The Player's charm

Chapter 12 - Somone kick his puppy?

Sunday 4 2 crew met earlier than usual because Brandon was re-placing with me as lead dancer. He's been trying to call me since the night he met Mason but I've been ignoring his calls.

Dinno and Brandon stood outside the studio when I arrived while Brandon smoked.

"Kelly, Can we talk?" Brandon asked as we walked closer to them.

I didn't answer, I just stopped next to him.

"Oh okay. I'm sorry about the other night. I was just trying to protect you but it came across as rude." He said, sounding sincere. "I don't mind who you choose to date. Shit, you could even date Dinno or Craig and I'll be okay with it. So, I'm sorry for the way that I acted and I'm glad that you're at rehearsal."

Craig was the other guy in the crew.

"And you promise to stop harassing her boyfriend." Dinno said from where he was standing.

"And I promise to stop harassing your boyfriend." Brandon repeated.

"Okay."

Mason and I weren't actually dating so it's not worth the fight. It was still disrespectful and that's why I'm angry but Mason's not perfect.

We hugged before making our way into the studio.

Brandon explained to the dancers who were not at the competition what happened and why he was re-placing, making me lead and they were okay with it.

Brandon placed us again, changing patterns and transitions. He stood in front of the studio with a white board and marker in his hand and looked like he was focusing on a chemistry exam, explaining transitions like a coach explains a game play.

The dancers were overloaded with information and messing up and Brandon was getting frustrated.

Again! He kept on screaming whenever someone messed up. Most dancers were soaked in sweat and now either shirtless or in sport bras, all t-shirts and jackets laid on the side.

Again!

It felt like no matter what we did it was never good enough. Brandon was frustrated and so were the dancers. Brandon ran the dance with us and watched from in front.

"Take a break and get food because we are not leaving until we get this dance right. The competition is this week coming and we are stepping out there prepared. Meet back in thirty."

It was already eight pm. We normally finish at nine but also normally start at six pm but today we started at four and we do not know what time we are ending.

Dinno and I sat at our bags, completely exhausted. Craig and two of the girls walked to us and sat down.

"Why's he so pissed?" Craig asked, referring to Brandon "Someone kick his puppy?" He asked and we all laughed.

We walked to the closest grocery store and bought food and energy drinks. Brandon drove off right after we took a break and came back just before the break was over.

"Back to the middle." Brandon said.

The dancers got up and went to the middle, in their places.

"From the start, a clean mark with music." He played the music and joined us.

The dance was to Stoopid by 6ix9ine.

The routine started with us in a circle and me in the middle, unseen. Only when he starts rapping does everyone shift and I step out and immediately the choreography starts, with me in the still in the middle.

I then move forward, in between Dinno and Brandon and just as grimy and dirty (Dancers will understand what that means but for the non-dancers it means disrespectful, attacking, like really street like) as the song was so was the dance and one point Brandon and Dinno turn to each other in a fight manner and I step in between them and attack the opponents.

My favorite part is when I'm supposed to be right in front of the leader of the crew on 'Just another old nigga on a young nigga's dick' which just fit perfect because the leader called me a new blood and he is much older than me so that just fits perfect and during that part, We body roll right, body roll left, jump with our legs wide and jump in grabbing the crouch of our pants and just pausing on 'dick' and go straight into grooving.

I was so ready for this competition. I was ready to attack everyone with this routine and for people to see me, plus Brandon is making this a battle between me and them and I was ready to win. Also, this was my first performance with the 4 2 crew and I was lead.

We rehearsed until we performed it close to perfect. Brandon was not lying about staying until we were prepared because only at 2 am did he allow us to leave.

"Kelly, you need a lift back to campus?" Missy asked and I was happy because it was late and I did not want to wait for an Uber or walk.

I got to my room at 2:30 and went straight to bed because I had cheer practice in a few hours.

I woke up late and ran to the football field, getting there at exactly 6am and out of breathe.

After rehearsal I was exhausted but walked to the cafeteria because I was starving.

I got breakfast and sat alone at my usual table. The cafeteria was always empty this time because some students were in class and others were still asleep. I ate while trying not to fall asleep but I was failing, so I stuffed my face with the rest of my breakfast and went to bed.

My first class was in a few hours but I was not planning on setting an alarm and Cheer practice during lunch was canceled, so if I skipped lunch I would not care, I was going to get some sleep.

I woke up at 1 pm, went to shower and quickly got dressed so that I could get ice coffee before class. Class with Mason and the substitute teacher.

Mason was already in the seat next to mine when I got to class and he was drawing again. I sat down next to him watching him draw in his notebook, when he was done he showed me the drawing and it was me. I looked at him, completely shocked because again I did not know rusty he could draw. He was smiling at me, probably proud of his drawing.

Is all of this just part of him trying to get me to fall for him, because it's working. He was being really sweet and a really good boyfriend but something told me that it was all just a game, all just for the bet.

"You free tonight?" Mason whispered in my ear.

"I'm hanging out with Rachel tonight, sorry." I said lying.

I needed space, I needed time to remember that this is not real. That this Mason is not real.

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Hi Readers. 10 + hours long rehearsal is so stressful but they are the best and now during Corona I miss it the most 🥺😭