The Next Morning
A slight warm breeze blew through the windows the very next morning. I was lying on my stomach, my face buried in the pillows. I groaned when I felt someone crawling on top of me, followed by the scratchiness of a beard on the back of my neck. I squirmed, not bothering to lift my head.
'Connor…' I whined, 'go away…'
'T'is almost noon, Lovey Dove,' said Connor softly, kissing the back of my neck again, 'ye need ta wake up.'
I groaned. I slowly moved my head, resting my cheek on the pillow. Connor kissed his way over to my cheek, running his hands along my hips. I laughed.
'What are you doing?' I teased.
'Tryin' ta get ye ta get yer lazy arse out o' bed,' teased Connor, kissing the side of my mouth, 'since pokin' an' proddin' doesn't work, 'm gonna try arousin' ye…'
I giggled. Connor wrapped his arms around my waist, gently rolling me onto my back. He pinned my wrists above my head, slowly kissing along my cheek and the side of my mouth. I gasped softly, arching my back.
Connor moaned softly. He rocked our hips together, tightening his grip on my wrists. I whined.
'I want you…' I whispered, 'I want you…'
Connor chuckled. He lifted my left hand to his mouth, brushing a kiss along my palm.
'Shh…' he whispered, 'I wanna take me time wit' ye, love.'
I whined again. I watched as Connor reached down to un-button my shorts, my heart hammering inside my chest. Connor leaned down, placing a gentle kiss on my lips as he reached inside my shorts, stroking my clit with his fingers. I gasped, lifting my hips in time with his strokes.
'You fucking asshole…' I growled.
Connor chuckled. He leaned down, gently pressing his lips to mine as he quickened the pace of his strokes. I whimpered, my body slowly beginning to tighten up.
Connor could sense that I was teetering on the edge of orgasm. He stroked me faster, harder. I let out a mighty shriek of pleasure as I released, my back arching off the bed. Connor laughed.
'Good girl…' he purred, 'yes…'
I growled. I fell back against the pillows, gasping for air as my body settled down. Connor pulled his hand out of my shorts, licking the cum from his fingers. I sighed.
'You're an asshole…' I wheezed.
Connor laughed.
'S'no' me faul' tha' yer lazy,' he teased, licking the last of my cum from his fingers, 'next time, I migh' leave ye hangin'…'
I growled. I re-fastened my shorts, getting up and heading to the bathroom. I tied my hair up in a ponytail, sighing as I inspected the bags under my eyes.
'Fuck…' I whispered, 'that dream took a fucking load off me…'
I could hear Connor bustling about in the bedroom as he got dressed. I sighed, splashing water on my face before walking into the room again. I walked over to my closet, grabbing my favourite black t-shirt. I took the tank top off, tossing it in the laundry before pulling the shirt over my head. Connor came up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist. I laughed.
'Okay, you…' I said, 'save the lovey-dovey stuff for later. I'm starving.'
Connor chuckled. He scooped me up in his arms, carrying me down the stairs and into the kitchen where we were greeted warmly by the others.
'SHE'S ALIVE!' declared Hayley.
'I'M ALIVE!' I declared.
Michael chuckled.
'You look like you just returned from the dead,' he chuckled.
I laughed.
'Shut up,' I teased, aiming a kick at him, 'you didn't have a nightmare last night.'
Michael laughed.
'Good morning to you, too,' he teased.
I laughed. I jumped down from Connor's arms, moving to grab myself something to eat.
'So, what's on the agenda today, Mamacita?' asked Romeo.
I grinned.
'Well…' I said, pouring myself a cup of coffee, 'we're gonna be working on choreography for six songs that we'll be performing the night of the last show.'
Everyone frowned.
'Aren't you cutting this a bit close, Becca?' said Rocco, 'we only have five more days until the final show…'
I laughed.
'Don't worry, Rocco,' I said, 'you guys managed to get the other choreography down in less than a week. You'll be fine.'
'I hope we have enough time…' said Rocco wearily.
Connor snorted.
'Relax, Roc!' he said, ''m sure Rebecca knows wha' she's doin'.'
I smirked.
'See?' I said, 'it's fine.'
'If there was anything that I learned from being in Tennessee, it's to be ready for anything,' said Michael.
Ashley snorted.
'That should include proper lighting,' she sneered.
Michael shrugged.
'Everybody has their bad days,' he said, 'even on live TV.'
'But I clearly labelled each and every single light switch,' I said sternly, 'yet you still fucked it up. Now poor Jane will have to work extra hard to edit the DVD.'
'And you think I'm gonna fuck up the post-production?' said Michael, 'I - like Jane - know how to edit videos.'
'Where tha fuck did she say tha'?' said Connor sarcastically, 'I don' tink she said anythin' abou' it…'
Michael snorted.
'When Rebecca said that Jane has to work extra hard on the DVD's,' he said, 'look, I'm not the kind of guy to add extra workloads on anyone else. Yeah, I fucked up on the lights, but that can be changed and edited in post-production. We have that technology to turn daytime into night-time and a city like Pittsburgh into an island.'
I gasped. That did it.
'Excuse me…' I snarled, 'I actually assigned Jane and Jane only to edit the DVD's. Please, don't talk to me for the rest of the day. You are dead to me for the next twenty-four hours.'
I stormed out of the kitchen without another word. Everyone groaned.
'Nice going, Michael,' sneered Emily, 'now rehearsals are going to be miserable.'
'That's what happens when people keep bringing shit up and won't drop it,' said Michael, shrugging it off.
Well…everyone didn't know what to think. Connor placed his coffee cup down, walking over to Michael. He grabbed the back of his chair, pulling it out and getting right in his face.
'Ye wanna fuckin' know somethin', Michael?' he snarled, 'she wouldn' get so fuckin' picky wit' ye if ye fuckin' listened ta 'er. She called ye ou' on this even when we rehearsed las' month, an' wha' did ye do? Ye still screwed it up. Ye should be thankful she kept givin' ye chance after chance after all tha times ye screwed up, an' this is 'ow ye treat 'er? If she fires ye from filmin' tha rest o' tha show, none o' us sittin' 'ere righ' now would blame 'er. Fuck you.'
Connor stormed off after me without another word. Everyone blinked, completely shocked at his words. Finally, Jane spoke up.
'I hate to say this…but…Connor actually has a point, Michael,' she said softly, 'Rebecca gave you multiple chances with the lighting over the last month, and she never fired you until last night. You shouldn't have been so cruel to her.'
'How else was I supposed to react?' said Michael.
'Way better than that, honestly,' said Emily angrily, 'you should be thankful for all the chances she gave you, Michael, instead of being a complete dick to her. I honest to God wouldn't have blamed Connor if he punched you and knocked you on your snobby little ass.'
Michael sighed.
'If only you knew…' he muttered.
Murphy growled.
'Yer behaviour righ' now is inexcusable, Michael,' he snarled, 'now, go apologize ta 'er before I make ye shit yer teeth out fer a month!'
'I will soon…' said Michael.
'NOW!' everyone shouted at once.
Michael sighed.
'Fine…' he said, leaving the room.
Connor and I were in the living room. I was so angry, I was taking it out on him.
'IS HE FUCKING FOR REAL?!' I shouted, 'I SHOULD FIRE HIS ASS FROM FILMING FOR TALKING TO ME LIKE THAT! HE SHOULD BE THANKING ME FOR GIVING HIM ALL THOSE CHANCES!'
'I know, baby…' said Connor softly, ''e shouldn' 'ave treated ye like tha'…'
'I SHOULD HAVE PUNCHED HIM!' I roared, 'WHO THE FUCK DOES HE THINK HE IS?! I'VE HARDLY BROUGHT IT UP! AND IT WASN'T EVEN ME WHO STARTED IT! IT WAS ASHLEY! WHY DIDN'T HE SCREAM AT HER?!'
'I don' know, Lovey Dove…' said Connor, 'please settle down…'
'TO HELL WITH CALMING DOWN!' I shrieked, 'I AM GOING BACK IN THAT KITCHEN, GRABBING MY BIGGEST FRYING PAN AND SMACKING HIM OVER THE…'
'AHEM!'
Connor and I turned our heads. Michael sighed, putting his hands in his pockets. I growled.
'What the fuck do you want?' I sneered.
Michael sighed.
'I-I-I just wanted to apologize for what I said to you…' he said softly, 'I've just been on edge since last night…I shouldn't have taken it out on you…'
I snorted.
'Apology not accepted,' I said, 'you're fired.'
I stormed back into the kitchen without another word. Connor growled, running after me. Michael sighed.
'I just want you to understand…' he whispered.
Angelica's Dance Studio: That Afternoon
We arrived at the studio later that afternoon. After we were changed and ready, I stood in front of the dancers, addressing them before we started.
'Okay, everyone…' I said, 'mostly today will be choreography. I have made a list of the six songs I have added to the show. Two of them will end up having a lot of stunts, and lots of flashing lights, that I am sure Jane knows how to actually work a switch board properly, right, darling?'
Jane nodded.
'Right!' she said confidently.
I grinned.
'Good,' I said, 'now…let's stretch and get ready to rock, shall we?'
Everyone nodded. I walked over to Connor, lifting my leg and propping it on his shoulder. He laughed.
''ave I ever told ye 'ow flexible ye are?' he teased, grabbing my ankle.
I giggled.
'You always do,' I said, 'the perks of being a cheerleader.'
Connor chuckled. Ashley groaned as Greenly grabbed her ankle, bending her back so she could stretch her back and leg.
'David…' she groaned, 'easy on the grip…I'm not a convict…'
'Sorry, babe,' said Greenly, easing his grip, 'forcive habit.'
Emily laughed.
'Holy shit, I haven't done this in so long!' she said.
'Ye weren' sayin' tha' las' nigh'…' teased Murphy.
'Fuck you,' teased Emily.
'Ye did tha' las' nigh', too,' laughed Murphy.
'MURPH!' cried Emily.
Murphy chuckled. Angelica laughed from the other side of the studio.
'SOMEONE BREAK OUT THE TWISTER MAT!' she shouted.
'I'M GETTING DIZZY OVER HERE!' laughed Isabelle, 'HOLY HEAD-RUSH, BATMAN!'
I laughed.
'Okay!' I declared, 'no more stretching! Let's get this show on the road!'
Everyone laughed. I cleared my throat, standing in front of the mirrors.
'Okay…' I said, 'so, right now, we will be learning the stunts. There are two songs we will be singing that will involve tumbles, leaping, cart-wheels, and stuff like that: Go, Go, Thomas! and Thomas, You're The Leader! Now…since Mr. Colour Blind won't be filming, he will be hitting play. Michael, if you please…'
Michael glared. I cleared my throat.
'Sometime today would be wonderful, thank you,' I snapped, 'we don't have much time.'
Michael snarled under his breath. I turned to face the mirrors, ready to start instructing the stunts, but instead of Go, Go, Thomas! I ended up hearing Down By The Docks. I growled.
'DAMN IT, MICHAEL!' I roared.
Michael didn't say anything. He just continued to glare. I sighed, pressing my fingers to my temples, the way I always do when I'm frustrated.
'Michael…' I said, beginning to lose my patience, 'I asked for Go, Go, Thomas! not Down By The Docks. Please…play the right song before I go over there and shove my fist down your throat…'
Michael growled. He finally played the correct song, his eyes fixed on the floor. I sighed.
'Okay…' I said, 'how many of you know how to do back-flips?'
Everyone from the dance class raised their hands. I grinned.
'Good Lord…' I said, 'this is better than expected…now…Connor, honey? Did you ever play Leap Frog when you were young?'
Connor snorted.
'O' course we did!' he said, 'why?'
I smirked.
'Good…' I said, 'now, I suggest everyone moves so there's no collisions. And Jane, honey, can you please re-start the song when I give the signal?'
Jane nodded. I sighed, going back far enough and getting into position. Then I laughed.
'I suggest you lean down, Baby Boy,' I said, 'I don't want you to get hurt.'
Connor chuckled. He bent his knees, leaning down. I laughed.
'Okay, Jane!' I said, 'cue music!'
Go! Go! Thomas!
Go! Go! Thomas!
Go! Go!
Number One!
Go! Go! Thomas!
Something good is gonna happen today
Oh! My! My!
Hey! Hey! Hey!
Use your ears
Use your eyes
Thomas is in for a big surprise!
On the track
Behind the trees
Far away where nobody sees
Lives an engine, Hiro by name
And Thomas is going to help him shine again!
Edward, Emily, James, and Toby, too
Gordon, Henry, Percy coming through
Thomas and friends making Hiro brand new
They're the Really Useful Crew!
Go! Go! Thomas!
Thomas, Number One!
Go! Go! Thomas!
Thomas, Number One!
Little by little,
Day by day
Oh! My! My!
Hey! Hey! Hey!
All the friends are helping him out
Now we get ready to shout it out!
Edward, Emily, James, and Toby too
Gordon, Henry, Percy coming through
Thomas and friends making Hiro brand new
They're the Really Useful Crew!
Go! Go! Thomas!
Thomas, Number One!
Go! Go! Thomas!
Thomas, Number One!
Go! Go! Thomas!
Thomas, Number One!
Go! Go! Thomas!
Thomas, Number One!
Go! Go! Thomas!
Thomas, Number One!
Go! Go! Thomas!
Thomas, Number One!
Thomas and Hiro
Thomas and Hiro
Good, good friends
Thomas and Hiro
Thomas and Hiro
Good, good friends
Go! Go! Thomas!
Thomas, Number One!
Go! Go! Thomas!
Thomas, Number One!
Go! Go! Thomas!
Thomas, Number One!
Go! Go! Thomas!
Go! Go! Thomas!
Thomas, Number One!
Go! Go! Thomas!
Thomas, Number One!
Go! Go! Thomas!
Thomas and Hiro
Good, good friends
Everyone cheered as I struck the last pose. I sighed, tying my hair up in a pony tail.
'Okay…' I said, 'we are gonna have a lot of partner work in this, so grab your partners and let's get this shit going!'
A Few Hours Later
After a few hours, it was time to test the dancers out. We all got in position, ready to see if we got this down.
'Okay, Jane!' I hollered, 'hit it!'
Go! Go! Thomas!
Go! Go! Thomas!
Go! Go!
Number One!
Go! Go! Thomas!
Something good is gonna happen today
Oh! My! My!
Hey! Hey! Hey!
Use your ears
Use your eyes
Thomas is in for a big surprise!
On the track
Behind the trees
Far away where nobody sees
Lives an engine, Hiro by name
And Thomas is going to help him shine again!
Edward, Emily, James, and Toby, too
Gordon, Henry, Percy coming through
Thomas and friends making Hiro brand new
They're the Really Useful Crew!
Go! Go! Thomas!
Thomas, Number One!
Go! Go! Thomas!
Thomas, Number One!
Little by little,
Day by day
Oh! My! My!
Hey! Hey! Hey!
All the friends are helping him out
Now we get ready to shout it out!
Edward, Emily, James, and Toby too
Gordon, Henry, Percy coming through
Thomas and friends making Hiro brand new
They're the Really Useful Crew!
Go! Go! Thomas!
Thomas, Number One!
Go! Go! Thomas!
Thomas, Number One!
Go! Go! Thomas!
Thomas, Number One!
Go! Go! Thomas!
Thomas, Number One!
Go! Go! Thomas!
Thomas, Number One!
Go! Go! Thomas!
Thomas, Number One!
Thomas and Hiro
Thomas and Hiro
Good, good friends
Thomas and Hiro
Thomas and Hiro
Good, good friends
Go! Go! Thomas!
Thomas, Number One!
Go! Go! Thomas!
Thomas, Number One!
Go! Go! Thomas!
Thomas, Number One!
Go! Go! Thomas!
Go! Go! Thomas!
Thomas, Number One!
Go! Go! Thomas!
Thomas, Number One!
Go! Go! Thomas!
Thomas and Hiro
Good, good friends
I could not believe my eyes. Everyone got the moves. They got the moves. I jumped out of Connor's arms, laughing hysterically as I skipped through the dancers.
'YES!' I shouted, 'YES! THAT'S WHAT I LIKE TO SEE! I AM SO PROUD OF EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU EXCEPT FOR ONE PERSON! YES!'
Michael scoffed. I stopped skipping, glaring in his direction.
'Hey!' I scolded, 'no smart-mouth over there!'
Michael sighed. I turned my attention back to the dancers, plastering a fake smile on my face.
'Okay…' I said, 'now for the next song…Michael…please cue Thomas, You're The Leader!'
'FUCK OFF!'
Everyone watched in shock as Michael stormed out of the studio. That did it. I balled my fists, throwing my head back and letting out a mighty roar of anger.
'THAT DOES IT!' I shrieked, 'I CAN'T TAKE ANYMORE! EVERYONE GO HOME! THAT FUCKER CAN SLEEP IN A FILTHY MOTEL TONIGHT! AAARRRGGGHHH!'