The stage is yours.

The music playing in my ears, the beat of my heart and the sound my fast breaths, as I danced my heart out that night. I ended my performance with a split-leap, and curtsey. In silence I waited for the judges to dismiss me. When they did I walked down the stage towards the dressing room to take of my costume of gold glitter, mixed with blue and a matching flowy skirt.

“Melody!” I turned around at my name, seeing Grace Dean, my best friend, running towards me, shouting my name, her VIP pass bobbing up and down as she ran. “Melody, that was amazing! The judges are sure to give you a good score!” she exclaimed, out of breath from running. This performance was big. Real big. If I came in fourth place or higher, I would be going to the second round, of the modern dancing annual competition. Grace was my costume designer for the competition. She’s amazing with that type of thing.

“Yeah, I hope it looked as good as it felt.” I answered.

“It definitely did! Oh my gosh, that was just breath-taking! And I told you the blue and gold glitter on the white fabric would look amazing!”

I sighed; I was actually incredibly stressed. I have been dancing since the age of five, and not once did I have a competition like this. If I came all the way to the finals in Paris, I would reach my lifelong dream! I have been working on it since I was five, all I wanted was to meet my mother. My parents were divorced since I was three, and my mother lived in, well, Australia, and if I won, I would get the prize of one thousand dollar, and be able to fly to Australia to dance for my mom. She never knew I started dancing. She never knew I had found something that made me happy, my thing.

“Uh, Melody? You okay?” Grace waved her hand in front of my face.

I snapped back to reality. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just thinking.”

“Well, let’s keep thinking while we get snacks!” she said exitedly, pulling me towards the snacks table. We got us something to eat after I changed while the other contestants danced. Afterwards, the intercom went on and called all the contestants to the stage for the results. Grace looked at me nervously.

“So, this is it then.” She said anxiously.

“Yeah”

Silence.

“Well, good luck.” she said, taking my hands and squeezing them.

“Thanks. Got to go now.” I answered.

I turned and ran to the stage. She was right. This is it.

“All contestants, it was a tough decision, but we have decided. As you know, only the top four will make it through.” One of the judges said. “ So in fourth place,”

I sucked in my breath.

“is…. Jessica Hale!

I exhaled. That was fourth place, but did I dance good enough to make through?

“in third place…..Melody Garner!

I barely heard the second and first places, I couldn’t believe it. After we were dismissed I ran towards Grace and almost knocked her over in a hug, tears of happiness in my eyes.

“I’m going to the next round!!!” I yelled, and Grace just stared at me for a second then burst.

“OMG, REALLY!!!!????” She cried, staring at me.

“Yeah! Its true! I’m one step closer to meeting my mom! Only three more rounds left!”

Only Grace knew about my mother and father, other than themselves and me of course.

“We need to celebrate. Let’s have a sleepover at mine and order a pizza!” Grace said happily.

“Sure, I just need to tell my dad.” Even though I’m fourteen, my dad still likes to keep track of where I am. Seconds after I texted him that I had made it and that I was sleeping at Grace’s , he answered that he was so happy for me, and that its fine for me to sleep over.

That night we prepared for the next competition, fitting costumes and practicing my dance. The next competition was the day after tomorrow and we really had to get ready. The next day when we finished practicing, Grace asked me something.

“Are you sure about this?”

“What do you mean?” I asked, confused.

“Well, you know, going to Paris and all, its big. And who will design you’re costumes and help you with your choreography?” She said awkwardly.

I stared at her. Then I burst into laughter. “you know only the finals are in Paris! And of course, you’re coming with me!”

She stared. “I-I I am?” she stuttered.

“Of course! You’re my best friend! I’d never leave you behind!” I exclaimed. “Come on it's getting late, let’s get to bed.”

She stared. “Right, let’s get to bed.”

Early the next morning we set of for the theatre. My costume this time was just like the first one just with purple instead of blue glitter. I was basically having a mental breakdown on the passenger seat of the car, biting my nails.

“Don’t do that! It’s making me stress!” she said.

“Sorry! But I’m already stressed.” I answered, lowering my hand from my mouth. We rode in silence to the theatre. By the time I was basically falling apart. But when I started dancing, I wasn’t scared anymore. I was last to perform, dancing on the beat of “What About Us” from P!nk. Starting my dance on the floor of the stage, lying on my side, then ending it falling to the ground. It was a contemporary/modern dance, and it felt amazing. Afterwards we got snacks and waited for results. The top three were going through to the next round.

“Can all contestants please head to the stage for results.” The intercom blared.

I look at Grace and she looks at me. I smiled. I had made it to the semi-finals. Enough to make mum proud, but not enough to tell her that I had found what I was looking for.

The judge called out again. “Results in the theatre room five.”

“OK, got to go now, don’t want to miss it!” I said excitedly to Grace. The competition was much bigger now.

At room five, I stood on the stage, waiting in suspense for the results.

“You were all splendid in today's competition, though only three can make it to the finals,” said the Judge, “and those three are… Melody Garner, Emma Stedd and Kylie John!”

Everything seemed to go slow Mo. This time I didn’t wait for Grace, I burst into a fit of squeals and tears of happiness. Grace, who had been listening through the door, came running on to the stage, also squealing and crying as we hugged each-other, we were going to Paris!!! I video called my dad and when he saw my face he knew I made it. He rushed to the theatre and we three hugged each other for ten minutes. After Grace went home, my dad mentioned something really important. “I know that you want to do if you win the money. Go to Australia to meet your mother, right?”

I looked down. “Yeah, I mean, she’s my mom, and I haven’t seen her since I was three, so yeah.”

I looked at my dad nervously, waiting for his reply.

“All I want is for you to be happy, so, yes, you can go. If you win. Remember that.”

I stared. I wasn’t expecting him to be so cool about it.

“Oh, and I won’t be coming with you to Paris or Australia, sorry, but I still have my job.”

“Oh, well that’s ok, you keep the money coming.” I answered. I smiled at him. “I should probably start packing, we leave tomorrow.”

“Alright, and good luck.” He said.

“Thanks” I say. I walked up the stairs to go and pack. I was going to Paris!