Among those waiting for fingerprinting were familiar faces and unfamiliar underclassmen- all elites in the dance world. Her presence as a cripple in such a lineup felt utterly out of place.
“Lucille!”
A girl recognized her and called out excitedly.
A stranger.
“Lucille!”
Several girls crowded around her warmly. “Finally meeting you!
We studied your choreography in our textbooks!
Never thought we’d see the real you!”
The girls pressed in tightly, surrounding her with beaming smiles. Lucille’s tense heart relaxed.
Just then, her phone rang.
“Sorry, let me check.”
She pulled out her phone. Caller ID: Cedrick.
She hung up, surrounded by her juniors as she took a seat beside Ms. Gomez.
No one mentioned her foot, as if no one had noticed.
But she knew–for a dancer, an injured leg screamed for attention. The silence meant only one thing: Ms. Gomez had warned them beforehand.
Regardless, in this cramped waiting room, she received the greatest kindness from strangers in five years.
Her phone kept buzzing in her bag until she powered it off, focusing on her teacher and classmates.
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Chapter 43
240 Vouchers.
Aydan was there too.
Lucille found it baffling. Wasn’t he the principal dancer of the Seaston Song & Dance Troupe?
Why would he be here?
Ms. Gomez smiled. “This overseas tour is a joint effort by several troupes. Each performs their own repertoire.”
So that was it.
Aydan flashed her a grin; she nodded back with a faint smile.
Visa processing was quick. The group finished one by one and drifted out, leaving Lucille and Ms. Gomez last.
Afterward, they walked out together. Lucille transferred funds to Ms. Gomez, asking her to forward it to the school or tour organizing committee.
She knew Ms. Gomez meant well by inviting her, but she refused to burden them with her expenses. She’d cover her own costs.
Ms. Gomez sighed. “You’re always so stubborn.‘
Still, she accepted the money. “I’ll find out how to add this to the tour budget.”
“Ms. Gomez. Lucille.”
Aydan’s voice cut through.
Lucille looked up to see him leaning against a car in the roadside parking, waving.
Ms. Gomez put an arm around Lucille’s shoulders. “There’s something I’m unsure whether to mention.”
“Just say it, Ms. Gomez.
Lucille trusted Ms. Gomez’s intentions completely.
ノ
“Lucille,” Ms. Gomez asked gently, “would you consider seeking treatment for your foot again?”
Lucille froze.
17:16
Chapter 43
She’d tried everything–Western medicine, herbal doctors, folk remedies—during those two years after the injury. Cedrick had spared no expense, drowning in guilt, willing to sacrifice anything to heal her leg.
Five years later, she’d given up hope.
Suppressing the ache, she forced a smile. “It’s fine, Ms. Gomez. I’ve accepted it won’t heal”
Ms. Gomez glanced at Aydan. “What if we tried once more? Aydan knows an experienced herbal doctor specializing in this. He’s already spoken to him. If you’re willing, we could go today.”
“But…” Lucille couldn’t bring herself to believe.
“Lucille, don’t surrender until the last moment. Let’s try, okay? Miracles happen. Aydan was too hesitant to ask you himself, so he begged me to—”
“Let’s go.”
Seeing Ms. Gomez’s earnest expression, Lucille suddenly thought of her grandma. If Grandma knew a miracle doctor offered even a sliver of hope, she’d insist on trying.
Just to give it a shot. Treat it as sightseeing back in Capital City. Whether it worked or not- she wasn’t holding out hope.
Aydan and Meredith both lit up with joy.
They had an afternoon appointment. At noon, the three had lunch together. During the meal, the college called Meredith about urgent matters requiring her return. So Meredith entrusted Lucille to Aydan before heading back to campus.
Aydan drove her toward the avenue.
17:16