Songs: Lose My Breath by Destiny's Child

That's Not My Name by the Tings Tings

JJ's POV

I arrived to rehearsals late. Everyone seemed to be aware of my plan.

A hand covered my eyes.

"Hey there, my sugar lumps," a male voice chuckled.

"Bodie, I knew it was you and don't call me that," I moved his big hand from my eyes.

He rolled his eyes. "Report."

I told him all that happened in Coco and Frank's battle. Moreover, I told him Coco's insult to Emilia.

"Your ballet moves are a good matchup against their cheerleading moves," he said thoughtfully.

I nodded, eating a ham sandwich he gave me.

"Do you mind not telling Emilia about Coco's insult? That would really set her off."

"Um, sure," I said, chewing noisily. I would not want that to happen, that would just make training more painful.

"Let's started," he tapped my shoulder.

I stood up and started my laps.

For the rest of the week, I trained harder and harder. I even practice at home while Sandy watched MTV and SpongeBob.

"JJ do you want any dinner?" Sandy asked while I practiced my ballet moves.

"Yeah, just give me ten more minutes," I replied, quickly while spinning gracefully.

On Friday, Vicky came over at my house to try on her dresses (the dance didn't start until six.)

"Should I wear this or this?" she asked showing me a pink frilly dress and then a light blue short strapless dress.

"The blue one. It matches your eyes and your blonde hair," I answered.

"Thanks. At least you have good taste in fashion."

I rolled my eyes.

"Are you sure you don't want to come?" Vicky asked as she put on her dress. "There's still time to decide and it's boring here even with Sandy's stupidity." She whispered the last part.

"One: I don't have a date. Two: People will tease me and Three: I have nothing to wear."

"One: You can go with Aaron and me. Two: Who cares what others think and Three: you can wear the pink dress."

"Alright, I guess it could be fun." I texted Bodie, to tell him and I was coming the Riptide headquarters a little later.

"Sweet!"

We got ready and we did each other's hair. Vicky did my raven black hair into a hime cut and I iron-pressed her light blonde hair into curls.

"It's a good thing you lost weight," Vicky said. "The dress is perfect for you!"

I blushed. "Thanks."

We went to the living room and Sandy gaped when she saw me.

"I thought you weren't going to the dance," she said.

"Well, I changed my mind," I replied. "I don't want to be anti-social freak."

"Too late you already are."

As I opened my mouth to retort, we heard a car honk.

"He's here!" Vicky pulled me to door.

"Good-bye Sandy!" we called.

"See you!"

Vicky and I walked to a light blue car.

"Your dress matches the car," I joked.

Aaron was waiting there for us. He wore a light blue suit with a black tie and black shoes.

"And you match Aaron!"

Vicky blushed. "Thanks for making me wear it," She whispered.

"Hey babe, hey JJ," Aaron greeted.

"Hey," I said and Vicky ran and hugged him. He lifted her chin and kissed her.

"I'll be in the car," I muttered, awkwardly.

Five minutes later, we were on our way to the Sadie Hawkins dance. I was in the backseat and the couple were in the front. I couldn't help it but feel a little left out.

I put on earphones and listened to the music on my blackberry.

I was so engrossed in my music that I didn't hear Vicky.

"JJ!" she shouted and I pulled out one earphone.

"Yeah?"

"We're here. I've been calling you for five minutes!"

"Sorry."

We came out of the car and I stopped my music. Vicky pulled me and tucked my arm under her left arm and Aaron's arm tucked under her right arm.

All eyes were on us when we walked in the school gym where the dance was. Some girls and their dates snickered and whispered to each other. I was feeling nervous.

"Vicky, they're watching us," I whispered.

"Just ignore them," she replied.

I sighed deeply, my heart pounding hard.

The first part of the dance was the dinner. The food is better to what they serve usually. I quietly picked at my food while Vicky and Aaron chatted noisily.

"Now ladies," Amelia, yes the same mean girl, announced on a microphone. "Let us slow dance with our handsome dates."

Vicky and Aaron stood up, ignored me and went to slow dance with the other couples. I watched them, feeling emptiness inside me.

I wasn't having fun. I decided I should just go and train. The battle was in two days anyway. I stood up, walked pass the couples and texted Bodie to pick me up.

I sat on the bench outside and waited for a while.

"JJ," I heard a familiar voice say.

I turned to see Vicky standing there.

"Hey," I sniffed.

"Why'd you leave?"

"I'm the only girl there with no date and it's obvious that I'm the third wheel."

"But tricycles need third wheels."

"Yes, but you and Aaron are a bicycle. Besides, I should be training. Bodie's coming for me now."

"Oh, ok."

"You should back inside. Aaron's waiting."

"Alright but will you be ok out here?"

"I'll be fine, I-"

"I'm here my sugar lumps!" a voice called out.

"Oh my gosh."

Bodie came, all smiling and cheerful.

"Sugar lumps," Vicky snickered.

"I told you not to call me that," I said to him through clenched teeth.

"You wanted me to come because you felt all lonely but baby I'm here for you," Bodie joked.

"Eww, man. You're too old for me."

"Age is just a number my sugar lumps."

"Ugh! You and me together? Gross!"

Vicky laughed. "I'll leave you too alone. I'm the third wheel now."

"Did you say tricycles need third wheels?" I chuckled.

"You and Bodie are a bicycle."

"Touché, my friend, touché. And no we're not."

She waved and walked back inside.

"Shall we go sugar lumps?" Bodie asked.

I glared at him and walked to his car.

Bodie drove to the headquarters and Emilia was there waiting.

"How was the dance?" she asked as we walked to the front of the building.

"Boring," I answered. "Let's train."

"I like you better this way – determined and eager to train."

I ran ahead of them to the gym.

I stretched out for thirty minutes and then danced to Massive Attack with Emilia and Bodie. I imitated their moves more easily this time.

On Saturday morning around eleven, while I was doing the laundry, Vicky barged open the front door and yelled, "He asked me out JJ!"

I raised my eyebrow in confusion. "I thought you guys were already going out."

"It's official now!"

"Congratulations!" I ran and hugged her.

Vicky pulled, smirking. "Aren't you jealous that I got a boyfriend before you?"

"Nope," I answered, smiling. It was true.

"And the sweet sixteen is today! Help me find an outfit!"

She yanked me to my room.

"I have between this," Vicky showed me a purple dress. "And this," she showed me a long red dress.

"The red one," I answered.

"You should be on Fashion Police! Here I picked one for you."

"Vic how many times I have told you not to – oh my gosh!"

She had picked out a beautiful blue dress. I clutched it tightly.

"I love you," I blurted out, still mesmerized by my new dress.

"Yes, you do."

Three hours later, we had already put on our dresses and we were doing hair and makeup.

Sandy walked in, smelling stink. We wrinkled our noses.

"Sandy! Get out!" I yelled. "And take a bath!"

"Vicky and some girl I don't know, Bodie's here," Sandy said.

"You met them outside?!"

"No I peeked through the window."

I sighed in relief. "Text to them five more minutes. Here's my phone."

Sandy texted them and walked out the room.

I walked down the front steps of my apartment and we saw Bodie's familiar red car.

"Holla to you ladies," he called, honking his car. "You guys lookin' fine there."

"Get a girlfriend!" Vicky called back. I snickered.

"Just get in."

We got into the car and Emilia was in the front seat – she wearing a red tank top, white sneakers and blue jeans.

Bodie drove us to the T.G.I. Friday restaurant, Vicky's favorite restaurant. Vicky's mother, Mrs. Jonathan and I made the reservations and the restaurant workers decorated the restaurant.

Vicky opened the door and Aaron grabbed her into a hug.

"She's here!" he yelled.

There was a crowd of our friends, Vicky's family and schoolmates. I did not understand why half of our schoolmates were there, particularly the ones who mock and tease Vicky. But nevertheless, Vicky still welcomed them.

The party was fun really, not really just a bunch of teenagers partying and crowding around Emilia and Bodie. I mostly chatted with Mrs. Jonathan and ate dinner, cake and ice cream. Vicky danced with her boyfriend and I have to admit they looked cute together. They took pictures of themselves at the photo booth. All the guests get to take pictures of themselves. Emilia, Bodie and I took photos too, some embarrassing. There was one of Bodie tickling me and the next was of me swatting him and Emilia laughing. Another of Emilia pinching Bodie's cheek hard, I laughing, and one of Emilia and me kissing Bodie on the cheek – at the same time.

All three of us left the party early, running quickly to avoid the crowd. Bodie sped ahead of us to get his car while Emilia and I were behind, being careful not to ruin my dress.

We drove to the Riptide headquarters for more training.

The next day the sun was shining gloriously in the sapphire sky. I stared at the ultramarine waves as I sat on the yellow sand. I stood up quickly, dusted my pants and started to jog despite the burning sun.

After I jogged, I sat in the shade of one of the palm trees and drank my water.

"Hey, pumped for the battle?"

I turned and saw Emilia.

I shrugged.

"Let's get some breakfast," she suggested.

The afternoon came fast. I spent my time stretching and running laps. I also had practice dance battles with the backup dancers, which I won.

I was walking to the guestroom when I saw a bag of clothes. A girl was there, packing up some clothes.

"Hi," I said.

"Here," she answered, handing me some clothes. "Emilia told me to give you this."

I took the clothes. "Thanks."

I was given a sleeveless black leotard, with an off the shoulder short red shirt with the Riptide logo written in white on it, white stockings and black ballet shoes.

I put the clothes on, marvelling how good I looked in it.

"You look great in it!"

I whirled around and of course saw Emilia; Wow she really was surprising me today.

I blushed with pride. "Thanks."

"Let's go," she said and I followed her out of the room.

We walked to the gym, the place was crowded, and music was playing. The two female back-up dancers were in the middle of the crowd, dancing to the music. They were moving in time with the beat and the crowd's noises grew louder and louder. I saw a handsome guy remixing the music. His blond hair was slick back; he wore an orange goggle, a red and white jacket with the zipper half way down, tan pants and black shoes.

"Yo! Yo! People, it's DJ Maccoy," the guy said to the microphone.

I grimaced at the sound of his nasal voice. That voice DID NOT go well with his handsome features.

"We're going to have a dance battle! Between Riptide-"

I stepped forward.

"And the Wonder Girls!"

Coco stepped forward and looked at me from head to toe.

"You're seriously making me battle this pest?" she sneered.

I nodded my face angry.

"Wait a minute…you're that girl who came to our last battle! You were spying on us weren't you?"

I rolled my eyes. "It took you so long to realize that."

"Screw you! I want to battle Emilia!"

"Well then, you're going to have to battle me first."
"Fine then. This should be easy."

The one thing I learned from dance battles was that the dancers had to imitate their opponent's moves and elaborate it into their style.

I took a deep breath to the calm my heart.

"Let's pump up the jam!" Maccoy said and played the music.

That's Not My Name by the Tings Tings played.

Coco started skipping. Then she broke into a variety of cheerleading moves. She moved in time with the music. I observed her moves closer and saw Emilia watching me intently.

My mouth broke into smirk.

I imitated her moves flawlessly. I spun fast and did a sidekick. Coco muttered, "Not bad."

Coco broke into another variety of cheerleading moves, did two back flips and a spilt. She got up and smiled evilly at me.

I did my own variety of ballet moves. I leaped with a sidekick. I breathed hard as I attempted a back flip.

I did it and I landed perfectly!

I laughed and did two more back flips. I lift my leg and did a pose similar to the fifth position of ballet.

Coco and I glared at each other. Coco made the first moves. Her moves were filled with flips, hand movements and her whipping her hair. She spun and flipped.

"Oh!" the crowd yelled.

I gritted my teeth.

I did several back flips and I spun with my leg in the air. Coco countered back with spilt, shaking her hips and moves that went well with the music. I shook my waist similar to a belly dancer, did a spilt (which still hurts.) and leaped gracefully.

Coco dropped to the floor and glided fast, she did some fast moves I couldn't do. I countered back with some fast ballet moves and Coco imitated me perfectly.

We both leaped and did a back flip at the same time ending the song.

The crowd cheered loudly.

"Coco was better! Coco was awesome!" some guys were yelling.

"No! That Riptide girl was hotter!" some girls were yelling. Probably because they preferred someone who wasn't Coco.

"Coco was better!" was all I heard. A Tough crowd but seriously?

"Um…Coco wins…" Maccoy didn't look very happy.

I breathed hard, my body ached from the intense dance movements I just did.

"Sorry but I was better," Coco smirked, arrogantly.

I walked off, leaving ashamed. I avoided the people's gazes until I reached Emilia and Bodie.

My eyes were on the floor. "I have failed you. I-I'm sorry, I-I tried my hardest." I bit my lip, trying not to cry.

I looked up and stared at Emilia. "Are you mad?" I croaked.

Emilia's expression was serious and then her lips cracked into a smile.

"No I'm not, of course I knew you were going to lose but I just wanted you to face your fear. For a rookie, you sure put up a real fight and I'm proud of you, JJ."

I smiled in relief and Bodie winked at me. I rolled my eyes and shook my head. Even though I lost…again, not only I did a perfected my flips, I faced my fear and gained more confidence.

"Are you going to accept her challenge?" I asked with a devious tone in my voice and pointed at Coco who was glaring at us.

"For you, yes," And Emilia walked to the dance floor.

Well that's that. (Maccoy appeared, yay!)

Mayumi: When is the story going to be in my perspective? You promised.

Me: Next Chapter

Mayumi: Sweet.

JJ: Finally a break.

We hope you enjoyed this chapter, please leave reviews because comments spurs me even more.