The Last Dance

Jansel Ferma

The Last Dance

Saving the last dance was my aim, making my name out of no names, but to others, the capability was absurdly odd.

I have been trying hard to make the right choice in whichever club to join, but somehow my inner detectives swerved me to where I least expected. Dancing was not my hubby but singing would be what I could ever live for.

My schoolmates never liked me just because of my reading ability and my habit of staying alone. I was taught by my grandma how to remain glued to my studies and how to make a way out of hardship. Dancing was an exceptional thing I learned from her as she was stunning and outstanding while dancing most especially the village kind of dance.

While she was passing away, she gave me a gown made of magical crystals of different colors. She told me to use it anytime I have any form of challenge or competition as if she had known what would be of me.

I never knew of the magical crystal attached to it until one night when I saw it glow. It was a way of saying goodbye to me, I guessed.

My teachers always praised me for the way I studied so seriously and cracked the hard nut wildly open with the way I danced. I saw myself as the least dancer since I never took it so seriously, but my mates saw my dancing style to be gifted from the almighty, maybe from my grandma.

It was time for the competition and one of my mates always made me understand that she could dance more than the way I do. I could say I was a threat to her.

I'm from a poor background and this is why some of my mates hate making friends with me, but I don't care because I have lived to stay alone even while at home. The only friend that had kept me triggered was Floxy. She was the stormer who first admired my kind of stunning beauty despite being a girl. She could not hide it the very first day we met, instead, let the cat out of the bag and said "Girl, you are beautiful". Even though I have not seen myself be one, Molly was the best and the prettiest of all the girls.

We went to the competition since Molly was the best dancer, she was chosen aside from my outside dancing tactics. She was trying her best but her pride made her the fallen angel. Her dress code was out of it. She was believed to be the daughter of the richest man in our school. The sound of her shoes was mature but dressing to kill was the failure that caused her downfall.

Elvry from nowhere and a neighboring school took the lead and showed her the way out. The style Elvry took was the best one and everyone applauded her even those from our school were falling for her kind of dance coupled with her dress. Moderation was the best answer to the way she dressed which gave her a plus.

No one was there to replace Molly since she was out of the race. It was a race to win a crystal bracelet and a crystal trophy. My school had no choice other than to call my friend Floxy to save the last dance. She objected and pointed at me. "She is the best dancer", Floxy said. But no one seems to believe it except my music teacher who had sighted the way I danced days back.

Something sounded the trumpet deep in me to take my crystal magical gown, which my grandma gave to me. I could now hold it but went straight to the changing room and dressed in my magical crystal gown.

I ascended the stage with the best of all my songs just as the opening song. My one step gave me the best applause I could ever get. The charming gown drew the attention of all the spectators and the visitors as well as the judges. Everyone was just lost as even I cannot see the glowing crystals right in the gown except for the audience.

To me, I was not the best dancer but to those around me, I'm the only one who would save the last dance.

One of the rules is that "we must dance to different kinds of songs being played". I'm not too good at these hip-hop songs but Elvry was good at them. They started with the native song "Juju". Everyone was clapping but I don't know if I was the one they were clapping for. The crystal gown was glowing seriously to the eyes of the audience. At a time I was able to see the way they got carried away with the gown in their look. I initially did not see the crystals but this time I was able to see the glowing crystals in their faces.

The first phase was over. They gave us another song and this time it was a hip-hop song. I was melting deep inside of me, but the gown was somehow giving me the courage to dance. Elvry went inside to change into other clothes which were just too beautiful. I'm from a poor background and only have what my grandma gave to me. So, I stick to my gown. When she stepped out, the crowd shouted in praising voices. They were raining praises on her.

She got to the stage and gave them an opening step which made the crowd so excited. I was not ready to come out since I was not with another cloth to change with, but the magic gown was somehow pulling me up, and within a twinkling of an eye, I saw myself up the stage with thunderous applause and shout. I heard the sound of the roof wanting to pull off as a result of the clap and praises. There was an envious and disappointed look on Elvry's face. This gave me more room to save my fear of not winning the dance.

Seeing my shining magical crystal cloth made Elvry sadder and got a watery face look. I saw the rain dripping from her face.

The dance began and I was not sure if I was dancing the right step, my legs were just carried by the crystal gown and not me. Elvry danced so well but the yell from the audience was sending something strange in me.

It's time to announce the winner. Elvry was later triggered by the crowd and smiles emerged from her face showing a sign of winning the dance. I stood firm waiting to hear the losing strength. The judges were done compiling their different results

The judge said "For the dressing, Elvry you did so well but…"

"Immediately she heard the "but", tears rolled down from her face."

The judge continued. You fell out. Your gown was drawing you backward instead of saving the faces of the audience".

Now, it's my turn.

Terani, you got us captivated. Your flowing crystal gown was the best we have ever seen. The judge said.
My mates applauded me.

The judge continued. "For the dancing steps, Elvry you tried your best but your gown as I have said earlier was drawing you backward. You were not free to give us your best."

Terani, you took us to another realm of dance as I and my colleagues have never seen this kind of dancing steps. You were so good with the gown you wore. The gown was so free and was making your dancing steps obvious to us. You are the winner. The judge said.

The crowd was melting the thick bricks with their shout of praise.

I was handed the crystal bracelet and trophy. My school was so happy and even Molly came up to hug me for saving the last dance. My friend, Floxy, ran to hug me and I received lots of gifts from people.