Billionaires Don’t Fall For Awkward Girls by Emma Dalton

Chapter Seventeen

I swallow as I peek into Studio A, where the dance qualifiers are being held, and find it packed with people. Charlie, Ally, and Kara sit in the back, the three of them talking excitedly.

I return to Studio B where the dancers are warming up. Glancing at myself in the mirror, a smile tugs my lips. I love my dance costume—I made it myself. It’s red and black with glittery letters. My hair is pulled into a high ponytail and Ally helped me with my makeup—whatever skills she learned from her sister Amanda, which isn’t a lot.

All the other dancers are warming up or checking their makeup or talking excitedly to their fellow dancers. When there are about ten minutes before the competition starts, Easton Knight Sr. walks inside with his wife Celine and a news crew. They’re informing the audience at home about the event and how much it means to them.

My neck stretches as I search for their son. Maybe he’s not involved in this event. Then I spot him a few steps behind his parents, talking to another reporter.

Mr. Knight and Celine gather the dancers and inform us how much they’re looking forward to our performances. They give us encouraging words and tell us to have fun. I catch Easton’s eyes roaming the room, a crease in his brow. As though he’s searching for something but can’t find it.

Then his gaze lands on mine.

I yank my eyes away, just like I always do whenever our gazes ram into each other, but then they slowly trek back to his. He’s still looking at me, an unreadable expression on his face.

Seconds pass before I can’t take those intense eyes anymore and once again tug my gaze away.

“Looks like we’re all ready,” his dad says with a smile. “Let’s begin.”

After he and his family are settled in the front row, the first dancer steps up. Because we don’t have a stage, the audience is sort of smooshed together in the back, since we need space in the front to dance, especially for the group performers. And since there’s barely any room, I won’t be able to see the other performers. So I spend the agonizing minutes pacing back and forth, back and forth, my nerves growing stronger and stronger. Which makes things I’d rather not think about float around in my head. Like Easton Knight Jr.

Why don’t I feel the same animosity I felt since the first day of school? Could I have misjudged him? But he was so rude to me. How could he be the same person who stood up for my mom?

I head over to my bag and fish around for my phone, just in case my mom or dad texted me. I told them I was hanging out with my friends. I hate lying to them, but I wouldn’t be able to stand their disappointed faces when they learn I didn’t win the twenty grand. I know they’d be proud of me anyway, but I’d do anything to lighten their load.

I don’t have a text from my parents, but I do have a few from my friends.

Charlie: I know you’re probably pacing the room, going out of your mind. So we want to tell you to take a deep breath and relax. You’ve got this.

Kara: Yep! Break a leg, Dani!

Ally: And remember that we’re with you every step of the way. The Four Musketeers. Good luck!

I smile as I tuck my phone back into my bag and do a few more stretches. Slowly, slowly, more dancers perform and then it’s my turn.

“You’ll do amazing,” Jasmine says as she leads me to the studio. “Remember to smile and have fun!”

I nod, swallowing hard. Yeah, I can do this. No big. It’s just twenty thousand dollars.

“Now we have a solo dancer, Danielle Wood,” Jasmine addresses the crowd. “She’s a junior at Edenbury High and has been dancing here at the studio for a few years.”

The audience claps, Charlie, Kara, and Ally the loudest. I send them a quick smile, and then my eyes scan the crowd for a certain guy with perfect dark brown hair. I find him smack in the middle of the first row, flanked by his parents. I don’t know why I thought he would look bored, but he looks intrigued. I quickly pull my eyes away before I psyche myself out. The only people in here are Ally, Kara, and Charlie.

I get into position and nod to Jasmine and she starts the music. I try to move my legs, but they feel like they’re made from wood. Then I stumble to the side, but manage to catch myself. The audience gasps. My friends urge me to keep going, Jasmine motions for me to take it easy. And Easton? I’m pretty sure he hasn’t taken those eyes off me.

I shove all my nerves aside and focus on my routine, which thankfully goes much better. No more stumbles or missteps, no forgetting any moves. It’s probably the flawless I’ve ever performed it.

When I’m done, the audience claps, some people even cheering. I grin as I gaze at my friends. Kara gives me thumbs up, Charlie claps even louder, and Ally returns my grin while also clapping. I glance at the Knights to see if they enjoyed it and find Mr. Knight clapping in a very poised manner, seeming to enjoy this dance competition very much. His wife wears a serious face as she claps, and Easton? There’s a hint of a smile on his lips as he claps.

“Thank you, Danielle!” Jasmine says as she winks at me, letting me know I did a good job. I head back into the other room for my water bottle. I have no idea if I did well enough to qualify, but the important thing is that I gave it my all.

I play a game on my phone to distract myself while the rest of the dancers perform. Then Jasmine calls all the competitors into Studio A so the judges can announce who qualified. Oh my gosh, I think I’m going to puke.

“You all did an amazing job!” Jasmine gushes. “But this is a competition and unfortunately, only sixteen of you will qualify for the finals and compete for twenty thousand dollars.”

Only sixteen? My eyes sweep over the dancers. There has to be at least thirty of us, which means only half will make it through. My chances of winning that money just grew epically thinner.

“I’ll start from sixteenth place and make my way up,” Jasmine continues. “Good luck to everyone!”

She starts reading off the names, and the audience cheers. I need to pace or bite my nails or play with my hair or something. I can’t just stand straight like this!

“And in sixth place, Danielle Wood!” Jasmine says.

Charlie, Ally, and Kara cheer along with everyone else. My heart drops. Sixth? I know I could have done so much better than that. My routine was fire. Once again my awkwardness got in the way. Darn.

She announces the top three, which causes the audience to erupt in more cheers. I try to keep a smile on my face, but I feel so defeated. That twenty grand is slipping further and further from my reach.

“For those of you who qualified, great job!” Jasmine says. “For the ones that didn’t? You did amazing regardless. Maybe you’ll get the next one.”

Family and friends rush over to the dancers to congratulate them. The room has gotten so stuffy I can barely breathe. I return to Studio B, sweeping my bag off the floor and throwing it over my shoulder. I hate that I got so hopeful. I knew deep in my heart that I wouldn’t do well.

“Dani!” Kara throws her arms around me, hugging me tightly to her chest. “You were amazing!”

“Thanks, but I know I didn’t do well.”

“What are you talking about?” Charlie wraps her arms around me. “You were great. I’ve never seen you dance like that before.”

Now Ally hugs me. “You got sixth! That’s awesome.”

“No. I should have gotten in the top three. Curse my awkward body.”

“That’s okay,” Kara reassures me. “With more practice, you’ll win first place at the finals.”

“I don’t know…” I drop my gaze to the floor. “I don’t want to get my hopes up, you know?”

“But you have to try,” Ally urges. “You won’t win if you don’t.”

I sigh. “I can’t fight nature like this. My body isn’t made for dance. I’m just so uncoordinated.”

“Stop that,” Charlie says. “Your body is perfect. You’re perfect. All you need is confidence and hard work and you’ll knock your performance out of the park.”

I look between the three of them. “You didn’t see the train wreck at the beginning?’

“But you saved it,” Kara says. “That shows grace and professionalism.”

“You were nervous,” Ally adds. “You’ll do better next time.”

“You’re right,” I say with a deep breath. “I have to stop feeling insecure and putting myself down. My awkward body is mine and I love every part of it. I’ll bust my butt practicing for the finals. That twenty grand is suddenly within my reach again.”

Charlie throws her arm around me with a grin. “It was always within your reach. Come, let’s celebrate with pizza. I’m starving.”

As we enter the hallway, I notice the Knight family talking to the news crew near the entrance to the studio. The reporters are also interviewing Jasmine and other instructors, and the top three dancers. There’s a small pang in my chest when I envision what it would be like if it was me, but I shake it off. Chin up and positive thoughts.

Easton steps away from his parents and makes his way toward the bathroom behind us. But he doesn’t walk past us. He stops right before us and offers me a smile. “Good job, Wood.”

I freeze. Kara gives me a slight nudge.

“Uh, thanks. You too.”

I want to kick myself. You too? Oh my gosh.

His eyebrows dip, but then he chuckles softly. “See you around.” He nods to the others before returning to his parents.

“I think the planets are misaligned,” Charlie says. “Because there’s no steam shooting out of Dani’s ears.”

I just stand there as I watch Easton smile at the reporter and say a few words.

“Earth to Dani?” Kara waves her hand in front of my face. “She just turned into a statue.”

“He’s…different,” I murmur. Blinking, I take in my friends’ surprised faces. “I mean…”

“I knew it!” Ally points at me. “You are softening up to him.”

“I’m not!” I nearly shout. “I just think it was cool what he did for my mom in the cafeteria.”

“Uh huh.”

“A good deed doesn’t cancel out a bad one. He was still a jerk to me on the first day and that’s unforgivable.”

“Uh huh.”

“Why do you keep saying ‘Uh hu,’ Ally?”

She smiles like she has a secret. “No reason.”

“Wherever your thoughts are headed? Make a U-turn.”

She shakes her head resolutely. Kara and Charlie have teasing grins as well.

“I need new friends,” I mumble.

“Too bad, you’re stuck with us.” Kara tosses her arm around my shoulder and leads me to the exit. “So while we eat, you can tell us all about those romantic dreams you have of Edenbury High’s resident billionaire.”

“You mean nightmares.”

“So you do dream about him!”

“Heck no! He’s not even a blip on my radar.”

They continue teasing me on the way to the pizza shop. I don’t care what any of them claim— I haven’t gotten soft. Not one bit.