Jingle Bells and Parallels

7. Nolan

Yet another quick note for those who have read the Protector series before: Nolan is a dancer now in Hart Street lol (which this is following the timeline of). I'll explain why down in the author's note.

Chapter 7

~Nolan~

       "You know, if our performances are exactly like how we rehearsed today, there's no way we're going to lose Nationals," Ryder said as he, Jerome, Mae, and I were getting our belongings from our dance lockers.

       "As much as I appreciate the confidence, we still don't have every single dance choreographed," Mae said. "We only have the dance for the semi-finals ready."

       "And if all the other dances we choreograph are as good as our semi-final dance, then we're definitely winning," Ryder said. "Don't be doubtful."

       "I'm not being doubtful," Mae said. 

       "You kind of are," Jerome said. "Be more confident in D.A.N.C.E. Be like me. Be like Ryder. Be like Nolan."

       I snorted. "I'm the most doubtful person to ever exist. Don't be like me if you want to be confident. And Nationals isn't for another four months so I especially wouldn't be too confident right now."

       "It's that kind of attitude that's going to make us lose," Ryder said.

       "Okay, and I'm taking that as my and Nolan's cue to leave," Jerome said. "Nolan doesn't have to be confident right now about winning Nationals so you don't need to say we're going to lose because of it."

       "Jerome, it's fine," I said. "He says things he doesn't mean to when he gets competitive. I've heard worse, trust me."

       "Yeah, I didn't mean for it to sound rude," Ryder said. "I just really want to win Nationals this year. You know, since we haven't placed for a long time. Ever since I've been on the team, actually."

       "So what you're saying is it's your fault that D.A.N.C.E hasn't placed," Jerome said.

       Ryder glared at Jerome as I sighed. "Alright, Jerome, no need to start any arguments with my brother."

       "Awe, but it's fun," Jerome said.

       "I know but we have to get to the mall," I said.

       "Why are you going to the mall?" Ryder asked.

       "Because Alan is working today and he makes such an adorable elf," I said. "I want to take lots of pictures of him, and I'm planning on making some ornaments of him as an elf."

       "You're not actually going to do that," Jerome said.

       I scowled. "Rude."

       I just wanted everyone to appreciate how adorable Triplet One was as an elf.

       Jerome and I left the dance studio and got inside his car. He pulled the car out of the parking lot and immediately headed to the mall so I could take pictures of Alan and make Christmas decorations with the photos.

       And nobody was going to be able to stop me.

       Once we got to the mall, the first place we went to was the North Pole. As soon as we got there, I immediately knew that Alan was up to something, mainly because Orchid was at the mall too, currently talking to Alan.

       And I could tell when they were talking about something they didn't want anyone to know about.

       It probably had to do with the heist Alan was always talking about.