Chapter Three

Moose

Makin' my connection
As I enter the room
Everybody's chillin' as
I set up the groove
Pumpin' up the volume
With this brand new beat
Everybody's dancin' and
They're dancin' for me

"Going out tonight Moose?" Jacob asked as Moose searched frantically for his gray vest. He sent a quick nod as he found it and raced back to his room. He had only ten minutes and his hair looked like a rat's nest. Running a brush through it, he heard a car horn outside.

He said good night to everyone as he headed to the elevator. Gabriel was standing beside the Rolls Royce when Moose stepped outside.

"Moose? I think you're forgetting something. I wouldn't want your feet to be cold." Moose looked down and noticed his lack of shoes. He laughed as he spewed out an apology before racing back inside. A few minutes later, he was sitting in the back of the car with Gabriel, recounting his whirlwind day to him.

It had been two weeks since Moose had started to attend the Grand Ball regularly. He found that he looked forward to it every night. He did his best to try and make sure it didn't interfere with his studies or his time with Camille. It was like discovering the Vault and the House of Pirates all over again, it was an escape and he always wondered what would happen the next night.

He had also fell into a comfortable friendship with Gabriel. Though there was something about the guy that Moose couldn't quite place, they enjoyed each other's company. Moose was always making him laugh, claiming that Gabriel was way too uptight and Gabriel introduced Moose to some of New York's best nightlife.

"We're stopping at Poison first, tonight. Eleanor went to a birthday party there and we have to pick her up." Moose nodded. He hadn't been to Poison yet, but Gabriel had taken him to some really crazy clubs.

They pulled outside of a club with a green neon sign that read 'Poison' in cursive. Moose could feel the pulse of the music as he stepped out of the car. It was hard to keep his body under control, when the urge to dance was so strong. Gabriel watched him with a bemused look before walking in the club, the young dancer close behind him. There were shouts of recognition and Moose watched as Gabriel was surrounded by girls.

"Alright now, there's plenty to go around, but let's not leave my friend out in the cold." Moose opened his mouth to protest when someone grabbed his arm and dragged him out to the dance floor. He turned to see Eleanor smirking at him.

"They're like vultures, Gabriel's not a good friend for turning them loose on such a sweet guy like you." She said and Moose laughed.

"You saying I can't handle them?" She shook her head as she moved in closer to him. The sudden proximity caused him to take a step back. Camille flashed through his mind as Eleanor took his hands and allowed him to spin her around.

The images of his favorite brunette soon faded as the music changed and Moose's body took over. He moved in near perfect sync with Eleanor as they danced a broken tango. Come on and lemme show you 'round. Let me take you out, bet you we could have some fun girl. 'Cause we can dress it up, we can dress it down. Any way you want it done girl. Justin Timberlake's voice poured through the speakers as Moose and Eleanor moved, a crowd forming around them. There were cheers and jeers as Moose moved Eleanor away only to bring her closer than she had been before. By the end of the song, their faces were nearly touching. Gulping, Moose backed away and bowed before leaving the dance floor.

Moose found Gabriel, alone, standing by the bar. He raised an eyebrow at Moose who was feeling more and more guilty as time passed.

"Careful Moose, she may be my sister, but she's dangerous." Gabriel warned.

"Yea, I can see that. Gah, I feel like I betrayed Camille somehow." Moose frowned which deepened in confusion when a small glass with a blue drink was put in front of him.

"Drink it, you'll feel better. And don't worry, it's not lethal or anything." Gabriel smirked as he took his own. Moose cautiously took the blue drink and put it to his lips. Gabriel laughed as he nearly choked trying to get it down. He shot a glare at his friend but a sudden feeling of euphoria warmed him. Whatever the sweet liquid had been, it had been just what he needed.

"Dance with me?" Gabriel offered.

"You dance?" Moose asked in disbelief. In his suits and dress shoes, Gabriel hadn't struck him as the dancing type.

"What, you think I just sit at the Grand Ball and do nothing? Go warm up the dance floor and I'll get us some partners." Gabriel told him before disappearing into the crowd.

Minutes later, Moose was alternating between two dance partners. He made sure to keep them at arm's length but enjoyed dancing with him nonetheless. Gabriel had shocked him as he demonstrated his street dancing ability. After putting on a pair of Nike's, Gabriel had stepped on the dance floor and began tearing it up right alongside Moose. They popped and locked and he even did some breaking before letting a girl occupy his attention.

By the time they left the dance floor, it was nearly midnight. The Grand Ball was in full swing by then, and the three headed there in the Rolls Royce.

"Dude, you were sick! I didn't know you were such a pushover!" Moose was laughing as they walked into the Ball.

"I just keep my cards close to my chest. I have a reputation to keep." Gabriel joked as Eleanor passed them and latched herself onto one of the rich prep school boys she liked so much.

"What kind of reputation is that? A prude?" Moose teased and Gabriel swatted him in the back of the head.

Moose grinned as he turned his attention to the dance floor, particularly the cage. Two crews, the one in all black that always dominated, and another crew that didn't seem to be as organized were battling it out. Gabriel watched as well.

"Wanna judge this one?" He asked and Moose looked at him in surprise.

"You kidding? Yea!" He exclaimed before heading onto the dancefloor. He could feel eyes on him as he got a close up look of the battle. The crew in all black seemed to be so in control, it was intimidating. The other crew just seemed...scared.

When it was all over, Moose deliberated for awhile before walking to the crew in all black and let them out of the cage. There were cheers as they simply walked out. There was no celebration but more a smugness, an arrogance that rubbed Moose the wrong way. He cast an apologetic look to the other crew as they looked on in despair.

"Don't feel bad for those posers." He heard and he turned to see a medium-sized black guy in all black watching him, "They don't deserve it."

This angered Moose, "Who asked you what they deserved? I don't see any type of crown on your head, so who the hell do you think you are? You're definitely not a king. If there are any posers, it's you and your crew." There was a shout as a the first punch was thrown. Moose managed to dodge it but lost his footing. Unable to properly defend himself, he held up his arms as a shield, but the blow never came.

Looking up, he saw Gabriel standing in front of him. His eyes widened even further when he saw the pistol in Gabriel's hand.

"I'm sorry." The guy said as he backed away.

"Don't apologize to me, but our guest. You are here to entertain, not threaten the well being of our members. Now, apologize." Gabriel snarled. The guy gave a quick apology to Moose, who nodded in recognition, before retreating. Once the commotion was over, Moose stood back up and dusted himself off.

"You didn't really have to pull a piece on him, I had it under control." Moose told him but Gabriel shook his head.

"You don't understand Moose..." Gabriel seemed to try to explain but failed.

When Moose stepped into his bedroom, the sun was just over the horizon. Grateful that he didn't have a class until the afternoon that day, he climbed into his bed and drifted off to sleep.

It's short, I know, but there's the beginning of some conflict. It's going to get even better, Just stick around and see. And thanks to my reviewers, you guys are awesome!

~As the Rush Comes~

Disclaimer: I do not own Step Up, Get this Party Started by Pink, or Summer Love by Justin Timberlake