Xanthic: Mike and Mercedes

"One, two, step, pivot," Mike rattled off as Mercedes huffed and twirled her way across the wooden floor. She watched her reflection in the mirror, mindful of her heeled feet and how she moved her hips. "Crossover, very nice, now step ball change."

They had been at it for hours. Mike had been working for weeks on her stage show, coming up with completely unique choreography that played to her skill set. She would have some decent backup dancers to support her, but she was going to be the star of this performance. It was her first really big one, the chance to sing her smash single at the Grammy's where she was nominated for Best New Artist. She had been thinking gold all month, using the new age envisioning practices Rachel had been texting her about for weeks.

"Great job, Mercedes," Mike complimented her as the end notes of her uptempo dance hit faded away. He handed her a bottle of water and then tossed a towel over her shoulder. "I think you're almost there. A little more practice and you'll be ready for Sunday." He turned and waved dismissively at the other two girls who had been working at their periphery. "We'll see you ladies tomorrow. Seven in the morning sharp. Do not be late."

The girls grumbled as they stomped out of the studio. One of them was a failed pop singer herself and the other was a rejected contestant from some dance reality show. Neither of them were thrilled to be playing backup, but Mercedes was the hottest thing in the music world right now. She had the top single and record in the country (and 32 other countries) and had garnered international Twitter trends that had been talked about by the likes of Entertainment Weekly, TMZ and Variety. It was everything she had ever wanted to have but it got lonely at the top. She thanked God every day that she still had Mike around to ground her.

"So you're coming with me still right?"

"Of course," he laughed, shaking his head. "I'm your biggest fan, Cedes. You know that I wouldn't be anywhere else other than front row, center stage, to watch you. You are amazing; you've got this."

She smiled down at her feet. It reminded her a little of the blind faith that Sam had on her talent back in high school only so much better. Mike believed in the things she wasn't great at. He also believed because he saw it every single day. Though they ran in the same circle in high school and had Tina in common, they'd never been particularly close. And yet, she could honestly say that no one else knew her better in the world.

"I'll thank you in my acceptance speech if I win."

"When you win that little gramophone, you are going to thank me first," he asserted confidently. "Okay, maybe second, but you're going to win this regardless."

He reached over then and took her hand. She was surprised by the sudden touch and even more when his thumb brushed over her skin. There was something unfamiliar but decidedly lustful in his gaze as she met his eyes. He leaned over and kissed her then, just the slightest brush of lips.

(Mercedes ended up thanking him third (behind God and her parents), but he didn't really seem to mind anyway.)