Fifteen Love by Nicole Leigh Shepherd

Author:Nicole Leigh Shepherd [Shepherd, Nicole Leigh]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781101575116
Publisher: Penguin Group US
Published: 2012-08-30T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

BELLA

Two weeks, nine doubles wins, and six singles sweeps later, I’m in a fabulous mood.

Grace and I are going over our creative writing homework before Ludwig gets to class. “Can you just take a look at this and let me know if anything sticks out to you?” I show Grace my storyboards. For a second, I remember what Maggie said once about how my life is all about stats—my grade point average, tennis rankings, body fat index, serve speed, etcetera.

“Watch the comma splice here,” Grace says, using her purple pen to circle my work. “Other than that, it looks good to me.”

“Thanks,” I say, making another notation on my paper.

“Hey, congratulations on all the wins lately.” Grace sits up straight and untwists the hair band around her ponytail. Her flaxen waves flow freely over her shoulders.

“Thanks.” I glance over at Lauren, who’s standing in the doorway talking loudly on the phone, probably to her boyfriend. It occurs to me that maybe Maggie had a point about Lauren’s looking for ways to slack off.

“I’m assuming stuff is going better with your sister then?”

“Actually, yeah. It’s been great.” I watch as Maggie and Ryan wiggle past Lauren, Ryan’s arm wrapped around my sister’s shoulder as they walk into class. Ryan pulls Maggie into a hug and kisses her cheek. Maggie beams.

“You okay?” Grace asks, staring at me.

“Of course.” I snap my head in Grace’s direction. “How’s dance?” I ask.

“We have our first rehearsal tonight for the fall show,” Grace says, clapping her hands swiftly.

“Awesome,” I say, anxiously checking the clock. I remind myself to transfer my homework to my iPad and then figure out how to get it done before training.

“I’m seriously psyched. It’s an amazing performance and we pulled it off so quickly.”

“What are you guys planning on doing?”

“It’s a great routine. We’ve combined ballet with some freestyle—like a little bit of classical mixed with old school Britney Spears.”

“Nice! What music are you using?” I ask, feeling nostalgic. I think back to when I danced a solo during my last year at the studio.

“Rihanna.”

“Get out!” I say. I still break out in a few old moves sometimes when I overhear Maggie’s music while I’m doing homework in my room.

“You know it.” Grace puts her hands up and shimmies like she’s on stage.

“Are you performing at school?”

“Yeah, in the auditorium—on the new stage they just installed. You should see it. The floor was built with a little bit of bounce and everything. Just for our routines.” She pauses. Then her face lights up like mine does when I win a point. “We usually practice at night. Maybe you could join us—you know, if you’re done with tennis in time.”

“Can’t.” I cut her off before she goes on any longer. It’s no use. I look at the clock.

“If you can’t join, you should at least come check out the rehearsal tonight—get a peek at the big show before we go on for real in a few days.”

“No, really—”

Grace cuts me off. “I’d love to hear what you think about the routine.

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