{Dancing with the Stars}
Hollywood, California
October 8, 1981
River was in the dressing room preparing for the show. It's where she can clear her mind before she has to perform for the night. She's still reeling from the events from the other night. She's not sure how their partnership will pan out for the rest of the season. Tonight is the competition so she had to put her personal feelings aside. She still wants the two of them to give their all. She took a deep breath when she heard a knock on the door.
"Come in" River stated still looking in the mirror.
The door cracked with a person peeking their head in. "River can we talk?" Michael asked.
She looked at him through the reflection of the mirror. "Sure" She responded a bit monotone.
He closed the door behind him. "River I want to apologize for the other night. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings." He needed to make things right with her. "I didn't know I buried those feelings. I didn't realize how much it still hurts me."
"You just went off on me Michael. You never did that to me even when we were together." She shook her head.
"I know I'm so sorry" He apologized. "You didn't deserve that Riv."
"Maybe I did deserve it." She looked at him.
"Why would you say that?" He looked at her confused.
"You're right I didn't try to fight for our relationship. I never wanted to break up with you Michael. Long distance relationships for the most part don't last. My heart wasn't going to be able to take that." She sighed. "And I thought since we wouldn't see each other it would become too much. You would get tired and want to move on to another person."
"River it would never be too much. I wouldn't have gotten tired of you either. You were the love of my life. I would've flown every weekend to see you."
"I know that now but back then I was a kid."
"Yeah, we both were."
"I'm sorry for the pain I caused you too." She apologized.
"It's okay Riv I forgave you years ago. I guess what you said brought me back to that time." He admitted. "I don't want us to bring this negative energy into our partnership."
"I don't want that either."
"Also if you want to still cut communication from me once the show is over I will respect your decision." He didn't want that but it wasn't his call. "Are we okay now?"
"Yeah, we're good." Her smile came back as the two hugged before pulling back. "Alright, are you ready to do this?"
"I am" He smiled back.
"Great the show is going to start soon so we better get to the ballroom."
~~~~~~
The show began to celebrate the iconic James Bond movie franchise. Nova decided to come to the show this week to check up on things again. This time she brought Ashley with her.
"Girl thanks for inviting me. I've never seen the show in person this is so exciting!" Ashely beamed.
"I know being in here is cool. The routines should be interesting tonight since they'll be based on James Bond."
Nova said.
"That's so awesome! Did you get a chance to see Michael before the show?"
"No, I didn't get the chance." She shook her head. "He said he had to do a few things and then he had to go put his costume on right after."
