#5 Not What I Expected by Laurie Friedman Page A

laughing.
    â€œI’m so happy for you!” she said. “I can’t wait to see you dance.”
    One of the things I like best about Sophie is her enthusiasm. Knowing she’ll be there the night of the show made me feel really good, but there was someone else I wanted to be sure would be there too. I hung up with Sophie and called Leo.
    When he picked up, I told him about my solo. “It’s a little scary,” I admitted. “I can’t imagine what it will be like to dance by myself in front of so many people.”
    â€œIf this is an invitation, you might want to reconsider,” said Leo. “I’m not the best dancer.”
    â€œHuh?” I was confused.
    â€œYou’re inviting me to dance with you, right?” said Leo. “Like a duet.”
    â€œI want you to come to the show, not dance with me!”
    Leo laughed. “Of course I’ll be there. I was just teasing you.”
    â€œOh,” I said. Sometimes Leo’s humor goes right by me. He can be so weird and goofy. “Are you sure you want to come?” I asked.
    Leo stopped laughing. “I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”
    Tuesday, November 25, 10:02 p.m.
    Longest. Day. Ever.
    All I did today, besides go to class and eat, was dance. Ms. Baumann met me in the gym before school and during my free period to work on my solo. Emily came to practice to help coach me through it. “You got it,” she said after I’d done it for what felt like the hundredth time.
    I sure hope so. The dance show is tomorrow.
    Wednesday, November 26, 5:05 p.m.
    Good news!
    â€œI sold my line!” Mom said as soon as she walked into the house. She just got home from Atlanta (which is a good thing because I have to be at the auditorium at 6:00 p.m.). It was obvious Dad had already heard because he and Mom exchanged happy looks, but it was news to May and June and me. We all hugged her. “Mom, that’s so great!” I said.
    She smiled at me. “We’ll have plenty of time to talk about it later,” she said. “But right now you have a show to get to.” Then Mom led me back to my bathroom and brushed my hair into a high ponytail and coiled it around into a bun. “Ready?” she asked.
    I nodded.
    Off I go.
    10:32 p.m.
    Post-show
    Tonight was unforgettable in so many ways.
    When I got to the auditorium, I was so nervous. I tried to calm myself down by thinking about Leo and Sophie and all the people who would be there silently cheering me on. I thought about some of the things Natasha had said at yoga, and I even tried her deep-breathing technique. I knew I was prepared, but as the sounds of the packed auditorium drifted backstage, my stomach was in free-fall mode. I thought it might drop out of my body.
    Walking out on stage when the show started and doing the opening dance with the rest of the team was a blur. My jazz solo was the sixth dance in the lineup, and as each of the dances before it finished, I felt myself getting more and more nervous. When it was my turn, Ms. Baumann mouthed for to me to go. Emily was watching the show from the wings, and she squeezed my hand. As I walked onstage, I looked out into the audience, and I remember thinking that the lights were blindingly bright and I was glad I couldn’t make out individual faces. I silently went over the advice Emily had given me earlier today. Smile. Focus on each step. Dance like no one is watching.
    Then the music started, and I focused on the dance. Jump. Hitch kick. Chassé. Split leap. Double pirouette. Step after step until I’d finished.
    When I was done, I heard applause. I couldn’t believe I’d done it. I saw Ms. Baumann signaling for me to curtsy. “Good job,” she mouthed as I walked off stage. I think she was actually smiling. Emily hugged me. So did Brynn. I was relaxed and happy as I danced the freshman group dance and then the finale with the rest of the team.
    After the