HeartBLOOD

Chapter sixty-three

Vicky, wheres your hairpiece?, Alec yelled across the backstage area, trying to keep an overview over the situation- countless people were overflowing the space, leaving nothing but chaos and confusion.

Ive got it!, she replied, hectically putting on the dark red feather crown Cat had picked out.

Okay, one minute till stage, everyone gather around!, Alec exclaimed, making sure everyone was in the huddle before proceeding, You guys are incredible dancers, but more than that, youre an incredible team. So go out there, show everyone what youre made of and make every second count! Im proud of you already, now its time for you guys to make yourselves proud- youve got this. Now go kill it!

Three, two, one, BDA!, Vicky screamed before thirteen hands exploded into the air and everyone moved to the wings of the stage.

Next up, contester 11- Brooklyn Dance Academy, teen division, large group., a voice echoed through the entire venue, announcing them to the audience.

Okay, go!, Alec hissed, giving everyone a high five before they went to their designated positions on stage.

Now, it was out of his control.

Sick to his stomach, he held on to the wall, watching the lights go on, the music starting to play, everyone melting out of their starting poses.

Shitting your pants?, Cat grinned, walking up to him from behind- she must have been with the seniors up until now.

Yeah, this is the most stressful moment of my life., he laughed, not peeling his gaze away from the stage- as if him looking at them was going to unfold some magical powers.

Its worse than performing yourself, isnt it?, Cat asked, watching sweat form on Alecs forehead.

Its nerve-wrecking., he replied, Theres nothing you can do now, and if something isnt going to work out, I will have set them up for failure. They trust me, they want to win, and I dont want to disappoint them.

Yeah, that sounds familiar., Cat chuckled, tensing up as the partnering section approached- this had to be the most critical part of the choreography.

Come on Kenneth, clench!, Alec whispered through his teeth, watching his students face twists in exhaustion.

Ten seconds felt like ten hours, his mind calculating everything the judges could possibly account for as mistakes, running the worst-case-score.

Okay, that was good!, Cat sighed in relief, putting her hand on his shoulder, See? Theyll be alright.

Dont jinx it., he sighed, his body stiff, eyes still glued to the stage.

Five, Six, Ronde de Jambe, and one, and two, and hold, and four, jump five, six, seven, done., he whispered, counting down the last seconds of the dance.

Then, the music stopped and the stage turned black again, giving Alec a second to breathe out the tension hes been holding in before almost getting ran over by twelve screaming teens.

That was so good!, Maddie exclaimed ecstatically, Did you see my tilt?

I saw everything., Alec exhaled with a smile of relief, squeezing the huddle in his arms, You guys killed it, I couldnt be prouder.

You absolutely nailed it., Cat smiled widely, high fiving Alec who managed to free a hand from the group hug, Ill get back to the seniors, youve set the bar very high!

Alright, tell them good luck and call if you need me!, Alec replied which upon Cat just smiled before walking away.

BDA! BDA!, the group chanted, disturbing everyone in the backstage area.

Guys, keep it down, you dont want to rub it in your competitions face that they have no chance now., Alec grinned, putting his sweaty hands in the pockets of his jeans to keep them from trembling- it wasnt over yet.

***

Alec felt Cats hand in his, standing in one of the stage wings again, seeing the nervousness on the teens faces as the sun burnt down onto them, smelling the tension vaporizing from the other coaches next to him- it felt weird being on this side of the competition, but he felt like he blended in.

Second Place in the teen division goes to Marjolies School of Ballet!, the head judge announced before handing the trophy to a group of eight screaming girls in navy blue jumpsuits, a middle-aged woman just a few steps away from Alec cheering with them.

They were flawless., Alec sighed, nervously looking at his students, squeezing each others hands - this was torture.

We were too. And our choreo scores higher on difficulty., Cat whispered.

And the winner of the teen division, first place goes to-, the head judge continued, making Alec almost die from suspense, Brooklyn Dance Academy! Congratulations!

Screams and shrieks exploded on stage as Arizona took the gold trophy out of the judges hands.

Fuck yeah!, Alec exclaimed loudly, wrapping his arms around Cat before lifting her up and spinning her around, adrenaline rushing through his body like a hot wave, making him ignore the applause surrounding them.

You did it!, she cheered, watching the kids celebrate on the dancefloor, running into each others arms, their faces overflowing with joy.

No, they did., Alec replied with a wide smile, putting Cat down to watch the chaos on stage with glossy eyes- he had never been so proud of a bunch of people he barely knew.

BDA! BDA!, Tristan cheered, guiding the group away from the stage and right into their coaches arms.

Im so proud of you!, Alec sighed in relief, pulling about five people into a hug at the same time, adrenaline pumping through his veins, blood rushing to his head, sweat sticking his shirt to his back.

That was the best feeling ever!, Vicky screamed, wrapping her arms around Alecs torso, Does it get any better than this?

It does., Alec smiled widely, looking down at her, You just need to keep going for long enough.

I want to keep going forever., she replied, breathing heavily whilst looking right at Alec, Do you think I could?

Absolutely, Vicky. Just be brave enough to try.

All of a sudden, his phone started vibrating in his front pocket, so he excused himself and tried to escape into a slightly less chaotic and quieter corner of the backstage area to answer the incoming call from Magnus.

Mags?, he asked, plugging the ear that wasnt at the phone with his finger, trying to hear something.

Im so proud of you!, he heard his boyfriend scream, cheers in the background.

How do you know theyve won?, Alec frowned in confusion- he had planned to tell him as soon as theyd leave the venue.

Do you seriously think I wouldnt come see my boyfriend lead his first ever dance team to victory?, Magnus chuckled, ending the call.

They were amazing., said a familiar voice right behind Alec.

Magnus!, he exclaimed when whirling around, wrapping his boyfriend in his arms, feeling his heartbeat speed up.

Surprise, baby., he grinned, grabbing Alecs chin to pull him down into a kiss, their lips exploding against each other, wildly saying a hundred words of passion and victory at the same time.

Awh, you guys are so cute!, Maddie smiled, ripping Alec and Magnus out of their trance, both starting to blush immediately.

Uh, well, this is my boyfriend, Magnus., Alec introduced his better half, awkwardly licking Magnus strawberry chapstick off of his own lips.

Ive been waiting to meet you., Maddie smiled, inspecting Magnus, Ill be honest, Alec- I wouldnt have guessed it, but I suppose you have taste.

Well, Alec is one hell of a catch, too., Magnus grinned, clearly flattered by the compliment.

Mags, shes twelve., Alec whispered.

And still, she has eyes., his boyfriend grinned, pressing another kiss on Alecs lips, Thats all shell need in order to verify my statement.