Diary of a Danceaholic

Entry #5: Social Media

I was scanning my i********: pages, laughing at all the comments from my adoring fans, when a comment from Reece caught my eye. It was just a simple congratulations with a winking face emoji, but now I was curious. I clicked on her name and it took me to her page. I had been on here a couple of times and only ever saw countless advertisements for everything dance-related.

But there was a new video up on her page with a ton of views. I clicked on it and turned the volume up.

“Hey, fans! Reese Day here. Representative for Dancewear Daily, Costume Junction, and Brickwear Dance Ambassador. Many of you are wondering how Skyler Thomas managed to beat me last week, and I’m here to set the record straight.” The background flashed to me doing my routine on stage.

“Why and how do you have that?” I wondered out loud. Creepy.

“Antonio and I are good friends,” I snorted. Yeah, right. The liar. “And we were chatting yesterday at my father’s country club.” I rolled my eyes so big I could see my brain. “He caught Skyler’s routine –“ yeah, cause you bought it and showed it to him. “- he saw all of the changes Skyler made to his routine, and he, being as generous as he is, offered to choreograph a routine for me. He said that if I had done his routine the way he choreographed it, there would have been no doubt that I would have won first overall.

“Remember fans, Skyler and I are the best of friends, so there is nothing but love between us and a just little bit of friendly rivalry.”

I laughed loudly. We were not even close to being friends in any way, nor would I ever want to be.

“Skyler,” Oh! She’s addressing me personally, now. I can’t wait to hear this. “I will be at Dream Makers Dance Competition in two weeks, with a brand-new Antonio original routine. Hope to see you there!”

She blew a kiss at the camera and the video started over from the beginning.

I threw my phone on my bed, but I didn’t turn it off, so the video kept playing her annoying voice. It took an enormous amount of self-control to keep from smashing it.

I grabbed my phone and looked up the Dream Maker’s schedule. In two weeks, they would be in Jacksonville, Florida. Well, at least I’d be near the beach.

“MOM!” I yelled, not bothering to get up from my bed. Our apartment was tiny, she would hear me no matter where she was.

“Yeah, honey?” She popped her head in through my bedroom door.

“Did you see it?” I held up my dark phone. I didn’t need to elaborate. I knew she had already seen the video.

She sighed and came to sit next to me on my bed. I closed my eyes and covered my face with my arm.

“I had to change it, Mom.” I pleaded with her. “I would have fallen out of my pitch and probably broken my ankle.” I was being dramatic, but I needed to make my point.

My mom sighed again. “Antonio knows what he’s doing. He wouldn’t have given you anything you couldn’t handle.”

“Oh please! You hate him just as much as I do.” I peaked at her under my arm and to my relief, she was smiling.

“Do you want a new routine?” I dropped my arm, staring at her. I was surprised. I thought I’d get a lecture about sticking to the choreography and working harder to get it right.

I groaned. “No… but if you could get me some studio time with Miss Jodi this week, I’d be grateful.”

“Sure, honey.” She patted my leg and left me alone.

My phone dinged and I smiled, it was a message from Asher.

[Asher]: Did you see it?!

[Me]: Yep

[Asher]: Think you can beat her again?

I sent her the shrugging emoji.

[Asher]: Did your mom yell at you for changing Antonio’s choreo?

[Me]: No! it was so weird! She asked if I wanted a whole new routine.

[Asher]: NO WAY!

[Me]: Right!!

I rolled over on my stomach and perched my phone on my pillow.

[Asher]: What are you going to do?

[Me]: Stick with the Antonio piece, but make more changes just to stick it to all of them.

She sent me the laughing emoji.

[Asher]: Good luck! Wish I could be there to see you s*******r Rece in person, but my studio is getting ready for Artistry in Motion and my group pieces still suck.

Wish I had group pieces to look forward to. I was gone too much to be able to commit to groups. The best I could hope for was the occasional duet.

[Me]: Good luck! Artistry in Motion is a good one. Their trophies are huge!

[Asher]: I KNOW! ITS MY FAV! GTG!

[Me]: Bye!

I had some science homework to finish before Tuesday’s obligatory online lecture anyway, so I reluctantly flipped open my laptop.