All for the Mirrorball

Chapter 7 - Having the Time of my Life

On Monday, Ilona was feeling much better about their salsa than she'd expected at the beginning of the week. Even the knowledge that it was a double elimination wasn't phasing her (much). That morning, Emma had come in to help refine some of her movements and demonstrate some of the finer details of the dance's cross-body lead.

Ilona was beyond jealous of Emma's fluidity, feeling stiffer than a board by comparison, but her tips were really helpful. Working with Emma also helped snap Ilona out of the flirty vibe she and Alan had been channeling all week thanks to their Dirty Dancing themed dance for the week... at least momentarily.

That night at the dress rehearsal, both of her sisters were hooting and hollering when they saw each of Ilona's lifts to match Alan's, chanting things like "queen energy," and "EAT" throughout it.

When Ilona and Alan made their way over to them after, Adrianna squealed "my sister is a dancer!"

Alan did a cute little hop up and down. "That's what I'm saying! Adrianna gets it!"

"Okay, okay, rein it in, ladies" Ilona called out.

"Yeah. Anyway... I think we all dance," Olivia added with a smile.

Alan was never going to keep up with all of the Maher sisters' internet references.

Alan and Ilona stayed after to run the routine one more time.

"You've got it down, Ilona." Alan insisted. "I'm out, baby," he added in his best angry Patrick Swayze impression, which he followed up with a wink.

"You're delirious," she laughed back.

"I think you mean hilarious."

"Sure, Jan."

--

After they ran through the routine in the morning, Alan told her it was great.

"Better than a six?"

"Way better than a six." He fought the urge to roll his eyes. He loved that she cared this much, so he didn't want to belittle that. "You're going to crush it, Lo." He pulled her in for another hug, and found himself savoring the lightly jasmine scent of her hair.

This week, Ilona was in hair and makeup with Chandler, which she was especially grateful for because the latest book she'd gotten from Libby on a book tok recommendation turned out to be yet another dud of the two-brothers-in-a-love-triangle variety. (It's an epidemic.) Instead, they jammed to Chappell Roan as the stylists applied rhinestones to Ilona's face and hair.

After they filmed their content while all glammed up, Ilona and Alan had their normal pre-show huddle. He had to break the news that they would be the last couple to dance - that tended to be the recipe for extra nerves.

After the incredible opening number choreographed by Britt and Alan, they spent most of the show in the background, cheering on their fellow dancers. For every second of the in-between moments when they were off screen, Alan had a specific playlist queued up to distract her. For most of it, they would share headphones. We're just staying in character, she tried to rationalize to herself. (Like... girl please.)

By the time they were finally up, she was okay. Some of her nerves calmed after the first two lifts, and then she was feeling pretty damn good. They salsa-ed their little hearts out, and she knew she was already improving. Maybe more importantly, Ilona became the first woman to lift their male partner - and she did it multiple times.

For every time Alan lifted her, she'd lift him, in turn. They did a spin on the famous Dirty Dancing lift that had the crowd on their feet. They both had so much fun being lifted and flung into the air by their partner - both previously foreign to the feeling.

During the Judges commentary, Alan bowed down
to his partner, absolutely filled with pride at everything she'd just done. There were definitely things to improve, but he was constantly impressed by her.

The judges saw her improvement and awarded her 7s across the board.

Alan could tell she wasn't satisfied even before she whispered a quiet "sorry" when they hugged. During the final commercial breaks, he quietly told her how proud he was.

She was so relieved when they survived the double elimination. She felt pretty bad to see Tori go though, because she'd been so excited to be a part of the show. She also thought Anna was hilarious, but it was hard to feel anything but relief... and a little disappointment in herself.

Alan had done a good job of comforting her, though. Maybe too good of a job. She caught a knowing look from Adrianna before Olivia hugged her and made a joke about how Ilona "had predicted (and avoided) the fake relationship with Gleb." Ilona caught a flicker of something else on Alan's face before he broke into laughter.

"I did have the time of my life. I think I have to give myself grace," she said in their post-show interviews. He knew she was beating herself up, but he really was impressed with her progress every day.

He squeezed extra tight during their last hug of the night, told her to have fun with her sisters and rest up for tomorrow.

"Thanks, bestie," she replied as she walked out to meet Olivia and Adrianna. "I appreciate you!"

He watched her leave. Right. She only sees you as a friend. He ended the night feeling a little deflated, too.

****

According to wattpad, this story is currently ranked #5 in stories tagged #Alan, so thank you for basically making me famous.

Love you for reading, love Ilona and Alan (and am legitimately sad this season is over), and love my dog (he always deserves a shout out) byeee

xx