Short Story: “It was to be my day of glory but I thoroughly ruined it”
By Andrea Rodriguez a.k.a. sw33tz

Beep! Beep! The alarm clock on my dresser was showing six forty-five. The day had finally arrived. It was the day before the annual dance competition and I was taking part. I am to travel to Long Island today in order to get ready for the competition tomorrow. I got out of bed and started to get ready. I went to the bathroom and washed my face. Staring into the bathroom mirror I was thinking how lucky I am. Just sixteen and I am already one of the best and youngest dancers on the beautiful island of Cuba. The competition is taking place at the famous Atlantis Resort at Long Island, Bahamas. I was to take a plane from Cuba to Long Island which was only thirty minutes away.
I awakened from my daze and quickly went down the winding stairs and into the kitchen. My parents and sister were already up helping with the preparations. I greeted them and sat down to a hearty breakfast.
After breakfast my father loaded the luggage into the family’s station wagon. We all jumped in and were on our way to Havana’s International Airport.
At the airport, it was very busy. People were scurrying all over in order for them not to miss their flight. Finally it was our turn; we made our way through checkpoint and into the terminal. My family and I boarded the Jet Blue Airlines plane and in no time we were off. Aboard the Jet Blue a handsome flight attendant offered us snacks and drinks but we declined his offer after a hearty breakfast. A few minutes later the flight attendant passed and dropped a piece of tissue at my feet. Luckily my inquisitive sister was asleep. I quickly picked up the paper and read it. For a cute flight attendant he really had a crabby handwriting. The paper said that I should meet him at the back of the plane. I got up from my seat and went towards the back of the plane. While passing a hand grabbed me and pulled me into a closet. After a while I realized it was the flight attendant. He introduced his self as Nick, said that he was not working the night shift and would like to bring me on a tour of his beautiful island. I told him that I was only here to participate in the annual dance competition which was taking place. He said that I would be back for the competition tomorrow. After some persuasion I finally gave in. We exchanged telephone numbers and quickly went to where we were at first. The captain announced that we would be arriving at the airport in the next five minutes. We buckled up and in no time we were descending from the sky onto the tarmac. We were greeted with hula dancers who gave us each a flowered garland. They then ushered us to a white BMW limousine which took us to the Atlantis Resort, where we were then shown to our rooms.
Later that day my family decided that we would do a little touring, but I wanted to stay back at the hotel. I went back to the room and called the number that Nick gave me. He was also staying at the Resort, so we decided to meet at the lounge. Nick gave me a grand tour of the Resort and said that he would take me to a place that I would not forget in a hurry. We first went to the Scooter store and rented two scooters. He took me to the Animal Kingdom and showed me all the different professionally trained animals. We went scuba diving, snorkelling and went to the Deadman’s Cay and watch the sunset on the horizon. We got to know each other, and we talked about everything imaginable.

Neither of us ever noticed what time it was. We made footprints in the sand and even put our initials in them. We then fell soundly asleep on the soft white sand.
I awakened the next day to realize that I was not back at the Resort but on a beach, I quickly awakened Nick.
We got up from the sand and dusted ourselves then made our way back to the deck, but the boat we were on the previous evening was not there. I began to panic because I knew my parents would be worried and that if I was not on time for the competition I would not be able to participate. Nick started to walk up and down on the beach speaking in a language I couldn’t understand. I got so very angry. How could he be talking in a different language and not trying to do something to get us out of there? After all it was his smart idea to come to the Deadman’s Cay. Half an hour later he flagged down a ferry which agreed to take us back to Long Island.
Back on the mainland we went for the scooters which were thankfully there. By this time it was eight thirty and the competition was supposed to start at nine o’ clock sharp. Nick said that he knew a shortcut which will get me back to the Resort. Fifteen minutes later, we were still on the road and still no sign of a shortcut.
Finally we arrived at the Resort. I ran straight to the suite in which we were staying in. As I breathlessly opened the door an outraged father and a stressed out mother greeted me. My sister was still asleep unaware of the night’s drama. My mother rushed to my side to make sure that I was alright. After I carefully explained to my parents what had transpired my father came and told me that the judges said that I could not participate in the competition but I could come and watch it. I had disappointed my parents, myself, my little sister and my dance team. It was to have been my day of glory but I thoroughly ruined it. Later that day, Nick called and apologized about my not being able to participate in the competition. I told him that it was okay, as I still got some time to spend with him and explore his beautiful paradise home. After a long chat he invited me to dinner I accepted without hesitation and went to get myself ready for the evening I had ahead of me.

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