Dancing Through The Pain

“Mum! We’ll be late, come on!” I shout as I run down the stairs.

“Almost ready, sweetheart,” my mother, Kate, replies as she grabs the car keys. "Your dad and Emily will meet us there later, okay?”

I nod and get into the car so she can finally drive me to dance school.

The drive takes an hour, and I spent most of it looking out of the window, feeling the cold breeze on my face while trying to remember last week’s choreography.

“Layla?” my mum’s voice pulls me back to reality.

“What’s up?” I ask.

She turns to face me, tucking her hair behind her ears, like she always does when she’s nervous. My mum is beautiful, with her perfect blonde hair and smooth, flawless skin.

“Have fun in there” she finally says, kissing me on the cheek.

“Thanks, mum.” I reply, hugging her before heading into the building.

As soon as I enter the studio, I spot my best friend, Amanda, talking to our dance teacher, Miss Avery.

“Hi! We waited for you to join us” Miss Avery says, flashing the brightest smile I've ever seen. That’s what I love about her - she’s such a cheerful, positive person.

I walk over and give her a tight hug before taking my place at the barre, right next to Amanda. We begin with warm-ups and move on to today’s choreography.

"Are you nervous about your upcoming audition?" Amanda whispers in my ear.

"Very," I manage to reply, just before Miss Avery's sharp voice cuts us off.

"Girls, what's the rule?"

"No talking while in class," we say in unison.

"Good. Now focus. You can talk later." she says firmly.

After a while, we move to the center of the room and take our positions. Miss Avery puts on today's choreography song.

"Are you ready, ladies? Let's go," she says, pressing the play button.

Before we know it, three hours pass like water, and it’s time to leave.

Amanda and I wave goodbye to our teacher and head for the exit, where my dad is waiting to take us to the mall. The rest of the family is already there. Amanda and I grew up together, so she’s basically part of the family, just like James, my other best friend.

When we arrive, my younger sister spots us and runs over to greet us. She has a soft spot for Amanda. She's like her second sister, after me, obviously.

Soon my mum joins us, and we all sit down at a table to order something to eat.

“I could go for pizza,” my dad suggests.

“And pasta,” Amanda adds.

My dad and Amanda are absolute lovers of Italian cuisine.

We all nod in agreement.

So my mum calls over the water and orders for all of us.

Suddenly, my phone buzzes.

I answer and hear James’s voice. “Hey, Layla. I missed you. I wanted to let you know I’m on my way back, so we should meet up soon.”

My smile instantly grows.

"I'm actually at the mall with Amanda as we speak," I say. "You should come by."

"Will do. See you soon" he replies before hanging up.

I turn to Amanda. "James is on his way here" I say excitedly.

"Oh my God, that's great news! I can't wait to see his stupid face," she laughs.

Time passes quickly as we chat with my family, until James suddenly appears, running towards us with his arms wide open. Amanda and I both jump up, matching his energy as we rush to hug him.

“I’ve missed you so much, my pretty ladies” James says, handing each of us a small gift.

“Oh, so you’re all English now? I tease him, mocking his accent.

James and Amanda exchange a look and burst out laughing.

“You didn’t need to get us anything.” Amanda says.

“You coming back is more than enough” I add.

Amanda and I take turns opening our gifts. He bought us matching sports jackets with the slogan of the most famous dance academy in London printed across the back.

"No way. You're the best" I say, wrapping my arms around him.

"Have I told you how much I love you?" Amanda adds, hugging him too.

The three of us have been friends for as long as we can remember, and it feels right to be together again after James spent the past year in London.

We spend the rest of the afternoon exchanging stories and catching up over food. Later, with our stomachs full, we go shopping until it’s time we head home to our families.

“See you tomorrow, guys,” we say in unison before parting ways.

It’s late when I get home. Everyone is already stretched out on the sofa watching Netflix, so I join them. First, I run upstairs to change into my pajamas, then curl up on the couch next to my little sister.

She snuggles closer, resting her head in my lap.

We watch the movie quietly, and by the time it ends, my sister is fast asleep. My father and I carry her to her room, and my mum follows to tuck her in.

"You should go to sleep too," my dad says in his sleepy voice as he walks me out of her room. "Tomorrow's a big day. You don't want to be exhausted, do you?'

I nod. "Goodnight then. I love you.” I say as I head to my room.

“Love you too, honey” both my parents reply as I close the door behind me.

I’m finally alone.

After one long, exhausting day. I can stop pretending. I take off my mask and let myself feel all the pain I’ve been holding inside.

I don’t even make it to my bed. I collapse just a few steps from the door.

Every day has been like this for as long as I can remember. By now, I’ve mastered the art of crying silently and screaming without making a sound. Don't ask me why. I don't have an answer. It's nothing and everything at the same time.

After many attempts, my eyes finally close. Sleep will let me escape my crappy life for a few hours.

Best part of the day!