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“Marlee, get up!” Audrey screamed at the top of her lungs.
I immediately froze for a moment and stood up as if there was an intruder.
“What—wha-what happened?” I asked, confused.
“Nothing. I already woke you up maybe three times before you finally got out of bed.”
I sighed and tapped my head. Today is my rest day. Audrey didn’t wake me up early because she knows how tired I am from work. But today, she screamed just to tell me… nothing.
“What do you mean nothing? Audrey, I only slept for four hours,” I said.
“Well, I’m sorry, Marlee. But I just wanted to tell you something. The results of our exam came out—I got the highest score in our class and the second highest in the entire campus.”
I was delighted by what I heard. She’s really studying hard, and she didn’t fail me.
“Really? Congratulations! Oh my God, I know why you woke me up this early, huh? You want a celebration, right?”
She smiled cutely as if she wanted to say yes. She nodded her head, and I tapped her head afterward.
“Okay, we need to celebrate your milestone. I just need to take a bath, and then you should prepare yourself as we—”
I stopped when I noticed she was already dressed. Her hair was wet and already blow-dried. She really prepared. She smiled at me as if she already knew what to do.
“Oh—okay, I’m the one who’s late here then.”
I got up and brushed my teeth. My sleepiness disappeared because this is the moment I want for my sister—to celebrate her achievements. Every success she has, I am her number one supporter.
“So, Audrey, where are we heading?” I asked.
“Hmm, I forgot to tell you that honor students need to go to school today. There’s a big celebration for achievers and recognition for parents. Of course, everyone can come, even those without awards, because someone special will visit the school. You know who?”
“Okay, I guess I know… who?”
“Cedrick!” she exclaimed excitedly as she jumped.
Cedrick was my rival before when I was still active on the dance floor. I always defeated him, so our relationship as peers wasn’t that good. Every time I won, his smile faded, and I felt a sense of guilt. But there’s no issue now. He has achieved many wins since I stopped. I gave him the floor.
“Oh, right. Cedrick… yeah. That’s… that’s great!” I stuttered.
“Are you excited? I mean, you’ll meet your rival again after such a long time. Isn’t that a coincidence?”
“Oh, yeah. I’ll see him. I’m sure he forgot about me—it’s been a long time. You were still sucking your finger when we battled,” I joked.
“Marlee!”
“Hahahaha!” I laughed out loud.
We stayed silent for a while, and after I finished preparing, we traveled to her school. That’s when I noticed that most of her classmates arrived in Mercedes, Lamborghini, and other expensive cars that symbolized wealth. I felt shy. But no one cared—I’m just a nobody. I’m just thankful that Audrey hasn’t reported any bullying in this school, so I’m okay with it.
A staff member approached us and guided us to the venue. He looked to be in his 50s and seemed delighted to see the parents. I smiled at him and thanked him.
“Oh, wow!” I exclaimed.
“What?” Audrey asked.
“This is the reason why your tuition fee is half of my salary—you have a huge gymnasium here,” I said in disbelief.
“Right, and rich parents donated that big LED screen there. So if famous visitors or artists come here, we have something to be proud of. Actually, you’re part of this school’s success.”
I felt touched hearing that. My sister never blamed me for having nothing. She’s still proud of me.
We were assisted to our seats, and every chair had a name assigned for both guardians and students. Everything felt fair—I didn’t sense any hierarchy in seating. We were seated in the third row, while some wealthy parents wearing jewelry were at the back or in the middle. That’s something I appreciated—the fairness.
“Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. I believe all seats are now occupied. Today, parents have given their time to witness this memorable event in their children’s lives. To celebrate this milestone, our college president decided to honor the hard work of our students. There are 16,987 students enrolled last semester, and still counting.”
I looked at my sister, who didn’t take her eyes off the speaker. She mentioned that the host was the husband of their teacher and noticed how clingy they were on stage. I couldn’t help but feel a little awkward watching them.
After some awards were given, I told Audrey I would go to the restroom. But before I stood up, a name was called.
“Please help us welcome Mr. Cedrick Thompson!”
People cheered loudly. I didn’t wait to see him because I really needed to pee. In the restroom, I overheard people saying that Cedrick donated a lot to the school—the chairs, the LED screen, and books. One parent mentioned how successful he is and how his passion for dancing helped the school.
I felt a bit of pity for myself. Before, I was also a successful dancer. I donated to more than ten charities, yet I was barely recognized. But that was never my intention. I always gave anonymously.
After fixing myself, I went out.
And…
I saw Cedrick performing breakdance.
I stood there, watching him, almost admiring him as if he were the most amazing dancer. I returned to my seat, and Audrey was busy recording. I smiled. She’s now a huge fan since I stopped dancing.
While scrolling on my phone, someone suddenly called my name from the stage.
“Who’s Marlee?”
“I don’t know.”
“Oh my God! I know her—she was an excellent dancer before! She’s here?” one parent said.
I felt shy but also proud. Someone still remembered me.
I looked up.
“Ms. Marlee Snare, I can’t believe the world is this small. Would you like to join me on stage?”
I froze. I didn’t know how to react until Audrey pinched my arm.
“Ouch!”
“Cedrick wants you on stage! Come on, Marlee!” Audrey said.
After thinking for a moment, I stood up and walked slowly toward the stage.
“Let’s give her an applause!” Cedrick said.
That’s when I realized most of the guardians there were former battlers. From the stage, I saw thousands of people. The spotlight was on me. I saw Drew, whom I defeated in Miami. Luke was there too—the “magician” because of his unpredictable style. Many familiar faces.
I shook Cedrick’s hand while still processing everything.
“Hi,” I said.
“Hello, Ms. Marlee. Long time no see. I heard you stopped competing. May we know why?” Cedrick asked.
“Oh, ahm… well… I got busy with life,” I replied.
“But we’re all busy, yet most dancers you defeated are still active,” he said.
“Well, not everything goes as expected,” I answered.
“Hmmm… well… would you like to show us how Marlee dances? Show us how you defeated me before!” he said.
“No, no, not today. Not anymore,” I said shyly.
“Come on, Marlee!” Audrey shouted.
“Come on, man!” Drew added.
Everyone cheered.
The spotlight hit me directly.
And then…
The music played.
Cedrick went first, hitting every beat with passion. His movements were refined, and he showed new techniques I had never seen before.
Then he stopped—and pointed at me.
It was my turn.
An unfamiliar song played.
I froze.
I didn’t know the music.
But I didn’t show it.
As a dancer, freestyle is everything.
I stepped forward.
My right foot moved first, my face calm. My left hand followed slowly while my body adjusted to the rhythm. The crowd gasped.
I moved in different dimensions, as if every part of my body had its own rhythm.
Then the beat dropped.
Cedrick joined again, and we exchanged moves.
Back and forth.
Energy rising.
Then, for my final move—
I lifted myself, almost like I was floating, tumbling like a cheerleader before landing perfectly, my body spinning mid-air and hitting the final beat flawlessly.
Silence.
Then—
Cheers exploded.
Even Cedrick clapped.
“This is why you beat me, Marlee… because you’re a freaking GOAT!” he said.
We hugged like professionals.
I returned to my seat, and Audrey looked at me with wide eyes.
“I knew it!” she said proudly.
“Knew what?”
“You can beat all of them in one step. You should come back, big sis!”
I smiled, brushing her hair.
“Nope. Not now.”
Before the event ended, Cedrick approached me with the other battlers. They were amazed, saying I was still in my era.
I just smiled and greeted them.
“Thank you for coming, Marlee,” Cedrick said.
“Oh, no problem. I came because of my sister…”
“Right… that’s one reason,” he said.
“What do you mean?”
“I bought this school from the original owner. I just didn’t announce it yet. This event isn’t just for students—it’s to gather all crews… including you.”
I froze.
“Why?”
“Because despite everything… we’re still connected. Drew just got out of prison, Nate lost his father, and yet we’re all here. No matter what happened—we’re still the GOATs.”
I felt emotional.
We hugged.
And for the first time in a long time…
My heart felt full.
Maybe…
This isn’t a comeback.
But it’s a reminder—
That I never really left.
And maybe…
I’m still the beast of my era.
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and then Add to home screen.