Disclaimer: Sadly, I do not own Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide. Stacy and Mark own themselves.
Dance
Chapter 8
Moze rushed from her bathroom and back into her bedroom, a case of foundation in hand.
"Here Ned, We should get our hair and makeup done for the waltz before we get there so we have more time. Isn't that was Todd wanted us to do, anyway?" She said talking at a rapid speed. She tossed him the foundation.
"Hold on! There is no way I'm wearing any makeup." Ned said, tossing her back the case of makeup.
Moze scowled. "Yeah, you are!" She tossed him back the foundation. "You have to if you want to look good on the dance floor with all the lights on us. It's like drama club for the actors! All the guys have to wear makeup too!"
"I don't even know how to put it on. What do you do with this, exactly?" He asked, holding up the case. Moze looked at him bewildered.
"You got to be kidding me."
"I am a guy, you know."
"That's true, I guess." Moze said, she looked at his face. "I guess I can do it for you, it's not like you have acne or anything, so I won't have to use concealer…"
"Okay, cool! I can do my own hair." Ned replied. Moze smiled and went to her bathroom to get her makeup bag. She came back in and placed her makeup on a nearby table. She pulled the chair from her desk and instructed him to sit down.
She opened a case and swirled a brush around in it contents. Moze began to apply the makeup to his face, and he let his eyes study her own. He couldn't help but think the determined look on her face was cute. He let her put the makeup on his face, and he was able to stare at her without her thinking anything strange about it. It was the perfect situation. But, he was caught. Her brown eyes caught his blue ones. A blush spread over Moze's face and Ned smiled sheepishly, turning his gaze away with reluctance.
Not a moment later, she was back to fussing over his makeup and hair. Apparently she had decided that she would do it anyway. Ned sighed. It was like the feeling that was there a moment ago was just being brushed aside.
"There. I think that looks good." Moze finally said. He looked at himself in the full-length mirror that was in her bedroom. In his tux with his hair slicked back, even he had to admit that he looked nice. Moze smiled at her work and grabbed her bag of makeup and other girlish items. She rushed herself into the bathroom, saying she just needed a few finishing touches, and to put on her dress for the waltz. He watched her disappear and the door close behind her.
Nerves began to come into Ned. Today was his, and Mozes', first competition. He didn't have tips for this. He had no idea what to do. What if he forgot the steps? What it he let Moze down?
No, he wouldn't think about that. He couldn't let himself get too worked up about nothing.
Not long after she entered, Moze came out of her bathroom.
"Oh my God."
"What? Do I look bad?" Moze asked, looking down over her dress. It was a light teal and strapless, going just below her ankle. She had matching gloves that slunk up her arms and to the elbow. Her hair was pinned up an the sides and the rest flowed down in loose spirals. The bottom of the dress was simply decorated with sparkling sequins.
"No, just the opposite!" Ned said quickly. "You look… Amazing." It was the only word that came to his mind. A moment later, another entered his thoughts. 'Beautiful,'.
Moze smiled shyly. "You look pretty amazing yourself." She said.
"Thanks." He offered her his arm. "The chariot awaits!" He said in sing-song voice, referring to the car.
Moze giggled and linked her arm with his. She looked over her shoulder to the digital clock in her room. "And just on time!" She announced happily.
"That's so like you."
"Shut up."
"That's not very lady-like." Ned ridiculed. She smiled as they made their way down the stairs.
Their parents snapped a few pictures, loaded things in the car- like their Salsa outfits - and they were on their way.
--Around 45 Minutes Later--
--The Competition--
"Here we are, kiddos! Excited?" Mr. Bigby called from the drivers seat of their large van. Both families had packed inside. Mister and Misses Bigby in front, Misses Mosely and Moze's older brother and Ned's little sister in the second row of seats, and Ned and Moze squished in the back with all their things.
"If that's what you want to call it." Moze replied. Mr. Bigby let out a hardy laugh and turned off the ignition.
Ned turned to Moze. "I'm sorry your dad couldn't make it."
"It's fine, really!" Moze said. "He can't help he had to go out last minute on business. It happens all the time." She smiled meekly. They got out of the car together and looked at the building in front of them. Moze had her heels in hand, she was now in flats.
"This is it." Ned said. He looked into her eyes and a real smile graced itself onto her face.
"Let's rock this thing." She replied. They laughed, linked arms, and hurried into the ballroom.
"Ned! Moze!" A familiar voice call at them when they entered. Todd was walking towards him, a proud smile displayed on his face. "How are you guys feeling?"
Ned and Moze shared a look and answered at the same time, "Nervous!"
"Good!" Todd said happily. Moze cocked an eyebrow. "It will make the experience more enjoyable, trust me." He gave the two a hug, then hurried off to great someone else.
"I'm gonna go get my stuff set up in the dressing room. Want to go with me to find them?" Ned asked.
"Sure!" Moze replied. They quickly said goodbye to their families and headed off.
On their way to the backstage area, Ned and Moze had to pass the dance floor. A few couples were already practicing. Moze watched them in awe. They were good.
"Ned, look at them! They're brilliant." Her gaze swept over to a new couple.
Wait… Why did that brunette look so familiar?
"Don't watch them, Moze." Ned said with a hint of anger in his voice. "Besides, I think they are in a higher level than us."
"Good." They walked away and to the back dressing rooms.
"See you a bit late for some last-minute practice?" Ned offered before Moze walked into the girls dressing room. She smiled.
"Sure. Be out in a bit."
--20 Minutes Later--
Ned and Moze finished their fourth run-through of the waltz when someone boomed over the speakers.
"And now for the Upper Intermediate Round. Up first is Stacy Marcenatoe and Mark Hofferson! On deck is Ned Bigby and Jennifer Mosley." (A/N: Hee hee. : D I put you guys in my story!!)
"Ohmiigosh! Ned we're next." Moze said frantically, look at Ned with a sense of panic.
"Don't worry about it. Out there, with all the people watching, don't even look into the audience to find you're parents, not until we are done. While we're dancing, it'll be just you and me. Just like practice." Ned said calmly.
"How do you know we won't mess up?"
"I don't know. But I have faith in our skills." Ned said with a goofy grin, then broke out into a disco. Moze giggled and slapped his arm.
Back out in the competition, the music just stopped and applause erupted. Stacy and Mark walked off the stage smiling and holding hands. Once out of sight of the crowd, they jumped and hugged each other. Stacy released herself from the hug and looked at Ned and Moze.
"Good luck, you guys. It soo much fun!" Stacy squealed. Mark just smiled and the two walked away together.
"Great job, Mark and Stacy!" The man on the intercom said happily. "And now up, Ned Bigby and Jennifer Mosley!" Ned grabbed Moze's hand and they walked out to the dance floor. They set themselves up in the middle of the floor and Ned squeezed her hand before going into position.
"This is it. Just me and you." He whispered.
The music began and they started to dance.
Take time to realize,
That your warmth is
Crashing down on in.
They started out apart. Moze twirled to Ned and then circled each other. He grabbed her hand and twirled her around, then her spun her out and back to him, meeting each other in a standard hold. They twirled together and stared in each others eyes, a connection forming that they never felt in practice.
But I can't spell it out for you,
No it's never gonna be that simple
No I cant spell it out for you
They began to waltz around the ballroom, utilizing it's space. A spotlight followed them around, the rest of the room in darkness. Every so often they would twirl or do a dip. The crowd was mesmerized by the dance's beauty and the connection of the dancers.
They allowed themselves to be taken over by the music.
If you just realize what I just realized,
Then we'd be perfect for each other
and will never find another
Just realized what I just realized
we'd never have to wonder if
we missed out on each other now.
Take time to realize
Oh-oh I'm on your side
didn't I, didn't I tell you.
Take time to realize
This all can pass you by
Didn't I tell you
But I can't spell it out for you,
no it's never gonna be that simple
no I can't spell it out for you.
If you just realized what I just realized
then we'd be perfect for each other
then we'd never find another
Just realized what I just realized
we'd never have to wonder if
we missed out on each other now.
It's not always the same
no it's never the same
if you don't feel it too.
If you meet me half way
If you would meet me half way.
It could be the same for you.
If you just realize what I just realized
then we'd be perfect for each other
then we'd never find another
Just realize what I just realized
we'd never have to wonder
Just realize what I just realized
"You were right." Moze whispered.
"What do you mean?" Ned asked.
"You said we would do good, and we did." Moze smiled up at him, and he returned the smile. He leaned his head forward, but stopped a few centimeter away from her lips. He leaned his head next to her ear.
"I just realized something." He whispered to her.
"What?" Moze whispered back. Her breath playing on his ear made him shiver.He took back his head and smiled.
"This."Ned leaned into her and placed a soft passionate kiss on her lips. She immediately responded, but they quickly broke off at the cheer of the crowd. Oh, right. The competition.
Ned took Mozes hand and led her off stage. As soon as they were off, he took her in his arms and kissed her again. Moze smiled against his lips, all her cares floating away.
"Oh my gosh! Ned, is that you?!" A horridly familiar squeak sounded behind them. The two now-more-than-best friends whipped around to see who it was. Ned's jaw dropped and Moze's eyes widened.
"Suzie Crabgrass!"
Heh heh heh… D: Don't kill me!
I know I haven't updated in, like, 5 months, but here ya go! The next chapter is the last chapter. I'm most likely writing it as you read this, so… It will be up by next Friday, I promise!!
Anywho, this took so long because of a disappointment by a lack of reviews, procrastination, and the school musical in which I was in. I got to ballroom dance in it too, I was insanely happy.
PLEASE FORGIVE ME AND REIVIEW!!
-Freak-a-Zoid
