Chapter 3 Chapter 3

"I'm so sick of that same old love, that shit, it tears me up. I'm so sick of that same old love, my body's had enough. Ooh ooh ooh oh oh, that same old love. Ooh ooh ooh oh oh, that same old love." I sang loudly to the song on my car radio as I drove to school. I don't know why, but for some reason I love that song. The first time I heard it, I was hooked. Twenty minutes later, I pulled into the school's parking lot. I found a good parking space and got out of my car. As I locked my car, I spotted my friends standing near Amber's car. I walked over to them, while pulling my bag pack over my shoulder. "Hey Jessica!" Dylan greeted me, giving me a tight hug. "Dyl, you're squeezing me too tight." I mumbled breathlessly. "Oh, sorry." He grinned at me cheekily. I turned to Amber and gave her a hug as well. "Hey Amber." I greeted her. "Hi." She pulled away from the hug, "Hey, Dylan and I were just talking about going to watch Bridget Jones's Baby tomorrow. It's now playing." "Sounds like a good idea." I nodded my head. "Okay, we'll discuss the details at lunch." Amber said. We told each other bye and parted because we did not have the same first period. I went to my locker to get the books I needed for class and to put in the ones that I didn't need. "Hey Red." Someone whispered behind me making me jump. I turned around to see that it was Ethan and I scowled. "Please don't tell me that you are going to annoy me from now on." I groaned out. He chuckled, "Now why would I do that?" I gave him a look. "Because this is you we are talking about here." He placed his hand on his chest and faked hurt. "You wound me deeply." I rolled my eyes and closed my locker. "I don't have time for this. I have to get to class." I turned away from him, before he could open his mouth and say anything else. I sighed. Arrogant jerk. The day passed by quickly and I was now heading to dance class. I got dressed in the locker room and went to the dance room. One hour later, dance class was finished and I showered. I put my dance clothes in my gym bag and left the locker rooms. I was almost at the dance room door, when Ms. Wilson called me from across the room. I stopped and allowed her to catch up to me. "Jessica, I'm so glad I caught you." Ms. Wilson said as she reached me. "What is it, Ms. Wilson?" I asked curiously. "I need to talk to you about something important." I nodded my head and she continued, "There is a national individual hip hop dance competition and I think it would be great if you entered it." I looked at her baffled by what she said. "You want me to compete against people from all over Chicago? I'm not that good, Ms. Wilson." "Look, I'm not only recommending you because you are one of the best dancers in class, but because I know how important dancing is to you and you can do it if you put your mind to it. You just have to believe in yourself." She reasoned. "Tell me about this competition." I said, after giving it some thought. Ms. Wilson smiled at me. "It's called the McDonnell's Dance Competition and it's right here in Chicago. You'll be competing against other dancers for the top prize." This will most definitely be a huge step for me but, competing against other dancers that were most likely pretty good, was big. I may be good in the walls of this high school, but there are a lot of people out there that are better than me. I don't think I have the talent to go against them, but I'll consider it. "I'll think about it." I replied. She nodded her head. "Okay. See you on Tuesday." she bid me goodbye and turned away from me. I continued to the door of the dance room and left the school. When I got home, I went up to my room and immediately got out my laptop. I want to find out more about this competition. I turned my laptop on and wait for it to come on. I went to the search engine and typed in the McDonnell's Dance Competition and pressed search. After it came up, I began to read. "Oh my God." I whispered under my breath. The winner will get a cash prize, along with a scholarship to attend The Ulan College of the Performing Arts. I have always wanted to go there. That is my dream school. I can't give up an opportunity like that. I have to at least try. After reading more information on the website, I shut my laptop down and went downstairs. My mother was in the kitchen cooking dinner. "Hey Mom." I said, as I entered the kitchen. I sat at the kitchen counter and took a deep breath. "Yes Jessica." She answered without turning around. "I think I'm going to enter a dance competition." I said. My mom stopped what she was doing and turned around to face me. "What kind of dance competition is this?" She asked. "It's a hip hop dance competition here in Chicago and I would be competing against people for the top prize." I said quietly. My mother put down the spoon she was holding and gave me her full attention. "Sweetie, you know I support you in your dance, but this is a long shot. I don't want you to be disappointed." "I know Mom, but I want to at least try. The winner will receive a scholarship to UCPA." I tried to convince her. "That is the college you are always talking about, right?" I nodded my head and she was quiet for a minute. "When is this competition?" "It's on the 11th of March." "Jessica, we are near the end of January! Is that enough time for you to practice and be ready?" Mom asked. "I will have to try Mom. I think I can do this. I really want to do this." Mom was quiet for another few minutes before she sighed. "I'm not going to stop you from chasing your dreams, so if you really want to do this, I will support you." Mom finally said. A big smile spread across my face and I jumped up from the stool and run to hug my mother. "Thank you so much, Mom!" I said squeezing her tight, "You're the best!" My mom chuckled and hugged me back. I was pulling away, when Tamara walked into the kitchen. "What's going on in here?" She asked, looking from Mom to me. She must be pretty confused with the smiles on our faces. "Your sister is going to enter a dance competition." Mom supplied, a smile on her face. Tamara's eyes turned to mine, "Wow! That's pretty cool, sis." "Yeah, I know." I said excitedly. "I'm happy for you, Jess." Tamara smiled at me. "Thanks, Tamara. I'm going to call Dylan and Amber and tell them the news." I run out of the kitchen and run upstairs to my room. I can't believe, I was entering this competition. I was feeling nervous and excited all at the same time.