{Dancing with the Stars Studio}
Hollywood, California
The Next Day
This week's theme was very exciting. River couldn't wait to share it with Michael. He's coming to rehearsal a little late today due to him having to record. He has a busy schedule and things happen. Michael offered to stay a little longer since he was going to be late. He thought it was only fair that he'd had to sacrifice. Being around River was always a good time. Despite them having a small disagreement they were able to resolve it quickly.
After some time Michael finally came through the door. "Hey, I'm sorry I'm late River."
"It's okay you don't have to apologize. You already told me in advance." River smiled at him. "If you can tell I'm excited about the theme for this week. You'll be excited too."
"Tell me"
"I'm gonna let you take a guess." She ran over to her bag taking out Mickey Mouse's ears and placing them on her head. "Take your guess."
"Disney?!"
"Yes! The theme for this week is Disney! This is my favorite night out of the whole season. It gives me an excuse to walk around wearing Mickey Mouse ears all day. We will be celebrating iconic Disney films."
"This is exciting! Watching Disney films growing up will always have a place in my heart."
"This week is going to be a lot of fun. So let's get down to business." She stated seriously. "Which is a hint of the song we'll be dancing to."
"What's our routine for this week?"
"We'll be dancing a Paso Double to I'll Make a Man Out of You from Mulan."
"I love Mulan"
"Me too! So we have the Paso Double. I'm letting you know that upping the difficulty. Remember last week when I was telling you to bring out the sultry side of yourself?" He nodded. "This week I need you to bring out the more aggressive side."
"I know the judges want me to dig a little deeper. I'll need to work on that. So now I have to work on being aggressive."
"The Paso is very dramatic you're telling a story. It's about attack and aggression. The dance should capture everyone's attention." She explained. "I want you to embody the character. The same way you did for the Rumba."
"Got it"
"Alright ready?"
"Okay start stretching and we can get started. Oh wait let me take my ears off." She giggled walking to her bag. "I have like a hundred off these at my house."
"Really?" He asked as he started stretching.
"Every time I go to Disneyland I have to add another one to the collection. I have no shame in saying that."
"Now I'm interested in seeing the collection." He looked at her.
"I have a special room in my house for them. I got my Mickey Mouse ears on one side and my Minnie Mouse ears on the other."
"You have to show me the collection now River."
"We'll see but for now we have work to do. Especially with us losing some hours today. We'll need to do double time."
"Understood" He nodded.
"Good let's get to it."
~~~~~~
{Hayvenhurst}
Encino, California
Later that night Michael arrived back home. He's had something on his mind for the past week. He needed some advice maybe one of his brothers could help him. Once he got to his room he picked up his phone.
"I hope he picks up since it's later," Michael said to himself.
After a few rings someone picked up the phone. "Hello?" Tito said groggily.
"Hey Tito it's me. Can I talk to you about something?"
"Mike can't it wait until morning."
"Please Tito"
"Okay give me a second." There was some movement in the background before he returned to the phone. "What's going on Mike?"
"It's about River."
If Tito wasn't awake before he was now. "What about her? Did something happen?"
"She took me to a club last week to help me with routine last week." He began to explain. "We decided to do the routine in front of the people there. When we dance something happens between us."
"Something like...." Tito needed more details.
"When we were dancing I felt connected to her. I looked into her eyes it felt like everything stopped. My heart was pounding like crazy." He sighed. "It reminded me of when we were together. It felt like the spark came back."
"Did River say anything?"
"No, but I think she felt it too."
"Okay," Tito knew this was about to turn into a complicated situation. "Tell me what's going through your mind."
"The thoughts about River have been coming back. The other night River and I got into an argument."
"An argument?" Tito questioned.
"It was about Nova being upset again. All I seemed to do with her was argue. She's been mad at River the entire time about being my partner. This was out of my control. So I went to River's place to ask for advice. She told me she's going to cut all contact with me once the show is over."
"Damn, she said that?"
"She's going back to New York once it's over. She told me that leaving would be best to resolve the situation. I...went off on her." He still felt bad for yelling at her like that. "I guess when she said that it triggered something in me. The thought of her leaving again. I don't know if I can handle that for a second time."
"Michael" Tito took a moment before he continued. "Do you think your feelings are coming back for River?"
"I honestly don't know. My mind is so jumbled right now. I'm with Nova now Tito and I'm happy."
"Are you really happy
"Not with all the fighting we've been doing." Michael ran a hand over his face. "I don't know what to do."
"You're going to have to sort through your feelings Michael. You could be feeling River because you're going through it with Nova right now. The last thing you need is for this to blow up. If your feelings are truly back for River you're going to have to tell Nova." Either way, things were going to be crazy. Being in a love triangle was never good.
"Yeah," He sighed. "Nova's been worried this entire time. I gotta figure this out and fast."
"For now try to get some rest."
"I will thanks, Tito."
"Of course"
