CHAPTER 11- PRELUDE TO THE NEW PHASE

The exams had ended and the whole dance routine was in full swing. Practice, relentless hours of breath taking ballet and a lot of fancy stuff. Everyone had to get their game on to make a name for Queensland High in the Balletopia contest. Skye and Chloe rarely saw each other, except on the day the results was said to have been pasted. Everyone dashed to the notice board to see how bad or how well they had performed in the just concluded exams. This was going to determine whether or not they'd be filling out the application forms for the various colleges.

"Oh God, please help me just pass Literature class, I need a C grade at least to fill out my form for college." A student whispered past Chloe who was walking briskly towards the board.

"Hey, wait up." Skye tapped slowly on Chloe shoulders.

"Hey, hurry or we'd not have a very clear view of the board when students get all artistic on it." Chloe urged him on.

"Artistic on results?! Where did you get the idea?" Skye grinned.

"Really now? Back at Silverdale High, students just had to vent their anger on the poor result sheet when they failed to meet college requirements. Isn't it the same here?"

"Not at all, they just cry a bit and appeal to the principal to fix them up for summer classes or an internship of some sort. It is believed that, you can't be bad in all angles."

"Logical conclusion though." Chloe smiled.

"I haven't seen you in a while. Hope you are not avoiding me."

"Haha, you give yourself too much credit. I have been super duper engaged with the Balletopia contest on my mind. Ballet is my very essence. I need to represent well so I can get to the Dance Academy in Las Vegas."

"You'd do just fine. Now, let's see about that result."

They both went to have a look and indeed the results were rather impressive. Students had good grades displayed on the board and definitely they had secure slots available for pickup in college, once they filled out the paperwork. Relief came over Chloe and the rest of the students. One didn't have to slack anymore; they knew what they were going up against. This was the go-ahead needed to start submitting college application forms.

"Skye, so sorry but I have to go now. Practice calls."

Skye grabbed her hand and pulled her back, "when was the last time you ate?"

"That was an hour ago. Chips and pretzels. I'm good...Now, let me go." With that, she walked out of his sight, leaving his hand hanging.

"Something definitely seemed familiar with the touch. Could she be related to Maya?" Skye kept thinking until Jess came behind him and startled him in the process.

"Hey boyfriend, you have been unavailable lately. Exams are over, we should be spending more time together again. Besides, no football games, so no cheerleading. It's a win-win situation for the both of us. Don't you think so?" Jess cooed sweetly.

"I thought you were dancing, not after the show you pulled off that day in the dance studio." Skye answered disinterestedly.

"Oh yes and no, I need to be here with you. Practice can wait."

"We have barely two weeks before the Balletopia contest, I don't think you should slack if you want the school to win."

"I'm not very interested in that, I just want to step on some toes. I don't even care if we win or lose. I already have a slot in Yale university." Jess scoffed.

Skye had to keep himself from rolling his eyes at the bratty girl, "not everyone is as rich and connected as you are. Quit bragging."

"Sorry babe. About hanging out. Let's grab lunch." Jess said.

"Alright." Skye conceded, seeing no way out.

Back at the studio, the girls were giving it their best shot. Ms Sheila was all over the "Swan Princesses."

"Take it from the top. Annabelle, what do you think you are doing?!?" She yelled at a ballerina that was getting the pirouette sequence mixed up. "Is that how you want to embarrass us at the competition? We have barely two weeks. You either improve or walk out that door." She pointed at the door. Upon realizing no one was leaving, she continued.

"I know I'm coming off as strong but I need you guys to help me win this. Do you know what winning means? You get a scholarship to the dance academy in Las Vegas for four years. Isn't that huge?" She said to no one in particular.

Everyone got into place and worked out till a small grin escaped the corner of Ms Sheila's lips. Only then were they able to go home.

Days rolled over and the day came. The First Lady made sure everyone was comfortable. The ride was very executive. The students were getting the thrills of the competition as they watched the best of the best battle it out with scintillating dance moves. The tension was heavy as the Master of Ceremonies stepped out to announce the results.

"In no particular order, the winner of this year's Balletopia contest goes to the delectable Swan Princesses. Give them a loud ovation!!!" The crowd erupted in cheers and screamed their lungs out.

"It was so unbelievable, we had won." Chloe kept thinking. She turned around at the mention of her name only to see Skye wheeze past the dancers, the other competitors and Ms Sheila only to do the unimaginable. He took her face in his hands and kissed the living hell out of her.

"Oh my goodness 😮!!!" Students gasped and Jess' eyes were as big as saucers, she looked pale.

"What the hell was that 😬?" Chloe shrieked with shock evident in her shaky voice.

"That was me showing everyone just how much I want you to look at me." Skye smirked.

"You are very crazy!" How could you do that without asking if that is what I really want?"

"I do, I don't think when it comes to who I love and want to be with." Skye defended.

"You are very unbelievable. I just transferred here and you're doing this again."

"What do you mean by again?" Skye asked with raised eyebrows.

"It does not matter. I'm leaving anyway." Chloe stalked out of his presence but Skye was faster.

"Come back here Chloe, what do you mean by "I'm doing this again?" Skye pressed.

"We have met before. It was because of your reckless bouts of showing love everywhere that got my sister killed. We were just five years old then. You were too close to Maya and it angered a little girl who had interest in you. It turned out she had talked to the evil babysitter who filled her with ideas on seeking revenge and she did it. She poured lather all around the pool where we had a party and pushed Maya, she slipped and bled to her death before my parents could realize it and take her to the hospital." Chloe exhaled deeply.

"So, yes!!! I am a twin but I have come to realize that being close to you brings nothing but misery and pain. I don't want to get caught in the web of whatever love triangle you seem to be drawing. I beg you Skye, let me be. I can't contend with the likes of Jess and her minions. I'm not so wealthy, but I'm comfortable. I can't be that girl you want me to be. Just let me go Skye." With that, she turned away from him with tears in her eyes.

"Chloe, I'm so sorry. I now see why you seemed so familiar. Don't disappear again Chloe. I can't bring Maya back but, I can try to make you feel better." Skye tried to sound convincing even when he doubted his own voice.

"There's absolutely nothing you can do Skye, your girlfriend has some explanations to listen to. I gotta go." Chloe left him looking dazed.

"What was that all about?" Jess fumed upon reaching the stairs Skye mounted to reach the stage. "Not now Jess, just leave me alone." Skye retorted.

"Really now? This is cool?"

"Look Jess, you are so stuck up on being popular, you actually have zero regards for the feelings of others. You are so selfish, so uncultured and so not my type. Please, don't call me baby because, I'm not your puppet anymore. Find someone else to boss around."

"Wow, and Mabel told me you were no good. I just didn't listen to her because I thought we had something going; now I realize what a dumbass you have been. All those two years with you just made me realize I would have been better off counting stars than wasting my time to get you to love me. Waste of time." Jess slapped him hard and walked away with her minions.

The crowd had witnessed first hand, the whole drama and Skye cared less about whatever anyone thought. He just wanted to get his thoughts collected.

To start with, Chloe is leaving soon. Winning the Balletopia contest has just confirmed that she's going to be away from California for a very long time and, Las Vegas is a very big city. She'd just forget him as if he never existed.

That's one of the ways to deal with pain and severe hurt, you just null the bad memories and they cease to exist before they finally become relegated into the archives of forgotten memories.

"I can't let that happen, I was just beginning to find my bearing with my emotions. I can't throw it away because of something that happened in the past which I can't exactly change now. I'd get her back, even if she just remains my friend."

Skye thought and went back to join his colleagues outside before going back to the hotel room they had lodged the students of Queensland High. A new phase indeed was awaiting everyone, only the brave in heart can overcome the challenges when they finally strike. Looking at the fierceness in Skye's eyes, he was ready to face them head on.