Title: Dance with Me
Rating: T
Summary: A major league baseball player with a bad rep needs to clean his image. He signs on to do a reality dance show. Will he clean his image and have the right kind of chemistry with his partner?
Disclaimer: Twilight belongs to Stephanie Meyer I own nothing.
Comments: Based loosely on the reality t.v. show Dancing with the Stars and because Bella/Edward is my new favorite ship.
I haven't forgotten about this!
Happy reading!
April 20th 2008
Bella's POV
Edward and I stood there. It was like I was frozen and these damn tabloids were just snapping away. Flashes of light and people shouting at us, but I couldn't comprehend anything. I don't know how but Edward suddenly grabbed my hand and led me past the tabloids and he put me in the car. I still couldn't hear anything. It was like my body was on autopilot.
"Are you guys dating?"
"What's going on?"
Edward pinched the bridge of his nose and then said, "Isabella and I are very good friends. I believe you have your photographs to make your own assumptions." He got in the car and dropped his bag in the bag and then slid into the driver's seat. We drove out of the park and back to the city. I remained silent. I really didn't know what to say.
"Bella?" Edward tentatively asked.
"Hmmm?"
"Are you….. alright?"
"I think so." I replied.
"We need to talk Bella."
"Ok."
"They have our photographs. The pictures will be leaked on the internet first and then it will hit prime time celebrity news stations. Once that happens the tabloids will not leave us alone. You will see them almost everywhere you go. Eventually they will tire of us and go on to another topic." He explained.
In a matter of seconds I had become just like any other celebrity skank. I was caught practically assaulting the Edward Cullen and now we were the topic of interest. I have a feeling my life is about to change.
"What do we do?" I asked.
"Well," he replied thoughtfully, "I would advise you to go about you normal routine. Do not pay any head to what they do. They will only take your picture and ask you questions. You don't need to answer. However, I think it's too late for us to deny our relationship. Unless…." He trailed off and I could tell he was keeping something from me.
"Unless?" I pressed.
"Unless you don't want to see me anymore." He sighed.
"I want to see you." I stated.
"Bella are you sure?"
"Yes."
"This isn't going to be easy. They will not make it easy for us. But I think together we can just ignore the whole world and just be."
I liked the sound of that.
"We'll figure it out as we go along." I said.
Edward and I made it safely back at the dance studio. We grabbed our dance bags and went back into intense dance training mode. Edward had the choreography down but now we just needed to perfect his performance and do a bunch of run throughs.
When we first started dancing he got a little nervous or embarrassed. I think the very idea of him shaking his hips makes him uncomfortable. Edward is an athlete and he's just not made to move as a dancer. He's a very masculine and macho guy so moving and dancing to Latin beats is very different for him. Every week I see an improvement in him, and that is what the show is all about. We take a non dancer, someone totally out of their element and see if they can dance. It's like discovering something new about yourself. You would never think a macho athlete could do the Samba but these athletes and entertainers surprise themselves. I'm happy to say that almost everyone who has been a part of the show has come out loving dance.
Right now Edward and I were in the middle of performing one of the tricks. It's a simple Cha Cha trick-after I do a series of twists Edward spins me so I'm looking forward and I drop into a spilt in between his legs. As I was getting up I accidently kneed him in the groin.
"Oh god, Bella!" He gasped.
My mouth was hanging open in shock. Edward and I have had accidents in rehearsal before. We've hit each other on the leg, arm, face, ribs. But I've never hit him in his sensitive area.
"Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry Edward!"
He winced and then closed his eyes. I didn't know what to do. I had never done this to any of my other partners. Crap this sucks!
"Edward?" I said tentatively.
"Yeah?"
"Can I… do something for you?"
He laughed bitterly. "Honey, I think you've done enough to me."
"I'm sorry."
"I know. It was an accident."
"We can take a break."
"A break is good."
Edward walked slowly to the end of the wall and closed his eyes again. I followed him and still not knowing what to do-I just decided to distract him.
"Edward?"
"Mmm?"
"Do you… think that everyone will hate us?"
"Why would anyone hate us?"
"Because of the pictures. You and me together." I explained.
"No. No on will hate us. They've been talking about us hooking up for a while now. My family however, will be sad that I didn't tell them first but they understand how it is."
Oh no! I thought. Edward's family will hate me! They'll think I'm after him because of his good look and his money. He's almost always in those horrid gossip magazines and since he's been on the show he's been getting a lot of good press. Now, with the pictures of us sucking each others face off in a baseball field they'll hate me for bringing this all up again. I ruined Edward Cullen's name.
"Bella?" Edward asked bringing me out of my reverie.
"Yes?"
"What are you thinking about? I can see the wheels turning in your head."
"I'm thinking that your family will hate me. I'm thinking I've brought you bad publicity. I'm thinking I don't want to be the center of attention. I'm thinking I like you too much probably more than you like me."
"Bella!" He cried. "My family has loved you since they met you. Whatever is between us is between us. My family will support me and they will love you. Bad publicity? It was bound to happen. People like writing false stories about me and I'm sorry for the unwanted attention. And Bella, never doubt my feelings for you. Trust me; I like you a whole lot better than you like me."
"I just feel really bad about this."
"Do you feel bad about us? Or do you feel bad about the pictures?"
"I feel bad about the pictures." I would never feel bad about me and Edward. Never ever.
"Good. I can't tell you how to feel Bella, but in my own experience with these type of things it's best to keep your mouth shut. The more you give them the more they'll take and want more. You need to keep boundaries and you need to learn how to ignore certain people."
"How do you ignore certain people?"
"You just do what you always do. I can't imagine you're a press newbie. You've been on the show for multiple seasons."
"That's true. But they were just interested in my work. Now it's my personal life splashed across the evening news." I said sadly.
Edward came over to me and wrapped hi arm around me. We sunk down on the floor together and I rested my head on his shoulder.
"Say that we're over and I will walk away from you. You won't be in the evening news and they will stop hunting you. Say it, and we go back to being Bella the dance teacher and Edward the student. But, if you can't say it, then say you'll never leave me. Say you'll stay with me and endure the media to come. I promise you Bella, I can be here for you. They will eventually get bored with us and go somewhere else."
I couldn't say that I wanted him to leave. The very thought of not having him in my life was unbearable. In that moment I knew Edward would do anything for me. I knew he cared more for my own happiness than his own. And that is why I couldn't say it. So, instead I said the only thing I could.
"I want what you want." And that is the truth. Edward could convince me to do anything. He wanted me so therefore, I wanted him. He said this fascination with us will die away eventually, I believed him.
He pulled me to him and gave me a tight hug "I want you."
"Then I guess I want you." I quipped.
***
April 23rd 2008
Today was show day. Over the weekend Edward and I just acted how we normally would. We went to the studio on Saturday and did our wide camera shots and afterward we had lunch. On Sunday we had rehearsal at the studio and did camera blocking and took a trip down to wardrobe.
Now, we were first to dance. I was pretty excited for our dance. The Ch Cha is a sexy and fun dance. I was confident in our choreography and the for the performance as a whole.
I glanced at Edward and saw that he was counting out the steps. I almost laughed. Awww, I've created a little dancer in him. Or not he's just here to make America like him again. And in my opinion America would be crazy not to like him. Screw the negative press since this dancing show he's gotten nothing but praise.
"Are you ready?' He asked.
"Yes."
"The audience is going to love this."
He was so right.
We got a standing ovation and miraculously another perfect score. I knew Edward was diligent in the studio but he really knew how to sell the dance. He played up each genre and it was fantastic.
Of course during the press line we were asked about our relationship status. I let Edward speak about that.
"Bella and I work great together. During rehearsal it's strictly professional. And off the dance floor we're great friends and we've become really close." He said in clear nice tone.
I had to give it to Edward; he remained calm and very professional every time he spoke about us. He gave the gossip mongers enough to confirm and let their imaginations run wild while still being very respectful to me. I admired that about him-Edward is such a class act.
After we changed out of our costumes Edward met me in front of our connecting trailers. Tonight we'd be going to dinner. Nothing really special or romantic just us eating and spending more time together.
"Are you ready to go?"
"Yeah." I said laughing. "I hope we aren't going anywhere high end."
Edward grabbed my hand and led me to his Volvo. "No, we're just going to that diner you love so much."
"Good. I was kind of nervous because I opted for my Chuck Taylors and sweats."
"Bella you could wear a paper bag and I'd still be attracted to you."
"Flattery will get you everywhere Cullen." I quipped.
Once Edward and I sat down we both ordered massive cheeseburgers and shakes. With the amount of dancing we do, a little indulging wouldn't hurt.
As we waited for our food Edward and I talked about favorite childhood memories. We have talked about our childhoods before right when we first met each other, but we kept those stories simply on the safe side.
I'd like to call this the getting to know you stage of our new relationship. Even though Edward and I have known each other for almost three months we kept things professional. Of course Edward and I have fun in the studio but like I said when we're in the studio we're all business.
It was nice just treating Edward like any other guy I would have dated. It was also a little bit different since we've spent so much time together but it was like we were colleagues first and formed a friendship which blossomed into a deeper relationship. Things between evolved naturally.
He was telling me about the time he and Emmett took Carlisle's Mercedes for a joy ride. They didn't have anywhere to go but thought it would be fun. They ended up getting home way past curfew and Carlisle was pissed. I then, told Edward about the time I went out after a competition and didn't tell my dance coaches I was going anywhere after the competition. In my defense, I was fifteen years old and I was trying desperately to fit in with the in crowd in Europe. I ended up going to a pub and getting a little too tipsy. By the time my dance coaches found me I learned my lesson but they kept an extra eye on me.
I was finishing up my cheeseburger and Edward was in the middle of telling me why he signed up for the show. I guessed right. Publicity.
"If all goes well I could be playing next year." He finished.
I'd like to say I heard everything he said, but the truth is I wasn't paying close attention. I know, how awful, right? But I was too busy staring intently at his gorgeous face to listen to the words that were coming out of his mouth.
"Bella?" He said amusingly. I think he knows I hadn't heard 95% of what he just said.
"Yes?" I said trying to sound cool and nonchalant.
"You weren't listening were you?"
"I was half listening." I replied truthfully.
He laughed. "You know if I didn't like you so much I would be offended."
"Sorry."
"Don't worry about it."
"So why is that you aren't playing on a team right now? You're gifted enough."
Edward grimaced. "My attitude. I confess I can be an arrogant jerk. A cocky jock."
"So you're not a team player huh?" I joked.
"I try to be." He confessed.
"It looks like someone needs a listen in humility."
"I suppose I do." He agreed.
"Well you're in luck. Because dancing is a partnership and so far you're doing fabulously in the whole team player partnership thing."
"I am?"
"Yeah. You've been a great partner. Totally exceeded my expectations."
He cocked his brow, "What were you expecting?"
"Well, I'll be completely truthful; Angela and I were out when the tabloids spilled the news of you joining the show. I didn't know you but Angela did. She told me you were a famous baseball player and that you were always photographed on the cover of the tabloids. That said it all to me. I thought you were just a cocky jock who womanized and took drugs. I prejudged you and for that I'm sorry."
"I'm glad you're comfortable enough to be truthful Bella. I can't say I'm not surprised about what you thought about me. A girl like you should not be around a guy like me. But I'm selfish so I'm secretly grateful that this reality show brought us together."
Against my own accord I started blushing. Edward's words had a scary affect on me. He could say something profound and heartfelt and I would turn into a puddle of goo. Or he could say a simple sentiment and I would turn into a puddle of goo.
What he just said made me smile and frown in the inside. I'm smiling because it's nice to know Edward isn't turned off by my world-dancing and that he's grateful to have given the opportunity to know me. I'm frowning because what does he mean by saying, a girl like you should not be around a guy like me. What does that mean? It almost sounds like he has a deep unflattering tone to it. I just don't know and I'm afraid to ask him.
***
Edward's POV
Being with Bella is easy. It's easy because from the moment I met her I felt a strong attraction towards her. When I found out she was my dance partner I switched gears a bit. I put away my attraction for her and focused to be the best student partner she's had on the show. I wanted to make her proud and I wanted to do well for her. But somewhere between being a diligent student and trying to forget my growing affections for her Bella and I became one. Now we're not just student/teacher or boy/girl. We're both and surprisingly the transition has been fine. On the dance floor I give her the willing partner and off the dance floor I give her what's left of me.
I knew Bella was apprehensive about going public but there wasn't anything else for us to do but go public. I did tell her that if she wanted I would never see her again and she could have her old life back but Bella must like me just as much as I like her because all she said was: I want what you want.
When Bella told me I exceeded her expectations that lifted my spirits. I know a lot of people have their own reservations about me and try as I might I can't please everyone. This show though, has been helping me a lot. It allowed me to show a different side of myself. Most people either know me because of my behavior on the field or because of all the lies plastered on the latest issue of Us Weekly. Bella is bringing out a lot of good things from me and I just hope I can continue to do well for her.
After we finished eating I took Bella back to the studio lot so she could drive herself home.
"Ready to be put through the ringer tomorrow?" She teased.
"I'm never ready for Tuesdays."
"No one is." She said giving me a sweet kiss.
"I'll see you tomorrow."
"Goodnight Edward."
***
April 24th 2008
Standing on the stage waiting to be called safe is absolutely nerve wracking. They make you wait for a long time and they put on the cheesy dramatic music and then AHA! You're deemed safe.
Luckily, Bella and I are safe to dance again. But since it's week seven we know have two dances to learn and perform. I honestly think I'm going to lose my mind. Our dances is the Tango and the Mambo. I've seen people Tango before in the movies but I'm pretty sure it's going to be difficult to learn. The Mambo sounds so foreign to me I'm not even going to think about that.
Once we got our music Bella and I changed out of our costumes and then she immediately called an impromptu rehearsal. Bella wanted me to get acquainted with the overall essence of the dance and she also wanted to listen to the music so she could start on the choreography.
When we got to the studio Bella explained that the Tango was a "love/hate" type of dance.
"It's like saying, I love you, but you do things that make me hate you just as well. You ever have a relationship where you love someone but all you do is fight? That is the Tango. It's passionate and dramatic but very beautiful."
Hmm this will be an interesting dance. Bella and I in a love/hate relationship? Yeah, I'm looking forward to this dance!
"The Mambo on the other hand is a very fast and fun dance. Try picturing hot sexy dancing in Cuba. Ever seen Dirty Dancing Havana Nights? It's kind of like that." She said laughing.
Note to self: Bella and I need a movie night. Dirty Dancing Havana Nights is on the list.
"Up for the challenge?"
"Yes."
"This week is going to be really hard. You have to give me your all every single time we practice."
"I won't give you anything less." I promised.
"Let's hope you keep that promise."
Question: would you want me to write that they win? Or would you want them to lose? I only ask because I'm afraid that if I write that they win that might come off as cheesy or tacky? What do you guys want?
Till next time.
Tina