All the judges looked at each other with excitement for what we were about to witness. Quella was a breath of fresh air. The other girls in the audition were cute. Some had raw talent. Others could be shaped into being a good dancer, but when Miss Quella started moving, the heavens opened up. She was special. The girl didn’t just show up to secure her bag, Miss Thing showed out! I had tunnel vision, and I kid you not, I couldn’t pull my eyes away from this girl. She put me in mind of someone, I just couldn’t place who.
We were auditioning them three at a time, and I felt bad for the unlucky girls who were paired up with her. They could have been the next Debbie Allen, but I wouldn’t have known because Quella commanded my attention. Dance was my life, so I made it my mission to know my craft. This young lady had “it”. There was no other word to describe what I was seeing. She must have come out of the womb in a leotard and pointes.
You could tell just looking at her that she loved to dance. It was in her blood. The music brought her alive, and she performed for us. She did not audition. She put on a performance. Not only did Quella pick up the choreography quickly, but she also gracefully transitioned from one style to the next. With unseasoned dancers, this was a difficult task, near impossible.
Moving from hip-hop to ballet to jazz and then throwing in a bit a lyrical was difficult to do, but she mastered it. What got me was when she hit the tap and flipped into the salsa that I threw in for fun. Her face was the epitome of joy. When she dropped into the Predators Buck, a move I coined for the group, she showed us all why she was not only going to make the squad, but more than likely be the captain.
By the end of the day, I was so stoked about the new team that I wanted to celebrate. We had some very good girls to choose from. Barring any injuries, we were sure to catch the bucking competition circuit by storm. Mouse had to get home to tend to her daughter and husband, so I was on my own for the celebration. I knew the clubhouse was open and the bar would be busy with members floating around. There was always a party happening. Even if you had to create your own.
I walked into the bar area of the clubhouse and was met by several pairs of eyes. There were four standing around the pool table that garnered my interest. Baby and Matrix were shooting a game of pool but stopped when I approached their table. They each rushed toward me in greeting. It was like they were trying to outdo each other. They pushed and shoved each other like they weren’t just chopping it up as best friends a minute ago.
I must say I have never felt more welcome in all my life, but was it all for show? If the competition went away, would their enthusiasm follow? I felt like I was a novelty being lauded by the cool kids. Once they grabbed a piece of me and had their fill, would they abandon their new toy in search of the next big thing? I had a lot to think about and needed a drink in the worst way.