"Hello, who is this?"
"It's Abby, this is Katie right?"
"Um, yeah sorry I didn't check my caller ID."
"That's no problem. So how are you?"
"I'm good, how about you?" So far this conversation is really awkward. I mean Abby talks to me every now and then by usually it's done through text or face time when the girls are with her at the studio. But clearly the season hasn't started up so I know shes not with them.
"I'm doing quite well actually, how's your mom doing?"
"She's getting better, just getting through these last five Chemotherapy treatments I guess."
"That's really good, I'm glad to hear that. You're staying healthy as well I hope?"
"Yep, I've been fine."
"Good. Katie so I was wondering, and this is going to be completely up to you and your mom. I want you to pick what you think will be the best for you right now and I won't be mad either way..." I bite my lip confused and almost nervous. "What do you think about coming back to the ALDC for season eight?"
I pause for a minute completely caught off guard by the question. Honestly I have no idea what to think about this. Am I ready? Would I just be hurting the team by coming back?
"Would it be okay if I called you later and let you know. I don't think I can make up my mind right now."
"Of course! Take as long as you need. I didn't mean you had to decided right then and there."
"Okay thanks, I'm actually having dinner with Liv's family right now, I'm sorry to go."
"Oh no problem Katie, love you bye."
"Bye love you." The call ends and my mind is suddenly filled with swarming thoughts.
I walk back into the dinning room to finish up eating. I need something to distract myself or my brain is going to burst.
"Who was that?" My mom asks as I returned.
"That was Abby."
"Oh, what did she want?"
"I'll talk to you later about it." I push the question aside not really wanting to get into this right now.
"Okay." My mom nods. "Everything's okay right?"
"Yeah, its fine. I'm okay." I continue eating my meal and my mom nods probably making a mental note to have a conversation with me later.
***
Goodbyes flew around the room and suddenly the whole house was much quieter.
"That was fun." My mom shutting the front door.
"Yup." I agree as we both started walking to the living room. I plop down on the couch pulling up Instagram as my mom turned the television on.
"Oh Katie you never told me about what Abby wanted?"
"Oh well yeah... I don't know."
"What is it?"
"It's really not that important."
"Katie." My mom says sternly.
"She invited me back to the team for season eight." I blurt unable to hold back.
She was stunned for a moment thinking in her head. Nothing was coming out of her mouth I assume she'd thinks it's a bad idea.
"I think you should do it."
My face instantly showcased a confused look. "What are you talking about there is no way I can go back with your health and everything. I haven't even had formal training since like a week after Christmas. I'm pretty sure YouTube videos and Liv's random skill lessons aren't enough. This team is a big deal and I don't think I'm ready to back. Plus all the drama is just too much."
"Katie I know that my health has been a huge distraction to you lately. But I am getting better and I'm almost done with all this stupid chemo. I think you should do it. I know you're a good dancer and while you haven't had formal training in quite a while you're not as behind as you may think."
"Mom I just don't think I'm ready to go back. I don't know if I'll ever be."
"Listen to me. I know how much this team means to you and I know how good it is for your dancing career. Now I'm not going to force you to go back to the team, but I would like you to sleep on it and let me know in the morning. Promise me you'll think about it?"
"I'll think about it."
"Good."
"I'm gonna go upstairs, night." I hug my mom and walk up to my bedroom. It's only about eight o'clock but I just want to be alone right now.
I lay down in my bed and open up my notes on my phone. I start writing two list of all the negative things about going back to the team and all the positives. After I had added everything possible to the list, I put my phone on my night stand and plugged it in. Now time for the thinking everything over part. This is not going to be an easy decision I thought as I closed my eyes.
***
When I awake in the morning I finally have an idea of what I want to do. I come downstairs and downed a bowl of captain crunch then I begin doing school up on my room. It is summer but I've missed out on so much schooling with how crazy my life has been lately. Oh what a great summer I've had. Sarcasm. Anyway I'm almost caught up with the school so by the end of this week my summer officially starts. However it's only going to last about four weeks since the actual summer is almost over.
My eyes shift over to my dance bag which has my ALDC jacket lying on top of it. That jacket hasn't been moved since I came to visit the girls at that competition many months ago. Suddenly I couldn't focus on my school work any longer. Had the choice I'd made been the right one? I sighed picking up my school supplies considering I was simply not going to be able to do it at the moment.
I grab the jacket off the bag and hold it up looking over it. My figure traces the gold thread that made up my name on the front. I open my dance bag and remnants of my time at the Abby Lee Dance company spill out. Memories spill out.
A folder that contained headshots, music, and my resume. Abby Lee apparel. Polaroids from when Brynn and I were trying to be tumblr. Sunglasses Nia and I wore while trying to impersonate Beyoncé. A hotel key from Orlando. All these memories in a dance bag, and that was only just a few.
