Can This Be Real?

Chapter 7: Back in LA but Something is not the Same

Bethany POV

During the season, we were in a bubble were nothing else existed but the two of us… day in and day out, hours of rehearsals, camera blocking, random lunches, and singing along to the radio in the car. But being back in LA, sitting in his living room surrounded by sister, some of the cast from DWTS and her…reality sets in.

I guess it started a couple of days ago when I was still in New York. I spent my entire Thanksgiving holiday just thinking about him. I had a couple of business meetings, luncheon with contest winners and of course quality time with my family to keep me busy but all I could do was count the days til I would see him again. I even had the urge to record and post an Instacover of my jam at the moment, “Something New” by Banks, which clearly reminds me of him and apparently was obvious to other people as well.

Seconds after I posted the video, Mark calls me out and texts, “Bae, I wonder WHO you could possibly be thinking about when you recorded that vid… Facetime when you get the chance.”

Mark was another unexpected perk from my time with DWTS. He had become a brother to me and another person that I could always count on. I immediately call him to Facetime and still get startled when he answers, “My BAE!!! BAE!!!”

“I miss you,” I say.

“So, what exactly is going on Miss Thang? What’s the story behind that song choice?” he asks.

“Nothing. It’s just the cold, rainy weather here in New York has me in a singing mood.”

Absolutely not convinced, he still replies, “Ok ok…I’ll let it go. You sound amazing though and definitely feeling a collaboration soon.”

“Oh I know, definitely need to schedule in some Mark Ballas time before your tour starts. How’s rehearsals for that going?”

“Good. It’s exhausting but the tour should be fun. When are you getting back to LA?”

“I should be back this Friday because I am scheduled to go to Jingle Ball at Staples Center. What about you, please tell me you are going to that?”

“No, I have a full day of rehearsals that day so I gave my ticket to Justene because she has been nagging Derek about that concert for forever.”

My heart stopped when I heard her name. I mean I knew Derek and her had been seeing each other just before we started rehearsing for DWTS. I guess I was just too consumed by the show or I was just so stupidly naïve to think she was out of the picture. Boy, am I such a fool to think that this was real and could happen.

I quickly tried to regain some sort of composure and end my chat with Mark before he notices the disappointment in my face. I say, “Look, I have to run but we will hang out before you go on tour. Love you.” Before he could reply back, I ended the call.

I shake that flashback reminder of everything that has lead to me being here, sitting on Derek’s couch as I listen to her charmingly tell me about her love of dance and aspirations of acting. In my mind, I can’t help but compare myself to her. Physically, we were so similar that you can easily mistake us for sisters. We had the same dark brown long hair, similar complexion and our body frame was nearly the same. EXCEPT she was more gorgeous, sexier and mature than I could ever be. Of course Derek would choose her over me. I have no chance, I never did.

Gawd, I have to get out of here. I grabbed my phone and walked out to his balcony to call my sister to pick me up ASAP. Of course she didn’t answer her phone so as I left her a message. As I ended the call, I am suddenly aware of the footsteps that I hear coming from behind me and an all to familiar scent of cologne that follows… Derek.