Watch Me

Chapter 20

"Good morning, everyone," Robert said the next morning. "A few announcements. We have two new security guards joining us for a few weeks." He motioned to the two people behind him. "This is Parker and Lily. Gary and Jason will still be making their usual rounds as well, but due to recent events, we've decided up our security. As for rehearsals today, you'll all be learning a new group number here. Zoe and Colton, you'll be working in studio 3 with Grace and Jesse today. Any questions?"

"What happened?" Jill asked.

"I'm not at liberty to say, but Anna and I feel extra security is a necessity at this time," Robert said. "Anything else?" Robert looked around. "See everyone upstairs in half an hour."

Natalie walked over to Zoe and Sarah. "New security guards?"

Zoe smiled at her. "Notice one was female. Makes you wonder where they'll be spending most of their time watching," Natalie and Sarah looked at her with puzzled expressions. Zoe smiled. "Locker room sweeps is my guess."

"I don't know," Sarah said as she picked up her bag. "Lightning never strikes in the same place twice."

"Yeah, but a criminal always returns to the scene of the crime," Natalie chimed in with. Sarah's eyes went wide as Zoe laughed. Natalie smiled at Sarah. "It's a joke sweetie."

"Yeah, but still kind of true," Sarah said shaking her head.

"I wouldn't worry it about it, babe," Zoe said as she flung her arm over Sarah's shoulder. "You know I'll beat anyone up that comes near you." The three of them laughed as they headed upstairs.

"How are you two today?" Jesse asked as he and Grace entered the studio.

"We're good Jess. Ready for what you got for us," Zoe answered as she looked at Colton.

Colton smiled and gave her a wink before turning back towards Jesse. "Bring it on boss man."

Jesse laughed and shook his head. "All right, we're going on to Stage Three otherwise known as Burying Phase. Basically, this is the make-or-break phase of a relationship. It'll be the last song before intermission and it's just one song. However, some of it will be a bit higher speed than the other stages as far as movement goes. Grace and I will do it first and then we'll go through it step by step."

Zoe stood next to Colton in front of the mirrors as Jesse and Grace plotted out their landing spots. She couldn't help but smile as the song came on and she watched as Jesse and Grace danced to it. She imitated it with her hands and smiled again as they ended with the same pose as auditions. She and Colton clapped as Jesse and Grace caught their breath.

"Ok," Jesse said. "Now what I want on your faces and in your movements is intensity. I want anger, but not hate. At this point, you're both frustrated with one another and your relationship." He smirked. "Well, at least as far as the show goes anyway." Zoe gave him a look as Colton chuckled. "So, let's get started."

After an hour and a half, Jesse smiled at them. "It's looking good guys. I think we can polish it tomorrow and be ready for Friday. What do you think?"

Zoe looked at Jesse. "Grace is right. You are a control freak." The four of them laughed. "We can give it a couple of runs in the morning."

"We can have that and our solos ready for Friday," Colton said with a smile.

"Before they go killing themselves," Grace said as she looked at Jesse. "Would you rather have them polish their solos or the third stage?"

"Honestly," Jesse said as he looked at Zoe and Colton, "I'm happy with your solos as they are. So, if we can have stage three finished for Friday, that would be great."