Billionaires Don’t Fall For Awkward Girls by Emma Dalton
Chapter Three
There’s nothing like the smell of a dance studio on a Tuesday evening.
A grin captures my lips as I hear Jasmine, the world’s best dance instructor, coaching the little kids. I stop by Studio A and watch them strut their stuff, each and every one stuffed to the max with determination. And I can’t ignore the twinkle in their eyes. They’re here because they love it—nothing more. They inspire me to be just as determined and driven.
“Great, good job, guys!” Jasmine claps as the kids finish the routine. “Manny, just work a little bit on your timing, and Jared? Careful on your spins. Have a great day, everyone, and I’ll see you on Thursday.”
Still with bright faces, the kids hurry away, some to guzzle down their water and others to their parents who are sitting and watching. Bailey Barrington, Brayden’s five-year-old sister, runs off to her duffle bag, but then her eyes land on me. A huge grin takes over her face and she waves frantically. “Dani!” She abandons her bag and barrels over to me, throwing herself into my arms.
I laugh as I spin her around. “Hey, you.”
“Did you see me? I’m getting better, right?”
I lower her to the floor and ruffle her hair. “You’re amazing!”
She pushes out her chest. “Taking ballet is going to make me the best quarterback in the world!”
“Definitely.”
She’s about to say something, but a boy with dark, messy hair passes by and she grabs his hand. “Manny! We didn’t tell Dani.”
“Tell me what?” I ask.
“Manny and me are going to be dance partners!”
“That’s great! You guys look really cute together.”
Bailey beams, but Manny frowns.
“What’s wrong?” I tease him as I ruffle his hair too.
“She’s a girl.”
“So?” Bailey demands.
“Don’t want to dance with a girl.”
“I’m still going to be the best quarterback in the world.”
Manny crosses his arms over his chest and scowls.
I chuckle. “You guys will be great. And Manny? You have one of the best partners in the whole studio.”
Manny glances at Bailey before looking back at me. “I do?”
“Of course! You know how lucky you are to have her? She’s an amazing dancer.”
Bailey beams again while Manny just studies her.
“And she’s pretty lucky to have you as a partner,” I continue.
“I did want him!” Bailey jumps in place. “When Ms. Jasmine said the names, I kept whispering Manny’s name over and over again! Sending her telmonetic messages. And it worked!”
“You mean telepathic messages?”
“Yeah, that! Like Professor Xavier!”
“You can’t be Professor Xavier!” Manny exclaims. “He’s a boy.”
“So?”
“So you have to be Jean Grey.”
Bailey’s quiet as she thinks it over. Then she says. “Yay! She’s better than the professor because she has tekensis too!”
“Telekinesis,” I correct.
“That’s what I said. Tekenesis.”
I laugh. “Your parents will be here soon. I need to get ready for my class.”
“Okay, bye!” Bailey wraps her little arms around me.
“Have fun at dinner, okay?” I tell her.
“I will!” She jumps up and down again. “Kara’s coming! We’re going to build a huge fort and play princesses and tea party!”
I smile as she gushes about my best friend, then she and the rest of the kids fizzle out, each of them telling their parents how much fun they had. Kids for the next class start filling up the room. They’re mostly middle schoolers who are taking beginner classes. The only reason I can’t advance as quickly as I want is because I don’t have the time or the money to dedicate to dance as much as everyone else. I clean here a few times a week in exchange for lessons. For someone as uncoordinated as me, I need to work much harder than other dancers. Which is why I seriously doubt my dream of starring in a Broadway show will ever come true. But a girl’s got to dream big, right?
I start my stretches along with everyone else. Some of the middle schoolers turn up their noses at me or giggle with each other. Yep, they’re at that age. Sure it makes me feel like a loser, but I’m so thankful I get to dance with the amazing Jasmine for free. Even if I have to clean up after some of these brats.
“Is everyone here?” Jasmine asks as her eyes sweep the room. “Great. Let’s start.”
Bummer that today is tap. I love it, but it’s so freakin’ hard. It doesn’t help that some of these kids have such natural ability and don’t seem to struggle at all. Mom always tells me to keep my chin up and never give up. If she didn’t believe in me so much, I don’t know if I would stick with it. And then I’d be miserable.
“Great, Lindsay! Keep it up! Tyler, remember to smile! Lori, don’t forget your posture. Dani, you’re missing some steps.”
Darn it.
Two girls giggle. I try not to roll my eyes.
Some days are good days. Some days are okay days. Some are bad and some are terrible. I guess today is somewhere between bad and terrible.
“Chin up,” I mutter as I struggle to keep up with the other dancers. “Just keep your chin up.”
Things turn around, but I still struggle a bit. When class is over, I rest my hands on my knees and gulp in oxygen, sweat dripping down my forehead.
“Some people don’t know when to quit,” one of the girls mutters to her friend as they pass me to get their water bottles. They giggle.
It wouldn’t kill you to be a little nicer, you know. Some people weren’t born with natural talent like you were.
The words are on the tip of my tongue, but they refuse to leave. How pathetic am I? Intimidated by a seventh-grader.
“Ugh,” I grumble as I reach for my water bottle and pour it over my head. My eyes flutter shut as the cool water drips down my chin and plops on my dance clothes.
“Dani, you were great.”
I open my eyes and find Jasmine standing before me with a smile.
“Nah, you don’t have to lie. I know I sucked. Today was an in-between bad and terrible day.”
She chuckles softly. “You need to stop labeling your days. I know you tried your best and that’s all that matters.”
“Is it, though?” I sigh as I drop my water back into my bag. “Let’s face it. I don’t have what it takes and I’ll never make it.”
“Don’t say that.” She rests her hand on my arm. “You’re a gifted dancer, Dani. I see so much potential in you.”
“You keep telling me I have ‘potential.’ When will this ‘potential’ turn into skill?”
She gently squeezes my arm. “You might need to work a little harder than your peers and the road might be a bit bumpy, but you’ll get there. I know you will.”
I sigh. “Thanks, I guess.”
“I love having you in my class. I’ve never seen anyone so determined.”
I lift a brow. “Are you forgetting Bailey Barrington?”
She laughs. “Yes, she can certainly give you a run for your money.”
“I just wish I didn’t have to try so hard. I just want to be good at something.”
“There is something you’re good at,” she says as she wraps an arm around me. “Something you’re great at, actually. You’re a good person and a great friend. And a great daughter.”
“I don’t know…”
“I know how hard you work to help out your parents. Other kids your age…well, they do the opposite.”
That makes me smile a little. “I guess.”
“Your dreams will come true, Danielle Wood. As long as you never give up.”
“Thanks,” I say. “I feel a little better.”
“Great.”
I wish her goodbye, grab my bag, and make my way to Studio C, which is currently vacant. I put on music and practice the routine we learned tonight. That determination Jasmine was talking about? It’s the fire I inherited from my mom. She never gives up, no matter how hard life gets. And I’ll never give up, either. Even if I have to spend another hour in here busting my butt.