Chapter 2

During dance class, Ms. Gable suddenly announced some exciting news.

"For this year's Annual Showcase, the admissions directors from the Juilliard School will be here. They're going to select one outstanding student for a full-scholarship, one-month summer intensive in New York."

The studio erupted.

"Oh my god, Juilliard!"

"Are you serious? That's basically a golden ticket to getting admitted early!"

My heart hammered against my ribs.

Juilliard had been my dream for as long as I could remember.

And now, the opportunity was right in front of me.

"Our group piece, 'Chasing Light,' will be the highlight of the showcase," Ms. Gable continued. "The Juilliard directors will watch the entire thing. Whoever performs the best will have the highest chance of being chosen."

The new girl, Chloe Brown, suddenly raised her hand, looking at Ms. Gable with big, puppy-dog eyes.

"Ms. Gable, since I just transferred here, I don't have a partner yet. Does that mean I can't participate in the showcase?"

Ms. Gable looked troubled. "Well, Chloe, your situation is a bit tricky."

Since we shared the exact same first name, the teacher had started calling us by our last names.

She was Brown. I was Miller.

"The other students have been paired up for a long time. It wouldn't be fair to break up established duos. Plus, you've just arrived, and you aren't familiar with the choreography for 'Chasing Light' yet."

"How about you watch and learn this time? I promise to prioritize you for the next showcase."

Chloe Brown's eyes immediately welled with tears.

A few guys in the back looked completely heartbroken and rushed to comfort her.

Right then, a familiar voice cut through the noise.

"Ms. Gable, I'll partner with her."

My head snapped up.

It was Zach.

Without even looking at me, he repeated, "I'll partner with Brown for the showcase."

The studio went dead silent.

Every single eye turned to me.

I stood up abruptly, staring at Zach in utter disbelief. "What about me?"

Ms. Gable frowned, looking back and forth between Zach and me with clear hesitation.

"Zach, you've been partners with Miller for six years. Your chemistry is unmatched. The showcase is too important to swap partners at the last minute. Are you sure about this?"

"Perfectly sure," Zach replied coldly.

"I want to dance with Chloe Brown. She's disciplined. I'm sure her technique is way better than Chloe Miller's."

"Besides—"

He finally turned his gaze to me, wearing that familiar, nasty smirk.

"With Chloe Miller's current shape, putting her on stage would be an embarrassment. What if the Juilliard directors think our school only produces eyesores?"

Harsh jeers and snickers echoed through the room.

I froze, my fingers gripping the hem of my skirt so hard they turned white.