Strictly Stories

Mean Comments

This one-shot is a request from @angeloffictionx and I hope you all enjoy reading it :)

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Faye:

With a frown on my face, I look at myself in the mirror. The dress I'm wearing for this show looks absolutely not beautiful on me. In fact, people said the truth when recently commenting that I'm not skinny enough. That's true. So instead of spending my time on going out with the others to bars or something, I use to go straight to the gym after rehearsals. I also decided to eat less, or not at all, to please those people. Obviously I don't tell that to Giovanni or someone else, fully knowing that they would say I'm pretty and all that stuff - but I'm not. 

I take another look at myself, shaking my head, before walking back to the other cast members, including my dance partner. He already noticed that I'm recently a bit off but all I said is that rehearsals are just a bit stressful. 'That's why you go to a gym afterwards.' I think to myself. 

"Hello, partner." Giovanni greets me. "You're ready for our performance?"

My answer is a simple nod. Rehearsing our Jive went quite good actually, it's a difficult dance but maybe we could at least impress the judges - despite people would still comment something about me. While thinking about all of this, we watch some of the other contestants performing their dances - until it's time for us to enter the stage. 

Taking our place and waiting for the music, I let out a small sigh. And as we start performing, I realize that maybe our dance isn't going as great as we expected. I trip mid-dancing, seeing the looks that some people in the audience share. And as we take our place next to Tess, waiting for the critism, I already know that they're not that satisfied with us. Bruno is being nice as usual, saying that he liked the atmosphere and the style of our dance while Darcey adds that we did a decent work considering that the dance is rather difficult to perform for someone who isn't a professional dancer. Even Craig admits that, despite the fact that I tripped, he really liked our performance and compliments Giovanni on the choreography while adding that he just wants to see me performing a bit more focused.

And then Shirley starts to talk. "Well, I would like to say that you're a great dancer. But I did noticed mistakes in your performance. You tripped and seemed to be totally off in general. What I would like to see from you is to prove me that you really want to be part of this show. You're a great performer, please note that. So just try and improve your dancing skills."

Although I respect her words, knowing that it's simply honest, I'm angry. Not with her though, but with me. Such a disappointment I am! We walk to the Clauditorium to receive our scores - with Shirley scoring us lower than the others - and after that, we can go backstage. I plan to go to my dressing room, not bothering to talk now, but Giovanni takes me by the hands, taking me aside. 

"Faye, I want you to talk to me." he demands. "What's the matter with you?"

"I just tripped. I told you I'm not a pro." I snap. Honestly, what does he want?

"I don't mean the dance! You're off ever since we started rehearsing, you didn't even want to go and celebrate with the cast. Did someone said something mean?"

Yeah, indeed. Not from the cast though, but he doesn't need to know. 

"Faye! What's that for a mood? Talk to me!" he says angrily. 

"You really want to talk with someone like me?" I snap at him. "Someone who can't dance, who isn't beautiful and who's just an utter disappointment?"

"Wait, what?" he asks confused. "Who said that?"

"Some people." I mumble, rubbing my eyes upon feeling dizzy. Maybe all that rehearsing and going to the gym as well is exhausting - but at least people might stop commenting mean things about me. I let out a sigh, stumbling. I seem to faint slightly because the next thing I know is that Giovanni is holding me tight.

"Faye?" he asks worried. "What's the matter? Come on, sit down." he continues, helping me to sit down while looking at me thoughtfully. "People commented mean things about you?" he asks. "And you actually believe them? What did they told you?"

"I'm not skinny enough, they said." I mumble. "And not beautiful. Or talented."

"That's what they said? How rude is that?" he asks loudly. "Wait. Was this the reason you weren't going to bars or something with us?"

"Yes. I went to the gym instead." I tell him. "And I was eating less or not at all. So people would start to like me."

"Really?" he asks loudly. "Just to please the people?"

"Because they're saying the truth." I tell him, standing on my feet again and about to walk back to the others.

"No, they don't. Where are you going now?"

"To the others. And no, I'm not going to a bar with you later."

"Why not?" he asks.

"Well, what do you think? I'm going to the gym, what else?" I snap, being purely annoyed. 

"Really? To the gym? Because all these rehearsals aren't enough practice for you already?"

"You shouldn't mind." I answer.

"But I do! You almost fainted!" Giovanni yells, seeming very angry.

I blink away the little tears in my eyes. "I'm not skinny enough." I explain. "Just look at me in this dress. I'm not a beauty and not someone talented."

Giovanni looks at me thoughtfully. "Honestly, you're perfect the way you are. Beautiful, talented and with an amazing personality. Please don't believe in what they tell you."

"But they're saying the truth." I answer him, while he takes me by the hands to lead me back to sit down with him.

"Absolutely not. People just want to make you believe them, maybe they're just jealous of your beauty." he explains. "That's what you are. A beauty with an amazing personality and a great talent to perform. Please, look at me. You're great and I'm glad you're my dance partner, I'm glad we're spending time with each other. I really enjoy that. And also, just let these people write mean comments. You know how great and talented you are. And how beautiful."

Oh my, why is he so cute? It's the truth to just ignore what people like to write, it entertains them to write mean stuff. But being not the most confident person, it's just saddening what they say. I bit my lip nervously before continuing to talk. "Are you angry?"

Giovanni exhales deeply. "To be honest, yes." he answers. "Faye, please. Talk to me if someone's writing mean stuff to you, I'm here for a talk."

Seeming like not knowing what else to say, he takes me into his arms while there's a slight smile appearing on my face. His actions are just the cutest. 

"Oh, I see someone's smiling!" he laughs. "What a beauty you are. Want to tell me why you're smiling?"

"Because of you being so cute. What you said was so lovely. Thank you for these words."

"You're welcome. So, you know that you're beautiful, don't you?" he asks. 

"Yes." I answer quietly, still being not entirely convinced. But to hear his encouragement is simply lovely - and I don't want to disappoint him. "Sorry for my behaviour. Really, excuse that. It simply wasn't nice. But we- I mean, would you like to go to a bar with me later?"

A grin appears on his face upon hearing these words. "Of course." Giovanni replies with a happy smile. "Thank you."

"You're welcome, partner." I answer him happily.