Activity

Jade

No use in letting another unexpected event delay the dance. Jade ushered Isaias, Abirami, and Ophelia onto the stage.

”Wait,” she said. “Ophelia, you found some sort of music player. Where is that?”

Ophelia shuffled her feet and smiled before gesturing toward the radio’s (?) recess. Why would the girl be nervous over some music? She started it in the first place, anyway. Jade flipped the thing on and came back out.

”Positions!” Jade called, going to stand by Ophelia in the center. “And one, two, three, four!”

Arms like wings, raise right leg. Kick it down, carry the momentum into a flying spin — and that’s where the magic began. Does music give one feathers? What about that simple beat makes feet as light as falling snow, and one’s body just as likely to be carried away on a tuneful wind? Jade landed, and her smile grew. Perfect.

Now for the first lift. Jade struggled to not stiffen at Abirami’s approach. He was doing fine, after all. The last practice was great. Besides, surely he’d want to get this right for Ku.

As though she was a bird taking flight, Jade spread out her arms when Abirami swept her into the air. Good so far. He smoothly spun, and Jade closed her eyes to savor both the feel of the air and the triumph of her well executed beginning.

The landing was a little rough because Abirami’s footing was off. Jade sprung away with all her grace to make up for it, dancing back toward the center just as Ophelia did the same. When they met, both raised their arms and stood with their backs facing each other. Jade positively grinned at the perfect timing. The boys were almost done with their pas du chat. Just in time for the final lift, Jade and Ophelia spun toward them. Another leap — please let him catch me — and Jade flew through the air once more thanks to Abirami. Set down and —

There were people out there. Watching. Jade stopped breathing, but she bowed anyway, the other dancers quickly following suit. Then came applause. Jade waved and smiled at her first ever audience, and then rushed to the back before she could do something stupid like cry.

@jared-williams

@rose-colored-fancy