the bathroom, hoping against hope that Marcia's watch was wrong or that it was a weekend. "I'll never make it! I am so screwed!"
Marcia felt her eyes widen, Leila was never late to anything. And here she was, with dark circles and practically teleporting out the house. Yes something was most certainly going on with her friend, and being the naturally curious person she was, Marcia wanted to know what.
***
Leila showered, dressed and grabbed a cup of coffee in record time. She dashed downstairs and flagged a cab.
When she reached the studio it was nine-thirty and her stomach was in knots.
As if on cue, everyone paused when she entered. Thankfully G.K. and his group weren't there.
"We wondered where you were, sleeping beauty," Michael's grin took the sting from his words. "Are you all right? You're never late."
Leila knew what she must have looked like, clothes rumpled, hair messy and out of breath.
"I am so sorry. The water temporarily got cut off in our building." She had no idea where the lie had came from, but from the understanding murmurs from her fellow dancers, it worked. She bent down and tied her dance shoes. "I'll catch up, I promise."
"Well we just ran through yesterday's routine so we'll start from there. But tell your building supervisor to get better plumbing." The young choreographer clapped his hands and the dancers fell into line. "Okay y'all, let's take it from the top."
It did not take long for Leila to lose her weariness and the wariness as the music fused to her soul. There was no time to wonder about G.K. or the kiss as Michael kicked their butts once more. The up-tempo steps were exhilarating and exhausting and she'd never felt better.
Several hours later, he called for a break and everyone practically crumpled to the floor.
"Man," Terrence said as he wiped the sweat from his face and arms. "I think I've lost twenty pounds in the last few days. That dude must have been a damn drill instructor in his past life."
Leila took her break time to eat some fruit and a granola bar. The coffee was a lost cause, having grown cold. She tried not to peer over her shoulder to see if G.K. had arrived. On the one hand she was relieved, considering that she'd been late to rehearsal and it was partially his fault. She was also disappointed. She wanted to see if he was just as disturbed by their kiss.
Moments later the group stepped into the studio followed by Jin Yung, but Leila had eyes only for G.K.
He wore an oversized hoodie, sweat pants, and sneakers and he looked even more delicious than before.
Jin Yung cleared his throat. "Everyone, I have an announcement to make." All eyes turned to him. "Each of you has performed admirably this week and we greatly appreciate the hard work and dedication you have shown. Regrettably, my partner and I have decided to pare down the number of dancers for this part of the tour."
Leila's jaw dropped. Worried murmurs arose from her fellow dancers. Jin Yung raised a hand to silence them. “After seeing you dance with the group, we realized that we may have chosen a slightly overwhelming number for the small stages we will be performing . You'll still be paid for all of the rehearsals you have attended this week, and those who are not chosen this time will receive a little extra plus be kept on file for the larger venues T4L will perform in."
"How many of us will you be keeping," someone behind Leila asked.
"For now, there will be only eight of you to remain."
That was only half of them, Leila thought, her heart sinking even faster.
Jin Yung continued somberly. "It may be of little consolation to you but Michael, the group and I had a very difficult decision to make in regards as to which of you will continue to the next stage. You are all incredibly talented and highly dedicated professionals whom it was a pleasure to work with."
Michael stepped in. "I know this sucks y'all and trust me it was no picnic to figure out which of you we'd have to
Marcia felt her eyes widen, Leila was never late to anything. And here she was, with dark circles and practically teleporting out the house. Yes something was most certainly going on with her friend, and being the naturally curious person she was, Marcia wanted to know what.
***
Leila showered, dressed and grabbed a cup of coffee in record time. She dashed downstairs and flagged a cab.
When she reached the studio it was nine-thirty and her stomach was in knots.
As if on cue, everyone paused when she entered. Thankfully G.K. and his group weren't there.
"We wondered where you were, sleeping beauty," Michael's grin took the sting from his words. "Are you all right? You're never late."
Leila knew what she must have looked like, clothes rumpled, hair messy and out of breath.
"I am so sorry. The water temporarily got cut off in our building." She had no idea where the lie had came from, but from the understanding murmurs from her fellow dancers, it worked. She bent down and tied her dance shoes. "I'll catch up, I promise."
"Well we just ran through yesterday's routine so we'll start from there. But tell your building supervisor to get better plumbing." The young choreographer clapped his hands and the dancers fell into line. "Okay y'all, let's take it from the top."
It did not take long for Leila to lose her weariness and the wariness as the music fused to her soul. There was no time to wonder about G.K. or the kiss as Michael kicked their butts once more. The up-tempo steps were exhilarating and exhausting and she'd never felt better.
Several hours later, he called for a break and everyone practically crumpled to the floor.
"Man," Terrence said as he wiped the sweat from his face and arms. "I think I've lost twenty pounds in the last few days. That dude must have been a damn drill instructor in his past life."
Leila took her break time to eat some fruit and a granola bar. The coffee was a lost cause, having grown cold. She tried not to peer over her shoulder to see if G.K. had arrived. On the one hand she was relieved, considering that she'd been late to rehearsal and it was partially his fault. She was also disappointed. She wanted to see if he was just as disturbed by their kiss.
Moments later the group stepped into the studio followed by Jin Yung, but Leila had eyes only for G.K.
He wore an oversized hoodie, sweat pants, and sneakers and he looked even more delicious than before.
Jin Yung cleared his throat. "Everyone, I have an announcement to make." All eyes turned to him. "Each of you has performed admirably this week and we greatly appreciate the hard work and dedication you have shown. Regrettably, my partner and I have decided to pare down the number of dancers for this part of the tour."
Leila's jaw dropped. Worried murmurs arose from her fellow dancers. Jin Yung raised a hand to silence them. “After seeing you dance with the group, we realized that we may have chosen a slightly overwhelming number for the small stages we will be performing . You'll still be paid for all of the rehearsals you have attended this week, and those who are not chosen this time will receive a little extra plus be kept on file for the larger venues T4L will perform in."
"How many of us will you be keeping," someone behind Leila asked.
"For now, there will be only eight of you to remain."
That was only half of them, Leila thought, her heart sinking even faster.
Jin Yung continued somberly. "It may be of little consolation to you but Michael, the group and I had a very difficult decision to make in regards as to which of you will continue to the next stage. You are all incredibly talented and highly dedicated professionals whom it was a pleasure to work with."
Michael stepped in. "I know this sucks y'all and trust me it was no picnic to figure out which of you we'd have to
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