A.N. – Hello, everyone!
I want to thank you guys for your amazing support. Writing this series is better knowing that people enjoy reading it.
If you have a song that makes you think of Moose and/or Camille, just write its name in the review.
This one shot, Back at One, it was actually the 3rd one, but when I heard the song "In Your Arms" by Nico and Vinz, I immediately started to write the one shot about it, which makes this one a flash back, because is set during the rehearsals for the World Jam and the kiss scene in Step Up 3.
And this is also a he said/she said with the next one: Hate That I Love You.
Disclaimer: As much as I wish, I do not own any of the rights of the Step Up franchise (characters and movies) and the song Back At One by Brian Mcknight.
Back At One
The morning after the World Jam
The dean's office
Moose´s POV
Six months ago, who would have thought I'd be here, waiting to interview with the dean to ask for my double major. But this is only happening thanks to my best friend, Camille.
My only problem now is that I want to be more than friends with Camille. And I do not have any idea when I started to feel so...
*Flashback*
Monday, after an afternoon rehearsal, I was sitting in the kitchen drinking a glass of water with Kido, Jason and Hair; while we saw Camille and Anala taking measurements of the other group members on the opposite corner of the room, when Kido made the following comment:
"Wow, Camille is so different from when we were in MSA, more confident and feminine. She must have a lot of guys wanting to date her."
I was so shocked that even spit the water.
"Hey, Moose! Let this trick to the finals." Jason said grabbing a towel for him and the others.
Trying to appear nonchalant, I said, "Why do you say that, Kido?"
"Well, not only she´s beautiful, but also very smart and kindhearted. What guy would not want to date her?"
"So, Moose, do you know one of these suitors?" Asked Hair.
"I do not want to know," I replied sourly.
"Moose, you're jealous of Camille?"
"No, not at all."
"Yes he is. Camille is the girl of his dreams." Jason said, laughing.
"How do you know?" I asked what for the others was the confirmation of my jealousy.
"Last Friday, when she went for the dinner presentation of the Exchange Program, the way you looked at her when we complimented her dress and the bad mood that you stayed after she left, were enough for me to know that for more you say she's your best friend, this is not true."
"This is awesome! Andie once commented that she thought that Camille had a crush on you, Moose. "
We were interrupted by Anala.
"Moose, it's your turn"
"We've already been measured." Kido said, pointing to Hair.
"Me too. I'll help Luke to test the lights. "Jason said.
I headed towards the girls. Arriving there, Anala asked me to take off my shirt and turn; she took measures while Camille took notes. Suddenly Camille´s phone rang.
She pulled back a bit, the conversation was quick, but the enthusiasm of Camille´s voice, gave notice that she had received some good news. When she returned, she said:
"I passed the first phase of the exchange program. Now I only have the interviews… "
Anala hugged her; I put my shirt back on and hugged her as well. I smelled Camille´s hair and tried to control myself not to kiss her. She said good bye to the other members of the crew because she had to go to university to know what day would be her interview. After she left, I went to help Luke and Jason. Surprisingly, instead of testing the lights for the World Jam they were talking about relationships, especially those with the opposite sex.
"Hey, Moose! Come here, you also need to hear this!"
"What is it, Jason?"
"My friend Brian has some advice about girls for you and Luke."
He put his iPod on the deck and the song "Back at One" by Brian McKnight started to play. When the song ended, Luke commented:
"Who knew that you are a romantic, Jason!"
"Yes, I want to be prepared when I find a girl who is worth. But you two have met the ones for you and I will not consider myself a good friend if you let this chance escape."
We were interrupted by Jacob who came to talk to Luke about the auction of the Vault. I said goodbye to everyone and went back to university. During the night I couldn´t stop thinking about the lyrics:
One, you're like a dream come true
Two, just wanna be with you
Three, girl it's plain to see
That you're the only one for me
And four, repeat steps one through three
Five, make you fall in love with me
If ever I believe my work is done
Then I'll start back at one
(Yeah-ah...)
The next day, while I and the other boys were playing pinball, the girls rehearsed. I was waiting for my turn sitting on the couch, watching the rehearsal when suddenly Camille threw her head back and slid her hand down her neck...
"Moose, your turn has come!"
"Y-yes! I'm going!"
"Dude, you must ask Camille on a date!"
"Why?"
"How we will beat the Samurai, if you get distracted by Camille?"
"You're just saying that because you not want me to get you in pinball."
As always I beat Luke in pinball, but he was right about Camille. The more I wanted to get her out of my mind, either memories of her face or her voice would come back in full force. Or else I would see her in real, and she would become more beautiful each time.
Saturday, after the last rehearsal for the World Jam, I patted Camille on the shoulder and said:
"Cam, what if we take a ride on the ferry's wheel? After all, we're in an amusement park!"
"Seems like a good idea."
We sat down in the booth. I broke the silence: "I have something I wanted to ask you: Why you signed up for the exchange program?"
"Besides having the opportunity to know another country, the chances of getting a job after college are bigger and I do not want to live at the expense of Tyler and my foster family forever."
"What a relief. I thought you wanted to get back at me for what happened this semester. "
She started laughing and went to slap on my arm when I took her hand, and said:
"There's something else I wanted to ask you: Monday is my interview with the dean for me to ask for the double major."
"I know that, Moose"
"Cam, I want you to go with me ..." Wow, I never noticed how beautiful her lips really are.
"I don´t know, Moose ..."
"I want you to be the first to know if I´ll make it or not. You. And nobody else. "
When I said that, I got closer to her face, gently lifting her chin, when she said:
"All right, I´ll go then."
I was so close to kiss her when the ride ended and she said good night to me and went out of the booth. It was late, and we all had combined to sleep in the park and go all together for the World Jam.
*Fast Forward*
"Mr. Alexander"
"Yes."
"Is your turn."
After 20 minutes, I left the dean's office, and I couldn´t be happier. Well, just see who can make me even happier:
"So?"
"Yeah…I mean…I´m a double major…"
She jumps and hugs me real tight.
"Oh…no way, Moose! Oh my gosh…Oh my gosh…I can´t believe it!"
"I can´t believe it… What do you mean you can´t believe it…Cam, thank you! Thank you for being there!"
We let go, but I´m holding her hand wondering whether or not I pull her into a kiss.
"Cam, thank you! Thank you for being there! "
"You are welcome!"
Say farewell to the dark of night
I see the coming of the sun
I feel like a little child, whose life has just begun
You came and breathed new life into this lonely heart of mine
You threw out the life line
Just in the nick of time
We stared at each other for a while until our phones ring, is the message of the Pirates for us to meet at the train station.
At the train station
After we received the message, we begin to walk and I took her hand the same way he did when we danced on the street. When we arrived, I let go. We spread the World Jam lights near the train platform to California. When Jacob gave the signal that he saw Natalie, we met.
We watched, Natalie saw the lights and noticed our presence; she came to embrace us and asked about Luke. We saw Luke coming down the stairs, but do not say anything. Jacob smiled and Natalie followed his gaze. Luke noticed our presence, but as soon as their eyes met, it showed me that Luke forgave her and they would be very happy in California.
Seeing the happiness of the two, I started thinking: Courage, Moose. You can do this.
I tap Camille´s shoulder, she turns to look at me, and I lay my hands on her neck and…
Now I´m the happiest guy on the world.