Rain poured outside, and the sounds echoed through the hallways. Raven couldn’t believe the weather lately; it was so unusual these days. But then again, so was everything else in her life. Raven was surly.
It was four o’clock Thursday afternoon, and she impatiently waited for the rest of the dance team to arrive. Raven glanced around the gym, feeling the heat rise to her temples. She had other places to be too, but she made it to practice on time.
Raven heard laughter at the gymnasium doors. Taylor swung it open with Nia and a few other girls walking in together. Nia was in the front, and Taylor and the rest of the betrayers in the back. Did Nia walk in with them? Like together? As in sharing a conversation and having fun . . . together?
Raven's eyes darted between the two, staring at each of them. The girls stopped laughing as soon as they laid eyes on Raven, and that told her everything she needed to know.
“Taylor,” Raven sneered. “This is the second time you've been late. I think you should be carpeted.”
The other girls darted in different directions to the locker room. Nia stayed. Taylor looked at Raven, confused. Carpeted meant she was restricted from performing that week, sitting on the carpet as her team performed without her.
Raven repeated. “This is the second time you've been late, and according to the bylaws as the team captain, I’m allowed to sit you out one week. So, you’re carpeted.”
“Are you fucking serious right now?” Taylor’s lips turned up at Raven.
“I'm absolutely serious.”
Nia stayed at Raven’s side. She said nothing, but her eyes were fixed on Raven.
“You can't do this,” Taylor hollered. “I'm going to Ms. Adams.” Taylor grabbed her things and rushed into Ms. Adams’s office at the back of the gym. They could see Taylor flailing her arms and pointing at Raven. Ms. Adams sat in her chair eating a donut and listening. She rose from her seat, wiping powder from her face.
“Raven, honey.” Ms. Adams' hands were on her hip. She could still see powder on her top lip. “What's this I hear about you carpeting Taylor this week?”
“You know the rules, Ms. Adams. You make us learn them. She's been late to practice twice now in a row, and according to the rules, I can sit her out for one week. So, I am.” Raven yielded the last part like it was a dagger.
“Yes, yes, those are the rules, but is that something you really want to do?” Ms. Adams quizzed.
Raven took a deep breath. The heat was still swirling at her temples. “Yes.”
Ms. Adams stared at her. “Okay. Well, I guess that's that. Taylor, you will not be dancing this week, per your team captain. You can suit up again next week. Raven, please come see me after practice is over.” Ms. Adams walked back to her office.
Taylor glared at Raven, and her eyes meant to kill. She grabbed her gym bag and stomped towards the exit. Raven waited for Taylor to leave before blowing her whistle as the girls ran out of the locker room, pretending not to listen. They were suited up and ready for practice. All of them were late, but Raven only called out Taylor.
Raven opened her phone and swiped away from the Ciara track she wanted to show them. That would have to wait for another day, clearly. She found her NOLA Bounce playlist, and she inhaled. This would work. . . the girls didn't dance to NOLA Bounce often; Raven liked to show people they were versatile. But if there was anything that got them all the way together, it was a beat!
She hit play and synced the music to the gym speakers. Soon, sounds of the drums and trombone could be heard throughout. The girls swayed and vibed while Raven watched. Raven turned the music louder and stood in front of the team. She rocked back and forth, “that’s right, come on. You hear that bass? Let's go, girls,” she encouraged. The girls followed Raven’s lead as she gyrated and grooved in front of the mirror, staring back at them from the wall.
“Good job, Bria. Arch your back just a little bit more!” She yelled over the music. The sound pulsated through the gym. Raven turned to face the group, noticing Taylor missing from the back left corner. The group looked lopsided without her. Still, Raven didn’t miss her presence, not even for dance.
Once the music ended, Raven avoided Nia’s eyes, and she dismissed the team. “Good job today.” She waved to the girls, towel in hand.
Nia ran to grab a bottle of water, and Raven darted off in the opposite direction, ducking out of the back door. She wasn’t staying after to talk to Ms. Adams today either.