by Ruby Vincent
“Normally people wouldn’t care about some chess tournament,” Sofia said from her spot at my desk. She had snuck away from the cafeteria to eat dinner with me. She had asked a few times why we didn’t meet on the roof anymore but I didn’t have an answer that she would like. “But this is the latest scandal in the Evergreen Gone Wild saga and the press is hitting it hard.”
“She did an interview for the Evergreen Post. She’s saying she was sabotaged.”
Sofia swiveled around to face me. “She was.”
I shook my head as I rested my tray on my lap. “I don’t know exactly how they did it, but I’m guessing it involved some Maverick hacker magic and sneaking into the bathroom at the right time. They’re good. I might have gotten Alex to help me with the phone, but getting it into the girl’s room with security all over the place would have been too tricky.”
Sofia was quiet for a moment. “You sound impressed.”
“They did what we wanted and they did it by our rules.” I leaned back until she was partly obscured by the bedpost. “Now, there’s only Isabella.”
Sofia pushed the chair back until she found me again. “I don’t think you’ll need them for Isabella. You’ll have total and complete emotional annihilation covered when you beat her in the competition this Saturday.”
I scooped in a mouthful of honey garlic shrimp and cauliflower rice. “She thinks she’s got me beat, and with Vibes Taranto as her teacher, she’s got reason to be smug.”
Sofia laughed. “What was that? Smibes Balanto? Wanna swallow that first?”
Giggling, I did as she asked and tried again. “She’s got a hip-hop legend choreographing her moves and she’s not even kind of worried about me.”
“That will make it all the more satisfying when you beat her.” Sofia got up and joined me on the bed. “Is your mom coming to the contest?”
“She can’t. A friend is going out of town and asked her to babysit. She’s sat for me and Adam so many times; she didn’t want to say no. But the contest is being streamed live so she’s going to watch me.”
“Well, so am I. I’ll be front row—”
I opened my mouth.
“—and don’t try to tell me not to go.” She smacked my thigh. “Of course I’m going to be there.”
“Ouch,” I grumbled. “I didn’t even say it.”
“You were thinking it.” Sofia snatched my coconut cookie off my plate. “Now you’ve lost this. See what you do?”
I was stuck between laughing and wanting my cookie back. In the end, I tackled her and she guffawed so hard the cookie came back up. We were in tears—cracking up like we hadn’t done in a while, but one thought remained in the back of my mind.
It won’t be enough to beat her in the competition. I pressed my hand to my chest when Sofia turned away, feeling the tightness I knew well. Not after she posted sex flyers of me all over the school. Not after she dug her nails in my arm, trapping me while Jaxson told the world what happened to me. That would never be enough.
My hand curled into a fist, pressing harder. They better have something good planned for her because I’m all too happy to handle Isabella Bruno myself.
Chapter Eleven
My duffle bag flew off my shoulder and crashed to the ground.
“Watch it, Moon!”
Eyes narrowing into slits, I didn’t give Natalie the satisfaction of seeing me rub the spot where she ran into me. She had come to school that Thursday ten times as mean, and she was directing all that bitch energy at me.
“What the fuck is your problem?” I spat back. “How many times do I have to tell you I didn’t get you disqualified?!”
Natalie swung around. Her fists were balled up like she wanted to bury them in my face. Behind her, the bus taking us to Martindale gleamed in the blazing sun. I’d rather not throw down before the biggest competition of my life, but this girl was pushing it.
“I know it was you!” She advanced on me until she was in my face. “That phone wasn’t mine!”
I folded my arms. “You know for a supposedly smart girl; you’re acting bat-shit stupid. When did I plant the phone, Natalie? I was sitting in front of you the whole time!”
“You put it there before the tournament!”
“Security checked before the tournament!”
“I know it was you!”
“Prove it!”
“Ladies! That is enough!” Yvette shoved her way between us, sending me and Natalie stumbling away. She shot me a furious look. “Valentina, you do not have time for this. Get your things and get on the bus. As for you”—she turned on Natalie—“you are not coming with us. Go back inside.”
“But I—”
“No buts. I won’t have you causing problems with my dancer when she needs to focus. The school has been suffering under too much embarrassment and it’s past time we’ve had some positive attention.”
Natalie flushed bright red, but she didn’t back down. “I want to see Isabella compete.”
“Tough.” Yvette swooped down and snagged my bag off the floor. My arm was next. “Inside. Now.”
Yvette dragged me off leaving a steaming Natalie in our wake. A small crowd gathered in front of the door to the bus. Not many students chose to come with us, but the entire dance team was here along with Sofia, Paisley, and the Knights.
I met Ryder’s gaze for all of two seconds before looking away. Things felt even weirder now than they did when we hated each other.
Yvette clapped. “Okay, everyone. We’re leaving in five minutes. Thank you all for coming out to support the team and our contestants. That said, let me warn you the headmaster has promised severe repercussions for anyone who makes trouble.” She swept her eyes over the group. “Which no one is going to do... correct?”
Nods and murmurs of agreement went around. Yvette accepted it and finally let us board the bus.
I climbed up last and paused next to the driver. Isabella had taken up court in the middle of the bus with Airi at her side. I could hear her bragging about her routine above the noise. Sofia sat up front next to Eric and Paisley. Sitting with her was never going to happen but the two of them made sure.
I kept going until I landed on them in the back. The Knights took up the entire last row and the empty seats around them spoke to the barrier that existed between them and the regular students. I picked up my feet and walked to the back.
“...so easy. People pretend like hip-hop is hard but I’d like to see them balance their entire body on blistered toes.” Isabella’s voice grated on me as I passed by her group. “This contest is no big deal. Afterward, I’m going to my audition for the Red Shoes so we’ll make that two wins in one day.”
“Can’t expect anything less from the leader of the Diamonds,” someone replied, “and people thought she was going to take your place...”
I tuned the rest out as I made for the row in front of the Knights. I swung around and took my seat without looking at them.
Evergreen is beautiful. The campus lay before me large and magnificent, dwarfing the horizon. If only it wasn’t as much of a mask as the one we all wear.
“Are you planning something?” I asked. My eyes were fixed out of the window. “For Isabella at the contest?”
“Don’t worry about it.” Jaxson’s reply drifted through the seats. “We’ll take care of her; you bring home the gold.”
“It’s the painted plastic actually, but you don’t need to keep me out of this. I want to know.”
“You will know. After we’re done, everyone will know.”
Jaxson didn’t say the conversation was over, but the message came through loud and clear. I could have pushed it but with her only a few feet away it wasn’t the best time.
The ride to Martindale was only an hour, but it was made longer by having nothing to do or anyone to talk to. I heard the boys behind me laughing and yukking it up as they always did and Jaxson’s words were pulled from my mind.
“Sometimes things happen—big things. And it bi
nds people together so freaking tight that you have to be friends... because no one else will ever understand you like they do.”
Trees soon gave way to red-brick buildings and bustling centers as we found ourselves in the city of Martindale. That this was a wealthy place was obvious by the designer-clad couples pushing miniature dogs in strollers and the sports cars that honked at our bus before swerving off. Posters and banners for the competition began to take up every light post and storefront and I knew we were close.
The driver turned onto a narrow street and the building loomed before us. A bubbling energy that filled me whenever I danced made an early appearance.
Finally. Let’s do this.
The bus dropped us off at the entrance. The group made it two feet before a woman with a clipboard descended on us fast. I pulled up quick before she ran into me.
“You must be the Evergreen crew!” She grabbed my hand and about shook it out of its socket. “We’re excited to have you.” She peeked at her board. “I see you have two dancers in the contest.”
“That’s right.” Yvette stepped out in front of me. “Isabella Bruno and Valentina Moon.”
“Got ‘em.” She flapped a hand. “My name is Kiara and I’ll take over from here. Coach, you and the rest of your group can find your seats. We have you second row, right in the center. Ladies, follow me.”
Kiara took off at a brisk pace. I hurried to catch up with her as she led us through a cavernous room. Awe made me tilt my head all the way back to the glass ceiling. The sun shone brightly on the platform that would be my stage and surrounding it were the stands.
Kiara led us past all of that to a side hallway. People streamed around us, rushing in and out of marked doors looking as nervous as I felt.
“It’s intense back here.”
I almost tripped. “Jaxson?” I swung my head around and there he was, trailing us like it was no big deal. “What are you doing back here?”
He said nothing—just tossed me a wink.
“This is your dressing room.” Kiara had stopped in front of a door marked Evergreen Academy. “You can get dressed and do some last-minute practice in here. If you want to watch the competition; you are more than welcome. If not, I will come and get you when it’s your turn.”
“Thank you.” I was highly aware of Jaxson’s presence at my back. Isabella looked at him curiously, but didn’t comment. She turned her attention on me when I stepped forward.
“Actually”—her hand flashed out to block my way—“we can’t share the same dressing room. We’re competing against each other. I won’t have her seeing my routine.”
Kiara blinked. “Against each other? But you’re on the same team.”
The looks on our faces must have said it all because Kiara plastered the smile back on her face. “Okay, okay. Not a problem.” Her brows snapped together as she consulted her clipboard. “There are no more dressing rooms available, but there are single bathrooms that you could—”
“Good. She’ll take that.” Isabella marched inside and slammed the door behind her.
Kiara’s smile twitched as she turned it on me. “Let me show you to the bathroom.”
“Thanks.”
She led us down another hallway—yes, us. I hadn’t managed to shake Jaxson loose, but I was trusting there must be a reason he was sticking close.
“Here you are. Do you need anything before I go? Water? A snack?”
“No, thank you.” Kiara took off leaving us alone. “Is this about whatever you’re going to do to Isabella?”
“No.”
“Then why are you following me?”
“Wanted to wish you luck.” Jaxson slid his hands out of his pockets and put them on my waist. He pulled me in. “No one can dance like you, baby. The rest of those jokers don’t stand a chance. You got that?”
His hands burned through the fabric of my shirt, radiating heat through my body. His touch was so addicting. I couldn’t resist the day we spent in my bed, and it wasn’t any easier now. A smile tugged at my lips. “I got it.”
“Good.” His grin turned wicked in a blink. “Then how about a kiss for good luck?”
Jaxson leaned in, eyes fluttering shut, and I stomped on the butterflies quick enough to clap my hand on his face.
“Why don’t you grab your seat, playboy? Save that mouth for cheering me on.”
Jaxson’s laugh made his lips brush against my palm. “Whatever you say.”
He backed away, eyes on me the whole time, until he rounded the corner and disappeared.
I rubbed my hand absentmindedly against my pants as I let myself into the bathroom. It tingled where his lips touched.
It took me a second to come back down, but eventually I shook myself and opened my duffle. The outfit I chose was simple—baggy black pants and a ripped green top—but it was easy to move in. My makeup I applied with a light hand and my final touch was to put my hair in a ponytail.
There was no way I was sitting out in this bathroom and not seeing the competition. The stands were filling up fast, but I spotted our yellow uniforms easily in the crowd. There was a free seat in front of Sofia and Eric. I sat down as Kiara stepped to the middle of the platform.
“Hello, everyone, and welcome to 104 Hot FM’s hip-hop contest.” Cheers went up all around me. “We’ve got some great dancers showing their stuff today. We’re going to kick things off in a few minutes, but first, I want to introduce you to our judges.”
I tuned her out as she rattled off the names of the five people sitting off to the side. I can do this. I can win this. I will win this. I have to. Isabella is going to find out what it’s like to be a loser today.
“—get this thing started!”
Music blasted through the speakers jolting me back. The first dancer ran out to the platform and the contest was underway. To say there was some serious talent here was putting it lightly. The music was on point, the dancers hit every step and beat, and the crowd was going wild—me included. I got lost in the performances, forgetting about Isabella and all of it.
This is what I loved about dancing—the energy, the rhythm, the way it pulled me out of the darkness and made me feel like I could breathe again.
“Whoo! That was amazing, wasn’t it?” The crowd cheered the contestant off the stage as Kiara came on the scene. “Now for our next dancer... Isabella Bruno!”
“This should be interesting.” Eric’s voice floated over the noise and reached my ears. I had a feeling all the Evergreen students were on the edge of their seats for this performance.
Isabella trotted out with her head high. She went with a pink leotard under a loose tank. Stepping onto the stage, she moved to the middle and struck a pose. After a beat, the music came on and she was off.
Wow.
I wish I could have fought the thought, but that was exactly the word Isabella deserved. She had taken a chance to mix ballet with hip-hop, classical with new school, and it paid off in a big way. She was unlike any of the dancers who came before. Isabella glided from move to move, from pop to lock, effortlessly. When the music faded the roar from the crowd was deafening.
Isabella gave a small bow. On her way back up, she looked right at me and smirked.
“Wonderful! Let’s give another round of applause for Isabella!” Kiara let the crowd go on for a bit then jogged out onto the stage. “Now we have one more contestant representing Evergreen Academy—”
I took a deep breath. This is it.
“—Valentina Moon!”
I was up. I streaked across to the platform and shook Kiara’s hand to hearty cheers from the crowd, but nothing from my class. The Evergreen kids looked at me with everything from disinterest to hostility. Most of them didn’t care about my win—didn’t think it could happen.
My music came on as I pushed them from my mind. My cue pounded through the speakers and I was gone.
The song I chose was a Latin/hip-hop mix. Those were the songs Mom and I would dance to the nights she let me stay up past m
y bedtime—just the two of us having fun together. They were the songs I sang to a newborn Adam when he rested on my chest. His tiny little head tucked contentedly under my neck. It was the songs that made me want to dance. That made me think I could one day smile again even in the worst times of my life.
“And what will make it go away? What’s going to put you back together?”
The song shifted tempo and I spun, letting the tears that had been clinging to my lashes fly.
I’m going to put me back together, I thought to the question I was never able to answer before. I’ll never be so broken that I can’t find my way back. For Mom and my son... and for me... I’ll be okay.
My song neared its end and on the final word, I flipped. This was the flip I had struggled with in practice. Half the time I ended up flat on my back, but this time I knew it was perfect. My feet glided over my head as if carried by the air.
I landed with a smack and threw my hands up. The cheers from the crowd rattled the building. They battled against my eardrums as I jogged off to my bathroom. Tears flowed freely now, but they were the good kind. The kind that came with healing.
“LET’S BRING OUR CONTESTANTS back out here!”
I followed the line of people out to the stage. This was it. Fifteen competitors but only three trophies. Isabella stood at my right. Her back was ramrod straight and head held high as we looked out onto the audience.
Kiara walked in front of us with her ever-present clipboard. “In third place,” she began, “give it up for Patrice Margot of Foxhill High!”
Patrice lapped it up, pumping his fists as he ran out to get his trophy.
“In second place—”
My entire body went rigid, firming up tighter than a bowstring.
“—give it up for... Isabella Bruno!”
“What?!”
Isabella’s scream sent me rocking back. If she was in second place, did that mean—