~Takes 2 To Tango~

"What a beautiful day!" exclaimed Amanda while driving in her car.  Her long, light brown hair was blowing from the wind that was coming in from the open window.  She had green eyes, and was about five foot six.  She was a fun person, who loved her friends, but she was known to be quick tempered and sarcastic.  Amanda was on her way to Dance Tech Dance Studio.  She was a dance teacher there, and she had a whole night of classes to teach.  It was hard work, but Amanda loved every minute of it.  She was a great dancer, having won many awards and competitions.  She had learned everything from her mother, Dana, who owned and ran Dance Tech.  Dana, who was an older version of Amanda, was a famous choreographer.  After ten years of competing, Dana had decided to run her own dance studio.  
     When Amanda arrived, she parked her car and ran inside.  In the studio she found her five best friends, Kelli, Trisha, Joelle, Sharon, and Brittany, whom everyone called Brat.
     "Hey guys.  What's up?" asked Amanda.
     "Not much," they replied.
     "Where's my mom?"
     "She's in the office talking on the phone to somebody.  It sounds important; she's been on for a long time," said Sharon.
     Amanda studied Sharon.  Everyone said they looked alike.  They had the same hair color and about the same height (Amanda was an inch taller).  Their only difference, in looks, was that Sharon's eyes had more blue in them.  The two also had similar personalities.  They hated everything that was bad, and bugs, and they loved music and animals.
     Amanda then looked at her other friends.  Her first came upon Joelle.  Joelle had long, dark hair and was about five foot seven.  She was one of the nicest people on earth even though she does come off a little bitchy at first meetings.  She kinda acted like a mother to them all, and was the most popular shoulder to cry on.
     Next was Brat.  Her hair, which was the prettiest Amanda had ever seen, was dark blond and hung to her waist.  She had deep, brown eyes and was about five foot four.  Brat was the joker of the group.  She always had a joke or wisecrack and was one of the biggest smart-asses in the world.
     Amanda's eyes roamed over to Trisha, who was stretching.  Trisha had yellow-blond hair that hung to her shoulders and beautiful, blue eyes.  She was the shortest, standing to a height of five foot three.  She was always there for Amanda, being the loyal friend that she was.
     Kelli was the last person Amanda studied.  She had long, blondish hair, green eyes, and about five foot five.  She had a slender frame that was perfect for dancing.  Kelli had also won many awards and her biggest dream was to be a famous dancer.
     Amanda's train of thought was interrupted when Dana appeared in the doorway.
     "Girls, I have great news..."

  "What is it?" asked Brat.
     "I've just been asked to choreograph some dances for a pop group," replied Dana.
     "What group?" Joelle inquired.
     "I believe they are called *NSYNC."
     "Are you serious?" Sharon asked.
     "Yep.  They'll be here tomorrow."
     "Aaaaaaahhhhhhh!!!  OMG!!" Trisha screamed.
     Amanda looked over at her friend, startled.  She had never heard an 18 year old squeal like that.
     "You know what would be cool?  If we all hooked up or something.  I mean, we all are in their age group," Joelle stated.
     Amanda thought for a moment.  Joelle was right.  Amanda, Kelli, and Trisha were 18, Sharon was 20, Joelle was 22, and Brat was 23.
     "Count me out on the hook up part.  I've already got a great boyfriend," Kelli said.
     "Girls, I'm going to need some help teaching the guys the dances, so be here as early as you can tomorrow," Dana ordered.
     "Yes sir boss ma'am," Brat joked while saluting Dana.
     "I can't wait!!" Trisha squealed.
     Amanda didn't know whether or not to be excited.  It was cool that *NSYNC was coming, but she knew from past experience that celebrities were usually stuck-up.  A couple years ago, Dana had taught another pop group some dances and they were the worst of snobs.  They were always demanding something, and they were never satisfied with anything.  Another squeal from Trisha brought her back to the present.  
     "OMG.  I can't wait to see Lance!  He's so hot…I'm gonna marry him!!" Trisha was yelling.
     All of the girls, except Amanda, were talking excitedly about which guy was their favorite.  Joelle wanted Joey, Sharon wanted JC, Trisha was obviously in love with Lance, and Brat wanted Chris.
     "Hey Amanda," Joelle called, "which guy is your favorite?"
     "I don't really have one," Amanda replied.
     "Don't you think any of them are hot?"
     "Well…maybe Justin, but…I don't know.  I haven't really spent much time thinking about it."
     Before anybody could say anything else, a bunch of little kids came in ready to start their dance lessons.
     "We'll talk about this later girls," Amanda said as she walked toward the smiling children.

Saturday

     The bright rays of the morning sun woke Amanda from her slumber.  She looked at the clock on the bedside table.  It read 8:02.  Amanda got out of bed and headed for the bathroom where she took a shower and got ready to go to the studio.  She put on a pair of black dance pants and a baby blue sports bra.  She may not of cared a lot that the guys were coming, but she still wanted to look cute…just in case.  She brushed her hair up into a ponytail and went out into the living room to call Trisha.
     "Hey Trisha! You ready to go?" Amanda was giving Trisha a ride there.
     "I have been ready for hours!" Trisha replied.
     "I bet," Amanda muttered.
     "What was that?"
     "Nothing.  I'm on my way," Amanda said.  Her only reply was a very high-pitched squeal.  
     Trisha came bounding out of the house when Amanda pulled up.  She was also wearing black dance pants, but she had on a green sports bra.  Trisha got in and Amanda drove towards the studio.
     "Can't you make this car go faster?" Trisha asked impatiently.
     "I am not going to speed just so you can get even more hot and bothered.  Besides, they're not going to be there for another couple of hours."
     "How come your mom didn't come with us?" asked Trisha.
     "She left at about 7.  I guess she just wanted to make sure everything was ready," replied Amanda. "Oh, and Kelli can't make it today.  She's sick."
     "That sucks!"
     "Yup."
     They finally arrived at the studio.  They walked in and saw that Joelle, Brat, and Sharon were already there.  Amanda laughed when she saw what they were wearing.  They were all wearing black dance pants, but with different color sports bras.  Joelle had on a red top, Brat a yellow one, and Sharon a midnight blue.
     "Ok girls, this is how it's gonna go: First we'll stretch, then I'll go through the routines with you to make sure we all know them well enough.  Then when the guys arrive, you'll show them the routines.  After that, you'll pair off and teach them individually," Dana instructed. "Any questions?"  The girls shook their heads. "Good."
     After the girls stretched, Dana went through all of the routines with them.  After making sure everyone knew the routines, they stopped for a break.  They heard honk outside.  Joelle looked out the window.
     "They're here."

     Joelle, Sharon, Trisha, and Brat scrambled over to the mirror to make sure they looked all right.  Amanda went to stand by her mother as they both laughed silently at the frantic girls.
     "Calm down.  Y'all look fine," Amanda reassured them.  There was a knock at the studio door.  Dana walked over and opened it.
     "Hello and welcome!" said Dana.  The girls could hear a faint reply.  Then five guys walked through the door.  
     "I'm Dana, and this is Joelle, Brittany, Sharon, Trisha, and my daughter, Amanda."
     Four of the girls were staring at their crush as they nervously said hi.  Amanda was looking down at her feet.  When she finally looked up, she found herself gazing at Justin, who had a look on his face that Amanda couldn't quite understand.
     "Hi," Justin said softly, never taking his eyes off of her.
     "Hi," replied Amanda.  'Why am I so nervous?  It's just a guy whose ego is probably bigger than Texas' she thought to herself.
     "Let's get started.  First the girls will show you guys the dances, then they'll teach them to you in groups," Dana said, interrupting Amanda's thoughts.
     "Sounds good," Chris said while staring at Brat.  She caught his look and blushed.
     The girls got into place, ready to show the guys their moves.  Dana put on the music.  The beats of the music sounded through the studio, and girls began the dance.  The five guys watched in amazement.  They looked at one another and nodded their heads in agreement of how good the girls were.  
     After demonstrating all of the dances, the girls took a water break.
     "Wow!  You are really good," JC told the girls.
     "Thanks!" Sharon replied breathlessly.
     "Ok, now everyone partner up," ordered Dana.
     This was the moment Brat, Sharon, Trisha, and Joelle were waiting for.  Trisha ran over to Lance as she unsuccessfully tried to hide her excitement.  Brat went over to Chris, Sharon to JC, and Joelle to Joey.
     Amanda walked over to Justin.  "I guess you're stuck with me," she said.
     "Is that good or bad?" Justin asked teasingly.
     "Depends on my mood," Amanda retorted.  Justin smiled.  They practiced the part of the dance that she had taught him.  He was a pretty quick learner.  She had to admit that he was charming, and that body didn't hurt either.  But she couldn't fall for him; couldn't take that chance again.  She would stay professional and remain in what she called the "safe zone."  'Easier said than done,' she thought.  She looked at the other girls and saw them having deep conversations with their "students."  She could see the happiness on their faces.  The four couples seemed to be getting along really well.  Amanda smiled at that thought.  She was happy for her friends.
     "Ok everyone, time's up!" yelled Dana.
     The girls were a little disappointed but they knew they'd see the guys again later.  Everyone dispersed into two groups: the guys and the girls.  Amanda found out from a squealing Trisha that the guys had invited them to go out that evening.  Just then Justin walked up to Amanda.
     "Hey Amanda, did you want to go do something tonight?" he asked.  Amanda panicked.  She didn't want to break the safe zone barrier.  "I don't think so," she said as she rushed out of the studio.
     Justin looked at the other girls with a puzzled look.  "Did I do something wrong?" he asked them.
     Trisha replied, "No.  It's just that she's been through some hard times…"