Chapter 6 Make it Happen

Coach Hannah saw Nicky, with the cold flick of her eyes. A predator catching sight of a small animal. Sharp and abrupt. Using her remote to abruptly stop the music causing all the dancers to stop mid stride. With only a hand movement Coach Hannah gestured Nicky forward and the others back, putting Nicky center stage. Nicky went for comfort when practicing. Leggings that sat low on her hips, sports bra, loose shirt, hair tied in its signature messy knot at the back of her neck.

Coach Hannah lifted a brow, flicking her eyes over Nicky. Nicky wasn’t the stereotypical body type for a dancer. D cups and an ass to match. She was fit and strong, hated the gym and loved all things that tasted yummy. Of the women in the room Nicky was probably the heaviest by five to ten pounds at her 125lbs.

“I can see why Randal likes you.” Coach Hannah said rolling her eyes to the ceiling. It wasn’t a compliment, it was an insult. Nicky rolled her lips between her teeth to keep her retort back. Rumor was Coach Randal had cheated on Coach Hannah with a busty stripper. Coach Hannah circled Nicky, hands on her hips, her expression downright irritated.

“He always was a T&A guy.” Tony chirped with a humorless snort a half a step behind her.

Nicky remained still. Neutral, almost bored as they circled her like vultures, picking her appearance apart. With each negative Coach Hannah pointed out, Tony would spin it to a positive. They did it well the volley between their personalities. It was a familiar song and dance designed to rattle. Weed out the weak. The ones who wouldn’t hack it.

“Legs are bulky.” Coach Hannah stated her tongue clicking.

“Look at that length.” Tony whistled under his breath.

“Lines aren’t clean. Round and soft, she’ll have to be taped.” Coach Hannah heaved a big sigh of disappointment.

“Could be a draw for the missing demographic.” Tony said sing song, his head tilting back and forth.

“And what is that?” Coach Hannah demanded pointing directly at Nickys hair.

“A very healthy. Sexy coiffure.” Tony cooed easily. “It can be tamed.” He assured, though the second look he tossed suggested he wasn’t sure.

The dancers stood to the side silently judging her. No attempt to hide their contempt. Lana, the flashy blond, looked Nicky up and down scornfully. Already decided she didn’t like her. Another huffed, looking away in dismissal.

Nicky wasn’t surprised. She was their competition. Another dancer coming in to take their spot. Dancers were constantly in competition with each other. For the coach's attention. A spot in the front. A leading roll. An invitation to audition with a company. Dancing was not a team sport. Not in practice, not in performanace.

When Coach Hannah was finished, she turned and walked away instructing Tony to show her the steps. Tony was good. He ran through the five-minute mashup covering various dance styles and techniques in three minutes flat. A combination of verbal half instructions, hand gestures and a demonstration of an exaggerated point, bend and pop with flair only a gay man could pull off.

It wasn’t an overly complicated routine. A few advanced moves tossed in with some necessary basics. Kick-ball-change, box step, chases, pirouette, arabesque. A little bit from every dance genre.  With lots of room for improvised flair. Without giving her a chance to process Coach Hannah started the music and shouted out a count for.

“Five, Six, Seven, Eight.” Coach Hannah’s voice rang out above the music. A sharp crisp staccato.

Nicky moved on the last beat, leaping into the fast-paced steps like she’d been practicing it for months. It wasn’t perfect. It wasn’t meant to be. When she forgot a step, she didn’t question. Didn’t think. Just moved. Instinct and training filling in the gap. Improvisation disguised as planned movement.

It felt amazing. The straining in her muscles, when they reached for the right position. The flow of her body in time with the music. With each step her heart lifted. Pumping from excitement instead of nerves.

With the final note of music Nicky extended her leg in a point, bending at the waist stretching her arms forward popping at exactly the right time. She stood for a moment holding the pose, as the last of the musical notes faded away. Arms extended her breathing heavy, leg muscles begging to release the tight point.

The room was quiet, everyone still and unreadable as she lowered her arms and stepped back into a relaxed position. Coach Hannah’s face deceptively blank, her brow raised a spark in her eye. Beside her Tony eyes shined the corner of his mouth struggling to remain neutral. He gave Nicky an imperceptible nod and gestured for her to proceed him out of the room. Nicky tilted her head to Coach Hannah in reverence before leaving the room.

Nicky didn’t realize she’d been holding her breath until she reached the locker room. Air whooshing, her lungs screamed in protest. She bent over, hands on her knees, willing them to stop shaking.

“You good?” Tony asked dryly.

“Totally.” Nicky said straightening taking a deep breath.

“Good, Coach Hannah’s going to make you wait a few days. Then I’ll shoot you a text with the schedule.” He said crisply turning to leave. “You did good girl.” He said pausing at the door to give her a smile.

Pumping her fist in the air in silent victory, Nicky took a quick shower. Practically prancing from the building as she left. Her entire dance career hinged on getting an invitation to audition with a company. The only way to get an invite was to preform at the showcase. She’d left an entire year's worth of preparation with Coach Randal in New York. Steps to a routine she couldn’t use. Wasted time.

She needed this. The Denver showcase was so close. It was going to be hell to prepare. She’d have to eat, sleep, breath the routines to get them down in time. She didn’t have a choice. She had to be seen in that showcase.

Not just seen. Noticed. Wanted. To captivate the representative. Dazzle with her technical expertise and sensual movements. This had to go well. If it didn’t, she’d not only wasted the last year, but she’d also be wasting the next one until she got another shot. And that was just unacceptable.