This chapter was inspired by Evanescence even though none of their music is in the chapter. It's just what I was listening to while I was writing it.
This is sort of Pre-Callbacks. I promise there will be some dancing in the next chapter but I needed to get Edward and Bella's first encounter out of my system while I was thinking about it and I couldn't resist adding Alice into the mix.
Let me know what you think. Reviews are greatly appreciated.
Chapter 4: I'll catch you
POV-Bella
I followed along with Erik, Sam, Angela, and the rest of the Phoenix dancers as we piled into the lobby. The hotel was gigantic and the lobby was full of little pods of dancers being shuffled around and signed in. I caught a few glimpses of faces I recognized from the audition shows.
The red head Summer hadn't liked. The blond twins from Austin, an Asian ballet dancer from Boston. Our driver walked us over to a far corner and delivered us to a man with a clip board.
"This is the group from Phoenix."
The man counted us off with his finger and checked with his sheet.
"Alright I got them. You can go."
Our driver gave a short bow and was gone. Our director clapped his hands and made sure everyone was watching before he spoke to us.
"Hello everyone welcome to Las Vegas."
There was some small cheering and Erik "whooped" and did a back flip.
"I just need you all to sign your names stating that you got here in one piece and then I can take you to your rooms. During the auditions you will be sharing your room with one other dancer and as people get eliminated you may be shuffled around a bit."
"Do we get to choose our room mates?" The girl with long black hair asked.
Our director passed his clip board around so everyone could sign it. "No, room assignments have already been decided." The girl with dark hair gave a sideways glance in my direction and maybe I imagined it but, she didn't look too friendly.
Angela was still by my side and she gazed around the room in awe as we were led down a mirrored hallway to another waiting room.
"Wow Bella. Can you believe this is really happening?" She asked and almost ran into a giant fake plant since she wasn't watching where she was going.
I looped my arm through hers and pulled her out of the way.
"Thanks." She said not looking in my direction but using my arm to make sure she didn't trip again. I liked Angela. She had a 'down to earth feel' about her even if, right now she was a little spacey.
"No problem and, no. I don't believe this is really happening. I never thought I would make to the second round."
She gripped my hand and gave me a small smile. "I don't think any of us really did."
"That's not what you said to the reporter after your audition." A voice sneered from behind us. I groaned internally and silently cursed the reporter who had misquoted me. To my dismay, almost my entire interview had been aired on the TV and the reporter had passed me off as arrogant and snooty. I was hoping no one would bring it up.
I spun around and found the black haired girl standing behind us with one of the boys from our group. I couldn't remember their names but they were both giving me bad looks.
"That reporter misquoted me. I didn't say I had no competition. She twisted my words around."
"That's what everyone says when interviews get them in trouble." She tossed her hair over her shoulder and walked around me.
"Damn that reporter." I spun back around and grabbed my bag off the floor. I had been afraid that this would happen and now that it had I was sure others would bring it up as well. Dancers tended to have very fiery attitudes and no one liked an arrogant show off. That reporter had better pray I never found out her name.
Angela looped her free arm back through mine and patted my hand. "Don't worry about her. I have a feeling she's like that to everyone."
"Do you believe me?" I asked hoping that maybe one person would be able to see past the picture of me the reporter had painted.
She nodded. "Why wouldn't I? You seem like a nice person to me Bella and I can make my own opinions about you."
"Thanks Angela."
We were in a smaller waiting room now and our director was holding a handful of room keys. I desperately hoped I would get Angela as my roommate.
"I'm going to give you your room assignment and you are free to head upstairs and freshen up. Dancers are going to be arriving all day. Meals will be served in the great hall." He pointed over his shoulder. "It's right through those doors. Tonight at dinner you will be getting a schedule and tomorrow your callbacks start."
He passed out tickets and I was disappointed to see that the number on mine did not match Angela's.
"Are you kidding me?"
The girl with dark hair was looking over my shoulder and I cringed when I saw the numbers on our room keys matched.
"Is there a problem here ladies?" Our director asked as he glanced at our sheets.
"I don't want to share a room with her."
I glared at her. "The feeling is very mutual."
I felt my jaw lock and my eye brows scrunch together. I hadn't done anything to deserve this girl's hate and I wasn't going to stand here and be insulted.
"I already told you what happened. That reporter twisted my interview around. I didn't say any of those mean things."
"I'll trade with you?" Angela offered, jumping in between us. She held up her room key and I smiled when she swapped rooms with my number one fan. At least I had one friend going into this. I was glad Erik and Sam had been on my side about the interview fiasco as well.
It took another ten minutes to get up stairs and as soon as we were inside I swung the door shut and flopped, face first down on the bed.
"Thanks Angela." I mumbled into my pillow. If I ever found out who that reporter woman was she was going to be getting a not too happy letter from me.
I heard Angela jump on the second bed and then she giggled. "It's ok Bella. I wanted an excuse to be your room mate anyway. I feel better knowing I have one friend here."
I nodded but since my face was still pressed into my pillow I wasn't sure what it looked like. Eventually I got up and shuffled into the bathroom to take a shower. I let myself soak in the hot water and then felt bad that I hadn't left any for Angela.
When I reentered our room Angela was asleep on top of her bed, fully clothed. I was willing to guess that she wasn't used to flying and the jet lag had gotten to her. I pulled on an old pair of sweat pants and my favorite blue tank-top. I could put something more presentable on before dinner but, a nap was starting to sound good.
There was a knock on the door and I checked through the little peep-hole before opening the door, checking to make sure it wasn't my friend with the long black hair. I felt myself relax when I recognized some famliar faces.
"Hi Erik, what's up?"
"We just thought we would pick you up before dinner. You don't want to sit alone do you? Where's your roommate?"
I wasn't listening. Erik and Sam were standing in front of me but they weren't alone in the hall. He was just as breathtaking live as he had been on TV and if it was possible even more so. I realized to my embarrassment I was dressed in sweatpants. My cheeks got hot and I could just picture my signature blush turning my face red. He was staring at me and a lopsided grin made him even more perfect.
Erik had stepped around me and was still talking. Sam on the other hand, bless his heart, had realized I wasn't paying attention and stepped in to save me from embarrassing myself further.
"Bella, this is Edward. He has the room across the hall from us. We bumped into each other and decided to get dinner together."
Edward stepped forward and held out his hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you."
I reached out and shook his hand. "Yeah.." My checks flushed darker. "I um, I mean it's nice to meet you too. I'm Bella." I tore my gaze away from him and looked at Sam.
"I'll be right out. I guess time got away from us. We didn't realize how late it was. Hold on one sec and I'll get Angela."
I hurried back into the room and pushed Erik out into the hall. I grabbed a pillow off my bed and chucked it at Angela as I tore my suitcase open. Angela jumped awake.
"What happened?"
"You fell asleep, I wasn't paying attention. It's dinner time."
Angela got up and opened her bag. I was hunting through my bag looking for something comfortable but nice. Thank God I had let Summer help me with my packing. Summer's taste in clothes was excellent.
"Why are you in such a rush?" Angel asked running a brush though her hair. I threw my sweats and tank-top on the bed and settled for a pair of black pants and an orange top that said "Dance your way" on it. I tore a brush through my hair and checked in the full length mirror by the door. Not perfect but it was going to have to work.
"My friends are outside waiting for us. I don't want to keep them waiting."
I pulled a pair of black flats on and we rejoined the boys in the hall.
"Angela this is Sam, Erik and Edward. Guys this is my roommate Angela."
There were some brief hellos and handshakes then we were walking towards the dining hall. I ended up walking between Angela and Edward and I blushed a shade darker when I tripped and bumped into him.
"Sorry."
He smirked again, a smile I was quickly coming to love. "Don't worry about it. I'll catch you." His arm had wrapped around my waist as he helped me find my feet again and my skin was still tingling from the contact even after he had dropped his arm back to his side.
"Edward. Hey Edward! Look over here."
I recognized Edward's brother Emmett and the blonde who was sitting with him from his audition. Emmett waved us over when we walked into the dining hall. Motioning for Edward to go join him.
Edward glanced back at the rest of us. "Would you mind if we sat with my brother?" No one did, so Edward led the way across the brightly light room to the large table Emmett and Tanya had managed to save.
The room was an off white color with deep red carpet. All of the tables were draped in white cloths and everything was bordered or decorated with gold trim. I tried to sit next to Edward but Erik and Angela were too quick in claiming the seats next to me. Edward ended up sitting across from me between Sam and Tanya.
There was a buffet along the wall and we spent the next hour eating and talking about what we thought the auditions would be like. Sam told us stories about his first audition and horror stories were spreading around the room.
"The judges are ruthless and they'll throw everything at you. It's America's job to pick their favorite dancer but it's the judge's job to make sure only the best have a chance to fight for it."
"What styles did you do last time you were here?" Tanya wondered.
"Last time I was here I only made it to the second day of callbacks. We did Fox Trot on day one and then I got my butt kicked in Ballroom."
"Ballroom's our specialty." Tanya said shooting Edward a meaningful look. Edward shrugged his shoulders and glanced over at me. My cheeks flamed red again and I quickly let my eyes drop and turned my attention back to Sam.
That was the second time Edward had caught me watching him during dinner. I couldn't seem to stop myself from staring at him. Everything about him was so unusual. During dinner, I had managed to learn that though he and Emmett were brothers they weren't related. They had both been adopted by their parents when they were younger.
Edward and Tanya had been dancing together for three years now and when Edward mentioned that they were just friends, Tanya had scowled at him. That had been right after the first time he caught me staring.
"Knowing what the show is like they'll pick dance styles from all over the board wanting to make sure anyone who makes it to the show can handle all of the different dances."
"I'm getting nervous." Angela admitted and I agreed with her.
Tanya shook her hair off her shoulders and raised her chin a little bit. "I'm not nervous. I deserve to be here and it's only a matter of time before the judges realize that."
I felt like knocking on wood again but decided I really wouldn't mind if Tanya got sent home. Let her mess with Karma. Anyone that cocky had better be good because if she wasn't the judges, would see to it she got on the first flight back to Seattle.
Everyone fell silent as Nigel and another man I didn't know walked onto a small platform at the front of the room. The new man picked up a microphone and introduced himself as Mark. He was one of the men who would be directing the show behind the scenes and he was there to talk about the flow of the show. Everyone already knew how it would work but we all sat on the edge of our seats and listened anyway.
The next five rounds of the competition would be run by the different choreographers who worked for the show. We would go as a large group and work with a different choreographer each day, learning a new style of dance each time. At the end of the day that choreographer would talk with the judges and anyone they didn't like would get kicked off.
After five different styles, everyone left would perform for the judges and they would pick the top twenty dancers who would then go on to dance for the coveted title of "America's favorite dancer"... and the cash prize of $200,000. ...and the car, don't forget the brand new car. This year the winner would be getting a 2009 Volvo. We saw a picture of it. It was shiny, fast, and silver and I could just picture myself behind the wheel.
The Choreographers were set up in studios at a building across the street from the hotel. Everyone was to meet there tomorrow morning after breakfast at 8:30 AM. Once there were only twenty people left, they would move into apartments in the studio for the rest of the filming. Mark introduced Nigel and Mary before passing the microphone over to them.
"Is everyone here ready!?!" Mary asked, screaming into the mic.
I flinched and covered my ears as the rest of the hall erupted into cheers. She was just as loud in person as she was on the show. The "Mary Scream" was a signature move of hers and I could only hope I would hear it after I danced for her.
Nigel and Mary told us all to have fun but reminded us that it was a competition and that we would all have to dance over each other, including the people at our own tables, to get to the prize at the end. No one cheered after that. Everyone was looking around to room, seeing their competition rather than the friends they had just made during dinner.
The dark haired girl who had been offended by my interview shot me a dirty look and I returned it. She turned back to her table and leaned in to whisper to the girl next to her. Soon most of the table was looking at me and I could feel my cheeks burn. I turned back to the platform willing myself not to look at them. I wouldn't have a problem dancing over her when the time came.
After the judges ordered us all to bed, everyone got up and made their way back to their rooms. Angela and the rest of our dinner group opted for the stairs rather than the long line in front of the elevators.
"I don't know how I'm going to sleep tonight," Erik said enthusiastically. He was practically bouncing off the walls.
"You better not keep me up." Sam said with a completely straight face. He had done this before and it was clear he was determined to take this more seriously than he had on his last trip to Vegas. We dropped Tanya off at the second floor and I felt an unexplainable jolt of anger when she kissed Edward's cheek good night.
"What floor are you boys on?" Angela asked politely as we headed up to the third floor.
"We're on the fifth floor. Edward and I have the room across the hall from Erik and Sam."
I wasn't paying attention to the conversation anymore. I was to busy internally yelling at myself again. My cheek were red from my unexplainable emotions towards Tanya and I couldn't get my heart to slow back down. My body was not listening to me and this was not the best time for me to lose my concentration.
As we turned to go up another set of stairs, I stubbed my toe and started to fall 'up' the stairs. I knew instantly I wouldn't get my hands up in time and braced myself for the force of the impact, but it never came. Two strong arms snaked around my waist and pulled backwards.
I tried to get my feet under me but they were still tangled and I bumped back into the person who had caught me. Emmett made a grab for us as we wobbled backwards but his fingers just missed the front of my shirt. I grabbed the arms around my waist as we fought for balance but, our combined effort just sent us backwards even harder.
I was surprised when my landing was softer than I thought it would be and instantly felt guilty. My landing had been soft because I hadn't landed on the floor.
"Bella, Edward are you guys ok?"
Edward's arms were still locked around my waist and my checks flush deeper than they had all night. I had fallen on top of him. I tried to sit up and the uneasy feeling grew when I realized I was straddling his chest and I could feel his well defined muscles under my hands. My blush burned my face.
Edward hadn't spoken yet and I was starting to wonder if maybe I had hurt him in the fall. I wasn't that heavy but, I would never be able to forgive myself if I had hurt him so badly that he couldn't audition. I leaned forward and waved my hand in front of his eyes.
"Edward, are you ok."
His brilliant green eyes focused on me and he smirked my new favorite smile. I felt my breath catch in my throat and lost track of where we were. His eyes were such a bright shade of green.
"I told you I would catch you."
Someone started laughing and another set of arms wrapped around my waist. Emmett hoisted me to my feet like I didn't weigh a pound and then pulled Edward to his feet too. Edward and the others started laughing with him and I chuckled nervously. I could dance with a grace most people couldn't but I had always been a clumsy walker. I could trip over air better than anyone else I knew.
"Sorry about that."
He shook his head. "I'm ok." I didn't miss the grimace that crumpled his face as he stretched his back and the feeling of guilt came back in waves. I had hurt him.
"I hurt your back."
He shrugged smiling at me again. "I've had worse."
Emmett thumped his younger brother on the back and Edward grimaced again. "Don't worry about it Bella. He'll be fine." Emmett nodded to the door behind us. "This is your floor right?"
A big black three was painted on the door and Angela was already pulling it open. "Yeah, this is it."
"Good night Bella." Erik pulled me into a hug and Sam made arrangements for everyone to meet back in the dining hall for breakfast.
Emmett playfully punched my shoulder and said good night. Edward flashed me one last smile before turning to follow them up the stairs. He was walking ok so I hoped the injury wasn't too bad. I knew only too well how an injury could limit a dancer's ability.
Angela had the door propped open for me and I locked it behind me after I entered. I pulled my sweat pants and tank-top back on and fell onto my bed. This mattress was softer than my one at home and the pillow had a strangely minty smell to it. I hoped that it wouldn't keep me awake.
I found my cell phone and had six unread messages from home. Five of them were from Summer and one was from my mom. I replied back, apologizing for not doing so earlier, I had intended to wait for Summer's reply so I could tell her all about Emmet and Edward and the stairs and every thing that was going on but I didn't make it that far. My jet lag finally caught up with me and I fell asleep minutes after I had laid down.
I woke up early the next morning, before the sun. By the time I had finished showering and dressing in good dancing clothes, it was still too early to go down to breakfast. I woke Angela up at six and we walked together down to the great hall. The buffet was open and running and dancers filled the hall eating and talking.
We got our food and found Emmett sitting at our table with Erik and Sam. Tanya joined us shortly and she gave me a sour look.
"Where's Edward?" Angela asked as she passed the butter down to Sam.
"I'm sure he'll be here shortly. He was going to your room to see if you were still there."
"Why would he go to our room?" I said shocked.
"So I could walk you to breakfast." A smooth voice answered from behind me. I spun around in my chair and found Edward standing there with his plate of food. He smirked and I ducked my head to hide the blush behind my hair.
"We are perfectly capable of walking to breakfast. How's your back?"
He took the seat next to me and I got another grin. "I'm fine. I told you not to worry about it."
"What happened to your back?" Tanya demanded shooting me an accusing look. I opened my mouth to explain and Edward kicked me under the table.
"I tripped on the stairs last night," he lied smoothly glancing quickly at me before returning to his food. Tanya didn't look like she believed him but couldn't think of a way to argue.
I turned back to my own plate when another voice spoke up from behind me. The voice was an octave higher than Edwards and I recognized its owner immediately from the videos I had of the auditions. The short Jazz dancer from New York was smiling at me and she nodded to the open seat besides me.
"May I sit here?"
"Yeah, go for it."
She slid in next to me and flashed a brilliant smile at everyone. "I'm Mary Alice by the way but if you call me Mary I'll have to kill you and I'll enjoy every moment of it."
"What should we call you then?" Emmett asked, an amused tone to his voice, as he pictured the little girl trying to hurt him.
"Just Alice." She said spooning some eggs into her mouth.
I nodded my head along and smiled at her. I had a feeling we were going to get along just fine. This was someone who would understand why I liked Bella better than Isabella.
"Deal, but only if you agree to call me Bella."
"Isabella is your full name?"
I nodded and she smirked at me, an understanding look to her green eyes. "It's a deal."
I waved around the table and did formal introductions so Alice would know everyone's names. "Alice, this is Edward. The big scary one next to him is Emmett. Then you have Tanya, Sam and Erik and on your left is Angela."
There was a chorus of hellos and good mornings. Everyone ate quickly, eager to get over to the studio. Even though we were an hour early it looked like we were some of the last one's there. A woman directed us to an auditorium and we found a few empty seats towards the front.
"This is so exciting." Alice cheered and she jumped into the seat next to me. "What do you think our first style is going to be?"
I shrugged. "I don't know."
"I hope its Broadway." Angela admitted. "That's my favorite and I really don't want to get sent home after the first round."
Alice nodded. "I like Broadway too but, I have a funny feeling the first one's going to be something most of us don't know. Something from the bottom of the hat to try and stir things up a little bit. They'll want to make sure that everyone who moves on can handle everything."
Just as Alice finished speaking the lights in the auditorium dimmed and Mark walked on stage. Nigel, Mary and two other people followed him and I felt my stomach drop. Nigel and Mary looked great, they always did, but the two unknown guests looked like they had just stepped out of a 70's movie.
Skin tight, sparkly tops and flair jeans topped off with fake afros, chunky jewelry, and platform shoes. Mark took a microphone and welcomed everyone to the "So You Think You Can Dance Call Backs." He waved a hand over to the unknown people standing on stage with him.
"This is Dan Karaty and David Shant. They will be leading the first round of choreography." He passed the mic over to Dan who stepped up and smiled warmly at all of the dancers in front of him.
"Welcome to the art of Disco everyone."
A collective stunned silence spread throughout the auditorium and I felt my heart pick up its pace. Disco? I had never danced disco before. Edward chuckled at my side and I turned to find him watching my fearful expression.
"The girl who danced to "Baila Baila" is afraid of the disco?"
My cheeks flushed. "You saw my audition?" My audition had gone great. The Samba was a sexy dance and mixing in Hip-Hop only made it worse. I could dance 'sexy' very well if that was the character the dance needed but in the real world I didn't have nearly that much confidence. I didn't want him to get a bad impression of me.
"Of course I saw it. You were fantastic. I look forward to watching you Samba with a partner."
I blushed again. If I was going to get a Samba partner at all during this show I hoped it would be him.
Lots of love ~Darkrose
LOL! I couldn't resist with the Volvo bit. That was way too tempting.
I've already got the "top twenty dance" written and I can't wait to show you it so that will encourage me to update faster. First we just have to get through the blood bath of the call backs.
I don't know anything about Disco yet so I have some major research to do if the next chapter is going to be any good. Wish me luck on my quest to become an overnight Disco expert. I even got my mood ring out to help me get in the mood for writing about disco. Please leave a review letting my know what you think.