hugged him so tight.
“Quinn! I've never seen you so happy!” he laughed.
“I’m so happy. You know, you deserve this.”
“Nah,” he said as if he was doubting himself, “we deserve this.” he finished with a mischievous grin. I punched him in the arm and laughed. He hugged me this time.
This will be my big chance to be noticed. Anyone who's anyone will be at this show, and this year, I'm in it. Our performance, needs to be perfect.
We walked down a few halls, headed for our lockers, that were right next to each other, and put away the books that we didn’t need.

The day went by quickly. I had my favorite two classes at the end of the day, Dance and off period. This gave me time to work on choreography for the audition.
It was time for dance. I walk in, get out my black jazz shoes, and put them on. Ms. Annette waved to me and I waved back smiling. She double tapped the meter stick she always carried on the floor.
“How's everyone’s day?” Ms. Annette asks happily.
I heard continous, goods, greats, and okays. “Good,” I added. “I got an audition for the Winter Show…” I say trailing off not talking to anyone particular.
“YOU WHAT?!” Sheila, another dancer in my class, screamed leaping over to me with the other dancers.
“Mitch and I got a spot.”
“Thats wonderful! I’m so happy for you! This is your big break, don’t let anyone get in the way.” Ms. Annette says thoughtfully.
“Thanks.”

Dance class ended, and study hall began. Mitch gave me the rough cut to his music. He said that he wanted to do a performance based on the holidays or Christmas in particular, and because it's my favorite holiday, I'm totally in.

I stay in the dance room so I can begin working out a routine. As I study my water bottle, I notice I'm out of water, so I go to refill it. To my left are some people from band, who need to retake the class. To my right was my brother talking to some girl. She looked familiar from behind but I couldn't tell who it was because I couldn't see her face. She looked kind of sloppy, especially standing next to my brother who was super clean cut. I decided to walk up and say “hi” to see who it was.
  "Hey Alex!" I said too enthusiastically.
  "Oh, hey Quinn." He crumpled something up and stuffed it in his pocket. "What's up?."
  "Okay," I said suspiciously, wondering what he put in his pocket. I turned to my left and saw Gigi. Then I got REALLY suspicious of what he put in his pocket
  "Oh my gosh Quinn! She wrapped her arms around me and I just stood there uncomfortably. She reeked of smoke and was clearly not herself at the moment.
  "Yeah it's been a while I guess." I had been making an effort to stay away from her because she started using drugs and I didn't want to get wrapped up in it.
  " Quinnn," she slurred, "we need to hang out. The pad, today?"
"No I can't today sorry, I… I have lots of homework."
  "Well your little bros coming after baseball."
"Alex can't either." I panicked. Alex could not go to the pad.
  "Huh?" Alex said.
  “It's our parents, they want us home after our activities for dinner. Sorry G."
The bell rang before anyone could respond. I decided to go and watch Alex's practice, just to make sure he came home with me. The bus ride home was quiet, mainly us on our phones playing Two Dots.

We made our way up to our apartment and I shuffled that key trying to find the right one. To my surprise, Mom and Dad were actually waiting for us with dinner already made, just like I said, though I had come up with it when I had said it.
  "Hi kids, how was school today?" Asked Mom.
  "Come and eat, I made spaghetti, meatballs, and garlic bread." Said Dad.
Italian was served on a regular basis in my house. You could never get enough Italian.
  "Today was good, how was your day." I asked.
  "Productive.” Mom responded.
   “Good for you mom! How was your day dad?”
  “Productive as well.” he responded. “Alex, how was your day?”
  “You know, same old, same old.” he said as he took a large bite out of a meatball.
  “Any details?”
  “Oh yeah, we talked to Gigi today.”
  “And never again.” I piped in.
  “Why?” Mom and Dad asked at the same time.
  “Yeah, why?” Alex sounded confused.
  “Come on Alex, you smelt her too. She’s on drugs. I dont want to be apart of that. Neither do you.” I said, straight to the point. I didn't want anyone to have a misconception of the facts. Sure, maybe I sounded a little mean, but I'm just looking out for my brother.
He looked at me defensively, “ No she's not! How could you say that? She's been your best friend since kindergarten!"
  "Look, we were friends, yes, but I told her that she couldn't do those sort of things around me, and she did. Why do you think she'd be any different around you? I'm not gonna let someone who clearly doesn't care about what my boundaries are as a person be in my life, into yours.”
  "Well I obviously didn't know she’s a druggie, okay. I wouldn't intentionally chose to hang with them." Alex responded.
  Mom then spoke."I completely agree with your sister Alex. You shouldn't of been planning to do anything with this girl in the first place."
  "I didn't even suspect she did drugs! It's not like I was looking for a hook-up, I mean come on. That's not my thing, you all know that."
  "You need to be a better judge of character. I know you wouldn't choose to do drugs, but the people you hang out with is a reflection of who you are as well, and there actions could rub off on you."
  "Alright! Haven't I made it clear I won’t hang out with them?"
  "Okay." I said, feeling bad for him.
  "Okay," Dad said.
       Dinner ended and I helped my mom clean up, as always.
  When I was getting ready for bed, I realized I had never told anyone about getting into the show. I had just gotten out of the shower, and my hair was soaked so I put it up in a towel, put on my pajamas and walked out to the living room where everyone was sitting in the dark, on our comfy black leather couch, watching an episode of the Simpsons.
  "Hey guys I forgot to tell you," I paused to gather their attention.
   "Forgot to tell us what, hunny?" mom asked.
  I smiled with excitement, "Mitch and I got an audition for the winter show!" There was lot of excitement and hugs kisses. My parent seemed so proud.
     I called Mitch before going to bed.
“Hey M,”
“Hey. I'm so proud of us. I can’t stop thinking about it.”
“Me too. Do you want to meet early tomorrow and work on it?” I ask.
“Sure, pick you up at 6:30?”
“Yes! Thanks Mitch you're the best.”
“I know, see you tomorrow.” We both chuckle.
“Bye." I smiled to myself and hang up the phone.
I wake up to the sound of my alarm and get ready faster than usual.
“Come on Quinn! Lets go!” I hear vaguely from my window. Mitch was standing where he normally stands. Right under my window outside. I run down the stairs and close the door.
“Hey,” I gave Mitch a big hug.
“Hey,” he hugged me back.
            We started walking to school, since he picked me up a little early. We used to always walk to school when we were little. As we pass the homeless guy, he stared at us. Mitch grabs my hand and swings it with his. It really didn’t mean anything, because we were such good friends, it came naturally. We kept walking, talking about everything. It was great how I could be myself around him.
     We finally got to school and went into the dance studio. Mitch started to play his music and I did part of my routine.
“Your an amazing dancer Quinn.” Mitch says thoughtfully.
“Why thank you.” I replied, almost flirty.
       We worked until the bell rang. It was time for homeroom. Luckily, Mitch and I had it together. We got all of our stuff from the dance room and headed for our lockers.

The next couple weeks were consisted of nervousness, anxiety, and pure joy.
It was the last day of rehearsal.
“Wanna get some dinner after this?” Mitch asks.
“Sure!” We got packed up and locked the door to the dance studio. We walk to the main doors when someone catches my eye. I turn to look to see Gigi and Alex whispering. This couldn’t be good.
“Here you wait outside. I’ll be right there. I’ve got to go to the ladies room.” You say to Mitch as you walk towards Alex and Gigi.
“Hey guys,” I say clearly interrupting.
“Hey Quinn! Nice to see you!” Gigi leans in for a hug. I turn to Alex and diss her.
“What are you doing?” I ask Alex giving him the evil eye.
Nobody answered me so I just left. I look back to see Gigi trying to shove something into my brother pocket. Alex wouldn’t take it. I just give her the death stare and walked away.
Mitch was waiting for me outside, “Hey sorry for making you wait.”
“Its okay, lets go.” Mitch replys taking my hand.
After dinner we went home. Tomorrow was the big day.
I call Gigi and tell her she is no longer my friend. We talked and I told her why and she understood. I went to bed ready for tomorrow.
My mom came in and woke me up. It was 6:30. At first I groaned but smiled once I had realized what day it is.
I got up and checked my phone. No notifications. I decided to call Mitch and see if he was awake. Of course, he answered.
“Good morning and GET UP!” I yelled into the phone. “Todays the big day.” I sang
“Okay.” Mitch says in his irritated tired voice. “Meet me at the bus stop in 15.”
“Okay.” I hung up the phone.
I Jumped in the quickest  shower of my life. I did my hair and makeup and picked out my outfit. I also put my costume and show make-up in my bag for the audition later.
I met Mitch at the bus stop at exactly 6:45. He dragged himself to the bus stop. He wasn’t a morning person. We both get on the bus and talk about everything.
By the time we were settled in homeroom, they called our names over the intercom. We looked at each other with excitement. I grabbed my bags and speed walked into the auditorium where auditions were being held.
      We walked up on stage and greet the judges.
“Here we go,” I mutter under my breath.
“Hello, I am Quinn Sandoval,”
“And I am Mitchell Grant.” He said and took his set in the piano chair.
I take a deep breath as Mitch starts playing the piano. I start to dance. My body flows with the music like I was meant to be a snowflake floating in air. The movements are controlled and elegant, and I had perfect technique on every move. I took a leap and when my foot hit the ground, the music hit a super deep note and everything paused. Right on cue. Then suddenly it started in a fast and joyful melody and I started the climax of the routine. The leaps that did not dare make a sound when I landed, the kicks, the hands, toes, pirouettes, my emotions, everything was timed perfectly and done with a direct but graceful motion, like I had wished. When the last few counts of eight ticked in my brain I finished it off with a Calypso leap turn, looked to my left and right (like I heard something), did a front Aerial, and descended to the ground as the music slowed, as if to fall asleep.
         Mitch looks at me and smiled as we bowed and walked off stage.
“Thank you," we said together. We were amazing, and we knew it.

2 weeks later.
“We are in! I just got the email!” I scream onto the phone to Mitch.
“I knew we could do it.” He assures me.

      The next week we performed on a bigger stage in front of a  bigger audience, but we weren't as nervous. We knew we could do it.