All for the Mirrorball

Chapter 31 - It's Only Getting Started

The bar was raucous, filled with energy, the celebration well underway as the cast, crew, family and friends all filled the space. Ilona leaned against the bar, waiting for the next round of drinks, her cheeks already flushed from laughter and liquor.

Across the room, Stephen had somehow convinced Joey to do a backflip, and everyone in the area was going wild.

"This is officially the most chaotic cast party yet," Alan said, handing Ilona another shot. "These are from your parents," he added before she could protest.

She looked up to see her mom and dad holding up their glasses, shook her head with a laugh, clinked her glass against Alan's, and downed it. "They really are the 'work hard, play hard' type... but I'd swear they're trying to get us drunk." They set their empty glasses on the bar.

"They're definitely keeping an eye on you, but do you think maybe... you're just a little paranoid?"

"Maybe," she said, though she could feel their eyes on her. She turned back to the bartender to grab their drinks, thanked her, and led Alan back over to her family.

Adrianna and Olivia appeared moments later, each carrying a tray of nachos. "Fueling up before the next round," Adrianna declared, setting the trays on the table.

"The Mahers are really approaching this night like it's a marathon," Alan commented.

Michael's eyes sparkled when he responded, "We're an all in kind of family, Alan."

"Yeah, I can see that," Alan started. "I really like that about you guys. I'm the same way." He couldn't help but look to Ilona for a brief moment.

Mr. Maher clapped him on the back jovially before asking Alan all about himself. Ilona couldn't help but smile when she saw them getting on... and felt a twinge of worry that her boyfriend's tequila-laced tongue might let something slip. She just didn't want them to find out by accident. She pushed the fear aside and took another long sip from her drink. Then she checked to be sure Alan didn't need an out before she went to join Chandler by the bar.

"I haven't seen enough of you lately!" she told her friend as she walked up.

"Totally! I've missed you." Chandler said as she pulled Ilona into a hug. "And this is almost over. How crazy is that? I feel like we just started, but also like I've known you guys forever at this point. Does that even make sense?" She had even more joyful energy than usual.

"It really does," Ilona said with a grin.

"I hope you like facetime because we will be keeping up, okay?" Chandler said quickly.

"Hell yeah we will be... and maybe one last rehearsal-break lunch this week?" Ilona said.

"We have to!" Chandler practically squealed. She picked up three drinks from the bar. "Okay, I need to take these to Brandon and Brylee... I'll come find you later okay?"

—

Ilona stood by the jukebox, flipping through songs while Alan leaned against it, sipping his beer.

"Are you picking something good?" he teased.

She smirked. "What do you expect?" She pressed a button, and the familiar opening notes of Dancing Queen filled the air.

The room erupted into cheers, with Emma and Jenna dragging Kelsey to the middle of the floor. Joey appeared moments later, dramatically lip syncing the lyrics as Stephen egged him on.

Ilona turned to Alan, her grin infectious. "You're up next, coach."

"Oh no," he said, shaking his head.