Chapter 7

All the matches had been played with the exception of the semi-finals and finals. All the remaining teams were asked to attend a special meeting, concerning a surprise. The room was filled with the noise of excitement as the teams gradually entered the room. Everyone was trying to figure out what all the suspense was about. Finally, and old but stern-looking man entered and stood on a raised platform at the front of the room. He raised his hand and silence fell. Matthew noticed that Kai had stiffened when the man had come in.

"I am Alexander Akovic. Some of you may now me. I'm in charge of our soccer program here is Russia and organiser for the World Championships. You were brought her to discuss an extremely grave and important matter concerning the finals and semi-finals. In your honour, children, there shall be a ball, held on the 15th September, two days from now."

At the mention of the words 'in your honour' the teenagers had become ecstatic, but when Mr Akovic had said 'ball', the exclamations had turned to groans.

"That is all. You may return to your rooms, or do whatever it is you children do at this hour. Kairov, stay back."

The teams all filed out the door, chatting about whether or not they could be bothered going to this 'ball'.

The Wolves waited just outside the door for Kai, and the Fearsome Halflings stayed to keep them company. After five minutes of awkward silence, Luke asked Nikita, "What is our opinion on the upcoming social event?"

"Ummm … sounds all right … You guys going?" said Nikita.

"I would, but there's one small problem. I've got two left feet!" wailed Ben.

"That's scientifically impossible, Ben!" said Luke.

Daniel raised his eyebrows at Rhiannan, who giggled.

"Don't worry, Ben," said Nikita. "I'm going, and if you want, I'll teach you ballroom dancing."

"We'll all need lessons, if we're going that is," said Marianna.

"Yeah, but Saph won't. She can already ballroom dance," said Danielle.

"That's good," replied Nikita. "We'll need music and Saph can play piano for us."

"Stop talking about me as if I'm not here!" snapped Sapphire.

Before Matthew had a chance to agree with her, Kai burst through the door. Behind him, Alexander Akovic could be heard screaming, "You'll never win! You'll never be great! Not if you stay with that team! Mua ha ha ha." He ran coughing and spluttering into an adjoining room.

"Kai smirked. "Hope the old geezer dies."

"Are you all right?" asked Marianna.

"UI just wish he would stop acting as if he owns me. He's always trying to take over my life," complained Kai.

"What's he to you?" asked Danielle.

"Can't you see the family resemblance? It's his grandfather," said Sapphire.

Everybody cringed as Daniel said, "Ooooh, that's harsh."

"At least he's not my father," said Kai. "You and your dad are identical."

All Sapphire could do was gape as Kai and his team turned around and left.

Nikita called out after them, "See you tomorrow, 11 o'clock, at room 53."

Ben, Daniel, Luke and Matt ward goodbye, and the teams went their separate ways.

"Left, right, right, left, right, OUCH!" said Nikita. "Stop stepping on my feel, Ben!"

"Sorry, Nikita! I can't help it!" said Ben.

"It's okay. We can swap partners now anyway. Ben, go with Marianna. Luke, you can sit out, you're doing fine. Matthew, you and Dani are doing well, keep practicing. Daniel and Rhiannan, you can stay together too."

"No, I'm fine, Nikita, but you dance with Dan, he's not quite getting the steps," said Rhiannan. Daniel poked his tongue out at her, as he went over to dance with Nikita. Rhiannan laughed as she walked over to sit next to Sapphire.

"Okay, Saph, you start playing the waltz again," said Nikita.

"All right, if I have to," sighed Sapphire. Her fingers, as if by themselves, began to play.

"Hey, Saph," whispered Rhiannan. "Promise not to stuff up if I tell you this?"

"How could I make a mistake in a piece as simple as this?" scoffed Sapphire.

"Well, actually Kai's behind you!"

Clunk.

Everyone turned around and looked at Sapphire, who was lowly turning bright red.

"How long have you been there!" accused Sapphire, directing her question at Kai, who stook leaning in the doorway.

"Quit a while, actually," Kai said.

There was an awkward silence, then Ben said cheerfully, "I don't see why we have to do this; it is going to be so boring!"

"Well, we can always make it fun. How about we got o a night club afterwards?" suggested Nikita.

The others cheered, with the exception of Sapphire and Kai. Sapphire looked sceptical. "Have you ever even been to a night club, Nikita?" she asked.

"Yeah, duh, of course I have!" said Nikita.

"And what in the name of chocolate do you to do at a night club!"

"For once, Ben, I think you just asked a reasonable question. Except for the chocolate part."

"Well, you dance, you talk, and you drink," said Nikita.

"How's that different from a ball?" asked Sapphire.

"At a ball you do this." Nikita paused to demonstrate a perfect polka step. "And at a night club you dance like this. Sapphire, please turn on the stereo."

Sapphire leant over and flicked the switch on the CD player, and funky RNB music blasted out into the room. Nikita broke into a hip hop dance phrase and watched as her friends stared, moths open wide.

"Nikita!" gasped Marianna. "I always knew you could dance, but not like that!"

"That was so awesome!" shrieked Ben, eyes wide. "Please will you teach me! Pretty please! With sugar on top!"

"All right, Ben," laughed Nikita. "Though I don't think you'll be needing any more sugar!"