{Dancing With The Stars Studio}
Hollywood, California
September 4, 1981
River was inside the studio doing stretches to prepare for the day. She was going to finally meet her partner for the season. You never know who you're going to get but it makes it fun. She's hoping that she gets someone who can dance. The camera crew was already filming and her anticipation was rising.
"Hopefully I get a good partner this season." River stood up. She saw the doorknob to the practice room turn. The door opened to reveal her celebrity partner.
"No way!" Michael smiled as he entered the room.
"Hey!" She hugged him and he hugged back. "This is going to be fun! How are you feeling?"
"I'm nervous I'm used to performing on stage it's where I'm the most comfortable. This is different than anything I've ever done before."
"Being nervous is okay that's a part of the process. I get nervous too sometimes before performing. I want you to enjoy this experience too. You'll learn a lot about yourself along the way."
"Okay," He was happy to have River as his partner. She was someone he could trust fully doing this.
"Alright so let's get stretching. I started a little bit before you just to prep myself. He nodded and started stretching. "Alright so for the premiere we're going to be dancing Tango to "Hot To Go" by Chappell Roan."
"Sounds great"
"So let's get to work then." Once he finished stretching it was game on. "So we're going to work on your frame." She clasps her right hand with his left hand. "So the Tango is long and angular. So I want you to take this arm and make it almost straight."
"Like this?" He did as she said.
"Yes, and you'll take your right arm." She moved his other arm. "Place your hand on the upper back."
"Okay"
"Make sure you keep a strong frame. If it drops the judges will take off points. "Understand?"
"Yeah"
"Good" She gets into frame with him. "Alright so let's go over the first few steps."
~~~~~
{Nova's Home}
Venice, California
Nova finished baking cupcakes for an upcoming event. She had her friend Ashley who was the manager at her bakery over to help her decorate.
"I love it when you make cupcakes!" Ashley exclaimed.
"Ash you're not allowed to eat any," Nova told her.
"I know. I know their for work." Ashley rolled her eyes.
"Yes they are so can you start putting the frosting on them please?"
"I got you" Ashley picked up the bag of frosting. "So Michael is practicing for Dancing With the Stars now right?"
"Yeah, today he's finding out who his partner is going to be. The announcement should be out soon."
"That is one of my favorite shows Derek Hough is so fine. I wouldn't mind letting him throw me around."
"You're so annoying." Nova laughed. Taking the last pan of cupcakes out of the oven.
"How are you feeling about him being on there? You said his ex-girlfriend works on the show."
"Unfortunately uggh" The thought of his ex made her want to throw up. "River Franklin"
"Oh wow," Ashley looked surprised. "Last year was her first season on the show. She did well making it to the finale. I don't think a rookie has ever done that before."
"She wasn't that good because she and her partner were the runner-up."
"Do you think Michael could get paired with her for the season?"
"It's possible but I would hate to look at that every day for the next two months. What are the chances of that happening with so many pros being on the show?"
"Let's see if they have announced some of the pairs yet." Ashley went into the living room to turn on the radio.
"Today we are excited to announce the first two pairings of the new season of Dancing With the Stars!" The announcer beamed as the radio came to life.
"Oh looks like we're going to hear one of them now!" She turned up the volume.
"The first celebrity that will be on the show is Michael Jackson! He will be partnered with pro-River Franklin! Oh, this is going to be a good season!" The announcer paused for a moment. "There's more to this because Marlon Jackson will also be competing with his pro partner Britt Stewart! This is going to be a battle for the ages!"
Ashley turned the radio off. "Okay I guess them being partnered was more likely than we thought."
"I can't believe this!" Nova was pissed. "How the hell could this happen? Out of all the pros it had to be her. Seriously?!"
"To be fair it is random right so there's no way he could have known that would happen."
"All of a sudden River keeps popping up." Her face twisted in disgust. "Aren't exes supposed to stay in the past?"
"You know exes come crawling back," Ashley told her. "And she's his first love too this is a problem."
"How bad do you think it can get?"
"This is the chick that your man lost his virginity to. That shit stays with you forever." She dragged it out. "He's never going to forget that."
"You don't think he would fall back in love with her and leave me right?" This scared her more than anything.
"Michael loves you so much. I think you should trust him but don't trust River. She probably plotting ways to get him back in her arms. Never trust those bitches." Ashley warned. "She'll act sweet and kind then the next thing you know she'll take your man."
"What should we do it?"
"I think we should pay little Miss Dancer a visit." She leaned on the counter with a mischievous grin. "She lives in Malibu."
"How do you know that?" Nova was curious but also a little creeped out.
"I know a lot of things about a lot of people. Are you in or are you out?"
"I'm in but I'm still a little concerned that you know where she lives. I thought she lived in New York."
"She does but when it's time for DWTS she stays at her apartment in Malibu. I got all the details Nov."
"Thanks for having my back Ash."
"Of course, you have to protect what's yours. He belongs to your period."
"Wait we can't go because I don't want Michael to get mad at me. She's going to tell him that we showed her at her house."
"Yeah," Then a light bulb went off in her head. "I have another idea with a different approach. You still in?"
"You know it."
