Nick and AJ led the girls down a long hallway and into a small room. Nick took the group's CD off the shelf next to some folding chairs and popped it into a boom box. He skipped songs 1, 2, and 3 and then grabbed the remote.
"All right," Nick soothed. He walked to the front of the room and faced the mirror. He called AJ over to stand next to him. Nick turned around, as if he helped girls dance all the time. "You two just follow me and AJ. We know what we're doing." The girls nodded. Brittany bit her lip apprehensively.
AJ shot Nick a warning glance. Nick laughed nervously and ran his fingers through his long blond hair. What had he gotten himself into? He stared at the mirror and gave himself a pep talk. Please Lord, Nick begged. Don't let me embarrass myself. This girl, this, Brittany. She's so gorgeous, and I haven't dated in such a long time. Just let me make a good impression.
"Hey moron," AJ said, bringing Nick back to reality. "Why don't you push play so we can start practicing?"
Nick blushed a deep red. He took the remote out of his pocket. "Everybody" began to play, and the boys and girls began to dance.
Britt stumbled frequently, her cheeks flaming, and sweat running down her back and neck. She struggled to keep up. She noticed that Nick wasn't exactly perfect on some of the moves. But AJ and Lauren had it down.
Brittany whimpered and put her hands on her hips. "Can we stop, please? We've been doing this same song for almost an hour. I need a break." Being childish, she went over and pushed stop on the CD player.
Lauren stopped dancing when the music came to sudden halt. She shrugged her shoulders at AJ and Nick. "She's had a long day." She turned to Brittany. "Go get some water and take a break. We'll finish up after that."
Brittany breathed a sigh of relief. She jogged out of the room and went to the vending machines at the end of the hall. She fished a dollar out of her warm-ups and put it into the machines. She pushed the button for Aquafina, but the water never came out of the machines.
"Dang it," Britt muttered. "Ugh, this is just what I needed."
BANG! A fist slammed into the machine, and her water appeared in the tray. She whirled around to see Nick, his hand resting on the top of the machine, smiling. His hair, which was much too long, was falling into his eyes. Sweat seemed to be pouring out of him. The back and under the armpits of his t-shirt were soaked. His face was a cherry red, and his chest was heaving. He looked so great!
She smiled, and reached down to retrieve her bottled water. "Thanks."
Nick shrugged. "No prob. It does that sometimes." He went over to some of the folding chairs. He sat down, and patted his hand on the seat next to him. Brittany took the hint and walked over to sit next to this hunk.
"Do you think you'll get the position?" Nick asked.
Britt sighed and took a long gulp of water. "Man, I hope so. But lately, I don't know. I've really, really been struggling. This is really Lauren's dream, dancing and all. I like it too, I guess. I love to go clubbing, and I take hip-hop classes at home, but a full-time dancer? I can't imagine myself doing that. But Lauren and I are the best of friends, and I know she wants me to do this. She thinks I have potential." Brittany rolled her eyes.
Nick winked at her. "We'll see. But I'm sure you'll make it."
Brittany grinned. "Honestly? You really think so?"
Nick nodded assuringly. "I know so."
Britt smiled. "So, you're in a band with three other guys? How's that work?"
Nick shook his head. "Four other guys. Five total. We're not really a band; we sing and dance, obviously," he said, nudging Brittany. Her stomach did a somersault. "We're really big in Europe and Asia, but we're pretty much nobodies here. This is our first real tour in the States."
Brittany nodded slowly. "How old are you?"
"Seventeen," Nick replied. "You?"
"Same." Britt smiled.
"We better get back to work, or Laurie might kill you," Nick said, getting up out of his seat.
Brittany giggled, following suit. "Don't ever call her that. She hates that name."
Nick laughed. "I'll have to reveal this to AJ."
Brittany was taken aback. "Oh really, why's that?"
" 'Cause he has the biggest crush on her already!"
"He does?" Britt said incredulously.
"Mmhmm. And so do I. But not on her. Someone else," Nick said, his eyes twinkling. He opened the door to the room for her, bowed down and held his arm out to his side, ushering her into the room.
Brittany felt herself blushing and walked in. Nick smiled and looked toward the ceiling, silently praying. Thank you, Lord. I owe you one.
LINKS
INDEX
Make It Index
Chapter Three
