Things Are A Little Different Now

I am getting a ride to school from my parents because I am late to dance. As we drive up Roosevelt I need to hop out, and they are looking for a place to eat. There is a large beige building on the corner with tiny windows very high up- I can hear the cooks laughing and having a good time, but why are they so high up? Inside it is plastic and themed.

I go to school, looking for some place to eat lunch. I walk east past about 5 tiny shops. I get around the corner and run into Julia and Andrea- we walk back looking for a good restaurant. My dad is there and orders pizza from one of the shops. I try to get some, but they are in the process of transitioning to a Greek restaurant. I try to order some hummus, but they haven't transitioned far enough into the Greeks theme to be able to serve that. There are only peach-filled cinnamon rolls.

In the car driving past Shorewood with Jen the 5.0 and Matt, I am in back seat and make fun of Matt, referencing the good ol' times. Jen says she knows, she has pictures too.

We visit Roderick in his new dorm. Everything he brought with him is colored bright red-orange.

We all go out to dinner, and Roderick brings along his new girlfriend, who looks and acts like a 10 year-old. Rod seems to think it's cute, and calls her sweetie pie and makes kissy faces as he straps her into a large high chair.

My Fear

At the fifth ave, I stand motionless in the middle of the stage, desperately hoping that any second I will recognize the music playing and remember the dance that goes with it. I know I have been going to class for at least a few months, but I can't put together any choreography, and when I move my body doesn't remember either.

Backstage I watch a horde of tiny children dressed in matching adidas sweatsuits do some rather impressive ballet. Their parents soon join them onstage and dance with them, just barely holding hands because the children are so small. I start crying and am embarassed when Sarah laughs at me.

Now I am on stage, as a part of the Company. We are about to perform the Sting, but first we must exchange gifts. Sarah starts by announcing her gift to Laura, then Laura announces her gift to Amanda, then Amanda presents me with tickets to all of the upcoming buffets. I am silent for a while, and finally announce to the waiting audience, "and I have nothing to give, because I didn't know". Everyone acts embarrassed, and I feel ashamed