I do not own Dirty Dancing.
Chapter Twenty
POV Baby
Performing
"The Sheldrake hotel is proud to present... Johnny Castle and partner in... Mambo Magic," The stage light shone down on Johnny and I, nearly blinding me. Combined with the feeling that I was about to throw up, it was exceedingly unpleasant.
Johnny pulled my arm around his head as the music started. As he ran a hand down my side, he muttered, "Relax," I want to tell him that it was extremely difficult to do so with his hand on my breast. Instead, I smile as best I can, which right now looked more like a grimace than a smile, as he spun me away from him. Rapidly, I am yanked back in, and pulled into his chest.
I bury my face in his jacket, more afraid than I've ever been. What if they knew I wasn't supposed to be here? What if they laughed at me?
Johnny pushed my chin up, and looked at me, silently telling me that it was okay.
Blue eyes.
I pulled into frame, and we started to dance. Johnny spun me in a slow circle. For a few seconds, we face the crowd together, but then come back into the original rhythm. We move to the left side of the stage, where he reminded me, "Cross Body Lead," The aforementioned step was perfectly completed, and we moved on.
Together we move to the back of right stage, each of us turning once before doing a few walks, and a spin. I raise my hands to my head like Penny taught me, timing my movements to the music as I did a side basic. I pull back into frame. After a turn, an open break, and another turn, we head to the other side of the stage.
I turn, and feel something bending in a way it wasn't supposed to. I twist my hand. "Wrong way," Johnny hissed in my ear. I try to smile at his words, but it is a weak, terrified smile, so I drop it. For a few beats, Johnny and I abandon frame, and dance cheek to cheek. Next, are a few Walks with Half Turns, "Over here," Johnny muttered from his end of the stage. I skip over, nodding with the music. A few show steps earn us applause from the crowd. "Ready for the lift?" He whispered in question, as we did the basic together, hands over out heads.
"Okay," I answer. Johnny and I spin to opposite ends of the stage.
Johnny grinned at me, "Come on!" As I ran towards him, I knew I wasn't moving fast enough for this to work. I was too afraid, and I wasn't ready. Once I was in arms reach, Johnny stopped me, and for one horrifying second, we froze, like children caught with their hands in the cookie jar. Then, I start to improvise, taking up the time we would've spent on the lift. Catching my drift, Johnny turned me around, and we danced back to the front of the stage.
I am exhausted, but I don't stop. I can't stop. I dance only for Johnny, now. "Keep going, keep going," He encouraged, seeming to know just what kind of toll this was taking on me. He turned me once, and then we spun together. Johnny picked me up and twirled me around on stage. In the final few steps, it feels like my feet barely touch the ground.
I turn once more, coming over to the other side of him. I turn again, and he pulled me into the air, holding me a hair longer than necessary. And down, and twist, and finally, we bow, as the music stopped.
Together we stand, and bow for the crowd. Johnny took my hand, and we bowed together. I wanted to pass out right now, but I was too busy smiling. That was, until I saw the Schumachers walking right in front of the stage. The smile faded into fear faster than you could say Mambo.
My smile returns, but it doesn't reach my eyes, which still show fear of the Schumachers recognizing me. They could say something to my Parents.
Johnny, having caught my grievance, turned so we faced the other side of the crowd, to the right of us, and didn't look at the Schumachers head on. I look to them in my peripheral vision, and see that they weren't watching us.
Johnny leads me backstage, turning me one last time. That sensation of pure joy returned to my face, the crowd cheering for us. In that moment. I could only think one thing; I wanted this to last forever.
Well, now that that's done, I can finally get back to The Way I Feel With You. Sorry this one was so short, and I know the choreography descriptions weren't the greatest. But I also figured that Baby probably wouldn't remember a lot of the names to the steps she was learning. My pen name says that I am a ballroom geek, which is true, and most of the time I have a hard time remember the names. And the ones I do remember, which is quite a surprising number for Mambo, most of you guys probably wouldn't have a clue what I was saying half the time, so I didn't feel like geeking out, or I might confuse you. Besides, none of you are in it for the long, detailed descriptions of choreography anyway.