Mollie and Aj• Their Strictly journey

•9•

Mollie's POV
This is it. 10 minutes before the first show at Birmingham arena. We are all in our opening outfits. I'm sat near the rail which has all my outfits on. My outfit for the quickstep, the rumba, the waltz and the outfit for the last dance. (A/N: I don't actually know how many dances they do on the tour. So correct me if I'm wrong) My gold hair is curled, my eyes are covered with silver glitter and I'm wearing a similar outfit to what the pro girls wore for the first dance at the launch show. I hear cheers and chants coming from the arena and I let out a sigh. I'm nervous. Really nervous. Even after years of performing in arenas around the country, I still get nervous and like Aj, my nerves are showing. Clearly.
"I take it you're nervous then?" Asks Gemma sitting next me.
"Yep."I reply, popping the p.
"Why? You've performed in arenas before." Gemma says, smiling at me.
"Well, it's the thought of messing up in front of millions of people. It's Aj's first tour dancing with his celebrity partner and I don't want to mess this up for him." I say, close to tears.
"Aww Mol, you won't mess this up for him. He loves you so he won't care if you mess up. All he cares about is you being happy, safe and full of laughter. Oh and also his selfies and appearance because you know he loves a good selfie." I just about understand the end of Gemma's little speech as she bursts into fist of laughter at the end. I join in with her. Even though I've only known Gemma since the start of Strictly, we've grown really close.
"What you two blondies laughing about?" We turn our heads behind us, trying to locate the body that owns the Spanish accent.
"Nothing that concerns you."Gemma replies.
"If you say so. Anyway, I've been asked to take everyone backstage. We're starting in 5." Gorka says smiling.
"Oh crap!" I say getting up from where I was sat.
"It feels real now." Gemma says as she links onto me.
"You'll both be fine." Gorka says. Suddenly, I'm deafened by the Strictly theme tune that's playing through the arena. I look around for Aj as we approach backstage but I can't find him.
"If you're looking for Aj,Mollie, he's with Giovanni, Chloe and Luba." Aljaz tells me as he walks past. He points to where the trio is stood and I can just about make out Chloe's figure.I say my thanks as I walk over to the trio. He has his back to me but other three don't. Giovanni spots me but I put my finger to my lips as a sign to keep quiet. That sign is also noticed by the girls. I walk quickly but slowly up to him and cover his eyes.
"Guess who?"
"Errr Janette?"
"Nope." He clasps my hands in his and turns around.
"Hello you!" He says.
"You alright?" I ask as I stand next to him.
"Nervous. You?"
"Same."
"We'll be fine." He says hugging me.
"Aww, you two are too cute for me to handle." Chloe says, smiling.
"Can we just say, Mollie, that every single time your name is mentioned, his face lights up?" Luba says. I turn to Aj to see a tint of red on his cheeks. Our chat is interrupted by the tour manager asking for all the pros to head to the wings.
"Right I'll you in about 2 minutes." Aj says, kissing my cheek before he runs to catch up with Chloe.

~~~~~~~~~
Aj's POV
We've just finished the opening dance and I'm already sweating. I run to my clothing rail changing into my quickstep outfit quickly. Me and Mollie agreed that we would have a quick practice whilst we wait for Joe and Katya and Alexandra and Gorka to perform. Aljaz runs to his rail next to mine on my left and Kevin runs to his on my right. I'm nearly done as just have my tie to put on. Suddenly my phone lights up.
A message from my ex. My ex who's called Emily. My ex who hurt me millions of times and made me feel worthless. The message says.
Hi Aj. It's me. Em.I just want to say that you looked mighty fine in your opening outfit😻 I've come to watch the show tonight and whilst flicking through the programme, I've realised that you're one of the pros dancing with your celeb partner. Which means I get to see more of you. However, the bad thing is that you're dancing with your GF 🤢 no offence babe but she's a bit too skinny for you. Meet me after the show at the back. We both know that you can better than her!

WTF! Is she mental?! Mollie is NOT skinny. She's perfect for me. 'Meet me after the show at the back.' No! I won't. I block her number and throw my phone down.
"You ok Aj?" I turn to see Kevin looking at me with concern.
"Yeah, my ex has just text me and it's put me in a bad mood. I've blocked her but she wants to meet at the back after the show. Of course that's not going to happen."
"Does Mollie know?"
"Nope. She obviously knows I have an ex but she doesn't know the full extent of what's happened. Only Chloe does out of you lot and my family of course." I say.
" Aj. It's your turn." I turn towards the voice to see Chloe walking up to me.
"Is it?" I ask as I can still hear 'Proud Mary' playing.
"Well not right now but you have to be backstage and get a quick touch up in Makeup." She says as she turns around.
"Oh." I start to follow her but I'm stopped in my tracks by a yellow tie flying over my head.
"You forgot your tie so I threw it instead of passing it." Aljaz says. Smiling.
"Thank you. Could one of you please turn my phone off? I don't want to see anymore messages off her or anyone." The boys nod and I turn around to catch up with Chloe again.
"Chlo, please could you do my tie?" I ask her nicely.
"Ugh...come here then." She replies facing me.
"So who's her?" She asks.
"Huh? What?"
"Her. Messages off her or anyone is what you said to Aljaz and Kevin." It clicks in my head as I realise she's asking about my ex.
"Oh. It was you know who."
"Voldemort?" Chloe asks.
"No you idiot. Emily." I say, quieting my voice in case Mollie is nearby. Chloe raises her eyebrow at me as she finishes my tie. She links my arm as she says "Leave her to me. I'm not going to let her ruin yours and Mollie's relationship."
"Thank you Chloe. Now wish me luck."
"Good luck." I give her a quick hug before I head towards the wings where I'm met with Mollie.
"You ready?" She asks as I give her a quick kiss.
"Ready." We walk out hand in hand ready to have some fun.

I'm going to make Emily a really bitchy character so if anyone who's called Emily reads this, I'm apologise.😂 Anyway, I didn't really plan for this chapter to go like this but enjoy💗
E x