Wrapped

Dance Competition

Seven ~ Zack

        I did it. I kissed Nick. It wasn't like any other kiss I have shared with anybody. This kiss was special.

        I stared at him, surprised by my own action, but also happy I had done it. Nick stared up at me, his cheeks a bright pink and a small smile present on his face. He was just so perfect.

        I gazed at him. Eventually he broke away from my gaze and began to step away from me, "I should get back stage now," He mumbled.

        I must have made him feel awkward. A sick feeling grew into my stomach, knowing what I did was probably wrong. It was wrong.

        "Yeah, you'll be going on in a few minutes," I said and checked the clock. Nick nodded, "And remember to make eye contact with the judges." I reminded him.

        Nick smiled and started off. I stayed back and watched him leave. His costume swayed with each step he took. He was cute in his costume.

        Before he made it down the hallway, which lead to the backstage, he turned around and ran back up to me.

        Confused I shook my head, "Nick! What are you doing? You need to go-"

        But soon I was interrupted by him hugging my waist and burying his face into my chest. I smiled and stroked his hair, "Thank you, Zack," He  said and looked up at me, his eyes sparkling and teeth shining,

        Heat raised into my neck and up to my face, trying to cover it up I smiled, "You're welcome," I said.

        I leaned down to return his hug. As I wrapped my arms around his small body, he placed his soft lips against my cheek and turned away from me, heading backstage.

        I smiled happily to myself and grabbed my stuff. I walked to where the audience sits and looked around for Nick's mom. And like she said, she was in the front row. There was an empty seat next to her and I sat there, flashing her one of my famous smiles.

        "Is he ready?" She asked nervously, "To dance, I mean."

        I looked away and smiled to myself, "He's very ready," I murmured.

        I stared at the empty stage and a tall women stepped out for behind the side curtains, holding a microphone. I could tell she was the host of the dance competition.

        The woman waved at everyone and looked down at a card, "Our next performer is number 67, Nick Peterson."

        I clapped and Lori cheered, jumping out of her seat whistling and clapping. I shook my head and turned my attention back to the stage. Nick was walking out onto the stage, shaking a little.

        He got into his first position, his arms were stretched out and one leg was up behind him. I saw him take a breath and the music began.

        During his dance, I found little problems with a few of his basic steps.

        Then I felt his eyes on me. He wasn't looking at the judges, he was looking into my eyes. Normally I would probably yell at my others dancers if they dared to take their eyes off of the judges, but with Nick, I didn't care. I gazed into his eyes until I heard the music stop, and he looked back at the judges, falling into his last position

        He danced flawlessly. His spins were on time and perfect. He did his jumps just like how I taught him. He looked amazing.

        Lori jumped up from her seat, making me flinch a little, and started screaming. I smiled and stood up from my seat as well and started cheering. I watched Nick as he began his way off the stage, glancing back at the judges every now and then, until he was fully behind the side curtains.

        Lori turned to me and smiled widely, "Thank you, Zack," She said, tears in her eyes.

        Every parent cries over their kid dancing, so I wasn't surprised seeing her like that. "For what?" I asked and sat back down, as did she.

        "For being an amazing instructor." She smiled and hugged me.

        Joy filled up in me and I slightly hugged her back. No person has said that to me before. I smiled and looked at her bright eyes, "Thank you, so much," I said with a small chuckle.

        She nodded and turned back to face the stage. The host came out once again and announced the next performer. I stood up from my seat, "I'm going to meet Nick backstage," I told Lori and she nodded.

        I walked backstage, whipping my head in all direction searching for Nick. Before giving up and heading back to sit with the audience, I saw a familiar ripped up suit. I smiled and called for Nick. Instantly he turned around, looking upset.

        I walked closer to him, smiling. "You did it! And you were absolutely fantastic!"

        Nick looked down and shook his head, "No, I wasn't. I stumbled on my first turn and I-"

        "Who cares that you stumbled? It wasn't even noticeable." I said and placed my hand onto of his right shoulder. I looked into his eyes and put on a smile, "Its going to be okay."

        Nick shook his head, "No, it's not going to be okay. They are going to mark me down for it and I'll lose points!" He said, tears forming in his eyes.

        I felt terrible. All he was caring about at this point was what the judges thought about him. He was practically crying thinking that they didn't like him.

        "It doesn't matter what they think," I told Nick and pulled him into a bear-hug, comforting him, "Your mother and I thought you were amazing, and that is all that should matter."

        I released him from the hug and looked at his now smiling face, "The awards will be starting soon, so I'm going to go back and sit in the audience." I told him and he nodded, grabbing his stomach. "You going to be okay?" I asked.

        "Just a little nervous," He assured me and put a fake smile.

        I turned away and went back to my seat. Lori glanced at me and grinned, "Just in time for the awards."

        I shifted my eyes towards the stage and saw the host come out with papers. "We had some wonderful dancers here today," She smiled and cleared her throat, "And now we will start the awards!"

        The audience started cheering and I clapped. The host brought out all of the soloists. I looked around the stage, looking for Nick. Then I saw him. He was near the corner of the stage, sitting on the ground like everyone else.

        All of the contestants quieted down and the host began to speak, "In 5th place," she began looking at the papers, "We have contestant number 52, Sally Winston." The crowd cheered and a short girl in a blue dress stepped up. "In 4th place we have contestant number 67, Nick Peterson."

        I stood from my seat and started cheering. Lori was screaming again and jumping.

        Nick stood up, and took his plaque. He smiled at his mom, and then at me. I could tell that he wasn't happy though.

        At the end of the awards, I met Nick and Lori backstage. "Congrats!" I said in a sing-song tone.

        Nick shrugged, I frowned. "I knew that they would care." He mumbled.

        Lori rolled her eyes, and began stepping away, "I am going to start the car okay, honey?" She said to Nick, "Just meet me in the lobby.

        Nick nodded and we both watched her descend away from us. I glanced at him to find that he was staring at his shoes. "Come on, Nick, this was your first competition, and you were in the top 5! You should be proud of yourself."

        He shook his head. "I'm not proud," he muttered.

        Slowly, I tilted his head up with my two fingers and smiled down at him, "I'm proud." I whispered and leaned down, connected my lips with his.