our beginning // harry jowsey and rylee arnold

one

Rylee's POV

"You look gorgeous.. please, don't be so nervous! Whoever is your partner will absolutely adore you." I heard my older sister, Lindsay, say as she walked up to me behind the mirror as I readjusted my hair for the fifteenth time today. I took a deep breath as I nodded and thanked her as I turned around to hug her. She had made the trip to LA from Utah to support me in my big day as today was the day I finally met my DWTS partner. Yup.. you heard that right, DWTS!!

This was an absolutely dream.. something I had always wanted to be apart of, and it was finally coming true. I rushed to grab my bag and run out the door, screaming goodbye to Linds as I was already running late. I drove to the studio which was thankfully only a short 7 minute ride, parking and running to our designated studio to be able to film in today.

I thankfully was early enough to still surprise my partner as I put my stuff down and introduced myself to our team. "He's coming!" I heard a producer say as they directed me to stand on the other side of the room. I took deep breaths as I tried to calm my nerves... please god, please give me a good partner. I prayed in my head as I hoped to be able to make the best out of my first season, and to do that, I knew I needed someone with potential.

As I saw the door begin to open, it felt like it was moving in slow motion as I finally saw my partner. Oh my god... my jaw dropped as I saw Harry Jowsey walk through the door. "Oh My God.." I said, this time out loud, pulling myself back into reality as I walked towards him, hugging him and introducing myself. "I'm Rylee, nice to meet you, you actually might not know me, I'm new to the show."

"Oh, Exciting! We're gonna smash it!" He said, making me laugh as he didn't sound too confident. But this is what this show was all about, growing as a dancer, and I hoped to be able to pull everything possible out of Harry.

As we spoke more, I learned that he had no dance experience but did have the dedication and hard work, which was all I could ask for. We had approximately an hour before we had to go shoot our pictures, in which I wanted to fully take advantage of.

I didn't know much about Harry actually, beyond having seen him on TikTok every once in a while. I actually hadn't seen his show, Too Hot to Handle. I wasn't a crazy reality show junkie, which made Harry happy. "Don't watch it.. please." He begged in a joking manner as I told him I wouldn't, but who knows..

Our first rehearsal went well, as I showed him basic moves.. most of our rehearsal consisting of laughs and jokes. We both couldn't help ourselves as a lot of more work had to be put into this than we thought, but it was a challenge we were both excited for.

As our first rehearsal came to an end, we grabbed our stuff and walked to the trailers to get ready. We met with a bunch of other couples, introducing ourselves, as I was also very new to this cast of pros. Everyone was so kind and nice, I felt at home.. bring on the season.

~

"Oooo... he's cute" Bree joked, my sister as I laid in my bed that night with Lindsay as I told them about my day.

"He's also a player.. actually known for that." Lindsay said, cutting the jokes short before any ideas got into anyone's heads. She was always the protective one, but as the baby sister, I had to just live with it. But I had to admit, Harry is attractive, very very attractive. But we're also here for a job, so I didn't anticipate anything happening. Plus, he was also a lot older.. a girl could only dream.

"Nothing is gonna happen guys.. but he's great. I really like him and we got along great, I am so excited for this season!" I said as I gushed about my day. My sisters were happy for me as they knew how much I had worked to get to this point. I hoped to only ever be able to make them proud.

++ Fast Fwd to the day of the show

Okay guys.. a lot has happened since Harry and I first met. A lot of dancing, a lot of laughing, and a shit ton of feelings. I promised this wouldn't happen, but I couldn't help myself. However, it is something I have kept to myself, myself and my best friend Carter at least. With all the pressure on us, our different background and age difference, the last thing I need is to make things awkward by confessing my feelings for Harry.

So everyday, I wake up, go to rehearsal and fall for him a little more silently.. His smile, his eyes, his charisma, the way he is so gentle with me and supports me.. it's so freaking hard!! Even with how little experience in dance he has, he still manages to make me feel safe in his arms when we dance.. as if I could follow his lead all day long.

This morning, I waited for Harry in our rehearsal room, scrolling through tiktok on the couch. I couldn't help but smile as I saw so many videos of us, people already supporting us. And tonight was finally the night to prove ourselves to people.

"I'm late, I know I'm sorry, but truly.. I couldn't even sleep last night, I'm nervous.. really nervous." He said adorably as he dropped his gym bag and walked over to me, taking a seat next to me. He leaned on me as he frowned, making me giggle as I ran my hand through his hair to comfort him.

"It's okay, this is what we've been working so hard for! You're gonna kill it!!!" I said as he looked up at me with his beautiful blue eyes. "You promise?" he asked as I just nodded and smiled. This.. this is what I had to endure everyday, he's just too freaking cute.

"Let's get this last practice in, we have a long day!" I said as he nodded and jumped up, grabbing my hand and pulling me up with him.

"And, no matter what happens tonight, I am so proud of you. You've worked so hard, and I am so thankful and happy to have you as my partner." I said, squeezing his hand as my hand was still in his.

"Hey, I'm lucky to have you.. all I want is to do well for YOU. So you can show people how great and deserving you are to be here." He said as he leaned towards me, kissing my forehead.

"I won't let you down Ry."

I instantly melted...

*** i didn't know how to start it 😭 but bare with me, this is only the beginning ❤️