Born From A Boom Box (Step Up 3)

Chapter 11

"Hey guys! Check this out!" Moose calls us over. I stand in-between Hair and Cable waiting. Jason presses a button and a panel of Neoflies turn on showing off different colors.

I walk around the table to stand next to Moose. I bend over to get a better look. "This is really cool." I say before the Neoflies catch on fire. I jump back and Moose steps in front of me protectively. Cable grabs a nearby fire extinguisher and puts out the fire.

"So close." Jason mumbles rubbing a hand over his face.

"You'll figure it out." I reassure him. "Luke wants to see you." I look up at Moose who is still in front of me.

"Alright." Moose trudges back to Luke who is in the other room. I watch him leave the room. I look back at the guys to see them smirking at me.

"What?" I ask running a hand through my hair. Is it sticking out everywhere? Is there something in my teeth?

Cable walks over to me and sets his arm around my shoulders. This feels more like a brotherly gesture. With Moose it feels like it belongs there.

"Are you ever going to tell him?" Cable asks looking down at me.

My eyebrows scrunch together in confusion. "What are you talking about?"

"You obviously like Moose. I know we just met, but it is beyond obvious you two like each other." Hair explains.

"Dang! Does everyone know I like him?" I say out loud throwing my hands in the air.

Jason, Hair, and Cable all look at each other. "Yeah, pretty much." They say simultaneously.

"Moose is the only one that doesn't know." Jason speaks up looking at the neoflies.

"Does everyone know who Camille likes?" I ask them curiously.

"Camille likes someone?" Hair's head snaps up quickly. I smirk realizing he doesn't know.

"I know." Cable raises his hand up.

"Who is it?" Hair questions his best friend. Well, it's obvious he likes Camille too. Time to play matchmaker.

"Think about it. It's like Moose and I. Everyone knows but us." I hint. He should be able to figure that out. Hair looks at me confused. I giggle at his expression. "Just think about it." I turn around and head back to where Luke was. My brother is showing Moose some new dance moves for the World Jam.

"Lexi!" Luke waves me over.

"What's up?" I ask bouncing on my toes. Give me something to practice. I want to dance.

"I have an idea for you. The twins are helping the Shorties learn some new moves. After they dance for about ten seconds each, I want you to dance with them. They will all do a move at the same time and you will do some kind of tumbling over them. Then you guys will do a choreographed dance together." Luke explains.

"Are they learning the dance now?" I ask getting excited.

"You get to make it up. It has to be sixty seconds, though." Luke explains.

I fist pump the air. "Yes! Thank you so much!" I wrap my arms around his waist.

Luke laughs and hugs me back. "I figured you deserved a dance."

"I've been waiting for this day to come." I rub my hands together thinking off all the ideas running through my mind.

"Well, go figure it out." Luke pushes me away. I jog over to the other room of the warehouse where the Shorties are.

"Hey guys." I bend down to their level. "Ready to practice?" They all nod their heads and I start to show them some of the dance moves that I thought of.

Two hours later, we have our dance completely memorized. The Shorties picked it up fairly quickly. We even have our positions picked out exactly. That way when I throw myself over them, I won't hit any of them. Now we just need the Twins help to throw me over them.

"Did you figure out your dance?" Moose walks in the room up to me. I nod my head too tired to answer him. "Can I see it?"

"No!" The Shorties yell at the same time.

"Why not?" Moose crouches down to their eye level.

"It's a surprise." The youngest boy, Jordan replies. Moose raises his eyebrow at him. This are the cutest kids I have ever seen.

"You heard him." I laugh. "When are we

all practicing together?" I sit down criss crossed on the concrete floor.

"Few minutes. That's why I came back here." Moose straightens up.

I cross my arms annoyed. "I just sat down!" I whine.

"Not my fault." Moose shrugs beginning to walk away.

"Wait!" I reach out for him. "Help me up?" I bat my eyelashes at him. Moose smirks walking back to me. "Please?" I beg biting my lip trying to look sad.

"That's not going to work on me." Moose stands above me not giving me in.

"What are you talking about?" I whisper still pulling off my sad face. "I just want you to help me up." I look down at the floor. I hear Moose sigh. Yes. He's slowly giving in. "Please Moose?" I look up at him slowly with tears in my eyes.

Bingo.

Moose reaches down for my hands. That was so easy! When I do that with Luke I actually have to be crying for a few minutes before he gives in.

"Thanks, Moose!" I grin kissing him on the cheek before skipping back to everyone else.

"Wait? You tricked me!" Moose runs after me. I make it back to the Pirates and see them in a group talking to each other. "You're sister is devious."

"Did she cry?" Jason asks. Moose nods his head.

"She's been doing that for forever. You would think we wouldn't fall for it." The Santiago Twins shake their heads at me.

"I don't know what you guys are talking about." I cross my arms smirking.

Luke claps his hands getting everyone's attention. "We can talk about Lexi's devious ways later. We need to rehearse." He turns on the radio and begins showing us the moves.