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On the Stage

The lights dim. I run onto the stage, with my heart thumping. I stretch my side and lean into my position. Taking a deep breath, I wish everyone good luck. The lights flash on, as well as my smile. I feel the beat of the music under my skin. It takes over my body.

“Get to work V.” My coach Ken had yelled to me.

I sat there sprawled out on the trampoline.

I wanted to yell back I am working, but I obviously wasn’t. I was thinking of what I should do. So I got up and began to bounce. I do love working out at the gym; it keeps me very fit. And I love to be able to flip. I did a full layout twist perfectly straight. But it takes up too much time to do both I thought to myself. I continued bouncing and did another full twist.

“You’re fine. Do it on the floor.” Ken said from across the gym. My heart pounded. Doing it on the floor is very different. But I obeyed anyway and jumped off the tramp when he wasn’t looking; he doesn’t like it when we jump off the tramp. I walked through the chalk fog by the uneven bars. I got to the floor and began to warm up for my full. When it was time for my full, I baulked. I hate being nervous.

The beat is being sucked into my veins. My heart is pounding; I am living in the moment. I look around the crowd in the audience. They are smiling and moving to the music. I am dancing with CODA. These people I am dancing with are so special to me. It makes me really happy. We are a family and we work so well together, because we are feeding off of each other’s energy. I absolutely love performing with them. I love performing in general.

Especially in Vegas.

“Everyone, watch Vicki. She has the movement down.” My old dance teacher Casey had said. I was at practice for the Elite hip-hop company at Urban Beat Dance. I was one of the strongest dancers in the company. I loved coming to practice every Sunday because I loved to learn and I enjoyed every ones company. Casey turned the music on and I did the short combination for everyone else. My breathing was hard; I was giving it my all. Once I finished I looked at everyone and they clapped. A small smile appeared on my face. I looked over at my friend Trish, and she looked right away right. My smile was whipped off my face as the music began to play again.

I am in Vegas with CODA because I am competing with them in a Hip-Hop International Competition. CODA has been going for the past 4 years, and you have to be invited to compete here. There are over 200 crews from all over the world, USA, and America’s Best Dance Crew. It was an honor to be asked to perform with them, as I had only been with them for about three months, and I am the youngest. They are all 21 and over. I have a lot of weight in my shoulders going into the competition, but they think I am strong enough mentally, and physically to do this. So I am going to give it my all.

“V!”

I know, I know Ken. There is no reason for me to get nervous.

“Why are you nervous? There is no reason to be. GO.”

I took a deep breath. I am strong enough to do this…physically. I’m not sure mentally though. I closed my eyes and thought of my mom. She always gives me strength to help me get through things. As my eyes opened I, got on my tiptoes and ran as fast as I could across the blue dusty floor. As I smacked my hands down on the springy floor, I pushed through my shoulders. Round off; check. Thump. My feet hit the ground too. Then I arched back and smacked my hands again. Flip flop; check. Now for the full. Just jump I said. My feet hit the ground as I pushed off with all my might.

In Vegas, CODA and I are truly giving it our all. We practice everyday at the hotel for three hours. My body is tired and sore. I feel like an old grandma. But I cannot let that stop me. Before we performed for the first time, we had a group huddle. It was just the girls performing, but three of the guys came to support us.

“We got this guys! I love you all so much, and I am so proud of us.” Casey, my old dance teacher, who was founder of CODA said to the other 5 girls. We all held each other with our shaky arms, and said our good lucks. It was finally time to show the audience and the judges what CODA is made of.