Entry #1: Time for Class
Skyler Thomas scanned the mirrored dance room through the observation window in the lobby of The Complex, one of the most well known dance studios in Los Angeles, California. She knew the class had sold out, all the social media posts had been boasting about it for weeks.Sold out in record time! Our most popular choreographer returns for only one night and sells out within hours!
Skyler rolled her eyes at the unwanted attention, grateful that the kids inside couldn’t see her. A few of the students were stretching, most were showing off for their fellow classmates, and the rest were chatting while they sized up the competition. It was the quiet stretchers that Skyler would be watching. They were the ones who were truly hungry for what she had to offer.Which is not much, but I’ll give it my best shot.
Chatter from the moms in the waiting room reached Skyler’s ears as she continued to watch the students. Of course, they were boasting about their own children to anyone within earshot, and a few even had the audacity to wonder aloud why Skyler Thomas, of all people, was worthy of such a prestigious time slot.
All the hype was overblown. A show off. Past her prime. Thirsty for compliments. Let these kids have their moment now. Stop stealing the limelight.
It was all the same tired lines Skyler had heard a million times before. Just a washed up former competitor who can’t let go of her past. Can’t move on to a real life.
And maybe they were right. Maybe they knew her better than she knew herself.
“Or maybe they’re full of crap and you’ve earned the right to teach the next generation what you know.”
Skyler grimaced at the unbidden voice of her ex-boyfriend, Will. He’d always been so encouraging.
Until he wasn’t.
She tightened her long brown ponytail and forced Will’s face out of her mind. Now was not the time to wade into that dumpster fire. Not when she had a room full of eager teens to teach for the next ninety minutes.
Skyler put a hand on the door handle, but before she could turn it, she heard an all too familiar scoff from behind her. A quick glance in the window’s reflection confirmed Skyler’s worst fears.
Stacy?
What the hell was she doing here?
Skyler thought she’d closed that chapter on her life a long time ago, but all it took was that one small noise from the woman who had made her junior year of high school a living hell to bring it all flooding back.
Senior year of high school was supposed to have been her best year. She was at the top of her game with an amazing boyfriend and a mom who had finally, finally woken up to Skyler’s suffering and was letting her do what she wanted to do. No moresponsorships. No more stupid photo shoots in uncomfortable costumes. No more spandex. No more rhinestones. Just dance. When she wanted. Where she wanted.
Skyler had been more than ready to enjoy the year.
And then it all went to hell in a hand basket. But that was seven years and a mental breakdown for another day. Right now, she had a class to teach.
Choosing to ignore rather than engage with Stacy, Skyler opened the door and went inside to greet her dancers.
“Good afternoon, everyone!” Skyler shouted with forced cheer.
Skyler guessed that just over half of the thirty teens in the room echoed her greeting. The rest stared at her with mixtures of awe and suspicion. But one student stood out from the rest. A tall brunette that bore a striking resemblance to someone Skyler had fought hard to forget. That was why Stacy was in the waiting room. Mackenna had a little sister. Interesting.
Skyler let out a slow breath and forced her gaze away from the girl. “My name is Skyler Thomas and I’ll be teaching you today. For the next ninety minutes, all I ask of each of you is that you have an open mind and a willingness to learn. Now spread out. Let’s stretch.”
Over the next twenty minutes, Skyler patiently walked the dancers through how to effectively stretch to avoid injury, taking careful stock of the ones that rolled their eyes at her instructions. They would be some of the best dancers, no doubt. It was always that way. The ones least willing to take her instruction were the ones who would be able to showcase her choreography the best.
But, once again, Skyler wasn’t interested in them. Skyler wanted the kids that hid in the back row. The one in the corner hanging on her every word. The one who wasn’t the most flexible in the room, but tried their hardest to follow each instruction Skyler gave.Thosewere the students Skyler wanted to reach the most.
She took the students across the floor to assess their technical skill. It was clear that “advanced” meant different things to different studios and their teachers. But Skyler was pleased to see that each and every one gave their all. Some showed more promise than others. Some were almost flawless in their technique. Most were show-offs who highfivedtheir friends when they’d finished.
When it wasmini-Mackenna’sturn, Skyler found herself paying extra attention despite her desire to ignore her completely simply because of who she had the misfortune to be related to. She was quieter than Mackenna, and there was no one to high five her when she finished, even though many eyes watched her just as closely as Skyler did. Skyler’s eyebrows went up as she watched the girl execute thebattementcombination better than almost everyone else. And yet, the teen finished, walked silently to the back of the line, and watched her fellow classmates take their turns.
It was so perplexing that Skyler almost forgot to watch everyone else, but she forced her gaze away from the teen for the time being. There was still the choreography to get through. The hardest part, but also the most fun.
After the choreography had been taught, it was time to split the dancers into groups to allow them to dance more fully. During the first rotation, Skyler allowed them to split themselves into groups of six. Friends tended to dance better with friends. Comfort levels were important. But those who came without friends were left to dance uncomfortably with each other in the final two groups. While the others were busy congratulating each other and judging those who weren’t in their groups, Skyler was busy selecting those she would single out for the required social media post.
Only three dancers would be selected to perform with Skyler at the end of this master class. But first, Skyler decided it was time to throw them all off their game. Skyler mixed up the groups so that none of the obvious little cliques were dancing together. The show-offs and natural leaders of each group shoved their way to the front, but Skyler was having none of that. She pointed to the back row, and sent them on their way.
It only took a bit of effort to hide her smirk at their grumbles and dirty looks. Despite their obvious talent, Skyler wasn’t interested in them. She wanted to see the hidden gems.
And they did not disappoint.
But perhaps the most surprising of them all was mini-Mackenna. Skyler pulled her aside during their final water break and introduced herself properly.
“I know who you are,” mini-Mackenna saidmatter-of-factly.
Skyler smiled. “I’m sure you do. I didn’t even know Mackenna had a sister. I’m sorry.”
The teen snorted. “I’m not surprised. I’m only her half-sister. We have the same dad.”
Skyler blinked, that made so much more sense. “Do you have a good relationship with Stacy?” She couldn’t help the glance at the observation window where Stacy was no doubt watching like a hawk.
Mini-Mackenna shook her head. “Not even a little bit. Mackenna talked me into coming today, but she couldn’t bring me. She teaches at a studio down Riverside. I can’t remember the name of it right now. Stacy offered to give me a ride. You don’t refuse, you know?”
Skyler let out a slow breath and nodded. “Oh, I know all too well.”
“I’m Ronny, by the way.” She stuck out her hand rather awkwardly and Skyler took it with a warm smile.
“It has been a true delight to teach you today, Ronny. You’ve been doing very well today.”
Ronny blushed and looked down at her feet. “Thanks,” she mumbled.
Skyler looked around the room at all the other students. “You’ve been in the middle of these guys all afternoon. Who would you choose to dance with me?”
Ronny looked up at her, surprise written all over her face. “Um.” She looked around at her fellow classmates. “That guy, the one with the black shorts, has good extensions and he can turn like no one I’ve ever seen before. I’d pick him. That one girl in the light blueleoback there. She’s probably the best dancer in here.” She paused and scanned the room again, appearing to genuinely think it over. “And Shannon. You should choose Shannon.”
“Which one is Shannon?”
Ronny sighed. “The one in maroon with the gray sweats.”
“You know her?”
“Yeah. We go to the same studio. She doesn’t like me, but she’s really good.”
Skyler wasn’t surprised by any of Ronny’s choices. All three had been among the cliquey groups that Skyler had had to separate. They were the best. And unfortunately they knew it, too.
“Not you? Most of these kids would kill to dance for the video.”
Ronny shook her head. “They’re better choices.”
Skyler watched her for a moment as she played with the hem of her shorts. “Thanks for chatting. Go get some water. But let’s talk after, okay?”
Ronny nodded and hurried away.
Each group took one more turn, while Skyler made her final selection. This was the part Skyler had been dreading since the moment she agreed to do this class. She knew why it was important to post the final result of her dance, using the best performers, but she hated the way it would make the rest of the students feel. And the inevitable irate parents yelling at her and filing complaints with the host studio because Skyler had “played favorites” and “chosen her friends” to be featured.
She’d learned to brush them off, but the initial sting always hurt no matter how thick she’d tried to build up her skin. Skyler hated them all.
But time was running out and she couldn’t put it off any longer. She clapped her hands to get everyone’s attention. “I want to thank each and every one of you for your hard work and dedication to class today. You are all truly exceptional dancers. If you’d like a copy of your group’s final runthroughs, there’s a table set up in the lobby with a sign-up sheet and the videographer’s contact information. I need the following students to remain for the final performance. Leo Brown, ShannonMatrone, and Tamara Hamilton. The rest of you, give yourselves a hand, and thank you for making today such a memorable experience. You are dismissed.”
Skyler stood back as the students filed out. The inevitable tears, grumbles, and hard stares were thrown at Skyler as they left. Skyler made eye contact with Ronny and jerked her head to the side. Ronny frowned, so Skyler made acome heregesture and Ronny scooted out of the crowd to stand off to the side. Skyler felt bad about the dirty looks Ronny received at being asked to stay in the room, but there was nothing for it. Skyler had something special planned for Ronny.
“Thank you so much for this opportunity, Miss Skyler,” Tamara simpered. “I’ve been a huge fan of yours since I was a little girl.”
Skyler smiled the smile of the obligated and thanked her. “You ready, Jeff?”
The videographer gave her the thumbs up and Skyler arranged the three behind her to give Jeff the best angle on each of them.
“Let’s do this.”
