CHAPTER FIFTEEN
ELISE
I BOUNCED MY leg anxiously, the tap-tap-tap of my sneaker against the scuffed floor of the audition waiting room the only thing keeping me grounded.
The energy in the air was electric with a mix of nerves, ambition, and the overpowering scent of hairspray. Dancers around me stretched, murmured choreography under their breath, and checked their reflections in the massive mirrors lining the walls.
I tried to do the same. Calm my racing heart, breathe, and focus, but it was impossible when my stomach was a mess of knots.
This wasn’t just any dance audition. It was for Zane Calloway.
The Zane Calloway. As in Titan’s choreographer, as well as one of the most influential and talented choreographers of my generation.
The man whose work made me fall deeper in love with hip-hop dance in the first place.
If I got past this round, I’d be one step closer to making my dream come true.
I checked my number—123—and gripped the little square of paper tighter. Every few minutes, a new number was called. Every few minutes, another dancer disappeared behind the heavy black doors that separated the audition room from us hopefuls. Some came back glowing.
Others, not so much.
I didn’t realize I was holding my breath until I heard my number called.
“Dancer one twenty-three.”
Oh God. That was me.
I swallowed hard, rising to my feet on autopilot.
My legs felt like jelly, but I forced myself forward, offering a polite smile to the assistant ushering me in.
The room was blindingly bright, a massive space with a long panel of judges with Zane Calloway himself at the center watching with an unreadable expression.
The music started, and for the first few beats, I was fine but then I missed a step.
It was small, just a fraction off-beat, but I knew it was noticeable. I tried to recover, but the mistake threw me. My movements felt stiff and unnatural, as if I was trying too hard instead of just dancing. My limbs, usually fluid and precise, were awkward and heavy.
By the time the music stopped, my heart was hammering for all the wrong reasons.
There was a polite pause before Zane leaned forward slightly, offering a smooth, professional smile. “Thank you for coming, Elise. We appreciate your time.”
The line that was practically the kiss of death in an audition.
I nodded, barely able to choke out a “Thank you” before I rushed out of the room. My vision blurred as I grabbed my bag and made my way outside, shoving through the exit doors into the crisp air.
I messed up. Big time.
I blinked rapidly, trying to will away the tears burning my eyes, but it was useless. The disappointment sat heavy in my chest, suffocating. I knew this audition was a long shot, but I didn’t think I’d bomb it that badly.
My phone buzzed.
I almost ignored it. The last thing I wanted to do right now was talk to anyone, much less deal with work. But when I saw Nathan’s name on the screen, I sighed and accepted the call.
“What?” My voice came out sharper than intended, and I instantly regretted answering.
“Elise?” Nathan’s tone was impatient, clipped. “How much longer until you're back in the office?”
I squeeze my eyes shut. Of course. Work. My actual job. “I—” My voice wobbled, and I hated it. “I’ll be there soon.”
There was a beat of silence. “Elise?” His tone shifted, losing its edge. “Are you okay?”
I shook my head even though he couldn’t see me, quickly wiping at my cheeks. “I’m fine,” I lied.
“Try again.” This time, his voice is lower, gentler. “What happened?”
I let out a shaky breath. “I’m at an audition,” I admitted. “Zane Calloway is the choreographer. You impress him; you get the chance to dance for Titan on tour.”
Nathan was quiet for a moment. “And?”
“And I completely screwed up,” I whispered. “I missed a step, panicked, and ugh, I just know they dismissed me. They were nice about it, but it was obvious. It was stupid of me to even try.”
“It wasn’t stupid, Elise.”
I bit my lip. “It feels stupid.”
“You took a shot at something you love. That’s not stupid, that’s brave.” His tone was firm, like it’s a fact and not up for debate. “One bad audition doesn’t mean you’re not good enough.”
I don’t know why, but his words, simple as they were, made my throat tighten.
“What if they already wrote me off?” I wondered, the frustration and disappointment cracking my voice.
“Go back in there and show them that would be the biggest mistake of their life.”
I sniffed. “You’ve never even seen me dance before.”
There was a pause over the line before he spoke. “I’ve seen your work with Rhodium. Besides, I don’t need to have seen you dance to know you have what it takes. I know you. And if anyone has the guts to keep going, it’s you.”
I wanted to argue, to tell him he was wrong, but something in his voice made me hesitate. He believed in me.
I looked down at my hands, my fingers trembling slightly.
They ached from holding onto my doubts for so long.
My head had been telling me for years that I should give up, that I wasn’t cut out for this, this life of constant rejection and second chances.
But here Nathan was, acting like one bad audition didn't define everything I’ve worked for.
I sat there, letting the silence stretch between us. The world felt quieter somehow, like the noise of self-doubt and fear had momentarily faded.
Maybe, just maybe, there was still hope.
I took a deep breath, feeling warm and fuzzy because of a reason I wasn’t ready to face yet. “Okay,” I said, my voice steadier now. “I’ll go back in there. Thank you.”
“Yeah, yeah. Don’t get used to it,” he muttered, but there was a teasing note in his voice and a second later it went back to business. “I still expect you to be back at the office as soon as you’re done.”
I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help the small smile tugging at my lips. “Yes, sir.”
I ended the call, and when I looked at myself in the mirror again, my face was doing this weird thing it never did after speaking with Nathan.
I was smiling.
* * *
“HERE’S TO YOU not taking no for an answer!” Kelsey raised her wine-filled glass in the air.
I laughed softly, almost feeling embarrassed at the looks restaurant goers were giving my best friend, but I raised my glass anyway, her excitement too contagious to ignore. I clinked my glass to hers before taking a sip of my drink. “You’re crazy, you know that?”
The two of us were at The Upper Echelon, the newest members-only restaurant in Beverly Hills, just hours after my audition. Kelsey was adamant that we went out to dinner to celebrate me going into the next round of audions.
The atmosphere inside The Upper Echelon was sleek and opulent with soft, ambient lighting casting a golden glow over plush velvet couches and marble tables.
The air buzzed with the low hum of intimate conversations, accented by the occasional clink of crystal glasses, as if the entire place had been designed for a luxurious escape from the outside world.
“No, just very excited about the fact that my best friend is one step closer to her dreams,” Kelsey countered. “Can you imagine if you actually became Titan’s leading female dancer for his tour this Fall? This has been your dream for the last eight years since we were sixteen.”
“I can’t even think that far, Kels.” I admitted, “I’m just glad Zane didn’t call security on me when I demanded that he let me dance for him again.”
I could still picture Zane sitting back in his seat, his expression a mixture of skepticism and mild disbelief as I stood there, adamant in my request for him to give me another chance.
His lips twitched in the slightest smirk, but there was something in his eyes, curiosity, maybe, or just a hint of respect that kept me from feeling completely ridiculous.
Well, that, and Nathan’s words of encouragement that circled around in my head as I executed my dance routine a second time around, this time to perfection. When the music stopped, Zane sat up straighter in his seat, paused, then congratulated me on making it to the next round.
I couldn’t believe it.
Still, there was something about this audition that felt different.
Dancing for Rhodium had been incredible; getting paid to perform with my best friend was a dream in itself, but it never quite felt earned.
Opportunities with Kelsey always came wrapped in her influence, her connections, her fame.
People saw me as the tagalong best friend, not the dancer who deserved to be there.
But Titan? That was different. If I got this, it would be because of me, my work, my talent, my grit.
There’d be no whispers about nepotism or favors.
And I wouldn’t just be another backup dancer fading into the stage lights.
I’d be his lead. The one who shared the spotlight, not hid behind it.
For once, it would be my name they remembered when the curtain fell.
Kelsey studied me for a moment, her expression softer now. “You know, if you get this, things are gonna change.”
“In a bad way?” I asked carefully, setting my menu down.
She shook her head. “Not bad. Just different. You’ve always been my person, you know? My calm in all the chaos. But this,” she gestured vaguely, like she could see the future I wanted “this would make you the one in the spotlight. The world seeing you the way I already do.”
Her words hit me harder than I expected. “Would that bother you?”
Kelsey smiled, small and sincere. “Only in the way it’ll suck not having you next to me on stage. But if anyone deserves this opportunity Elise, it’s you. You’ve worked for it. You deserve it.”
I reached across the table, brushing my fingers against hers. “Hey. I’m not going anywhere, okay? Even if I land Titan’s tour, I’m still your choreographer. You’re still my girl.”
She laughed at that, tension easing from her shoulders. “Yeah, but you’ll be the cool choreographer who’s too busy touring with a superstar to answer my texts.”
I grinned. “Never. You could be performing in Antarctica and I’d still be the one nagging you about footwork and breathing technique.”
Kelsey’s smile softened. “Promise?”
“Promise,” I said, meaning it. Because no matter what stage I stood on, she’d always be the one who believed in me first.
“Good,” she said, leaning back in her chair with a playful glint.
“Then I guess I can share you with Titan. For now.” We both laughed, tension melting like honey in warm tea.
“I’m surprised you asked for a second chance.
Very unlike you.” She added after a minute.
“But I’m proud of you nonetheless.” Kelsey took another sip of her wine.
I didn’t bother telling her it was Nathan who encouraged me not to leave until I showed Zane what I was capable of. She already thinks I have a crush on him.
Which for the record, I don’t.
“Let’s just say I had a boost of confidence.” I hid my smirk as I held up my menu, ready now than ever to order.
Sensing a presence, I glanced up, a smile tugging at my lips as I spotted a familiar figure weaving through the tables with the kind of grace that didn’t belong in a place that served sliders on wooden boards.
Alessia.
She was pretty with long, curly, dark brown hair, hazel eyes, and light brown complexion.
“Hey, you two,” she greeted us like we were old friends, not just the girls who always sat at table twelve who kept ordering the same rosé and splitting one dessert every time we came. “Can I top you off?”
“Hey, Alessia,” I greeted, setting my menu down and extending my near-empty glass toward her. “Yes, please. I could use a top-off.”
She grinned, effortlessly pouring a generous amount of Riesling into my glass but I couldn’t help but notice that she seemed tense and stiff, like she was holding something back.
“You okay?” I asked, giving her a pointed look. “You don’t seem like yourself today.”
Alessia hesitated, glancing down at the bottle before meeting my gaze. Her lips parted as if she was debating whether to share what was bothering her, but finally, she sighed, setting the bottle down with a soft clink.
“It’s just, these guys.” She gave a short laugh, shaking her head as if to dismiss it, but her shoulders tensed.
“I’ve been dealing with these rich guys all day, hitting on me, being all obnoxious.
It’s like they don’t even hear me when I say I’m not interested.
But I can’t really say anything because I don’t want to lose my job. ”
Kelsey frowned, her expression softening. “That’s awful. I’m sorry you have to deal with that.”
Alessia shrugged, though the frustration in her posture was clear. “It comes with the job, I guess.” She exhaled, giving a small, tight smile. “Anyway, it’s no big deal. I’ve got thick skin.”
Kelsey’s face lit up with a sudden idea. “You should come hang out with us tonight. We’re planning a girls’ night in. It’d be good to have someone else to chill with.”
I raised an eyebrow, teasing, “What, so now I’m not good enough for you to hang with?”
Kelsey shot me a playful glare. “Don’t be ridiculous, Elise. You know you’re the best. But it’ll be nice to have another girl to join the fun.”
“Just kidding.” I grinned before meeting Alessia’s gaze. “I agree with Kelsey; you should definitely come. It’ll be fun, I promise.”
Alessia hesitated for a moment, her gaze flicking toward the busy tables around her. Then she met our eyes again, and I saw something in her expression shift to a quiet relief, maybe.
“Actually,” She paused, her lips curving into a softer smile. “That sounds really nice. I could use a friend or two right now. I’m still kinda new here, and, yeah, hanging out with you guys sounds perfect.”
Kelsey clapped her hands together in excitement. “It’s a plan then! Give me your number and I’ll text you the details.”
Alessia rattled off her cellphone number before she turned and headed off to the next table, leaving us both with a sense of satisfaction.
A night with good company, no expectations, and good food was the perfect way to end the day.