Be There on Time

For as long as she could remember, Lilly wanted dance. Her parents went to plays, operas, and ballets. They had season tickets. Sometimes, they went alone as part of their date night, other times they took Lilly. She didn't want to do anything else but dance. She was always lively whenever some upbeat song played on the radio.

Then in the sixth grade, she was really up for some tests--and they weren't just those few pieces of paper of questions and problems she hoped she'd studied for as much as she could. And that she could remember without being tempted to look at her notes. Sixth grade, the time in a child's life where they have different classes. Every hour or so, that time to transition between classes. 

Be there on time, all the principals, counselors, and teachers had advised during orientation. If she hadn't heard it once, she must've heard it a thousand times. She just couldn't see how she could be at every class on time. What if she was late? She remembered all too well all those people at school saying she'll get a tardy, a time in detention for being even one minute late.

The worst class she was in was science. The teacher was a lot older than the rest. Her policy was if the students weren't in their seats by the time the bell rang, they'd be considered late. One day, Lilly's locker was jammed. She broke into a cold sweat as she tried so many times to open her locker, her pulse racing as the students strode to their classes.

The tardy bell rang--and she was still at her locker. The hallways were empty. The teachers got their classes started. Papers rustled, some conversations between the kids. 

She just had to own up to the fact that Mrs. Hanson was strict and she had to be in detention.

Sometime later, Lilly really got the bug to dance. Apparently, the weekly lessons and rehearsals weren't enough. Renee, her teacher, approached her and her parents after rehearsal on afternoon.

"Lilly, I love your passion and enthusiasm in each move you made in every dance you've been in. We're considering you for the advanced class." She handed her parents some forms to fill out and read. "Please look over this and see if you think Lilly is fit for this." She turned to Lilly. "Lilly, you need to be on time for every rehearsal. If you're late to even one, you'll no longer be considered for it."

"Okay. I'll do my best." Of course, she knew she was at the mercy of her parents' full schedule and the increased Interstate traffic. Her parents always complained about it as they made dinner together. 

After some lengthy discussions, her parents approved of this dance class. Lilly was ready every day after school. She soon discovered how much work she needed to put into these rehearsals. It was soon challenging to keep her grades up. She also learned what she missed out on. Her friends, whom she never saw anymore. Couldn't even go to her best friend's spelling bee. She also missed her older cousin's bridal shower.

A few months after so many hours of rigorous training, and a horrible day in traffic, she ended up 8 minutes late to a rehearsal. Nonetheless, she dashed into the room. As she did so, the music radiated through the hallway, as if it teased her into thinking she was never going to be able to do this again. She walked in. Everyone was so wrapped up in the dancing. One of the other instructors standing at the doorway pointed toward the hallway. Lilly knew what she was going to say.

"I'm sorry, Lilly. You came late today. We can't have you on our dance team anymore. You can wait here until your parents pick you up." She pointed in the direction of the front entrance, where some chairs were.