All for the Mirrorball

Chapter 11 - Lets Get Ready to Rumba

On Thursday, Ilona got two almost-surprises. First, Carrie Ann came in and spent time coaching her in rehearsals (and making iconic tik toks, obviously.) Then that afternoon, she got a text from an unknown number that turned out to be Graham. His words had a kind tone, even through text.

Graham:
Hi, Ilona? This Graham - Danny's friend? I hope you don't mind the middle-school tactics to get your number... I just didn't want to wait another week to talk to you.

She wasn't sure why she angled her phone away from Alan when she read Graham's message. He has a girlfriend, Ilona, she repeated to herself for what felt like the fifteenth time. She and Graham started chatting, and made 'plans to make plans' once Ilona knew how crazy the rest of her week was looking (which was heavily dependent on her rumba's progress). Luckily, Graham was really understanding of the crazy schedule, thanks to Danny.

She told him that this week was even worse after last week's fiasco (which he did try to comfort her about), and that worst case, they could go out for drinks with her team after Dedication Night, if he'd be around. He'd agreed, and they'd continued texting sporadically.

Between a new talking stage, the support she'd received from her newfound DWTS family, and the knowledge that her USA rugby sevens team would be there to support her for that week's show, she truly had an extra pep in her step.

Alan noticed, and was impressed with her progress and with her attitude. He was thankful their dance this week gave him an excuse to be so close to her, because she had a way of drawing him in like a magnet, and he was getting tired of fighting it.

However, as the days passed, he worried that it was going to drive him crazy. It didn't help that they spent most of their time dancing together, and almost all of the time they weren't dancing, they either chatted away aimlessly or devolved into fits of laughter.

They worked extremely hard all week. Both Jenna and Emma both came in that week to help with Ilona's fluidity and softening some of her movements.

Tuesday morning, Alan's call time was (once again) later than Ilonas, but they still met beforehand to get some last minute practice time. While she was in hair and makeup, he picked up their favorite steak and egg burritos from Erewhon as a surprise.

Alan:
Got second breakfast. Picnic tables?

Ilona:
You're the best dance partner I've ever had.

Alan:
Bring waters please

He shouldn't have been surprised by how good she looked, even as she smothered her burrito in hot sauce and dug in. He was worried about how he'd react once she had her outfit on - she'd been joking all week about how she'd told the costume department she wanted to be "basically naked."

Turns out, he was right to be worried. She looked otherworldly, draped in sheer strips of blue fabrics, like a work of art - art where negative space was greatly emphasized (which is to say that the 'basically naked' thing hadn't been a joke after all.) He had to consciously work to lower his heart and respiratory rates.

The guest judge for the show was Mark Ballas, one of Mieneke Maher's absolute favorite former pros - Ilona could only imagine how jealous she'd be of all three of her daughters meeting him.

Once again, Ilona's dance was near the end of the show, and Alan came prepared with a new playlist for them. With her costume, he was exponentially more aware of every time she innocently brushed up against him. He still managed to effectively keep her distracted until it was their time to dance, though.