Super thanks for all the reviews and support!

I had this drabble done a few days ago but I was having some trouble updating chapters; it kept saying 'Invalid Story Access.' ;_; Thankfully it's finally cleared up! I was just wondering if anyone else was having the same problem.

Anyway, here's the latest drabble! Hope you all like it. ^_^

"Nervous, Meatball Head?"

"Eeek!" She gasped in surprise. Head whipping to the raven haired man who quietly found his way backstage without her knowing.

Offstage was a quiet chaos. People tried not to make too much noise as they got the props ready for the next performance. Scenery had to be changed, along with the lighting, music, and costumes for the background dancers.

Some ballerinas were practicing one last time for their part while others checked the laces on their shoes, practiced breathing exercises before going on stage, or—like Serena—were fighting their bodies from panicking.

"Relax," he said, laughing. "It's just me." He raised his hand to tug on her hair. Thinking for a moment, he sighed and put it back down. Best not to mess it up before her big performance, he thought. "Ready for your big lead?"

She averted his eyes and shrugged. Ruffling her pink tutu, she bit her lip and repeated her ballet steps in her mind. Her feet tensed as she relayed each step to herself, following along with each step without physically moving.

Then her body started shivering, taking short, harsh breaths—she couldn't force herself to calm down.

"Easy, easy," said Darien, squeezing her shoulder. "You'll do fine. What're you so worried about?"

"Just..." She looked up at him, biting her lip. "It's nothing," she said, shrugging.

"No, no, tell me." He rubbed up and down her arms. "Maybe I can help."

"Just that—what if I fall?" Shrugging her shoulders, she sighed. "There's so many people out there—and you always call me a klutz, anyway."

Darien grimaced knowing it was true. What a time to apologize for his insults: right before a big performance.

"You're not going to fall—you know your steps."

"But what if I do—"

"You won't—"

"But I could—"

"Fine then," he grunted. He glared at her and crossed his arms. "If you fall, I'll come up on stage and finish for you"

"Wait—what?"

He shrugged his shoulders and smirked. "We don't need to see a clumsy ballerina. If you fall, I'll jump on stage and dance in your place. How hard can it be, really?"

"It's plenty hard—I've been practicing for over a month!" she yelled, glaring at him. "My feet bled for a week, you jerk!"

"Please," said one of the set designers, "not so loud—"

"Well if you're so prepared," continued Darien, oblivious to the set designer, "why are you complaining?"

"I'm not complaining—I'm nervous!"

"Quietly," urged the set designer.

"Just admit it, Meatball Head," growled Darien, "you just want me to dance for you—"

"That's a lie!" She poked him in his chest. "You can't dance!"

The set designer tried shushing them again, waving her arms frantically.

"I could dance better than you with both legs tied behind my back—"

"That doesn't even make sense—"

"If I'm so bad at dancing, why don't you go out there and prove you can dance?"

"I will! And I'll do it perfectly, too, you big jerk!"

"Shut. Up." The pair turned to hear Andrew taking pounding steps towards them. "We are at a formal performance!" he growled. "Everyone in the audience can hear you!" He walked over and glared at them both as they cowered in fear.

"S-sorry..."

"We didn't mean to..."

Andrew took deep breaths, looking from one to the other. Rolling his eyes, he tugged Darien's sleeve. "Come on, Dare." He proceeded to drag him back to their seats. "Good luck, Serena."

"Thanks," she said, smiling.

Darien waved a goodbye to her. "Break a leg, Meatball Head!"

"I'll break your face!" she growled.

"It means good luck," he said, rolling his eyes. "Oh!" Reaching behind his back, he pulled out a beautiful red rose. Throwing it to her, he yelled, "Catch!"

"Volume," gritted Andrew.

She caught the rose with both hands. "Thanks," she mouthed to Darien.

Darien winked back at her before Andrew dragged him out of sight.

Lifting the rose to her nose, she inhaled the sweet smell. Smiling, she realized she wasn't nervous anymore. No. Thanks to Darien, shivers went up her spine for a different reason. And she liked it.

So Darien has his own way of taking Serena's mind off of difficult matters. :p

What did you think? I loved Andrew trying to get them under control!

Leave a review, please!