text: Olivia always somehow managed to get herself into tricky situations and this time was no different. Flash . The spotlights hit the stage and colors of blue and red danced back and forth around the room, the sweet yet spicy music filled the ears of the guests as Olivia and her partner Marcos danced across the floor. Olivia’s crimson dress caught the eye of the judges as Marcos spun her body into their final pose. It was halfway through the second round of the Spain Salsa finals circa 1952, and according to the leaderboard they were still stuck in second place. Olivia’s smile dropped and they walked off the floor knowing that something huge would have to happen in the next round to push them on top. “I just hope our third routine will be enough for those judges Marcos or else I have no idea what we are going to do,” she ranted as she locked eyes with her fiercest rival, the one who’s in first place, Nina and her partner Tom. Olivia shot her a nasty look and kept walking. They had the most classic rivalry story, Olivia and Nina used to be best childhood friends up until Olivia caught Nina kissing her boyfriend and they never spoke again. Now they have a deep hatred for each other, and both have the same dream of winning this competition. Olivia sat down at her vanity in the dressing room and stared at her reflection in the mirror. She tried hard not to become angry, but she could not help it. Nina had taken so much away from her and this was originally only Olivia’s dream. Ever since she was a young girl her grandma would take her to the small salsa competitions around their town and she always loved the music, the dresses, and the seductive yet classy dancing. It was pure art and a deep love and passion of Olivia’s. She knew Nina only began dancing to get on her nerves. The real reason she was so angry did not actually come from anger but sadness, she had worked so hard and still was not good enough. Small tears began to form in her eyes, and she rushed to the bathroom to grab a tissue as to not ruin her makeup. She blotted around her eyes, dusted off her beautiful dress and walked back into the dressing room. As she walked something caught her eye, a bright sign that read NINA propped against a vanity, and right below it a pair of shiny silver ballroom heels, specifically made for salsa dancing. Olivia looked around and noticed she was completely alone in the room; and suddenly all that rage and hatred built up inside her and she knew she shouldn’t, but she grabbed those heels and ran back into the bathroom. Ah man I have to think quick she could come back and get them any second, Olivia thought and she was right because at that moment Nina began walking back to the dressing room to grab her shoes. Okay, okay what could destroy these, uh water, or I could cut them, or I could just hide them, Olivia paced around the bathroom wondering what her next move should be. If she destroyed those shoes, Nina would have to forfeit meaning Olivia and Marcos would become the champions. Maybe I should not even do this I mean it is technically cheating, I could be suspended, but if I do, I could win... No, no if I am winning, I want it to be real I need to get these back before she notices. Just then Nina opened the bathroom door and saw her shoes in the hand of her old friend Olivia. “Are you kidding me, what are you doing with my shoes,” Nina yelled. Olivia froze with a scared expression on her face, “Um, uh, um I have these because, um, because I saw a girl take them from your vanity and run in here and I um got them back for you.” Nina hesitated but said, “Now why would you do that, I mean come on I know you hate me.” “Well because if I am going to beat you, I want to do it fairly so that we will always know who the real winner is.” Wow that was good thinking, oh my god close one, Olivia thought. “Hm, well fine okay give them back to me now please,” Nina reached out her hand and Olivia plopped the shoes into it, “Thank you Olivia this was truly kind of you.” Olivia did not feel she owed her a ‘you’re welcome’ as she did not actually do anything nice, so she just smiled and walked back into the dressing room. First call for Round Three contestants, First call for Olivia and Marcos, Nina and Tom, Robert and Stephanie, and Elijah and Rayne. The speaker sounded with announcers’ voice. Olivia touched up her makeup and met Marcos outside the room. “You okay,” Marcos asked her as they headed to the ballroom. “Yes, just really hoping we win,” she replied. Her palms started to become sweaty as the first couple began their performance, she knew only Nina and Tom could beat her, but she still was nervous. By the end of the second couples routine Marcos had begun talking to Olivia to try and calm her nerves, “Olivia you know how much you deserve this, this is your dream, you are an extraordinary dancer and it is going to be amazing.” Marcos and Olivia take the stage. Olivia took deep breaths and walked out to the center stage with Marcos’ hand in hers. She looked around at all the faces and smiled, as it was showtime. Their song started and it was as if Olivia had never done anything else, she danced so effortlessly and beautifully. The colorful lights bounced around the room, while the song played over the speakers. Her body moved through the moves while her face beamed with her smile. She locked eyes with Marcos halfway through and knew this was right. She then realized it didn’t even matter if they won, because this was her passion that she loved so dearly. Marcos spun her around and they hit their ending pose beaming with pride. Olivia reached over and hugged Marcos and whispered in his ear, “We did it! We were amazing!” He smiled and they ran off the stage waving around to the cheering audience. Next up we have Nina and Tom, the announcer spoke. Olivia stood one with the audience as she watched her competition. All the anger and hate she felt earlier weirdly was absent at this time. She knew deep down her performance was her absolute best, and she loved it. So as the music played, Nina’s bright teal dress shinned in the spotlights, Olivia let out a small smile. I mean, after all they were killing it, all up until Nina caught her shoe on the floor and tripped face first into her partner and they both tumbled to the ground. And with that their routine was over, Nina was humiliated and ran out of the ballroom. The room was dead silent until the announcer finally spoke, “ The judges will now begin tallying the finally scores, and we will have our winner shortly.” Marcos turned a gave Olivia a little sarcastic wink, which made her smile, and put her nerves at ease for a second. “May the remaining contestants come up to the stage now please,” sounded the microphone. Olivia and Marcos along with the two other couples walked out onto the dance floor and awaited the results. Deep breaths overtook Olivia as Marcos squeezed her hand. And the winner of the 1952 Salsa Finals is... Olivia and Marcos!!!!!!!!! Olivia screamed with excitement, she did it her dreams, finally came true. She jumped up and hugged Marcos, the announcer handed them their trophy and the biggest smiles crossed both of their faces. And on this night in the hot summer of 1952 Olivia finally became her dream come true. Nina on the other hand was crying of embarrassment in the bathroom.