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“Nope, not yet. They’re still working on it. I think you may have it by the end of next week, though.”

Dance is my life—it always has been—but choreography is my real passion. Watching the wheels turn until the routine finally clicks, seeing all the frayed ends from my brain come together to create the most beautiful masterpiece.

It’s irreplaceable.

And it’s the whole reason I’d been so excited for the opportunity to tour with someone as big as Haven Rivers. It could do wonders for my exposure in this industry.

Sometime over the last two years, my want for exposure, the need for all eyes on me, disappeared. I don’t want to be seen, and I really don’t want the accolades. I don’t even feel as if I deserve it.

“Vic is actually going to be the one to give you your music next week.” I take a deep breath, feeling the lump in my throat through my hard swallow.

Gosh, getting this out feels like throwing up cement.

“I’m actually— I’m not going to be here this season.”

My pulse quickens as worried eyes widen in front of me.

“What do you mean, you aren’t going to be here this season?” Grace asks.

Inhaling a sharp breath, I sit taller before I explain. “You guys know how sometimes they have different auditions at the studio. Different people come in; sometimes it’s for tours or music videos?”

They all nod, and I look down, picking at my thumb.

“Well, two years ago, I auditioned to dance on Haven Rivers’ upcoming tour. We’ve been rehearsing all year to prepare, and next week, I leave for the year.”

“A year!” someone shrieks, the group echoing with groans of disapproval.

“Yeah…” I shrug, unable to find positivity in my parting ways. “It’s a pretty long tour; we’ll be somewhere new almost every weekend.”

“So, who’s going to coach us?”

Grace’s hands are glued to her hips, a hardened stare pointed right at me. A painful but warranted switch-up.

“Vic will be your head coach for the season, but Steph and Mariah will be helping too.”

Her eyes roll. Her spunk reminds me so much of myself. She finally lowers herself, since she was the last one standing. Straightening both of her arms behind her back, she leans all of her weight onto her palms, face scrunched.

“Are you at least going to come to some competitions?” another whispers from the center of the circle.

A freezing weight sinks through me, my heart cracking. These girls and I have created the most unbreakable bond—a family.

“I’m going to try. Vic promised to video chat with me as much as she can so I can talk to you guys. I know this is a lot, and I’m sorry for throwing it on you at the last minute. Truth is, I didn’t know how to tell you. This is a really big opportunity for me, but you mean so much to me.”

Their faces have gone from red and sweaty to splotchy and wet with tears.

“So, this is your last practice?” Grace, the only dancer who’s held on to her emotions, asks.

“It is.” I nod halfheartedly.

Without a second thought, she rises, stepping forward to envelop me in the biggest hug.

“We love you, Coach Fia. You’re the best coach we’ve ever had.”

Raw feelings I’d been suppressing all day finally rise to the surface.

Getting the opportunity to tour with Haven is huge. I should be excited—grateful that out of hundreds, she chose me. The grass should feel greener. This is essentially a promotion, and to everyone else, it likely seems that way, but as I look at the small faces in front of me, it feels like nothing but weeds.

Still, I made a commitment, and this is my dream, after all.