Free Tutus & Cowboy Boots (Part 2) by Casey Peeler Page A

way
backstage. After watching two performances from the side of the
stage, it’s our turn. I take a deep breath as we are called.
    “Taking the stage is number
sixty-five, “Beautiful Friends” .
    As Jade and I take our places, we glance at
each other and get into our starting positions. As the cello begins
to play through the speakers, we begin to move in tune with each
other. I can feel the beat beginning to change as the music
switches from a single instrument to an entire rock orchestra and
our movements shift into straight contemporary. I don’t focus on
anything but the music and as the music shifts yet again, Jade and
I break into different cadences ending at opposite ends of the
stage.
    When I glance in Jade’s direction, we both
exhale and smile. We know we nailed it when we hear the applause
from the crowd as we exit the stage.
    “Oh my gosh! We were on point!” I say as I
hug Jade.
    “Girl! That was amazing! You should have
seen the crowd. It was obvious they were expecting a ballet
number.”
    “Well, that was definitely not ballet,” I
say as Ms. Lyndsay approaches us.
    “I’m so proud of both of you. Cadence, I
didn’t want to tell you before but there’s a recruiter here today.
She liked you a lot.” My eyes go wide as a lady in a trendy outfit
appears from the side.
    “Hi Cadence, I’m Natalie James from Boston
Conservatory. You have something special. What are your plans after
graduation?”
    I pause. “I’d like to join a company or
attend college to pursue a degree in dance.”
    “I’d like to talk to you more about what we
have to offer, and maybe schedule a tour for you. How does that
sound?”
    “That sounds great,” I say as she hands me
her card before shaking my hand.
    As soon as she’s gone, Jade squeals with
excitement and I shush her. She covers her mouth to contain her
excitement.
    “That’s awesome, Cadence!” she says as she
pulls me in for a hug and begins to jump up and down.
    As we walk back to the dressing room, Jade
is talking a mile a minute. I don’t really hear what she’s saying
as my head is spinning with the thoughts of moving to Boston. The
Boston Conservatory is amazing and I would be crazy not to check it
out, but it’s in Boston and everyone I love is here. I consider
texting Lauren to tell her about the competition and the recruiter
but I decide to celebrate with my team instead.
    Barrick
    I wanted to surprise Cadence by coming to
see her, but I didn’t want her to know until after she performed. I
didn’t want to throw off her focus, but I wanted to see her in her
element. Glancing at the stage door, I’m unable to sit still any
longer, so I stand and prop myself against the wall. I know she has
to be coming out soon.
    I see Regina and Ms. Mae and give them a
wave, and that’s when I see Jade exiting the door with Cadence
right behind her. Jade and Cadence spot me and I push off of the
wall and walk toward them with a bouquet of flowers in my hand.
    “You came,” Cadence whispers as I stop in
front of her.
    “I wouldn’t miss it.”
    “Oh thanks, Bare!” Jade says, taking the
flowers from my hands.
    I give her a dirty look. “These aren’t
yours,” I say, handing them to Cadence.
    “Well dang,” she says with a laugh. “I’m
going to go see if Mom loves me,” she says as she walks to where
Mom is sitting.
    “They’re beautiful,” Cadence says as she
reaches around and gives me a hug. “Come on,” she says, pulling me
out the side door into the fresh air.
    The sun is bright and a warm breeze engulfs
us. As I look at Cadence everything feels perfect.
    “What’s that smile for?” she says, looking
at me with her head tilted to the left side.
    “Everything,” I say as she looks at me with
confusion. “Watching you on stage, seeing your face when you
realized I wouldn’t have missed this for the world, and being right
here in the moment.”
    She smiles as she wraps her arms around my
neck. “I think I really like you,