All for the Mirrorball

Chapter 1 - Meet Cute

Chapter 1

Ilona answered the call over her car's bluetooth.
"Hey, Liv."

"Hey! How are you feeling? How soon is your first call time?

"I'm in the car now." She looked down at her dash for the time. "I'm aiming for 15 minutes early."

"Classic Ilona. Anyway, I'm sure you'll be great."

"Thanks, sis. I'm more nervous than I thought," Ilona said as she shifted into the right lane.

"Why? You've done harder things."

Ilona laughed. "What if they put me with someone like Gleb and try to do a whole weirdly sexual fake dating thing?"

"Eww...gross," Olivia said with a snort.

"Exactly!"

"That's not going to happen, don't be crazy. I'm adding Adrianna to the call," Olivia said. After a beep, she continued, "Ade, Ilona's freaking out about her potential pro."

"Oh my God, Ilona! You're going to be fine!" Adrianna replied.

"I'm just nervous, that's all."

"Oooh, maybe they hired a hot new pro this season just for you!" Olivia interjected.

"Not helping, guys."

"Okay, Ilona, listen. You are the biggest badass I know -" Adrianna started.

"Hey!" Olivia interjected, clearly offended.

"Shut up, Liv!" She called out. "We both know it's Ilona - she's the girl who trademarked red lipstick on the rugby pitch! She got famous posting about thirsting over Olympians in Rio because she's fucking hilarious, then she made it back in Paris and won a bronze medal. Dancing With the Fucking Stars will be nothing."

"Like a piece of cake!" Olivia agreed. "But I'm still a badass, too."

"Thanks, guys. That's what I needed to hear. And yeah, Livie, we know. What, you think a non-badass could've invented girl dinner? Come on, now!"

"That's what I'm saying!" Olivia cried out, while Adrianna broke into laughter.

"Okay ladies. I'm pulling up. Thanks for the pep talk! Love you both!"

"Love you!" her sisters said in unison.

"You're gonna EAT!" she heard Olivia yell as the line disconnected.

She gave her name to Phil the parking attendant, who gave her an ID, a parking pass, and told her where to go. Sooner than later, she was all miked up and ready to meet her dance professional.

Shay, a nice PA who was helping her get sorted and understand the whole filming process, led her to a big door. "So when we count down, you just open the door and meet your new partner! Cameras will be covering multiple angles, so you don't need to worry about a thing!"

"What, so no doors 2 and 3? This is my only option?" Ilona joked. Your nerves are showing, she thought.

Shay cracked up. "Girl, you kill me. I knew I'd love you in person. Can I give you a hug?"

"Oh God, please! I'm so used to team sports, I'm not used to doing things by myself. I could use one," Ilona said as she pulled Shay in for a hug.

"You're doing great! The audience is going to love you!"

"Let's hope my partner feels the same!" Ilona said with a wink.

"Good thing we're about to find out!" Shay exclaimed. She adjusted a strand of Ilona's hair before motioning her forward.

They counted down from five, and Ilona opened the door to reveal her fate.