Chapter 2
The drive to Charlotte,North Carolina is nearly four hours long.
I was born and raised in Charleston, South Carolina. Used to the beach and sun even though my skin doesn’t show that. Moving away is completely terrifying, especially since I’m still grieving and won’t have my mother or aunts by my side every day, but another girl from the dance team will be my roommate in the new apartment.
Her name is Sarah Greenley and she is as beautiful as she is kind. I met her when I met the rest of the dance team after Mya drafted me. She is short, like me, with dancer muscles that wrap around her tan limbs. She has raven black hair and gray eyes, different from the usual blond-haired beauties that I’ve grown up around. Different, like me. She needed a new roommate, and I definitely didn’t want to be on my own, so I took her up on her offer.
I haven’t seen the apartment yet. We left my beat up, blue Subaru in the parking lot of the complex so that my mom could drive me down here. I’ve only had a formal introduction to the team. Most of them have already practiced together, but since I joined late, I haven’t even had the opportunity to dance with them yet.
The complex of my new apartment is incredibly nice. Modern and brown with black windows and posts and glass all around with small balconies on each unit. I saw the lobby when I signed the lease Sarah left me. It looks like the foyer of a fine dining restaurant with expensive seating, glass counters and retro style chandeliers. It has a gym, laundry facility, pool and cafe area. The apartment comes completely furnished, so Sarah and I only needed to bring what we wanted for extra decorations and our clothes. It’s three grand a month per person.
My salary will be lower since it’s the first year for the dance team. My contract read I’ll be paid nearly fifty grand per year which will consist of constant practice, traveling and performances. It’s a busy schedule, but I like to be busy. It keeps my mind occupied, something that I desperately need right now.
Mom pulls into the lot and sighs.
“You know, it’s not too late to turn back,” she says for the fifth time.
She’s not excited about my new career. Mostly because she doesn’t want to be around the area her dead daughter once was. She can’t even bring herself to go to the stadium. I already told her she doesn’t need to come for my performances or games. I know it will be too hard on her, but this is my dream. It’s everything I worked my ass off for and I know Amber would be so proud of me, so I’m doing it regardless.
“It is too late, Mom. Everything is already signed and ready for me. You don’t need to worry about me, I’m going to be okay,” I say, patting her arm as she sniffles back tears.
“But will I be okay without you?” she asks in a shaky voice, and I pull her in for a hug in her large SUV.
“Yes, you will. You have the store and Aunt Beth and Em. I will visit as much as I can, I promise.”
I don’t know how much that will be, since my schedule will be so demanding, but her business and sisters will keep her occupied while I am away. My phone dings and I look down at the text from Sarah.
I see you in the lot, what are you waiting for?! It’s so cute here!
I smile, a small bit of excitement blooming in my belly for the first time in a year.
Mom and I grab my luggage and we walk inside the complex, taking the nice elevator all the way up to the fourth floor. Thank God I won’t have to carry groceries up the stairs. I can’t imagine hauling everything up after a long day of practice.
We get to our apartment and walk inside, Sarah runs to me and catches me in a strong hug, her raven black hair tickling my nose.
“I’m so excited to see you, Lissie! Come, let me give you and your mama a tour.” Her southern twang is sweet and innocent, much like the rest of her.
The apartment isn’t very big, but it’s nice. Everything is modern and white, and the couches are yellow with green pillows. The windows give a great view of downtown Charlotte, the kitchen has a big counter aisle with barstools and marble countertops. There are two bathrooms, thank god, and they are both connected to our bedrooms which are on opposite sides of the apartment so that we don’t bother each other.
Not that I could ever imagine being bothered by Sarah. We’ve only known each other for a month, but we text and call every day, our bond growing close very quickly. She knows about my sister, much like the rest of the country, and her happy spirits have eased some of my grief with the way she distracts me. Sarah is all about smiles and fun, something I need greatly.
After I put all my clothes away and set up my bathroom, Mom gives me a long, tearful goodbye and shuts the front door, leaving Sarah and I alone.
“So, are you ready?” Sarah asks as we plop down on the couches.
“For practice tomorrow morning? Not really. I can’t believe it’s at six AM,” I say tiredly, and she laughs.
“No, silly. Are you ready for our night out tonight?” she asks, and my eyebrows raise.
“Night out? Sarah, we have to be at practice in twelve hours. I don’t think I should go party. I’m ready for bed right now,” I say, giving into my old ways of being a hermit.
I’ve grown up spending time alone in my bedroom, dancing or listening to music, and I rarely do that out in public unless I’m performing.
“Oh, shut up! We’re going and that’s that! Get dressed and ready, I’ll get an Uber for us in ten,” she says, pulling me off the couch as I try to protest.
“Sarah, I don’t have anything to wear,” I admit, owning mostly Adidas shorts, pants, sports bras and shirts. I can’t even remember the last time I wore a dress.
“Then we’ll go shopping in my closet!” she says simply, like I would fit in anything she has.
“I’m a lot bigger than you, Sarah. I doubt anything will fit,” I say, but she scoffs and waves me off, pulling me down the hall and into her bedroom.
It’s got pictures of flowers on the walls and pink bedding, very girly, unlike mine, which I plan to decorate with my band posters and tapestries.
“You’re not bigger than me, Lissie, stop. You’re a toned, curvy dancer with a great fucking body and I have a few things that would hug you perfectly. We need to accentuate these curves, not hide them,” she says as she starts digging through her closet.
I don’t protest because I already know it’ll just be a futile attempt, so I sit back on her velvet pink bedspread and let her dress me like a doll for the next hour.