Chapter 12

Monday night comes before I know it. I learned the dance well this week. I think I am more in shape than Derek. He gets completely out of breath when we finish the dance. It is quite entertaining. We are in line fixing to walk out, I look out into the audience and see my mom and dad. My body relaxes a little bit.

" Are you nervous?" Derek asks me

" Not nearly as much as I was last week."

" Me either, I didn't say anything, but I was a nervous wreck last week. I just didn't want to mess up and I was nervous for you. I just wanted you to do great and shine."

" Aww that's so sweet. I didn't want to mess up and I wanted to do good for you. You have done it for 10 seasons, I'm surprised you still get nervous."

" I know, besides my first show, that was the only time I have been nervous."

I reach up and give him a hug.

" You did amazing, good scores, and we made it through." I say still hugging him

" You did great too, I was so proud of you"

We let go of each other. Derek grabs my hand and our fingers intertwine. We walk down the steps when we hear our names. Its finally our turn to dance. They are going to commercial break first. Derek turns towards me.

" I love dancing with you, its just great."

" I love dancing with you too. I have never felt more alive, it's a true honor."

He leans down and kisses my forehead and gives me a hug. We finish our dance. Carrie Ann gives us a 8.5, Len a 8, and Bruno a 8.5. Overall decent scores, I was happy with the dance, I think Derek was too, I feel great when I do a dance and he is happy. He just smiles the rest of the night.

We are at the studio Tuesday night. I'm a nervous wreck. I hate elimination days. You never know who is safe and who is going home.

"Hey" Derek says

"Hey"

" Are you alright?"

" Yeah, just nervous as usual. I stay nervous a lot." I say

" Yeah, me too. Especially when I have good partners like you. I don't want to leave the show."

" I understand, its only second week and I don't want the season to end."

He leans down and gives me a hug.

" Are you ready for this?" Derek asks

" Ready as I'll ever be."

He takes me by the hand and leads me down the stirs. We hear Brooke and Tom talking to the couple beside us.

" Next we have Shawn and Derek." Tom says

" Carrie Ann named you the all star sweethearts." Brooke says

" Did America agree and put you through?" Tom says

" And on this second week of competition the couple coming back is." Tom says

" Shawn and Derek" Tom and Brooke say in unison

I jump up and hug Derek around his neck. I am so happy.

" We made it." Derek whispers in my ear."

" Yes, thankfully" I respond

We head back up the stairs. I see Mark and Bristol talking. Derek and I go to the couch and sit down. Mark leaves his conversation and comes to sit beside me.

" Hey congrats" Mark says

" Hey thanks, you too." I say

" I haven't seen you since you seen Ryan. Are you alright?"

" Yeah, he found out my phone number. He was at the show last Monday, but I didn't see him. Derek told me he seen him."

" That's good you didn't have to see him."

" Yeah, I don't think he was here last night though. He will probably just keep popping up when I least expect it."

" Probably, maybe he will learn his lesson after a while."

" Hopefully"

The show is over and we have finished all of our after show interviews. The interview are the highlight of my nights on Tuesday. I love answering questions. I only like getting asked them directly when Derek it there. If I ever need saving he will swoop in and give his opinion.

" Why don't we take a break tonight. We can have practice tomorrow." Derek says

" Okay, what time?" I ask him

" Why don't we go at 9:00. Is that okay?"

" Yes, sounds great. I will see you in the morning."

" Bye" He leans down and gives me a hug.

I arrive back at my apartment. I am exhausted, between practices, eliminations, and Ryan I am physically and mentally tired. I decide to take some Advil and go to bed.

I have showered and got dressed. I'm ready for practice this week. I bet Derek got our music last night, and our dance. I hope its something high paced. They told us last night that us, the contestants get to make up the dance. We get to pick what we wear and the whole dance. That puts a lot of pressure on me. Derek is going to have to trust me. I have an idea, I'm not sure how he will like it. Don't get me wrong Derek's choreography has been great these past two weeks. I just feel like we need to do something to make us stand out. Its week 3 its time to get to work. I get at the studio at 8:45, Derek's car is already here. I wonder what time he got here. I walk into the room and he is dancing. There is some type of music playing and he is just moving gracefully around the room. I stop in the door way and just watch him. He is amazing. I stand there for what seems like ten minutes.

" Shawn, I didn't know you were here." Derek says bringing me out of my daze.

" Yeah, I was just admiring the view." I say blushing

" How long were you standing there?" he asks laughing

" Not long." I say still blushing

" What do you think about the judges and producers letting ya'll make up our dance, or rather giving the theme for it and picking out our costumes."

" I actually am happy about it, or course its just a lot of pressure."

" Yeah, ya'll will get a little view of what its like to be a pro."

" I have a little idea though. I'm not sure about the choreography, I just know what I want to do."

" Okay, what is it?"

" Well, its week 3 and all star season. I want to do something the judges will never forget. I want it to be the best dance they have ever seen. I got a text this morning saying we had the quick step. My inspiration is Helio and Julianne's quickstep. I don't want to out do it but I love how fast paced they do it. I want to make us stand out from the rest of the cast and make a statement. Maybe break a few rules." I say

" Okay, I see where your going with this. I agree its all star season and this is the best of the best. We have to bring it all or nothing."

" I agree. One hundred and fifty percent."

We listen to the music, we have some of the dance made up. We started breaking one or two rules and its like a train reaction. We have broke most of the rules they have.

" I love the beginning." Derek says

" Me too, I'm glad I am getting to help with it so much. Its my favorite part in the dance so far."

" Know you know we are going to get bashed pretty bad from the judges."

" Yeah, I will respect their scores and comments. This is for the fans, if they love it and we make it through and people are watching our dance weeks later it was worth it."

" I agree, maybe this is how we should do the rest of the season. One hundred and fifty percent on every dance and do it for the fans. Dedicate this season to them."

" I agree completely, do it for the loyal fans that have stuck with show and vote every week."

Derek puts his hands up and we give each other a high five.

" And this is why I love dancing with you." Derek says

" Touché, we think just alike." I say blushing

We get back to work. This dance is going to be amazing.