Episode 19

EPISODE NINETEEN

It’s Saturday, Brooke’s dancing contest will start at 5 pm. I decided to do all my home work and chores in the morning, by the time I finished it was 3 pm, I just have enough time to get ready, after taking a bath and getting dress, I left my apartment

It was 4:30 pm when I arrived at Brooke’s university, that’s where the contest will be held, the stage was already set at the field. They are just doing last minute check-ups. I found out that all the contestants were at the gymnasium, so I quickly went there and looked for Brooke

I found her at their group’s table, getting their outfits read, I decided to go and approach her, Brooke saw me and smiled before rushing towards me and giving me a hug

“How are you feeling?” I asked

“Okay, just a bit nervous”

I smiled “don’t worry, you’ll do great, trust me”

Brooke smiled and intertwined her hands with mine

“By the way, I have something for you” she spoke “it’s in my bag, I’ll go get it”

She was about to go but I pulled her back “save it for later” I said “right now, I want you to focus on yourself and your routine and not think of me ‘cause I know I just distract you”

“You do distract me a lot” Brooke smiled ”but in a good, very attractive way”

I smirked and she started giggling, then it was announced that the contest was about to start

“This is it!” Brooke said nervously “Wish us luck”

“Good luck!” I said “I’ll be at the crowd, cheering you on!”

Brooke squeezed my hand before going back to her group, I then went outside

It was already dark outside and People are starting to file up so I quickly looked for a nice place to watch the contest and as soon as I sat, the music started playing and the crowd started cheering

The host then went out “Hey everybody!” He greeted “Welcome to the annual street dance competition, where one of our 8 dance groups will win $10,000 and will go on to compete for the regional dance contest!”

And the crowd energetically screamed and cheered

“So what are we waiting for?! Let’s get this party started!!” He shouted “Let’s welcome the Extreme Force Dancers!!” The host let out a loud scream before dashing off the stage, the lights went out and the music started playing, and as the dancers come out, the lights went back again and they started dancing. I swear it’s just like watching America’s best dance crew live, and that’s only the first group, there are still 7 left all in all and 3 groups to go before Brooke’s group perform.

I excitedly watched and cheered as each group dances then it’s Brooke’s group turn to wow the audience

“Okay, the partying continues!” the host said aloud “let’s welcome the Infinity Dancers!!”

And he quickly left the stage. My attention was immediately on stage, as they walk out one by one and they started dancing as the music went on, I was already pump up just watching the earlier groups perform but seeing Brooke dance gives me a kind of adrenaline rush that makes me extremely excited

Brooke’s group has a unique and entertaining vibe that makes anyone dance and cheer for them, not to mention their stunning, ridiculously amazing dance moves, it’s just wow!

A few minutes into their routine, People were giving them a standing ovation and a very loud cheer and that went on until they finished. After they left the stage, people went back to their seat and excitedly anticipated the other group

I quickly went to the gymnasium to see Brooke but I was told that I wasn’t allowed to go in, so I just texted Brooke, saying that they were awesome and that I’ll see her after the contest, she didn’t reply though, I think she’s a bit nervous and tired so I wouldn’t blame her anyway I went back and watched the remaining groups perform

After every group had perform, it’s time to announce the winner of the contest, The audience nervously and excitedly waited for the results then the host went back out and called the group on back on the stage

“Okay folks!” He said “I have, in this envelope, the names of the groups that won first, second and third place, Want me to announce it now?”

The audience screamed in unison, “YES!!!”

The host let out a loud laugh “don’t want to get ya’ll mad, so here it goes, on 3rd place we have the Freestylers!!”

The freestylers cheered and jumped and excitedly got their trophy and cash prize, which is in an envelope, from the host

“Okay, 1 down 2 to go” he continued “the 2nd place goes to the extreme force dancers!”

The extreme force dancers have the same reaction but more crazy

“and now for our champion, who by the way, will be receiving a $10,000 plus they will be competing in the regional dance contest. Drum roll please” the drum sound effects played as he opened read the name on the card “the winner and our 2011 street dance competition champion is none other than…”

He looked at the audience and smirked “The Infinity Dancers!!!”

I cheered and clapped loudly as Brooke and her dance mates jumped and hugged each other, some of them even cried a bit

The host approached them and gave them the prize and the trophy, the crowd gave them a loud round of applause and screams of excitement

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When the contest was over, they finally let people enter the gymnasium

I quickly scanned the room and found Brooke happily hugging her dance mates and her choreographer, I looked at her and gave her a smile, she saw me and quickly ran towards me and basically giving me the biggest hug she could ever give

“We won!” she said excitedly “can you believe it? we actually won!”

I giggled “you guys deserve this, that performance was all kinds of awesome!”

Brooke laughed and hugged me again, then one of her dance mates called her, she responded with a “I’ll just follow!”

“Follow where?” I asked

“To Chad’s house, We’re having a victory party” she answered “you should come with me”

Chad is one of Brooke’s dance mates, “Is it okay for me to go with you?”

“Of course” then she got her bag and pulled me out of the gymnasium, we hailed a cab and went to Chad’s house

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At Chad’s house

We chatted with Chad for a while but after that, we just grabbed some food, sat at the corner of the room and happily ate while we watch other people dance and get drunk

“So when is the regional dance contest?” I asked then taking a sip pf my punch

“Next month” Brooke answered “just enough time for us to create a new and more awesome dance routine”

“That means you’ll also be super busy…”

Brooke nodded “but I’ll always have time to go and be with you, if that’s what you’re worried about”

I smiled and finished off my punch, Brooke then stood and pulled me up

“Come with me” she said

“Where?”

Brooke didn’t answer instead she continuously pulled me towards the veranda, Chad’s pretty rich, so he has a big house and the party’s on the 2nd floor anyway

Brooke pulled me there, where it’s quiet and we’re alone, she stared at me seriously

“Ok , you’re not normally serious, so something’s definitely up” I said

“Remember earlier while we’re at school and I told you I wanted to give you something?”

“Yeah”

“That’s why I pulled you here” she said then took out a blue medium sized rectangular box “so I can give you this”

I looked at the box as Brooke opened it, inside was a silver couples necklace with a heart pendant that splits into two with an engrave writing on it, on the right half, it says “Brooke”, on the left side it says Nicky

“I have it custom made for us” she said then she looked straight into my eyes “I know we've met just recently and it's still early but i've never been so sure of my feelings before, being with you make me so happy I can’t even define it” she smiled “I love you Nicky”

I looked at her, and carefully took the necklace with her name on it and wore it around my neck

I smiled “I love you too”

Brooke happily giggled and at the same time, tears fell from her eyes. She cupped my face and tenderly kissed me and I slowly kissed her back

We parted and Brooke wrapped her arms around my waist and hugged me, I held her and closed my eyes as tears slowly fell from my eyes, I feel such heaviness and pain in my chest and I don’t know how to stop myself from feeling this way

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Brooke and I left the party at around 10 pm, I first took her to her apartment then I went straight home

When I got there, I was surprised to see Arden sitting by my door, her head was bowed down

“Arden” I called

She looked up and quickly stood

“What are you doing here at this hour?” I asked

“I wanted to talk to you” she said and moved closer to me until we’re only a few feet away from each other “I wanted to say I’m sorry for being a bitch earlier about you dating Brooke but you have to know, I only said those things because I‘m jealous because I want to be the one who you get to spend time with, I want to be the one who gets to hold your hand and hug you whenever I want to”

“What are you saying here Arden?” I spoke

“I’m in love with you Nicky” Arden stared at me with her teary eyes “I have been for a long time now. You’re the only girl who made me feel this way and because of that, it confused and scared me because I don’t know what to do or how to act and I ended up suppressing my feelings for you, I told you that we’re better off as friends because I don’t want to risk our friendship for something I wasn’t 100% sure about, but seeing you with Brooke made things clear for me”

She was crying now “I love you so much Nicky” she spoke “I just didn’t know how much until I realize that I’m losing you”

I stared wistfully at her and held my tears back, I gently took her hand and place it on my chest where the necklace hangs, Arden looked confused at first but then she felt the necklace I was wearing.

Arden slowly removed her hand from my chest and stared at the necklace then at me

“You and Brooke are together?” she asked with hurtful eyes

I sadly nodded

Arden clenched her right fist and let her arms fall on her side as she turned around and started to walk away, I bowed my head and freely let the tears fall

I wanted to stop her but I can’t, I can only watch her walk away as my heart breaks into pieces