chapter thirty-two:
❛ a recital ❜

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im so sorry for all the notifications but please stop being a ghost reader!!!! us writers work hard on these chapters. i know i ask this a lot, but i really don't like ghost readers because i work super hard on these chapters so when i see views going up bt votes not its hard for my motivation!

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Sunny and Jade stepped into the office of the dance competition directors, the sharp scent of freshly printed paper and the sterile, impersonal feel of the room immediately making them both feel small. The walls were lined with glimmering trophies, each showcasing the accomplishments of past dancers who had stood where they were now. The competition was huge, the biggest of the season, and this could be their chance to prove themselves. Sunny swallowed hard, trying to suppress the nerves bubbling in her stomach.

At the desk sat Mr. Campbell, the head director, a tall man in his early fifties with a salt-and-pepper beard and a no-nonsense demeanor. Beside him sat Ms. Navarro, a woman in her mid-thirties with short, dark hair and sharp, calculating eyes. Her smile was polite, but there was an air of caution about her, as though she could see right through any attempt at flattery.

Sunny and Jade stood across from them, clutching the forms they'd prepared with careful precision-entry forms for two solos. Both women had been rehearsing tirelessly, choreographing their routines, and pushing themselves to the limit. They'd been working independently, not part of any studio, and the competition had specific rules that said they needed a teacher or a studio to enter. But they weren't going to let that stop them.

"So," Mr. Campbell began, his voice stern, but not unkind. "You're here to enter two solos for the regional competition. One for each of you, correct?" He glanced at the papers, then back up at them. "But I'm seeing no teacher listed. No studio affiliation."

Jade spoke first, her voice calm but firm. "Yes, that's right. We've been training on our own. No teacher. No studio." She stood a little taller, as if daring them to challenge their dedication. "We've choreographed these routines ourselves, and we've been practicing for months."

Ms. Navarro raised an eyebrow, her gaze fixed on the forms as if she were searching for some loophole that could save the situation. "I understand that, but... that's not how we usually operate here. Our competition requires dancers to have a teacher or be associated with a studio. Without that, we can't just accept any entry. It's a matter of insurance, liability, and even fairness."

Sunny shifted uncomfortably, feeling the weight of their words sink in. She could tell they weren't exactly sold on the idea. Still, she pushed forward, not ready to give up yet. "We've both been dancing for years. We've worked harder than most people in studios. We just need the chance to prove ourselves."

Ms. Navarro exhaled, her fingers tapping on the desk as she glanced at Mr. Campbell. The silence that followed felt suffocating. Mr. Campbell leaned back in his chair, his arms folded across his chest. "Listen," he said, his voice deep and measured, "I can see you've put in the work, but the rules are there for a reason. We're not just going to make exceptions for anyone."

"There's also the issue of insurance," Ms. Navarro added, her tone softening slightly, but still firm. "We can't allow competitors to participate without being properly covered. Teachers and studios carry that responsibility. You don't have that. If something were to happen-if you get hurt or something goes wrong backstage-we'd be liable, and that's a risk we just can't take."

Sunny's heart sank further, but she couldn't let her frustration show. She looked over at Jade, who was standing a few inches away, arms crossed and expression unreadable. The disappointment in Jade's eyes matched her own.

"And then there's fairness," Mr. Campbell continued, his gaze scanning the room. "Studios have to meet certain requirements. They have to be vetted by us, ensuring their dancers are properly trained and ready. Allowing someone with no teacher or representation, without that assurance, opens the door for others to bypass the system. It's not something we can allow."

"I get it," Jade muttered, her voice low, the sting of rejection creeping into her tone. She turned to Sunny. "It's not going to work, is it?"

Sunny's fists clenched at her sides, her frustration barely contained. She'd fought so hard for this moment, to show them that they could compete on the same level as anyone in a studio. But it wasn't going to happen now. She swallowed the bitter feeling rising in her throat and gave Jade a quick, reassuring nod. "No... but we can't just walk away."

Ms. Navarro shot a glance at Mr. Campbell, who gave her a slight nod. "We're sorry," Ms. Navarro said gently, her expression sympathetic but resolute. "But without that affiliation, we can't accept your entry. We wish we could make an exception, but we have to follow the rules."

Sunny felt her chest tighten with frustration, the words like a slap in the face. "I understand," she said, her voice tight but steady. "Thanks for your time." She turned to Jade, and they both walked out of the office, the door closing behind them with a soft click.

Once outside, in the cool air of the parking lot, Jade let out a deep, frustrated breath. "What now? We just... quit? Because of some stupid rule?"

Sunny leaned against the wall of the building, staring at the concrete ground, her mind racing. She wasn't going to quit. She couldn't. "No. We find another way."

Jade raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. "Another way? How do you propose we do that? We don't have a teacher, we don't have a studio... what now?"

Sunny's mind began working faster, trying to come up with a solution. "Maybe we find someone who will sponsor us. Someone who believes in what we're doing. Or... maybe we join a studio just for this competition. I don't know yet, but I'm not giving up. We've worked too hard for this."

Jade exhaled slowly, taking in what Sunny said. The glimmer of hope wasn't completely gone from her eyes. "You think we can actually pull that off?"

Sunny's eyes lit up with determination. "We have to. We're not just going to back down. Not now."

"Alright," Jade said with a slow nod, her frustration giving way to the resolve she could see in Sunny. "Let's figure it out."

Together, they stood outside the building, a new sense of purpose forming between them. It wasn't over-not by a long shot. They were going to find a way, no matter what.

Sunny and Jade sat at the small table in their shared apartment, surrounded by notes, notebooks, and their phones, the remains of their efforts to push Magic Moves into the spotlight. They had spent hours creating the TikTok video-filming, editing, perfecting every detail-hoping it would catch the attention of anyone scrolling through their feed. The idea was simple enough: showcase their creativity, show what they were about, and hope it resonated with people. But as they both sat there, watching the video cycle over and over, neither one of them could deny the growing frustration.

Sunny refreshed the page again, watching as the view count barely ticked up. After the third time, she huffed, rubbing her tired eyes. "I don't get it. We put everything we have into this, and it's just... nothing. A few hundred views? What's the point of trying?"

Jade, leaning back in her chair with her arms crossed tightly over her chest, sighed deeply. "I told you, social media's a mess. It's all algorithms and paid ads. You need more than just talent to break through, you need connections. Or luck." She paused, glancing down at her phone, the words "Magic Moves" on the screen feeling like a distant dream.

"I just thought... we had something different," Sunny murmured, tapping her fingers nervously on the table. "But it's like we're invisible. Nobody even cares."

"I know," Jade said, voice tinged with bitterness. "We're just two girls with no teacher, no studio, no connections-how are we supposed to compete with all those professional dancers out there?"

Sunny groaned and dropped her head into her hands. She felt like all their effort had just been a waste. They were constantly fighting uphill, trying to get Magic Moves off the ground with nothing more than their raw talent. It didn't feel fair. "What are we even doing here, Jade? I thought this was our shot."

Before Jade could respond, a soft knock on the door interrupted them. It wasn't a loud knock, but it was enough to break through the tension that had been hanging heavy in the room. Sunny looked at Jade before getting up and walking over to the door, opening it to reveal her twin sister, Moon.

Moon stood there with her usual calm, almost ethereal presence. Her eyes took in the room-the empty cups of coffee, the scattered notes-and immediately, she raised an eyebrow. "You two look like you've just been through the ringer. What's going on?"

Jade sighed dramatically and motioned toward the computer. "The TikTok video. It's not working. It's like we're invisible. We're doing all the right things, but nothing's breaking through."

Moon stepped inside, kicking off her shoes as she took a seat beside Jade. "Yeah, I figured. Social media's a mess for a reason. It's built on clicks and trends, not talent. And even if you nail a trend, that's no guarantee that anyone will actually pay attention."

"I know," Sunny muttered, rubbing her temples. "We've got the skills, but it's like we're just one drop in a huge ocean. Nobody notices us."

"Well, you're right about one thing," Moon said, her voice shifting to something more thoughtful. "You've got the talent. But the real challenge is letting people see it. So, why don't you do something a little less... online? Something more personal?"

Jade shot her an incredulous look. "What do you mean? We've already tried the whole 'personal connection' thing with our friends. They know about Magic Moves, but the response is... lukewarm."

Moon smiled, unbothered by Jade's skepticism. "No, no. I'm talking about a recital. At school. You know, you guys could put on a show for your classmates. Make it a real thing. A personal, grassroots approach that's more about community than viral fame."

Sunny and Jade exchanged confused glances. "A recital?" Jade asked, frowning. "You really think that's going to get people's attention?"

"Yeah, why not?" Moon said, shrugging casually. "It doesn't have to be anything huge. Just you, a small stage, maybe a little promotion. And boom-instant recognition. It's something different from all the flashy, viral nonsense. You'd be giving people a chance to see you, not just your screen presence. And the people at school? They'll love the chance to support local talent. You'd be surprised at how much they'll show up if it's something they feel connected to."

Sunny's eyes started to light up at the suggestion. She leaned forward, considering it. "But how do we even make that happen? We don't have a stage, or... any kind of budget for anything fancy."

Moon raised a finger. "That's the beauty of it. You don't need anything fancy. You just need to find a space-maybe the school gym or even the auditorium. The key is the performance itself. If you make it good enough, people will come. They'll want to see what Magic Moves is all about. And once you have their attention? You've got a solid foundation to build from."

Jade was quiet for a moment, her mind working through the logistics of what Moon was saying. She had to admit, the idea was starting to make sense. There were no viral algorithms to fight, no competition with big influencers. This would be about them-about showing off their craft in front of people who actually knew them and cared. The personal touch Moon was talking about was exactly what they needed.

"Well... I guess it couldn't hurt to try," Jade said slowly. "But it's going to be a lot of work. We'll need to organize it all ourselves."

"Exactly!" Moon grinned. "And I'll help you with all of that. We'll get the word out, put up some posters, and make sure people know it's going to be a good show. You just focus on the dancing."

Sunny nodded, her hope rekindling. "Okay. A recital. Yeah. We can do that." She turned to Jade, her face now lit up with excitement. "It's just one night, but if we put on a good show, we could get the ball rolling. And who knows? Maybe someone from a local studio will see us and want to work with us."

Jade grinned back, finally feeling the spark of energy she'd been missing for weeks. "Alright, let's do it. If we can't go viral, we'll make a performance they'll never forget."

Moon's smile widened as she leaned back on the couch. "That's the spirit. I've got some ideas for flyers. I'll make sure people know. You two just focus on the routine and the music. We've got this."

As the three of them started brainstorming logistics, planning out the performance, something shifted in the air. The weight that had been pressing down on them, the frustration and doubt, began to lift. Magic Moves wasn't just a group anymore-it was a movement. And it was time to let everyone see it, to make their mark in a way that was authentic and real.

Sunny and Jade stood outside the principal's office, their nerves gnawing at them as they waited for their meeting with Mr. Anders, the high school principal. The hallways were unusually quiet, and the usual hum of school life felt far away as the two of them fidgeted nervously. It was one thing to come up with an idea for a recital, but it was another to actually pitch it to the principal. The weight of what they were about to ask hung in the air like a cloud.

"Okay," Jade said, exhaling sharply as she adjusted her jacket. "We've got this. It's just Mr. Anders. He can't be that bad, right?"

Sunny nodded, but her stomach still churned. "Yeah, but this is a big ask. A whole recital at the school? He might not go for it."

"We'll make him see why it's a good idea," Jade said, trying to sound confident, though there was a small glint of doubt in her eyes.

The door to the office swung open, and they both straightened up instinctively. Mr. Anders, tall and stern, gestured them in with a warm but calculated smile. "Sunny, Jade, come in, come in. What can I do for you today?"

They both stepped inside, and Sunny took a seat while Jade lingered next to her. "Thanks for meeting with us, Mr. Anders," Sunny began, trying to keep her voice steady. "We've been thinking about organizing something for the school-a recital, you know, showcasing student talent. And we'd love to have it here, in the gym or auditorium. Just a small performance, but something to get people excited about Magic Moves."

Mr. Anders leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping thoughtfully against the desk. "A recital, huh? Interesting idea. You know the school's got quite a packed schedule, right? We've got sports, events, all that. Not that I don't like the idea-students getting involved is always a good thing. But," he paused, giving them a long look, "you'd need to do more than just throw it together last-minute. If you want it to happen, there's a process."

Jade raised an eyebrow, the edge of her anxiety creeping into her voice. "What do you mean, exactly?"

Mr. Anders sat up straighter, his expression turning more businesslike. "Well, for one, you'd need to get approval from the school board. It's a public event, so we need to ensure everything's in line. We'll also need to sort out the logistics-like the venue, of course. And that means making sure we don't schedule it over anything else, which is going to be tricky given how packed the calendar is." He leaned forward, folding his hands. "But there's more. We also have to consider ticket prices."

"Ticket prices?" Jade echoed, her brow furrowed. "For a recital?"

Mr. Anders nodded. "Yes. We can't just have a free-for-all. There are expenses to consider-lighting, sound equipment, security, the usual. And don't forget, we need to make sure this event is fair for everyone who might want to come. So, ticket prices are something you'll need to think about."

Sunny exchanged a quick look with Jade. They hadn't thought of the financial aspect yet. This recital wasn't just going to be a casual performance; there were logistics and budgetary concerns to navigate.

"We'll... figure that out," Sunny said, trying to sound more confident than she felt. "Maybe we could do a small fee for tickets? Like, not too much. Just enough to cover the costs?"

"Good idea," Mr. Anders said. "But, there's also the matter of promotion. You'd need to come up with some marketing-posters, flyers, social media promotion, all that. We can't just rely on word of mouth."

Jade blinked, a little overwhelmed. "So, we'd have to make flyers and-everything, basically."

Mr. Anders smiled faintly. "Yes, but that's part of making it official. The more you put into it, the better it will be. And lastly, you'll need a solid performance plan-exactly who's performing, what songs, choreography, all that. I'm assuming you've got a routine in mind?"

"Yes," Sunny replied quickly. "We've got that covered. We're ready to perform and get everything organized. We just need the space and approval."

He looked at them both for a moment, clearly evaluating the situation. After a brief pause, he finally spoke. "Alright. Here's the deal. You can have your recital-but you'll need to fill out the proper paperwork and get the board's approval. You'll need to come up with a detailed plan. I'm talking ticket prices, promotion, timing, and of course, making sure you've got a responsible adult or two involved to oversee things."

"Do we have to get a teacher to supervise?" Jade asked, concern in her voice. "We don't have one. We don't have a dance teacher or anything."

Mr. Anders gave them a pointed look. "Well, you'll need some adult oversight, but it doesn't necessarily have to be a dance teacher. You could approach one of the other teachers, or even have someone like a school counselor or parent involved. Just someone who's responsible. It's school policy."

Sunny and Jade nodded slowly, absorbing the information. The list of things they had to handle was growing longer, but the idea of getting the event officially approved was a big step forward. They weren't about to back down now.

"Okay," Jade said, exhaling slowly. "We can work with that."

Mr. Anders stood up and gestured toward the door. "Great. I'll send you the paperwork, and we'll schedule a meeting with the board. Get everything in order and bring it to me. If all goes well, we'll make this happen."

Sunny smiled, the weight of the situation starting to settle in, but feeling like it was finally within reach. "Thank you, Mr. Anders. We won't let you down."

"You better not," Mr. Anders replied, his tone almost teasing. "If you do, you'll be the ones cleaning up after the event." He gave them a small wink before waving them out.

As they left the office, the adrenaline kicked in. "Okay, we've got this. We can totally pull it off," Jade said, trying to convince herself more than anything.

Sunny nodded, her smile returning. "Yeah. We just need to get everything together. Tickets, promotion, and of course-our routine. We can do this."

As they walked down the hallway, ideas already swirling in their heads, Sunny felt a new fire igniting. This was their chance. They were going to prove Magic Moves wasn't just a name-it was a movement. And with every step, they were getting closer.

Sunny sat at her desk, scribbling down a list of everything she needed for the recital. Posters, flyers, costumes, lighting equipment, a sound system. The list was long, and as she reviewed it again, she could feel the weight of the work that lay ahead. But it was worth it-Magic Moves was going to make a splash. She jotted down one last note to herself when suddenly, she heard music blasting from outside her window. It was loud and upbeat, the kind of song that made you want to dance, and it was so distinct that it cut through the quiet in her room like a sudden wave.

Curious, she pushed her chair back and stood, walking over to the window. She peeked outside, and there, leaning casually against his bike, was Eli. His usual confident grin was spread across his face, but today he was holding something in his hands that made Sunny's heart skip a beat. It was a poster.

As the boombox blared music, Eli lifted the poster high, and Sunny read the large, bold text: "Will you go on a date with me to the drive-in?" Below it, there were two checkboxes-one for "Yes" and one for "No," both with neat little checkmarks beside them, almost as if he was already expecting her to answer.

Sunny couldn't help but chuckle, shaking her head. Eli always had a way of doing things that made her laugh, even when she was overwhelmed with everything else on her plate. She leaned forward, pressing her forehead against the cool glass of the window as she watched him, still holding the poster like he was waiting for her answer.

"Such a dork," she muttered to herself, grinning as she leaned back from the window. Her thoughts shifted to the recital, but a small part of her was already picturing herself with Eli at the drive-in, sitting in the dark, just the two of them, watching some old movie on a huge screen.

She shook her head, forcing herself to focus. Her mom's voice called from downstairs, pulling her out of her daydreams. "Sunny, come downstairs! Your dad and I need to talk to you!"

She sighed, looking at the list one last time before heading out of her room. As she made her way down the stairs, she could hear her mom's cheerful voice ringing through the house. "I think it's so sweet! He's always been such a nice boy!"

Sunny stepped into the living room, and her mom, Elaine, was sitting on the couch, beaming with excitement, practically glowing with enthusiasm. But next to her, Jameson, her dad, was sitting with his arms crossed, his brow furrowed. He didn't look mad, but there was a hint of protective irritation on his face that Sunny knew all too well.

"What's going on?" Sunny asked, raising an eyebrow as she looked at both of them.

Her mom glanced up at her, the wide smile never leaving her face. "Eli's outside with a poster! He wants to take you to the drive-in! Isn't that sweet?"

Sunny's heart skipped another beat, but she quickly brushed it off, trying not to show too much surprise. "Yeah, I saw him," she said, attempting to keep her voice neutral. "He's... persistent."

Jameson, on the other hand, wasn't hiding his feelings as well. "Persistent? More like bold. Do you know how I feel about some of these boys? Especially one who thinks he can just waltz up and ask you out with a boombox in front of the house?" His voice raised slightly, but it wasn't full-on yelling-yet.

"Dad," Sunny said, her tone light but teasing, trying to defuse the tension. "It's just Eli. He's harmless."

Her dad shot her a look that she knew too well. The kind of look that said he wasn't convinced, but he also didn't want to start an argument. "Still," he muttered, "I'm not exactly thrilled about the way he's... going about this."

Sunny turned back toward the door, knowing she needed to take charge of the situation. "I'm going to go talk to him," she said with a roll of her eyes, trying to stay calm in the face of her dad's protective attitude.

Her mom gave her a nod, still smiling brightly. "Tell him I think it's wonderful! I'm so happy he's finally asking you out! This could be the start of something sweet!"

Sunny smiled at her mom but couldn't help feeling the pressure of her dad's gaze following her as she walked out the door.

As soon as she stepped outside, the music hit her again, and she looked over to find Eli still standing there, grinning ear to ear. He gave a little wave when he saw her.

"So?" he asked, his eyes sparkling with that familiar mischievous glint. "What do you think?"

Sunny looked at him, shaking her head with a small laugh. "You're ridiculous, Eli."

"I know," he said with a shrug, still holding the poster up. "So, are we going to the drive-in or what?"

Sunny glanced back at her house, the chaos of her parents' mixed reactions still fresh in her mind. Despite everything, she couldn't help but smile. "You know what? Yeah. Sure."

She walked over to him, stepping in front of the poster. Without missing a beat, she grabbed the pen hanging from Eli's jacket pocket and checked the box for "Yes."

Eli's grin widened, and he dropped the poster, leaning in to give her a quick, light kiss on the cheek. "I knew you'd say yes," he said, his voice filled with amusement.

Sunny chuckled, shaking her head. "You're lucky you're cute."

As Eli gathered up his boombox and adjusted his bike, Sunny couldn't help but feel a rush of excitement. The recital was still looming in her mind, but for now, there was something about this unexpected moment with Eli that felt just right.

"Let's go to the drive-in, then," she said, smiling up at him as they walked toward his bike.

"It's gonna be the best date ever," Eli replied, pulling her close as they rode off into the afternoon sun.

ASH SPEAKS!!!

thar drive in date is gonna be interrupted bc eli decides to be a dookiehead and piss cobra kai off

PLEASE DONT BE A GHOST READER!
COMMENT AND VOTE! IT HELPS US WRITERS STAY MOTIVATED:)