AN: This chappie will probably freak you out. Well, more towards the end. But don't worry, all questions will be answered. I know that the big question everyone has is 'Why is Kaeli going out with Jake?'. That question will be answered in the next chappie.
Mr. Moogle: If anyone would like to see what Holly looks like, and her sister Heather (HisLight) too, just click on her cheap homepage in her profile, then go to the webs album. Now what am I supposed to say? Oh yah, Holly doesn't own Dance Dance Revolution.
Chapter Nine: The Regional Competition
The morning didn't seem to come soon enough. Shawn had had a rough night. He couldn't sleep at all after hearing those words- 'I realized that I really like someone, and that someone is Jake.'Jake is such a jerk, why can't Kaeli see that? Why can't she see that we are meant to be...and that I love her? I'll love her no matter what she does or say. It's impossible for me not to... The sleepless night had an even worse affect on Shawn because today was the regional competition. Having something so heavy on his heart on mind could cost him the tournament.
"So, you all ready to pack up and leave?" Shawn heard a voice say. He broke out of his daze to see Jake standing there, looking pumped to play DDR.
Shawn rolled his eyes. "I'm not going anywhere." he said, a strong determination in his eyes. "But I have a feeling you will."
Jake looked a little taken back by Shawn's remark. "Hey, hey, don't worry shorty. You're only going home if you're up against me!" he laughed, fiddling with his spiky bracelet. "Anyways, the first round of competitions starts in 30. Just thought I'd let you know since you seemed kinda out of it." Jake said, walking out of the room.
Shawn sighed. "I can't let my emotions get the best of me...even though it would be the best feeling in the world to punch Jake! No..." Shawn said a bit more quietly. "The best feeling in the world would be to know that Kaeli would be mine forever." Shawn sat there for a little while longer, then quickly slipped out of his boxers and put on some fresh clothes, making sure they were good DDR attire. "Today's the day..."
Once all of the contestants got down to the main room, Joe Rogin randomly passed out numbers to determine who'd be up against who and in what order. Out of those contestants, they'd compete until there were 5 left. Those 5 would be crowned regional DDR elite and would then go on to the state competition.
Shawn looked down at the number he was handed...#5. "Well, at least I'm not going first!" Shawn said. He scanned the crowd, hoping to see his roommates. Well, not Jake though. He spotted all of the girls talking together, so he quickly walked over there.
"Hey Shawn!" Rinoa smiled. "What number do you have? I'm #10, so I don't have to go for a while."
"I'm going fifth. What about the rest of you?" Shawn asked. He was hoping to not have to go up against anyone, especially Kaeli. If she danced against him, one of them would be sure to leave, unless they tied the score, which is utterly impossible.
Viv frowned. "I'm number one! Wah! That means now I gotta go first! I'm so nervous!"
"Well, I'm number 6." Kaeli said, much to Shawn's relief. "So I'm right after you, Shawn! This is so exciting!"
Exciting? Can't you see that I'm not the least bit excited? The competition is the least of my worries. I'd rather lose the competition than lose you...Shawn wanted to talk to Kaeli about everything that had happened last night, but it was not the right time. I'll ask her what she sees in Jake. Well, he is more her type. But...there's something wrong with him...and I'm gonna find out what it is...Shawn prayed so hard that he and Kaeli would make it to state and Jake wouldn't.That would be so cool!
Joe Rogin's voice broke through Shawn's thoughts. "Okay everyone, you know the rules. You'll only dance to one song. You must have a better grade and score than your opponent to move on to the next round. If you fail, you're automatically eliminated. Everyone understand?" There were a few head nods and 'yes's from the crowd. "Well then, if there's no questions, let the dancing begin!" There was a huge roar from all of the contestants. "Will the two people with the #1 cards please come up to the DDR machine?"
Of course, Vivica walked up there, scared out of her pants. "Wish me luck!" she called nervously from the front. A strong, dark haired guy also came up and stood next to Viv.
"Hey!" Kaeli exclaimed. "Isn't that the Witch Doctor?"
"Yah, it is!" Shawn said. "Well, Viv's got no chance now!" Shawn and Kaeli reflected on that day they saw him dance at the Rainforest CafÉ.
"I'm so glad I didn't get stuck with him!" Kaeli said, relieved.
"Stuck with who?" Someone said, putting their hands over Kaeli's eyes. "Guess who?"
Shawn rolled his eyes. Jake smelled kind of weird. Ugh, he needs a bath or something.
"Jake?" Kaeli asked. Her eyes were uncovered and she turned around. "Jake!" she exclaimed, giving him a hug. "Where've you been?"
"Um...just around." Jake said. "So, number 6 huh? Well, I'm number 12. Good ole number 12!"
"The last number? Man, you're lucky!" Shawn said. He liked going last better than going first, or close to first for that matter.
"Yah, I'm lucky. But not because I'm going last, but because I've got such a great girl!" Jake said.
"Oh, that's so sweet!" Kaeli said. She leaned in and gave Jake a kiss.
Jake flashed a grin. "Yep, quite lucky indeed..."
Shawn turned away. Way to punch me in the face! Man, Jake knows I like Kaeli, so he's purposely shoving this in my face! He looked over and saw Kaeli and Jake laughing together.You go ahead and laugh, Jake, but at the end of all this, when you've lost the competition and the girl, we'll see who's smiling then!
By the time Shawn had snapped back into focus, the group of 4's were already dancing. Oh man, I'm up next! Wait, did Viv make it? He looked around and spotted her being comforted by Rinoa. Then he saw the Witch Doctor being congratulated by several contestants. "I guess I know how that turned out..."
"Next up, #5's!" Rogin said on the microphone.
Kaeli, where's Kaeli, Shawn thought. "Oh well, she probably won't want to see me dance anyways, let alone care if I lose." Shawn found his way to the front. He closed his eyes, praying for an easy opponent. He heard Rogin say that the other contestant arrived. When he opened his eyes, he found himself face to face with a 13 year old boy. Yes! Shawn yelled in his head. Yes, yes, yes! I can out dance this little kid! Both stepped onto the machine. Okay, Shawn thought.Clear your mind, forget about Kaeli...
"Good luck, Shawn!" he heard an all too familiar voice exclaim. He turned around to see Kaeli right behind him, as close as she could get. "I'm rooting for you!" she smiled.
Oh, that smile, Shawn thought, melting. Great, how can I not think of her now?
Rogin talked into his mic, pushing the random button on the DDR machine. "And the heavy song they must dance to is..." Rogin pushed the button again, making it stop on a song. "...End of the Century!"
Shawn was a little nervous. He can get a B on that song, maybe an A if he's not tired. At least he knew the song. End of the Century began to start, and arrows soon filled up the screen. Shawn did the first part perfectly. When it came to the middle of the song with the huge combos, he was starting to wear down a bit. Shawn felt his leg muscles tighten, and he could feel burning. Shawn concentrated not only with hitting the arrows correctly, but also with his timing. More perfects meant a better score. If the other kid and him both got 'A's, they'd judge by the numbered score at the bottom of the screen.
While Shawn was dancing, he could tell that his opponent was also doing well. Shawn did a small jump combo, and then he heard the game say '200 combo!'. He didn't want to look and see who hadn't missed a step yet because that might break his concentration.
The song ended, and the crowd clapped and cheered. The grades came up on the screen, as well as the scores. Rogin gave the announcement. "Brian has a 'B', and Shawn has an 'A', which means...Shawn is the winner!"
Shawn couldn't believe it. He stumbled off the metal pad, giving himself a mental pat on the back.
"You did it, Shawn! You're going to state!" Kaeli exclaimed. She gave Shawn a giant hug, which was exactly what he needed.
"Now it's time for the #6's!" Rogin said.
"Oh, I almost forgot that I'm next!" Kaeli said, her mouth turning from a smile of excitement to a grin of determination.
A 17 year old girl also stepped up to the machine. Her brown hair was wrapped tightly into a bun. She too looked pumped to dance.
"Go Kaeli!" Shawn yelled. "I know you can beat her!" Kaeli gave a smile, but Shawn's exclamation was also heard by the opponent. She flashed Shawn an evil glare then turned back around. "And their song is..." Rogin gave a queasy look. "Ooh, folks, that's gotta hurt! These two ladies will have to dance to Max 300!" There was quite a few gasps from the other contestants.
"Oh no..." Shawn said sadly. What if Kaeli gets out and Jake stays? I'll be stuck with that loser for at least another two days! Wait, what am I doing? Why am I doubting the abilities of my friend? Shawn suddenly thought of a plan. "Oh man, Kaeli, are you ever lucky!"
Kaeli whirled around and gave Shawn a look of confusion. Lucky? He's gotta be kidding me!She saw Shawn give a quick wink.
Shawn continued, talking rather loudly so that Kae's opponent could hear. "I mean, we totally practiced this song before we came here. And what, you've had it mastered for like, 3 months!"
Kaeli caught Shawn's drift. She sighed, leaning against the bar. "Yah, but it'll be boring as usual. I'll just end up getting another AA."
Shawn smiled. "Don't worry. Hopefully you can find a faster song next time" Shawn's plan seemed to work quite well. Kaeli's opponent seemed really flustered. She started looking around nervously and her legs were shaking slightly.
Kaeli turned her head so the other girl couldn't see and mouthed a quick 'Thank you', before turning around again. The song started, and the fast paced footwork began! The music seemed to make everyone who hadn't mastered that song yet shudder. Kaeli concentrated as hard as she could. If I can just hold out longer than the other girl. Even if I get a D, she might fail, especially with Shawn's little act. Oops, gotta concentrate on the song! Kaeli was stumbling slightly, and she knew that she wasn't hitting the arrows perfectly. Once she did a left-down-right-right-down-left combo, she saw the screen flashing red...on her opponent's side of the screen! Kaeli could also hear the girl off beat, unable to catch up with the fast arrows.
Kaeli was starting to weaken. Her legs felt like they were going to give out from under her at any second. Then for some reason, Shawn popped in her mind. He believes I can do this...If I just hold out a little longer...Suddenly the song ended. Kaeli's heart was beating triple overtime. She closed her eyes and slumped on the bar behind her, letting it hold her up. She felt herself sliding down, but she was too tired to bring herself back up. Then she felt two hands gently bring her up. She steadied herself. "Jake?" she whispered, opening her eyes. Instead she saw Shawn, a look of both happiness and sadness on his face. "Oh, Shawn...I-"
"It's okay. I've got you." Shawn said, giving Kaeli a comforting look.
"Who...who won?" Kaeli asked. 'See for yourself' was the response. She looked at the screen. Her side...D. Her opponent's side...F. "I...I made it!!" she exclaimed. Suddenly all her energy returned to her, knowing that she'd be moving on to the state competition, and with Shawn too. Kaeli threw herself on Shawn, hugging him nearly to death. After her 5 minute celebration she suddenly remembered something. "Hey, where's Jake? He said he was gonna watch me dance!"
"Hmmm.." Shawn said. He didn't remember seeing Jake ever since he left to dance. "I don't know." What does that say about Jake? He's Kaeli's boyfriend, yet I'm the one here for her!
"C-could you find him for me? I mean, maybe he did see me dance, but maybe not." Kaeli asked. Shawn looked uneasy about looking for Jake, but Kaeli's puppy dog eyes and pouty lips were not something a guy passed up easily.
"Alright, I'll look for him..." Shawn said. "I know that you're tired, so you just stay here." Shawn led Kaeli over to Rinoa, who still hadn't danced yet. "Number 7's!" Shawn heard Rogin say on the mic. "Now, where could this loser be..." Shawn said out loud. What kind of a guy skips out on his girlfriend's competition? And Jake still has to compete, even though he's going last! Shawn went upstairs and checked in their room first. No one was there. Next Shawn looked near the cafe, and then the water fountain, which reminded Shawn about his wish. "I guess that'llnever come true..."
Shawn had looked almost everywhere. "Ugh, I give up!" he exclaimed. I need some fresh air. Shawn headed outside. It was a nice afternoon, especially for those staying in the competition. He walked along the side of the pool. Surprisingly, not too many people were in it at the present moment, though many were tanning on the lawn chairs next to the pool. As Shawn rounded the corner, he spotted Jake. There's that little jerk, Shawn thought. He was about to call out his name and give him a piece of his mind when he realized what Jake was holding in his hand.
It can't be? No, it can't be a...cigarette? But it was there, plain for Shawn to see. He even saw Jake taking a few puffs. How can a DDR player smoke? Is that why he smelled so weird before? Not wanting to take the risk of being seen by Jake, Shawn quickly headed back inside. This is unbelievable...Yah, unbelievable, but will Kaeli believe me when I tell her? Should I tell her? This would be the perfect way to break them up. Kaeli would never still go out with a smoker, would she? These thoughts surrounded Shawn's mind as he raced back to the main room where the competition was being held. Shawn shook his head again. Unbelievable...
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-gleams with evilness- Yah yah yah, you probably have a billion more questions for me! Oh, and I hope you liked the way I wrote the competition. 'Cause I didn't want to have it all like 'right, down, up/down combo, left'. Yah, 'cause that would be kinda boring. So I tried to make it as interesting as possible. BTW, next chappie might take me a while to post 'cause I'm not sure what I want to write about next.
Reviews:
Lithe: Yes, I do like messing with my characters' lives, as you can quite clearly see in this chappie. MUAHAHAHA!!!! You're a swimmer? Cool! I like swimming, but not like on a team or anything.
ninjaShadow: Thanks for reading my fic!! Wow, you've never cried until now? Whoops...
Zanisha: Oh yes, you evil reviewer. Well, you're not evil, but you caught my mistake!!! You're right, Viv's name IS Vivica and not Vivian. Little mess up there....oh well, no one's perfect.
HisLight: Yes, everybody DOES hate Jake. I do too! Well, like I said before, I won't be updating this for a while. Me too lazy to write story....no no, I'll definitely write in it, I just need time!!
Thanks for reading!!!