Page 21 of 1 Last Shot

If Kane's seen any happiness in his life, there isn't a hint of it on his face.

A thud in the background suddenly jerks my attention away from Kane. My hands drop from his hips as I turn around, and I focus in on the embarrassed student who just lost her pose.

I try to swallow down the buzz of adrenaline that comes from being so close to Kane. "Alright, let's switch to our seated poses now," I call shakily, making my way back to the front of the classroom. "It's time to cool down our bodies. Have a seat on your mat and let's start with stretching into our pigeon pose."

Taking a seat on my own mat, I lead the class through the start of the cooldown. This is my favorite part of class, because it becomes evident how much more loose and comfortable students are since the beginning stretching poses. The aura of the classroom feels quiet, and peaceful, and it solidifies in my mind that I've made a difference in these people's days. That I've sent them home with a little less anxiety, and a little more peace, than what they came in with.

A sense of pride spreads through my chest. Pride for myself, that I made someone’s day better in a way that has nothing to do with how well I can spin on the tips of my toes.

"When you're ready, let’s finish with savasana," I call quietly after a few minutes. I wait for everyone to settle back into a cross-legged pose before saying, "Bring your hands together at your heart, lower your head to your heart, and acknowledge yourself for showing up to your mat today. Namaste."

The murmured response ofnamasterings around the class, and then the sounds of everyone grabbing their waters and rolling up their mats can be heard around the room.

It takes me a minute to work up the courage to look toward Kane, to maybe even approach him and ask how he liked the class, but by the time I look up, he's gone.

9

ISABELLA

It's Thursday night and I'm sitting on my couch, bored out of my mind and absentmindedly scrolling on my phone. I knew moving to a new city would come with its share of loneliness, but the extent of it still feels a little shocking. Going from a life where I'm constantly surrounded by teachers, a support system, and competitors everywhere, to living by myself and only having a single friend, is going to take some getting used to.

Yet with timing only the universe is capable of, my phone lights up with a text message.

Hailey: Hey. Are you busy tonight?

Isabella: Not even a little. What's up?

Hailey: I was thinking of getting a drink. Wanna come out with me?

My response is instant.

Isabella: Just tell me where and I'm there :)

Less than an hour later, I'm walking into a crowded bar. It only takes me a few seconds to spot Hailey at one of the high tops.

I smile and give her a wave, which she returns.

"I'm glad you decided to join me," she says when I've reached her. "I was going crazy spending another night at home in an empty house."

"Boo not home this week?" I ask.

"He's at a work conference," she explains, taking a sip of her Corona. She gestures at the bar. "What do you want? I've got first round."

I eye the bar nervously, looking for any kind of menu. I can probably count on one hand the number of times I've been to a bar, since drinking isn't high on the priority list of a professional dancer, which means I have no idea what to order. Eventually I answer with, "I'll just have what you're having."

Oblivious to my inner turmoil, Hailey nods and gestures at the waitress that's walking around taking orders.

"So how are you settling in?" she asks once she turns her attention back to me.

I let out a heavy breath. "Good, I guess. It's a lot. As embarrassing as it is to say, I've never lived on my own, so pretty much everything is new."

"That's not embarrassing. It took me forever to step out on my own. Everyone has their own path."

I give Hailey a grateful smile. "Don't get me wrong, I'm obviously incredibly thankful for my parents, but growing up with the lifestyle that I did left me slightly unprepared for the real world. I did thedishesfor the first time in my life this week."

"Okay, yeah, that I can't relate to," Hailey mumbles. I let out a laugh at that.

When the waitress slides my drink in front of me, Hailey extends her beer toward me for a cheers.

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