Dancing to the Beat

Chapter 4

        The car that Valerie sent pulled up in front of some huge studio warehouse. This was where we were supposed to shoot our dancing photos. The photos would be used to announce which celebrity would be dancing with which professional. When I walked through the doors I found a bunch of people hustling about in the big warehouse room. I could see the camera flash going off continuously. Some people were hanging around the snack bar exchanging selfies of themselves with their favorite star. Suddenly I heard Valerie’s enthusiastic voice.

        “Addy! You’re here!” She swooped in like a hurricane and grabbed me by the arm. The force of her entrance caused us to do a little spin and then she led me to her desired destination.

        “So I’ve got your costume over here. I picked a lilac color because with your skin tone it will look radiant. I really hope you like it! Now all you have to do is change, we’ll do hair and makeup, you can meet Alexsei, and then get your photo taken. Don’t take too long to change we have a busy schedule of superstars like yourself.” Superstar? Me? Yea ok. Valerie brought me to the dressing room and practically spun me in.  She tossed me my outfit excitedly.

        “Hurry I’m dying to see you in this! You’re going to love it.” I wondered how Valerie could be so energetic all the time. Was she on fifty Red Bulls, or did she naturally pop like a Pop Tart out of bed every morning? Either way I figured I had to hurry and get this thing on before she tried to come in and do it for me. Once I finished pulling up the strap I automatically turned around to see myself in the mirror, but there wasn’t one. I circled around the little room, but still couldn’t find a mirror.

        “Are you dressed yet?”

        “Uh yea, but there’s no mirror.”

        “You don’t need one you’re gorgeous, now come out!” I gave up my search and came out of the room. From looking down it seemed to look good. She was right the lilac color did make my skin look better than my normally pale color. It had big gems up around the halter material. Then it cut open on my stomach but was covered in a nude fabric that had amethyst gems and little diamonds. The skirt was the same lilac as the top of the outfit except it scooped up on both sides of my legs creating a drape effect in the front. No matter how I looked in the costume I felt a little more comfortable about this whole photo shoot. The outfit reminded me of something I would wear for skating, and it instantly brought me back.

        “Oh Addy that looks a-maze-ing!” She announced every syllable.

        “Ok lets get you into hair and makeup!” With that she grabbed my arm and pulled. 

        After, what seemed like hoards of people attacking my head and face I was finally given a couple of seconds to myself in front of a mirror.  The sides of my hair were pulled up in the same drape effect as the skirt. The back of my hair was left with a waterfall of curls. There was a jeweled headband placed in my hair, it looked like some sort of crown.  My make up seemed to accentuate the natural parts of my face. I liked that they didn’t go overboard like some of the women had in the pictures I googled earlier. My eyes seemed to pop with the slightly smoky eyes. My cheeks were sparkly pink. My lips were also pink and the lights seemed to make them twinkle.

        “Addy! We’re ready for you!” Valerie sang as she came through the curtained off area.

        “Addison Fisher you are a vision!” She stood there with her mouth slightly opened. For the first time since I had met her she said nothing. I started to feel my cheeks blush and quickly tried to change the subject.

        “Um, do I meet Alexsei now?”

        “Oh yes, yes of course. Come, come.” She instantly returned to her high-energy form and led me out of the room. We crossed the warehouse over toward the photography area.  I saw the back of a tall tan man with dark hair. He was wearing a tight dark purple shirt that clung closely to his arm muscles. He also had tight black pants that definitely accentuated his butt. He seemed to be having a fun conversation with the photographer because they were laughing. Then I realized that it was Alexsei. I felt butterflies start to burst about in my stomach. What if he didn’t like me? I suddenly realized that I really wanted him to like me.

        “Alexsei” Valerie tapped the tall buff man on the shoulder.

        “Hey Val. You’re looking good today.” Valerie and Alexsei exchanged cheek kisses.

        “Why thank you. Alexsei this is your partner, Addison Fisher. Addy this is Alexsei Merkovich. Have fun and smile pretty!” She gave us a thumbs up and pranced off to another couple standing around. Alexsei and I just kind of stood there in silence staring at one another. Except he had a sly smile on his face and I’m pretty sure my face just read “AWKWARD”.

        “Um, hi I’m Addison.” Why was I acting so weird? Duh, because this is the only guy I’ve hung out with besides my brother in…forever. Plus he was so much hotter in person!

        “Yea, I know. So you ready for the picture babe?” He put his hand around my waist and led me onto the camera set.

        “Don’t worry babe, I’ll position you real good. Make you look pretty. “ He dipped me low and picked my foot up in the air. Next thing I know the camera flashed.

        “Great. That’ll be all.” Said the photographer. Alexsei lifted me back up.

        “Great job babe! I’ll see you at practice tomorrow.” Ugh I am not your babe. He didn’t even know me, and he was treating me like some brainless bimbo.

        “Wait, wait, what? That’s it? No way is that going to be our photo. We’re doing this again, and this time I’ll show you how to pose playboy.” I didn’t realize I was poking Alexsei in the chest until I looked down at my finger on his peck. I felt awkward for a second, but then realized how upset he made me. I grabbed both of Alexsei’s arms.

        “Put your left hand on my waist, hold my hand tight, and kick your right leg out.” I bent him slightly lower, the entire time his eyes did not leave mine. I caught myself staring into his bright blue eyes and I thought I noticed a little twinkle there. 

        “Now I’m going to squat down a little bit and point my foot like yours. Give the camera your best smoldering face, you know the one you probably used on every woman in here.” I smirked liking the fact that I could put him in his place. It must have worked because I felt him tense up a little. Then I felt him pull me closer and hold me tighter.

        “I’ll give you any face you want babe.” I clenched my teeth together trying not to push him on the ground, as I got ready for the picture. I flashed my biggest award-winning smile, even though I felt very far from being a winner, and the camera flashed.

        “That looks amazing!” Answered the photographer. He took his camera off of the stand and brought it over to us. If I hadn’t known that Alexsei had such a big ego this picture would have made me drool.  What made me sick was that this picture did make me a little giddy even still.

        “Wow it really does look awesome.” For the first time Alexsie sounded sincere.

        “Well your smolder look will definitely hook the ladies and this pose makes us look like serious competitors. My brother and I would use this pose for posters or adds sometimes.” The thought made me miss being partners with my brother. At least when he was stupid I could smack him on the back of the head.

        “Well you sure know how to pose. Babe, you can control me anytime.”

        “In that case, don’t call me babe. It literally makes me want to vomit. I’m not your babe or baby. I’m your partner and I want to be treated as such. Don’t think I’m some bimbo you can push on the dance floor. I work hard and give my all. If we win or even if we don’t win I want you to know that I will work just as hard as you, I don’t need you to carry me along. I’m not saying we have to be friends, but I demand expect. Lastly, I have a name it’s Addy. I’m fine with Addison if you have to, but I prefer Addy.  Got that…babe?” With that I started to walk away, then I remembered one last thing. I stopped and turned around in my best Victoria Secret model impersonation and said,

       “Oh and Alexsei? See you tomorrow at practice.” I saw him doing his best at keeping his jaw from hitting the floor, but his raised eyebrows and shocked eyes gave him away. I turned around with a winning smile, and didn’t look back.