Friendly jealousy

Chapter 1

Indeed, the birthday of the president of the republic was approaching and we had to celebrate it at the big crossroads of the city, in front of all the people.

Some young people were selected to do parades, others to do sketches, sing and dance. And of course, among the types of dance, there was classical dance!

The director of my school, Mr. Bossoko, knew that I had danced in France and that I had continued to train alone in my room because it was written in my school presentation booklet. He proposed me to be part of the group that was going to represent this dance but I said no by shyness and also by fear to be honest. I had never been on stage in this country and I was afraid to try.

I was very calm, which was different from when I was in France because for me it was always a new world that I could not embrace easily.

But to be polite, I told him that I was still willing to attend the training sessions and he agreed with a rather cute smile.

Several students from different schools had been gathered in the large room dedicated to the country's official activities.

In this room, several groups had been formed in sub rooms.

There was a room for those who sang, another for those who did comedy and so on, and another one that did what I knew how to do: classical dance.

There was a place for those who attended and I sat there with my parents. Ten minutes later, the practices started.

A professional dancer, given his attire and what he was going to do next, entered the room and greeted us. He was rather thin, very tall and of mixed race with a long black beard. I must admit that his tight overalls made me laugh, yet it was very normal.

- Why are you laughing, Luna? my mother asked.

With a shy and nervous smile, I answered:

- Her combination makes me laugh mom. I haven't seen that in a long time!

- Oh, that's right, since you're dancing in your room and alone! You're right, it's funny.

Together, we had a good laugh before continuing to follow what was going on.

The dance teacher asked us to clap for her students and we did, then one by one they started to enter the room. There must have been about 15 of them in total.

I noticed that there were two girls who had worn different clothes from the others and I knew that they were the best and the two mentors of the group.

Either way, I couldn't wait to see them dance.

Soft music that I knew very well was put on and then I started to smile.

The dancers started to do steps and everything was going great until one of the girls who had different clothes fell and hurt her ankle from a dance step she was having trouble mastering. She stopped her ankle and I realized that she was not doing well and I felt sorry for her.

The dance was paused.

The teacher called for paramedics and they came to take care of her not far from the dance station.

However, there was another problem: she had to be replaced, but who was to do it?

He looked around the room and said:

- Is there a volunteer in the room please?

No one answered. My parents gave me a look and I got the message but I didn't respond or raise my finger.

That's when he said:

- Well, we canceled the practices, while she recovers but we must not forget that the birthday is in a few days only.

And as if that wasn't enough, one of the paramedics told her that he wasn't sure she would recover quickly.

I saw great disappointment in his eyes and kind as I was, I raised my finger trembling and said in a calm voice...

- I... I can dance and I can replace her but only until she recovers.

By the way, I wasn't a thief so I didn't want to steal her place and that's why I said that.

My parents applauded and the people in the room followed suit.

A smile came over the teacher's face and he himself came over and held my hand to lead me down the stairs.

All eyes were on me and I could hear people saying "she's so beautiful, she's going to be great" and instead of it making me feel confident, it made me feel shy.

Once in the group with the others, he asked me:

- What's your first name?

- Luna, I answered him.

- Okay, Luna," he said. You're going to show us what you can do, right? What music do you want us to play?

Oh my God! I had a terrible urge to disappear. I even started to regret offering to do it. But then it was too late and I couldn't go back.

I asked him in a low voice to put on a song I really liked and he did.

With my tights that I had worn that day and my ballet flats as if I knew I was going to dance, I got ready in a few seconds by adjusting my breathing and then, I started to do some dance steps.

It didn't take more than two minutes for everyone to stand up and applaud me.

Not to be rude, I smiled.

- Perfect," said the dance teacher. I think we'll keep you on the team, if you don't mind!

People shouted, "Yes, she has to join the team, she's the best.

I felt bad for the one who got hurt...

- I told you I wanted to replace her until she got better, not permanently sir.

- Okay, it's up to you then but, think carefully about this offer! Shall we start?

- Yes, sir!

We started and it went pretty well but I couldn't help but feel embarrassed for the injured girl.

The paramedics bandaged her ankle and gave her water to drink and it was some time later that her parents came to pick her up, about five minutes after we finished dancing.

I was about to go back to my parents but I thought I should go see her and I did.

- Good evening sir, good evening madam, good evening dancer. My name is Luna and I would like to congratulate the dancer because she is great. I would also like to help her with the step that seemed difficult for her.

I smiled quite discreetly.

They responded to my greeting but not the dancer. She seemed very sad.

I took a sheet of paper I had in my bag and wrote down the number of the house phone and asked them to call me.

At the same time, the one who had the same outfit as her came up to her and said:

- Dona, I'm really sorry for you! Good evening to you sir and madam.

- DONA: Thank you very much.

And the parents responded simultaneously:

- Thank you Yvy, that's sweet of you! You are a very good friend to our daughter!

Within seconds, I knew their names and the link they would enter.

I quietly walked away and joined my parents so we could go home.

What I didn't know beyond the age of ten was that this encounter would change my life forever.

To be continued...