This town

Chapter 26

~Sharna's POV~

This week was probably the hardest one yet for Sharna, since she started with DWTS. The amount of backlash she got after the incident was beyond anything. Sharna had tried to defend him, but that only worked in her disadvantage. 

Sharna and Bonner had gone to several interviews, always trying to defend themselves and telling nothing had happened. That is was all an accident, but still every night, when Sharna checked her Social Media, people were throwing hate at her and Bonner. 

Of course she knew that not everybody would always like her partners, and that was something she didn't really care about. But hating on a person was the other end of the spectrum. Sharna tried to stay positive when she was around Bonner, because she could see it was tearing him down as well. But the moment she was alone in her apartment, all she wanted to do was cry. 

On Thursday she really broke down. 

Today had been a really stressful day. She started with rehearsals for their Viennese Waltz with Bonner, which he was doing really well at. After that she had an interview, in which she, again, had to defend herself. Afterwards another two hour rehearsal and ending it with shooting content for their rehearsal package.

Bonner took Sharna to a 'cowboy bar' in LA. Sharna had lots of fun, playing pool and dancing with Bonner. And when they were finished, Sharna went home. She had asked the producers to send her the footage they were going to use. And when they did Sharna was shocked. 

The producers had totally gone for the showmance. Even though Sharna had explicitly asked them not to do it. It clearly showed two people liking each other. Sharna wanted to shoot herself, how on earth did she forget what they would likely use here. 

With everything that happened last Monday, and now the package they were going to use the upcoming Monday. Everybody would think Bonner and herself would start dating very soon. 

Sharna got out her phone and didn't even bother to check the time, she just had to talk to Val right now. First and foremost she wanted to talk to her boyfriend and just tell him everything that was bothering her right now. But she also wanted to know how he dealt with it those years ago. 

While she dialed his number and waited for him to answer, tears started to form in her eyes. This was not how she imagined this season to go. 

"Here is Val, I can't come to the phone right now, but leave a message after the beep. By the way I won't call back unless you're important to me, bye."

Sharna hung up the phone, not even bothering to leave a message. Slowly more tears started to come and Sharna couldn't stop them. She had pushed them away since Monday evening, but now everything came flooding out. 

It wasn't long before her phone rang and she saw it was Val.

"Hey babe, what's wrong. I'm sorry I missed your first call. I was rehearsing."

Sharna couldn't stop the tears and couldn't even bring herself to answer Val.

"Are you crying? Sharna tell me what's wrong? Are you hurt? Take a couple of deep breaths and try to calm yourself."

Sharna followed his advice and not long after she was finally calm. 

"I just had the worst week of my DWTS career."

"What happened? Tell me everything, maybe I can help."

"First the incident on Monday and all the hate and backlash I've been getting. Then all the interviews I've done to defend myself and Bonner. I've barely slept the last couple of days, thinking about everything. And then today Bonner and I spend some time in a cowboy bar for our package and I just saw the footage. They are playing a showmance like you have never seen before, even though I explicitly told them not to."

Sharna continued her rant after a deep breath.

"I'm just really tired and I did no pay attention tonight. So when I saw the clip, I just felt really stupid now I saw the clip. And I just really wanted to talk to you right now. I would rather hold you of course, but well... that is harder right now."

The tears were still running down Sharna's face, but she already felt a little better after telling everything.

Val was quiet for a second before he started speaking.

"I wish so much I could hug you right now. And I want to tell you everything is going to be alright. I know it must be rough and hard right now and I can hear you are tired, but it will turn out well. After this week most people will have forgotten about all of this."

"I just start to doubt myself so much..."

"Don't do that. You are way too good, too smart and too talented for that. I'm serious babe."

"I know I shouldn't and I'm trying not to. But it's just hard sometimes. And some part of me wants to tell the world that we are dating, but..." 

Sharna didn't continue the sentence, not because she didn't want to, but because Val interrupted her.

"Because you don't know yet how it will turn out. I completely understand. And I don't mind, as long as you are mine."

"But what can I do about the showmance?"

"Well," Val started. "When I had my showmance with Janel, I just let it happen. But I don't think that is what you want. I think the only thing you can do is to control the things you can control. And that is the dancing and the journey you are going to take Bonner on. Focus on those things and let the rest go. Ignore the haters, ignore the shippers, ignore the packages. Just focus on the show, the dancing, Bonner. And me off course." 

Sharna laughed, it was the first time in days she felt herself relax. Val was always able to help her in those situations and it made her feel so much better. 

"Finally, I'm hearing you laugh again. But I have one more advice.... Sleep!"

"I'm trying, but I just can't." 

"I've an idea. My rehearsals are finished right now. And I'm now walking back to my hotel. What if I talk to you the entire time. Maybe that would help you fall asleep?"

Sharna had to think about that for a second. Val could definitely help her sleep when they were sleeping together, but they had never tried this before. But on the other hand, she was really tired and needed another good night sleep. Maybe this would work.

"Would you do that?"

"Off course I would. Seriously getting you to sleep right now is the most important thing for me. And remember it will just be a couple of days, Saturday actually, when I will see you again." 

"And I can't wait for that moment to happen," Sharna said. 

"So, now. Lay down on the bed. You're going to close your eyes and focus on your breathing. Meanwhile I'll be talking to you. And if you feel like it isn't working, just turn of your phone. I'll also turn off my phone when I think you're asleep." 

Sharna lay down on the bed and closed her eyes. She tried to be as relaxed as possible. Val started talking to her, about everything. And Sharna felt calm and her body became heavier. Eventually she knew she wouldn't be able to keep her eyes open. And she fell into a deep sleep. 

~Val's POV~

About 30 minutes later Val stopped talking. He really hoped she had fallen asleep. She deserved some good night rest. When he stopped talking he didn't hear her say anything, so he expected her to be asleep.

Before he hung up he said: "Goodnight sweatheart...."