Brittany was struggling. She put out her right arm, held her left in, turned, shuffled her feet, and tried to contort her body into a difficult pose. It wasn't working. She stomped her feet, yelled, dropped to the ground, and put her head in her hands.
"I can't do this!" Britt screamed. "Just go on without me. I'll be a waitress or something. Don't let me stand in the way of your dreams, Lauren. Go on. I'll be okay."
Lauren rolled her eyes. "Get off your butt. Quit having a pity party. Now, LET'S GO! GET IT TOGETHER!"
Britt hiccupped through her tears. Finally, after an hour of practice, Brittany had the introduction of the song's choreography completed. Suddenly, she grimaced.
"How long is this song?" she cautiously asked.
Lauren looked down and mumbled something.
"What?"
"Four minutes and thirty-three seconds."
Brittany sighed. "How much have I gotten?"
Lauren shrugged. "Eh...forty-five seconds or so."
Brittany muttered a swear word. "Can we go?"
Lauren nodded. "I'm beat."
"You think you are?"
At a nearby studio, a group of five guys was having the same problem.
"One more time, please!"
Nick looked at AJ. He seemed to be floating; his dancing was like walking to him. Nick, on the other hand, was stumbling, tripping, and was too busy wiping the sweat off of his face. He sent the choreographer, Fatima, a begging look with his eyes while barely attempting the tough dance moves.
Fatima sighed. "Take five, everyone."
"Race you to the pop machines, Nick," Brian called, already jogging.
Nick waved him off. "Oh no...that's, okay. I'd, whew, uh, beat you anyway." Nick practically collapsed on a folding chair on the side of the room. He reached for the water bottle in his duffel bag, and chugged it all. Kevin stopped by to see if he was okay.
"How're you holding up there, bro?"
"Better, I think. I just need a quick nap."
"All right everyone, let's get back to work!" Fatima yelled.
Nick groaned. This wasn't working out at all.
"Why am I so rigid today? I'm wondering why I'm not getting these moves," complained Britt, tapping her fingers on the dashboard. "I just can't seem to keep up with you. How'd you learn so fast?"
"I've been practicing with the choreographer who was at the informational meeting about the tour," Lauren explained, peering out her rearview mirror. "She made up all of the moves - and she's very good at demonstrating and helping me understand. I was having a little bit of trouble, but I stopped by a week ago. I bet she could help you, too."
"I hope so. No offense, but you aren't helping," Brittany added.
Lauren smiled. "You want to see her now? I think she's still at the studio," she said, checking her watch.
Britt shook her head. "Nah, not today. I'm really beat and --"
Lauren laughed. "Nonsense. Besides, if we make it, you're going to be beat all of the time. You'll just have to get used to it."
Brittany sighed. She wasn't so sure if being a dancer was for her.
Fatima clapped her hands. "Nice work, guys! Well, most of you," she said, eyeing Nick.
Howie laughed. "What's wrong, Nicky? Can't keep up?"
Nick scowled. "Shut up, dorkface. I'm just really tired."
Howie sneered. "Sure, sure."
"All right, you two," Kevin intervened.
"Okay," Fatima started. "Talk time. Take a seat, guys."
The boys sat down on the wooden floor just like it was storytime, and listened intently to Fatima.
"Last week, we held an audition informational meeting for the upcoming dancing positions available. It went extremely well - we had a lot of good questions, and a lot of girls showed up. At least twenty. Of course, we only have two open spots. I want all of you to help me in the selection process. I certainly can't catch every mistake, or every good move or facial expression, so I want you to be here a week from tomorrow for auditions. Deal?"
The guys nodded. Brian raised his hand.
Fatima giggled. "Yes, Brian?"
"Can we just pick the dancers with the biggest boo-" Brian started, but he was interrupted.
"Excuse me, Fatima?"
Fatima turned around to see one of the girls that she had helped earlier in the week. "Oh, hello! Lauren, right?"
Lauren nodded, and saw five handsome boys, sprawled out on the dance floor. To be polite, she waved and said hello. "Fatima, I was wondering if you could help my friend out. She's been having some problems with the dance moves, too."
Fatima's face droppped. "Oh hun, I'm sorry. We're just finishing up here, and I have to leave in 10 minutes to pick up my daughter from a friend's house. Maybe another time?"
AJ suddenly stood up. "Fatima, I can help out this young, beautiful lady."
Lauren smiled. "Well, thank you, but actually, it's my friend. She's just out here - Britt, get in here. BRITTANY!"
Britt was pulled in by the elbow inside the dance studio. She locked eyes with Nick. He jumped to his feet.
"I'll help her!" Nick blurted out.
Fatima, AJ, Brian, Kevin, and Howie all turned to stare at Nick like he was growing mold and had no legs. Nick shrugged.
"What?"
"Are you crazy, Nick?" Brian hissed. "You can barely do the dance moves yourself!"
Nick laughed. He walked over to the girls. "Don't mind them, they don't know what they're talking about. I can help you out. What was your name again? Bethany?"
Brittany just stared. Lauren elbowed her in the side. Britt jumped. "I'm sixteen."
Nick laughed. "No, what's your name?"
Brittany blushed a deep shade of red. "Brittany. Brittany Shannon. Brittany Leigh Shannon. But I go by Brittany. Or you can just call me Britt," she stuttered.
Nick smiled. He turned to Fatima. "AJ and I will help these ladies. We know what we're doing."
The rest of the boys looked at each other. Howie snickered. "AJ may know how to dance, but you sure don't!"
"Very funny, Howie." Nick retorted.
"See you later guys. Good luck girls!" Fatima waved and walked out of the studio.
Lauren smiled. "Okay, Britt, let's get started. Show them what you've got."
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