Dancing into the Spotlight

The crowd roared as the speakers blasted “Without Me” by Halsey. Bright lights swept

across the stage while we moved in perfect sync, every step hitting the beat like we

were born for it. Cameras flashed. Drones hovered. Reporters leaned forward to capture

every second. “You rock, Kayla!” my sister screamed through my earpods.

I winced. There goes my eardrum, I muttered to myself. As the final note hit,

we struck our last pose. The music faded… and he gently turned me toward him.

We removed our masks— and he kissed me. Wait. WHAT?! My name is Kayla.

I’m mixed—half Chinese from my dad, half Spanish from my mom. My family’s… well,