Best Friends? Or Something More? (S.M.)

Chapter 20

Alli's P.O.V.

"No one told me that you were a dancer! Luckily, your sister Jess called me and suggested that you could perform for the next Magcon.  So, I contacted your choreographer from home, and she agreed to come and help you with your dance.  Is that okay with you?"  Bart asks.  I feel the nervous smile on my face.

"Of course,"   I reply, trying to hide my ever growing nerves.  "So Simone would come, help me pick and clean a dance, and then I would perform it?"

"That's the plan!  So now that that's covered, our flight tomorrow leaves at noon.  Everyone should go pack.  I'll see you guys tomorrow morning. We leave the hotel at nine sharp."

Bart waves and leaves the ballroom, instantly causing a flood of chatter from the boys and Mahogany. My head swims trying to pick out individual voices and questions.

"Wait, since when did you dance?"  Johnson asks.

"Kind of since I was three."

"Dude, that's like forever ago. Are you any good?"  Carter questions.

"Well-,"  Mickey cuts me off, knowing I would do my best to deflect the question.

"She's amazing.  She just never liked to perform in front of people that she knows."

"How does that make sense," Taylor questions. "Wouldn't you rather perform in front of people you do know?  It seems like complete strangers would be pretty awful."

"No.  Because you'll probably only see strangers once in your life.  If you mess up, or if they judge you, it's not like they'll get to express that opinion.  But people who know you, their judgement will be displayed all the time."

"Well, can we see something?"  Cameron asks.

I nod slowly, and motion for everyone to move off the stage.  I also ask Mahogany to play If It Kils Me by Jason Mraz.  It's the dance I won last year's national title for.  The music comes on and I slowly hit my first pose.  I have a gazillion thoughts running through my head.

Shut up,  I think to myself.  You know this dance like the back of your hand.

My face goes blank as I start to move to the music.  I don't stop or mess up once, as I imagine the 11 people in front of me as judges at a competition.  I eventually hit my last pose as the music fades out.  Everyone errupts into applause, and I feel a cheesy smile on my face.

"Alli!  That was awesome!"  Matthew yells as I make my way off the stage.  Shawn pulls me in for a hug.

"She's just perfect."  He smiles down at me.  Everyone aw's but I just roll my eyes. Shawn's always been corny.

"I don't know about you guys, but I'm gonna head up. It's late, I have to pack, and dancing makes you tired."  I say with a yawn. 

Everyone nods and waves me off with a goodnight.  I grab my stuff and head to the elevator.  Before the doors are about to close, a hand reaches through, resulting in the doors springing open again.  Jack G. steps in, much to my dismay.  He stands uncomfortably close to me and smiles.

"You know you looked so beautiful when you danced."  He states.

I roll my eyes. "Jack, don't."

"I'm serious.  I don't think you know how beautiful you actually are."

"Stop it. You know, my boyfriend is one of your friends, and I love him.  Stop flirting with me. It's not going to change anything."

"You're acting like I proposed or something.  I just called you beautiful, which I wasn't lying about."

"Can you please stop saying that?"  After what seems like forever, the elevator finally stops on our floor.  Jack steps out before me. 

"See you tomorrow, beautiful."  He calls as he turns into his room.

        I walk into mine and slide down with my back against the door.  Why am I trying to convince myself that I am more angry than I truly am? Why am I not angry?

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A/N:  I really use writing as an escape, and you all have made it so much fun.  I love every single one of you.  Please don't forget to comment and vote.  Thanks again.

-SBP