Chapter 1: Reunions
Cece stretched languidly, her right leg moving along the length of the bar, and her left arm arcing behind her. She just about reached the limits of her tired muscles.
"You shouldn't be here so early," a voice interrupted her.
She swung around losing that moment of grace.
"Perfection demands infinite practice," Cece responded as she turned. "My god, Rocky is that you? It's been years and years." She threw herself into the arms of best friend. "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be in California?"
"Summer break. I have three whole months off. I meant to call you to tell you I was coming home this summer, but finals were harder than I expected, and I got distracted."
"I still can't believe you abandoned dancing for college. You were good. Not as good as I am - of course. But, you had a real future. I hate that we're not partners anymore."
"Oh Cece, we've had this discussion so many times."
"I know. Hey, did you just get in today?"
"No I've been back for a few days. I saw your show last night - you were fantastic. I didn't expect you to be at the studio today, I thought you would have partied all last night. I thought you'd be in bed till at least noon. Wasn't there a cast party?"
"I didn't go," Cece said with a sigh. "I was stupid enough to start dating the director, and he broke it off with me a few weeks ago. It was a disaster. I didn't want to see him, I just wanted to go home and cry it out."
"Oh Cece, you never were lucky in love."
"Luckier than you," Cece taunted.
"Hey! I've had lots of great boyfriends. Boys like me. Everyone likes me."
Cece smirked. "I've missed you. Let's go get something to eat at Crusty's. You wouldn't believe it, but Deuce still works there. At least I'm not the only one who didn't go to college."
"Do you want to change first?"
Cece looked down at the white unitard and silver tights. "Nope. I look amazing."
The two girls entwined arms, and walked together the short distance to their favorite Pizza Joint. It was as if no time at all had passed, and they easily fell back into familiar discussions and gestures.
At Crusty's, Rocky spotted Deuce immediately behind the counter. She pranced up to him. "Hey, hey, hey," she called in greeting.
Deuce stared at her; a look of puzzled confusion was soon replaced with a smile. "Whoa! Rocky, you're all grown up. I like. Come over hear and give me a hug." She quickly threw her arms around her old friend. "And Cece too. It's my lucky day."
"Can you sit with us and chat?"
"Of course I can. I own this joint now. But first, I'll make a pizza, my very own specialty. I'll be at your table in ten minutes even." He kissed Rocky on the cheek. "Roy, cover me," he called into the kitchen.
Deuce carried over a large pizza with every conceivable topping covering half of its face - the other half was the same sans the meat - and placed it on the table.
"The vegi half is for Rocky," Deuce said.
"Thanks," Rocky said with a laugh. "I'm surprised you remember."
"Of course I remember." Deuce's voice went soft. "I remember everything."
"So," Cece started, "Rocky and I decided that since she has some time off between semesters and I'm between shows that we need to plan a great adventure. We're thinking a camping trip, but maybe with a cabin instead of tents. Are you in?"
"You girls never struck me as the woodsy types?"
"It's time to try new things. You're not afraid of the woods?" Cece taunted.
"I'm not afraid of anything. I'm in. We should invite Gunther along too. He came in a few days ago - asking about you Cece. I think he's on summer break too."
"Me!" Cece squeaked. "I haven't seen him in over a year. I figured he forgot all about me. He was dating this awful girl the last time I saw him, and we had a huge fight when I told him he should dump her. I thought he hated me."
"Guess not," Deuce said. "So what do you think? Invite?"
"Yes," Cece said.
"So that'll make four of us," Rocky said. "Perfect."
"Oh wait, Flynn. I can't go without him."
Rocky placed her hand on Cece. "Of course, he should come too. I always liked your little brother."