Five Months

Millie

Never stop dreaming. Work hard. Pursue your goals.

That’s what I’ve always believed in.

Follow your heart. Follow your passion.

What is my passion?

One word: dancing.

“Good morning, dancers.”

Kate Marshall stands in front of us. She has never called us students, class, or something like that. For her, every person who comes to her academy is a dancer, no matter their level, and stays that way until the end.

“Dancing is not a profession. Dancing is who you are.” That was the first thing she said to us in our first lecture.

Marshall Dance Academy isn’t just a place for dance classes; it’s a deep, immersive education in the art of dance, from antiquity to nowadays.

Our mornings are filled with theory lectures, but the best part comes after—practice.

Getting accepted here is hard; graduating is even harder.

What do I mean?

One word: dancing.

Dance has to be your whole life. You work hard. There’s no time for parties, boyfriends, shopping, gossiping, or clubbing. You only have time for dance. It’s tough—brutal, even—but that’s the point. If you want to be a professional, you have to give everything.

For some, it becomes torture, and they give up in their first year.

I?

I’m still here—in my third and final year. It’s the hardest, most demanding year, but also the one that brings the biggest opportunities.

Right now, all of us are holding our breath, waiting to hear if one of us will get the chance of a lifetime.

“I’m expecting the list any moment now...” As Kate speaks, my stomach twists into a knot.

“Oh, my God, Millie, I’m gonna go crazy!”

“Carrie, shh!” I scold my best friend. She’s not the only bundle of nerves right now.

“Good news, dancers!” Kate turns to us after reading something on her computer. “There is one participant from our academy. And the scholarship goes to...”

Time slows. Every word from Kate drags on for an eternity.

“Before I announce the name, I want to tell you—”

Really, Kate? Now’s the time for a speech?

“—I want you to know each of you deserves this. You’ve all worked so hard, and I’m proud of every single one of you. But there’s only one spot, and I hope you’ll be as happy for her as I am. Without further ado—the scholarship goes to Mildred Campbell.”

Mildred. I hate that name. Mildred Campbell. But that’s me. Did I hear right? Or is my mind playing tricks on me?

“Congratulations, Millie! You are going to Ashford Growth Academy for five months!” Kate adds.

This doesn’t feel real. Only fifty dancers from hundreds of academies—thousands of dancers—are chosen for this scholarship each year.

What does this scholarship mean for a student dancer?

Everything!

Ashford Growth Academy is one of a kind—a dance school on a private island, founded by Joshua Ashford, the most famous dancer of all time. The best instructors teach there. The biggest names in dance are alumni. Joshua Ashford has connections everywhere—from movies to music videos to dance festivals. Attending Ashford puts your name at the top of every talent list.

Yet the fee is out of reach for most people. That’s why this scholarship is a once-in-a-lifetime chance.

And I won it?

I!?

This is surreal. I still can’t believe it. I feel like I’m floating. Kate’s voice echoes in my head as I slowly return to Earth. Arms wrap around me in a tight hug.

“God, Millie! I’m so happy for you! And, honestly, I envy you!” Carrie babbles at lightning speed.

As I open my mouth to answer, more hands pull me into another hug.

“Congratulations again, Millie!” Kate comes over and hugs me too. “This is a reward for your hard work. You’re the most dedicated person I know, and you fully deserve this scholarship. I know you’ll represent our academy brilliantly at Ashford.”

“Thank you so much, Kate! This would not have been possible without you!”

“No, darling. You owe it all to yourself. Never forget that—your talent and your effort made this possible!”

Kate’s words bring tears to my eyes. I barely have time to blink them away before more people surround me, offering hugs and congratulations. The euphoria is overwhelming. I see happiness for me in every face. I can’t even thank everyone fast enough.

“Come on, dancers, let’s let Millie catch her breath.” Kate returns to her desk as she speaks. All the dancers also get back to their seats, and silence falls.

“Millie,” Kate turns to me again, “your flight is in three days. Everything is arranged. You can finish your classes today, and after that you are free to take a rest.”

“Thank you, Kate. But I’m planning to spend those three days practicing even harder. I want to be in top shape.”

“I know, Millie. But you might want to spend a little more time with your family—you’ll be gone for five months.”

My family. I have to tell them. What will my father say? I’m twenty years old, and I’m still worried about his reaction. Unbelievable.

I take a deep breath, trying to shake off the thought. One thing at a time. I’ll deal with it tonight.

Now there is a schedule to follow. But I’m so happy right now that I can’t focus on class for the first time ever.

But who could blame me?

The last lecture finally ends, and Carrie and I leave the building, heading to a nearby restaurant for lunch before practice.

Our friend Ben greets us outside, “Hey ya, bitches!”

“Hi, Ben!” Carie and I reply, and we close in a group hug.

“Thought it would be just another day,” Ben says. “But now I understand we have to celebrate!”

“The news spreads fast, huh?” I say.

Carrie turns slightly, faking embarrassment.

“Carrie, when did you even text him?” I ask her.

“The moment Kate announced your name, of course!”

“You’re unbelievable!”

“Well, this news deserves to be told right away!” Ben hurries to acquit Carrie. “Gosh, you’ll meet Knox the breaker!”

“Who?” I ask.

“How did I not think of that?” Carrie exclaims. “But honestly, with Millie it’s always dancing, dancing, dancing... Who can think of anything else?” She slaps her forehead dramatically, then grabs my shoulders and shakes me. “Millie, you’re going to meet Knox the breaker!”

God, these two speak some kind of language of their own...

“Who?” I repeat my question.

“Knox the breaker!” Ben screams again.

I heard that already, boy. Still, nothing clicks. “Okay, you two, just calm down.”

Instead, they both take their phones out of their pockets.

“Look at him!” Ben shoves his phone in front of my face, while Carrie does the same from the other side.

“Knox Ashford.” They both sigh dramatically.

“Knox Ashford…” I repeat after them. “Now the name sounds familiar. That might be Joshua Ashford’s son?” I ask without even looking at the pics they are showing me.

“Yeah!” Again, the two shout in unison.

Maybe if I head to the restaurant alone, they won’t even notice I’m gone…

Nah.

Ben keeps swinging his phone left and right. Even if I wanted to see that guy, I can’t focus with all the motion.

“Look, look, look!” Ben finally stops and shows me a photo. “He’s an incredible breaker…and he’s always dancing shirtless. That’s what I call a gym body.”

Ben was straight—or so I thought—when we met three years ago at Marshall Academy. He even spent months flirting with me. But after I made it clear I only wanted to be friends, and that dance was my only focus, we kept it as best friends, along with Carrie.

In our second year, he got a bit odd and finally admitted he had a boyfriend. He left the academy for him, though that relationship didn’t last. Still, I’m happy he found the courage to come out—though he always jokes, “Millie, you made me gay. Period. But thank you!”

Anyway, after half an hour in front of the academy with Ben and Carrie competing to show me more pictures of Knox, we finally head to lunch.

While my friends gush, I enjoy my carbonara, tuning them out.

That's my time. Not some Knox’s time.

Why then is my phone in my hand, my fingers typing Knox Ashford on the search engine?

Numerous photos pop out. I stare for a moment.

What do they see in this guy?

Maybe it’s those blue-green eyes. Or that annoying smirk. The eyebrow piercing, or the one under his lip. Or maybe the well-defined abs over his tanned, glistening skin...

Whatever it is, everything about him screams bad boy. And that’s exactly the type I can’t stand.