Chapter 10

Chapter 9: New Beginnings

The week following the reunion showcase felt surreal. Theadrenaline had faded, leaving behind the lingering sense of accomplishment, butalso a quiet unease. Kriya couldn’t help but replay the performance over andover in her mind, not just the choreography, but everything that had been leftunsaid between her and Rey. They were moving forward, yes, but it felt likethey were walking on a thin line, one misstep away from falling back into oldpatterns.

Her phone buzzed on the counter, snapping her out of herthoughts. She glanced at the screen and saw Rey’s name. She hesitated for amoment before answering.

“Hey,” she greeted, her voice soft.

“Hey,” Rey’s voice was warm, but there was an underlyinguncertainty. “I was thinking... about what we talked about after theperformance.”

Kriya took a breath. “Yeah?”

Rey’s words came slowly, carefully. “I know we agreed totake things one step at a time, but I want you to know that I’m all in, Kriya.I want to build something with you, something real.”

Her heart skipped a beat. His honesty, his openness, wasexactly what she needed, but it still felt overwhelming. “I want that too, Rey.But there’s so much I’m still trying to figure out. I need to take things at myown pace.”

Rey was quiet for a moment, and Kriya could almostpicture him standing there, trying to process her words. “I get it,” he saidfinally, his voice steady. “But I just want you to know that I’m here. Wheneveryou’re ready, I’m here.”

Kriya closed her eyes, letting his words wash over her.It was exactly what she needed to hear. She had spent so long running from herfeelings, from the possibility of pain, but she knew now that facing it was theonly way forward. And maybe, just maybe, this was the beginning of somethingreal — something worth fighting for.

“I’m not ready to make any big promises,” she saidsoftly, “but I’m willing to try. We’ll take it slow. Together.”

Rey’s voice broke through her thoughts. “That’s all I’masking for.”

Meanwhile, Sharon and Swayam were sitting at a smallcafé, sipping coffee. Sharon was absentmindedly stirring her drink, her eyesfocused on the window. Swayam watched her, sensing that something was on hermind.

“Something’s bothering you,” he said quietly.

Sharon glanced at him, a half-smile tugging at her lips.“Is it that obvious?”

Swayam raised an eyebrow. “You’ve been distant lately.You’re not usually this quiet.”

Sharon sighed and leaned back in her chair. “I guess I’vejust been thinking about everything. About what’s next for all of us.”

Swayam’s gaze softened, and he reached across the table,his hand resting gently on hers. “Whatever happens, Sharon, we’ll face ittogether. We always have.”

She met his eyes, her smile growing a little warmer. “Iknow. But sometimes, I can’t help but wonder if we’re all just pretending tohave it together. Like we’re all waiting for something to change, for the pastto magically go away.”

Swayam squeezed her hand. “We can’t change the past,Sharon. But we can shape our future. It’s up to us to decide what happensnext.”

Sharon nodded slowly, her eyes thoughtful. “You’re right.And maybe it’s time to stop waiting for things to magically fall into place.Maybe it’s time to take control.”

Swayam smiled. “I’m with you, every step of the way.”

Later that week, the group gathered at the academy oncemore for a final rehearsal before their upcoming performance at a local charityevent. It was a fresh start, a new opportunity for them to prove to themselves— and to each other — that they were capable of more than just dancing. Theywere capable of healing, of moving forward, and of building something lasting.

Kriya stood at the front of the studio, watching as Rey,Sharon, and Swayam practiced their steps. She could feel the weight of her ownuncertainty, but she also felt a quiet sense of peace. They weren’t perfect,and neither was she, but they were trying. And that, she realized, was enough.

Rey caught her eye from across the room, his smile warmand reassuring. He mouthed, You’re doing great, and her heart flutteredin response.

It wasn’t about having all the answers. It wasn’t aboutbeing perfect. It was about moving forward, together. Taking it one step at atime, just as they had promised.

And for the first time in a long time, Kriya felt likeshe was exactly where she was meant to be.