Her World

'Let's take it from the top, everyone! One more time and you will be done for the day!'

As soon as the words fell the room reverberated with a loud cheer. Music filled the surroundings and everyone got immersed in the routine. Wendy's strict but cheerful voice followed the beats.

'One and two and three and four...'

There were a total of six youngsters who moved along the rhythm. All of them were around seventeen. The group was a mix of different appearances, ethnicity, and culture. But they were tied by one common string called, New Moon Orphanage.

The music changed and now the tempo became a bit faster.

'One and two and three and drop...'

Their bodies easily adjusted to the change. It was not difficult. They knew this routine by heart. They have been practicing it for two months now. They have devoted themselves to it. With countless hours of strenuous dance routine now they can do it even with their eyes closed.

'Five and six and seven and eight...'

A bunch of teens, four girls, and two boys grinding away, why? Because the stakes were high, they wanted to do something for their orphanage and this was their only chance. The prize money for winning the dance competition would be more than enough to tide over their current financial situation.

'One and two and three and stretch...'

It was Sara who has overheard their headmistress talking with the kitchen staff. It was about how they won't be able to give them a full salary starting next month. Poor Sara had not been able to hold back her emotions and as soon as she went to her room she had burst into tears. The room was shared by three other girls, Raine, Misty, and Amaris.

'Five and six and lift and turn, drop and roll, and up and turn and twist and hold...'

The friendship that the four girls shared was enviable. So when Sara told them about the heartbreaking news in between her sobs, it was only natural they decided to do something about it together. As four is better than one and from the very next day they had started looking for a solution.

'One and two and jump and slide...'

A week passed by and the girls were starting to lose their spirit. Then something happened. In the evening, Joy and Fin came running with a poster that became their saving grace. It was the poster for a dance competition. The grand prize was a hundred thousand dollars.

'Three and four and stretch and lift...'

The very next day they had started their practice but doing it all by themselves turned out to be difficult. Within three days they have realized their error. They were novices when it came to choreography. Their steps were all over the place, their moves sucked badly. Time was running very fast as they had roughly two months before the day of the competition.

Extreme measures needed to be taken.

Amaris had then voiced to get professional help, they needed a good dance trainer. Everyone has agreed with her but the problem was that they needed money for that. Nothing comes free and they knew it. They were spirited teens and nothing could keep them down for a longer time period.

Soon enough they came up with a solution. The six of them pooled their left-out money from their various part-time jobs and finally got themselves an awesome instructor.

'Keep up, Joy left leg a bit inwards and six and eight...'

Wendy has been a dance trainer for the past six years. The first day she saw them move she had a headache the rest of the day.

They were terrible. None of them matched.

Sara was clumsy, Joy was stiff, Raine kept forgetting the steps, Amaris could not do the lifts, Fin's left-right coordination was awful and Misty, was all over the dance floor. That girl could not stay in her position at all.

She has her hands full with them.

'One and two and shake and twist...'

Wendy had her own anger issues. She was hot-tempered and often her tongue got the best of her. The same thing happened with these teens too. She was demanding and never gave in an inch. Much to her surprise, she did not hear any complaints from them. Each of them took her words with a pinch of salt and kept practicing.

After two weeks of them coming here, Wendy was convinced that these teens definitely had something going on. When Sara sprained her ankle during one rehearsal and still insisted on staying at the studio just so that she can learn all the steps, Wendy knew that there was something that she did not know.

'Center and ahead and back and low and slowly to the right and up...'

That day she had stopped them after their time was up and asked about the situation. She was surprised to learn that they lived in an orphanage and were learning this so that they can win the contest and help their orphanage.

Wendy had known about the competition but she had no clue of their background and intentions. When she learned about it she was reminded of her friend, Hisha. She was an orphan and Wendy has seen how she lived. Hisha has faced a similar situation but she had been of no help to her friend and eventually, that orphanage had closed down. Wendy had lost her best friend because Hisha was transferred to another orphanage and that was in a different state.

'Last beats everyone, careful with the lifts and one and two...'

Wendy thought that God had given her a chance to ease some of her guilt and help these teens. So when they had come the next day, Wendy had greeted them with a smile.

The result was that they were scared shitless. Seeing their reaction she had lost it and then gave them the punishment of doing 50 squats each.

When they were carrying out the punishment she has told them that from onwards there will be a change in their routine and she will definitely help them achieve their target. Despite feeling grumpy because of the squats they had cheered and rushed to hug her after she was done with her piece.

CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!

'And that's it. Well done, everyone.' Wendy cheered and then passed out water bottles.

'The competition is next week, and now all that is left for you guys is to rest. There will be one last rehearsal three days from now and that would be it. No over-exerting yourself, okay.' Wendy explained, with hands on her hips. Her demeanor shouting- dare to oppose her and see if you will live by the next day.

'Yes, Wendy.' They chorused. They knew better than to cross her.

'Now, off you go.' Wendy stated and gestured them to leave.

As soon as they exited the building Joy and Fin turned to them.

'Sooo...' Fin dragged the word before finally asking them. 'Who is up for a movie?' then he showed them tickets.

'How did you get them?' Sara exclaimed.

'I thought you did not have any money.' Raine said skeptically.

'Payment for mowing the lawn for Mr. Grey.' Fin grinned.

'Count me in.'

'Me too.'

'Yup.'

'Sorry, but I can't.'

All heads turned to Amaris when she said that she can't come.

'Why? Come on... pretty please.' Sara looked at her started batting her lashes.

'Stop that.' Amaris chuckled and added. 'I want to but can't because I promised Mrs. Baxtor that I will walk her dog.'

They groaned when they heard her reason, Mrs. Baxtor was anything but sweet. If you take any chore from her you have to deliver your best and on time, if not then you are screwed.

'She isn't that bad.' Amaris teased.

'That is only because you are her favorite.' Fin remarked.

'Not true.'

'It is. She gives you cookies.' Raine complained.

'Because I helped her bake them.' Amaris reasoned.

'She lets you use her laptop.' Joy chimed.

'It was one time, and that was because it was the last day and I had to fill that form.'

'Uh-huh, she also only asks you to walk Disney and no one else.' Misty also stepped in.

'I love dogs.'

'So do i.'

'Me too.'

'Soft and shiny fur, love it.'

'All right... let's stop this here. You guys will be late for your movie if we continue and we don't want that right.' Amaris coaxed sweetly. 'So hurry and go. Enjoy.'

'Bye.' Misty said and waved cheerfully as Amaris left. She turned and said enthusiastically. 'Let's go watch the movie.'

'Hello Mrs. Baxter, I am here for Disney.' Amaris chirped as she saw the old lady tending to some flowers in her garden.

'Oh, dear, you are here. Come in.' Mrs. Baxter was delighted to see the girl.

'Do you need a hand?' Amaris asked politely.

'Not right now, go, I am sure Disney is also waiting for you. And before you head out do take some cookies with you, it's your favorite, chocolate chip.' Mrs. Baxter winked and continued with her work.

Amaris felt heat rush to her cheeks as she heard about cookies. She quickly escaped to the backyard thinking about her friend's remarks.

'Disney.' Amaris hollered and then whistled.

The golden retriever opened his eyes and then quickly stood up. The next moment, he was all over her, licking her face.

'Good boy, I missed you too. Now, let's go for a walk.' Amaris stood up. She dusted her dress and then put on the leash and left with Disney but not before making a trip inside and snatching a few cookies for herself. After all, they were her favorite.