Proofreading of Teenage Character - Essay Example

? Marie stood almost in a trance, staring at the bulletin board. She had not even noticed her friend Noreen when she joined Marie in her observance. “What ya reading?” Noreen asked, scanning with her eyes the multi layers of neon posters attempting to gain the attention of any passer; each with large bold captions of promises and regrets. “Free Refreshments” was offered by the Book Club. “Be There, Don’t Miss The Dance Of The Year!” the Latino Club warned which was really strange since it was only September and there were sure to be other dances held sometime during the year. The gold poster with the brown letters that read, “Try-Outs For The Dance Team” seemed to have Marie mesmerized. Marie answered without turning her face towards Noreen and said, “ I am going to try-out for the Dance Team.” Noreen looked in amazement at Marie. Marie’s gaze was still fixed on the poster but now she had her hands resting on her heavy hips. Marie turned towards Noreen and nodded her head in anticipation of Noreen's inquiry. With an affirmative nod she said, “Yep that is just what I am going to do, I am trying out for the dance team.” Marie twirled around looking at herself in the mirror. She was wearing brown spandex® tights and a gold leotard. She wrapped the dainty chiffon skirt that looked like it was infused with glitter around her full hips. She liked the way the fabric slid over her curvy body. Marie glanced at the clock. “ Oh man, I’m going to be late.” She put on her thick sweater that fell just below her hips, about mid-thigh level. Marie opened the front door and stepped outside. The crisp fall air greeted her face and then acknowledged her body. She felt the cool air on her legs and glanced across the street to where Noreen lives, hoping for once Noreen would be standing outside waiting for her. Marie turned back to make sure she locked the door by jiggling the doorknob. She looked back towards Noreen's house as she walked down the steps and started across the street, warning out loud to no one, "Noreen, if you make me late ...” Just before Marie placed her foot on the first step of Noreen's porch, Noreen appeared at the door. She flung the door open and, in her usual bluster, almost half-out-of-breath said, “I’m sorry I am running late. Nellie would not get out of the bathroom… and I had to fix my grandmother something to eat… and I did not have time to eat myself, I will just have to eat my egg sandwich on the way…Oh, girl, let me make sure I have my keys.” Marie was not listening anymore, she had heard countless excuses as to why Noreen always seemed to be running late. Suddenly, it reminded her of the first time she met Noreen. Marie’s family had just moved to Merrill Street. The movers were bringing the last of the boxes into Marie’s new home and Marie's mom asked her to try to stay out of the way of the movers. So, Marie walked outside to take a look around her new neighborhood. She did not expect to see any older kids hanging out since it was a weekday and the kids would be in school. Marie was just standing outside on the porch looking at all her new neighbor's homes. The sound of a door opening caused Marie look across the street at a yellow house with a green door that suddenly flew open. A short and stout girl that looked to be around her age with big brown eyes and thick hair came rushing out of the door. Marie waved and said hello to the girl. The girl walked over and said, “Hi my name is Noreen, what’s your name?” “ Hi, I’m Marie.” The two girls chatted on for a while, and then Noreen abruptly stopped mid-sentence and said, “Sorry, I have to run, I am late for school.” Marie yelled to Noreen, “Say, what time does school start anyway? “ Noreen turned back in reply, “ 8 o’clock!” Marie looked down at the time on her cell phone. It read 8:45 am. She watched Noreen storm down the sidewalk towards the school. Back in the present, Noreen interrupted her thoughts again. "I forgot to get some lunch money, can you loan me some? I’ll give it back to you when we get home this evening. Marie, …Just five bucks, I promise. I will give it back as soon as my mom comes home from work. Marie? Are you listening to me?" For the first time since they'd been walking, Marie forced herself to focus on what Noreen was saying. “Oh yeah, sure, I got you, I will give you the money when we meet up for lunch," Marie replied. “Are you worried about the try-outs?" Noreen asked. “No, I’m straight, just going over the steps in my head," Marie partly lied. She was nervous, but still determined to try out for the dance team. She felt she had to do it for herself and for all the girls that were like her. ”That's right girl, you have nothing to worry about,” Noreen exclaimed. "Who’s the best dancer in the entire hood?" Marie shouted, “I am!” “That's right, go and Rep Pre Sent then,” Noreen confirmed. “Eastside Hey!” Marie and Noreen chimed together and then burst into laughter. After arriving with five minutes to spare before try-outs began, Noreen wished Marie good luck. Marie walked inside the doors of the gym leaving her support system and best friend behind the heavy metal gymnasium doors. Marie felt warm and she felt her arms shake nervously. There were two girls sitting at the sign in table. When they noticed Marie working her way up to the table to sign her name, the girls at the table both looked at Marie with mouths open as in disbelief that she was trying out for the team. Marie ignored them and signed her name next to the number 30. She looked behind her and there were still girls waiting in line to sign in. Marie thought to herself; "There are over thirty girls here, yet there is only 10 open spots on the team." Marie felt her stomach quiver, and she had a bitter taste in her mouth. She reached in her purse and found a stick of gum. Maybe chewing would help calm her nerves and settle her stomach. Marie then scanned the room for a place to sit when she noticed that a few girls were standing in a group and pointing at her, snickering. One girl who was tall and sticklike thin walked past Marie and slowly looked at her from head to foot. Marie felt her neck turn hot. Marie looked around the gym. It seemed as if every girl there knew someone on the team already or at least had a friend trying out for the team with her. Over in a corner was a small group of girls stretching. One girl had her leg lifted above her head. Marie thought that looked painful. There was another group of seven girls all dressed in the same hot pink and black sequin leotards. Each had their hair up in a tight bun and wore glitter make-up. They looked like septuplets and reminded Marie of the synchronized swimmers she once watched on TV. Suddenly, the dance Instructor tapped three times on the heavily waxed wooden floor with a long decorative walking stick. After getting the girls' attention, she stepped up unto a platform that resembled something a conductor would use in a circus. “Ladies, may I have your attention please?” she said in an authoritative voice. "You each will be given a number chosen in random order. You are welcome to perform in a group or as a single girl. But, you will be judged individually on technique, creativity, and accuracy. When your number is called, please give your CD to the girl at the table. Now, we are ready to begin. Shall we dance?” Marie’s name was finally called and she was given number forty. 40. "You’re kidding me?" Marie thought to herself. "This must be a sign from God." Maybe she should not try-out. She could just walk out the doors and not come back. People would think she was just going out into the hallway to practice and she just would not return. Noreen would be out there waiting for her. Then she remembered what Noreen said to her, “Rep Pre Sent!” No, she would not leave. She would do her routine even if she did not make the team. Marie watched one group after the other. She had her fill of Adele, Rihanna, and Lady Gaga songs. It was apparent that most of the girls there either went to the same dance studio or dance camp. The routines were nearly identical. What she would do for a good old school song by Michael Jackson or The Gap Band. “Number 40!” Ok, this is it, Marie said to herself. “You got this” she said out loud. Marie stood up and felt her legs shake. She gave her song choice to the girl in charge of the music. Marie turned and faced the judges. The dance instructor stared at Marie emotionless. The other two judges looked like they had a long enough day and wished she wasn't wasting their time. Marie bowed her head and the music started. “Shining Star” By Earth, Wind & Fire. Marie moved her full figure body with electrifying agility, much to the surprise of the judges as she incorporated hip-hop, ballet, and line dance in her routine. By this time many of the girls who were waiting in the hallway had come back into the gym and were moving and cheering Marie on. Noreen had entered the gym too, now up front screaming, “You go girl’. Marie ended her routine on both knees, one hand in the air balled in a fist like a power to the people sign with her head up towards the ceiling and her eyes closed. When she stood and opened her eyes, all the judges were standing and applauding. The dance instructor thanked Marie for her time. Marie walked out into hallway, with Noreen. Several of the girls congratulated Marie and told her that she did a great job and they were confident that her routine ensured that she would make the team. Even some of the skinny girls that made fun of Marie earlier told Marie that she did very well. Marie did not even care, it did not matter if she made the team or not. She did what she wanted to do. She represented. Read More