This chapter was written to "Single Ladies" by: Beyoncé and "Lie to Me" By: Ne-Yo.
I hope you all enjoy the next round in Bella's story.

Chapter 8- Lady Luck

POV-Bella

"No Angela you've got to go to the left first. Follow Alice back into the circle."

Angela nodded. "I know, I know. I'm sorry."

Angela was bent over, hands on her knees trying to catch her breath. We all were. I ran my hands though my hair and shivered when the breeze from our one fan hit the sweat on the back of my neck.

The room was hot, and getting more humid by the minute. The one window in this small studio was closed tight to keep the rain out and the mirrors were starting to fog up from all the body heat we were releasing.

I tugged my T-shirt over my head and added it to the growing pile of sticky, rejected clothes in the corner. Angela was the only one left who hadn't stripped down to her sports bra and her shirt was stained with sweat.

"This routine is ridiculous." Jane muttered under her breath as she pinned her bangs out of her face.

"No, it's brilliant. That's why it's so hard." Leah argued.

I felt a small swell of pride. I had never done a group Hip-Hop routine before and it was turning out better than I ever could have hoped. That is, it would be better if we could get the transitions down.

Alice tugged on her short black hair and passed Angela her water bottle. "Let's start at the beginning with Leah's solo. Everyone get back in their places."

Leah took her spot in the center and the rest of us formed a half circle behind her. Leah had a strong background in Hip-Hop and a strong presence on the dance floor. Giving her the first solo had been Alice's idea. She would pull the judges in and give our dance the strong opener we needed.

Alice hit the play button, slipped into her spot in the circle and counted us in.

"And 5, 6, 7, 8"

The lyrics started and Leah began her solo. Leah was a beast. It was the only way I could describe her style. Leah was built like a rock. A sleek, rusty colored, feminine, rock. She danced with the opening set of words and would then rejoin us for the first chorus.

It was all moving smooth. The concept of the dance was simple, six girl friends hanging out at a club. We would take turns in the center, each getting a chance to show our own style mixed with some traditional Hip-Hop.

There were two small group segments, for the first chorus, and the very end of the song. Leah ended her solo with a back flip then hopped into line. We broke into two lines of three. Myself, Alice and Lauran made up row one. Angela, Leah, and Jane were in the second row.

We dropped to the beat and ran though a series of "Sassy" moves that Lauran had choreographed. We had added her passionate moves with my background in Latin dance. The other girls had picked up the samba hip swing and our dance was as hot as this room. I could feel the sweat running on my neck and took back my last thought. Nothing was hotter than this room was, but our dance was definitely sexier.

After the group set we returned to our half circle. The transition's were a place for everyone to show their ability to improve. They could do whatever move they wanted as long as they got back to the half circle in under four beats.

Alice was second and I was impressed at how quickly she had fallen into Hip-Hop. Her style wasn't completely traditional but it fit her personality. Her Jazz background had deep roots and it added a different layer of sizzle to her solo. Not quite Hip-Hop, not quite Jazz, but all Alice.

Alice finished her solo took a small bow and winked at the mirror (Audience). She spun on her heels and swapped places with Jane giving her a high five as she did. Jane danced forward and did an aerial into the center of our circle.

Jane's background was in contemporary dance and she hadn't been lying when she said she could pick things up quickly. I wished half of my students had been able to learn as quickly as she did. Jane's dance was more innocent than the others. Or at least it started that way. Each solo had a different feel to it and we hoped the judges would be able to see our own personality in them.

Jane finished her solo and tagged Lauran into the center. As Lauran did her solo, which in my own opinion belonged on a pole rather than a professional dance stage, the rest of us did a less showy dance behind her.

We moved together, swapping places and smiling. We were playing best friends out for a fun night of partying, drinking, and dancing. Angela and I traded spots and I hooked my arm over Alice shoulders. She smiled at me and we gave each other a high five before Alice twisted away to change places with Leah.

Lauran did a back flip similar to Leah's and Angela slid under her while she was in the air. Lauran landed in Angela's old place and Angela took center stage. She was still struggling with the feel of Hip-Hop and you could see her struggle in her dance. I knew exactly what her problem was and I didn't know how to help her with it.

Angela didn't have confidence in herself. She was shy, quiet, and graceful, everything Hip-Hop was not. If she didn't get more confident in herself and learn that she could be sexy her solo was never going to work out. I had to find a way to reach Angela's inner Vixen.

Angela finished her dance and popped left like she was supposed to, following Alice back around into the half circle. I stepped forward and let my feet take me with the music. I hadn't decided exactly what I was going to do for my solo so every time we practiced it I did something different. The solo only lasted one chorus and then the other girls moved forward for the ending.

There was lots of booty shaking, hip swinging and throughout the song there were several moves, both in the group numbers and in the solos where each girl took a second to show their empty hand to the judges. Or where the judges would be when we did our performance. Right now we were just dancing to the long mirror in the back of our studio.

The last move was the trickiest. Everyone was going to end the song by slipping one of the gold rings onto their finger. The only problem was we couldn't decide how to get the rings on. We could all do the same thing or it could be different for each person. Then there was the problem of where to keep the rings. None of us were wearing real pants right now let alone pockets.

The song ended and we all did some kind of pose. The end of the song would have to be worked out after lunch. I was panting and trying to take even breaths to slow my heart rate.

Someone started clapping and I turned with the other girls to find Twitch leaning against the door frame watching us. I hadn't heard him come in and judging from the other shocked faces I wasn't the only one surprised to see him.

"That was terrific ladies. I love your song choice, very appropriate."

Lauran was at his side in an instant. I bit my lip to hide the giggles as she practically drooled on him. "Thanks, we thought it was fun."

"To what do we owe the pleasure of your visit?" Alice asked as she splashed water from her bottle on her head. Twitch pointed to a clock hanging over the door. "Everyone else left for lunch ten minutes ago. I'm supposed to kick you out and make you go eat something. The judges don't want you passing out during your performance."

Apparently I wasn't the only one who had missed the time and there were mumbled comments about being hungry but wanting to keep working.

"Actually, lunch is a good idea." Alice said grabbing her clothes from the floor and turning back to face the rest of us. "I've been thinking about our wardrobe. Even if we won't all be identical, close is better than nothing. Does everyone here have a pair of jean shorts with them?"

I nodded and so did everyone else.

"What if we wore jean shorts with some kind of dark colored tank-top?" Alice suggested. "Then, everyone would have a pocket for their ring and we would match for the most part."

Leah nodded. "I'm in. Let's eat."

We sorted through the pile of forgotten, sweaty clothes and made our way downstairs. Edward and Jasper were waiting for us in the lobby and I pulled my T-shirt on as fast as I could. It was too hot to put my sweater back on but, no way I was going to walk around in my sports bra with him here.

Alice beat me to the boys and took the question right out of my mouth.

"What are you guys doing here?"

Edward grinned at me and I felt my cheeks go pink. "We were waiting for you to come down. The others already headed over to the hotel."

"You didn't have to wait for us." Angela said as Jasper held the door for everyone to head outside. It was still sprinkling but with any luck we would be able to open that window when we all reconvened after lunch.

"It's polite to wait." Jasper said as he took Alice's hand and we started trooping our way across the street. Edward nodded his agreement. "My mom raised me as a gentlemen."

"Then where's your brother?" Alice asked raising an eyebrow at Edward.

Edward chuckled and shook his head. "She did her best with him. Emmett's generally very polite but when he's hungry there isn't much that can stop him."

We found the others in the great hall eating lunch all ready.

"There you guys are. We were starting to wonder if you were skipping lunch." Erik said as we all took seats at our table.

"It's our fault." Angela said apologetically pointing to me. "Our group wasn't watching the clock. Twitch had to come up and kick us out of the studio."

"You got to meet him?" Tanya asked, envy clear on her face.

Alice nodded. "Briefly, but yes."

"How is your dance coming? I imagine it's hard trying to get six people to work together." Sam asked changing the topic of conversation.

I shook my head. "Actually were working together better than I could have hoped. There's a little tension but we're almost done with the choreography."

Alice nodded. "There's a lot of strong personalities in our group but the first thing we agreed on was that we needed a leader. After that everyone just agreed to work together and follow Bella's choreography."

"You did the choreography?" Edward asked.

I smirked at him and nodded. "You sound surprised by that."

"Surprised, maybe?" He shrugged. "Impressed, definitely. I didn't know you had experience in choreography."

Now it was my turn to shrug. "There's a lot you still don't know about me."

Angela, Alice and I ate quickly and excused ourselves from the table.

"Are you heading back allready?" Jasper asked as Alice stood to leave.

She winked at him. "We need to get changed for our dance."

We waved goodbye and rode the elevator to the third floor not wantting to take the stairs. Alice followed Angela and I into our room and assessed our outfits. It took ten minutes but eventually she was satisfied that we looked good enough. It took Alice another five minutes to get dressed and then we were racing back across the street to the studio.

The other girls were waiting for us and they had all changed during lunch as well. Alice did a quick assessment of everyone's outfits and declared us ready to perform.

"Does everyone have their ring?"

Everyone had their ring tucked safely into one of the pockets on their shorts and we had finally agreed to just putting the rings on at the same time. During the last count of the song we would all pull the rings out and pose with our hands out in front of us, so everyone could get a clear view of the addition to our costumes. Cheesy? Yes, Effective? Yes.

There was a knock on the door and Twitch came back into the studio.

"I just came to see how your routine is going. Your group will perform eighth. I assume you're going to use that I-pod to play your song?"

Alice stepped forward and played diplomat for us. "Yep, we can give it to the crew workers before we go on."

He nodded. "Ok, how are you doing on time? That's always the part groups have trouble with. If it looks like your dance is going to fall apart, my advice is to, blow it with style. Make it look like you know what you're doing, even if you don't."

Alice smiled up at him and I sensed a hint of pride as she informed him that our dance would not fall apart. "We're almost done actually. We know the choreography we just need to work on cleaning it up some more. I think we'll do just fine."

He looked surprised. "Then I'll let you get back to your work." He nodded a quick good bye and disappeared as quickly as he had come.

"Damn that boy is too fine!" Lauran said as soon as the door was shut.

Jane let out a low whistle and nodded. "Yeah he is."

"You should have told him we needed some help. I wouldn't mind an excuse to dance with that boy." Lauran said fanning herself with her hand.

Alice was about to comment when Leah beat her to it. "That would make us look bad. He's one of the judges and if we look like a bunch of lusting teenagers he'll never take us seriously as dancers."

Lauran shrugged and bit down on her bottom lip. "Might be worth it."

"Not if you want a shot at the top twenty."

Alice clapped her hands and set the music back up. "Let's get back to work ladies. We only have a couple of hours to make this dance perfect."

"Don't you think perfection's a little much to ask, seeing as how we only have one day?" Lauran asked as we took our opening places.

I was getting sick of Lauran. She was such a downer. "If you don't aim for perfection you'll never hit it. Whether you have one day or one year to work on a dance."

Alice didn't give anyone a chance to respond to my comment. She hit the play button and we were off.

We worked for another two hours before a crew member came to tell us it was time to head down to the auditorium. We trooped down stairs and Alice fussed over hair and made sure everyone had their ring.

"Alice calm down."

I pulled her to my side and forced her to sit down. We were sitting behind the group that had both Tanya and Jasper in it and I might have conveniently put Alice in the seat behind Jasper. As soon as she realized who was in front of her she leaned forward to talk to him and left the other girls alone.

Mary and Nigel came on stage with Twitch and they took their seats. They talked to the camera for awhile and then called the first group on stage. We watched the first five groups. They all did fine but it was clear to anyone that they needed more time. The judges made their comments and each group was asked to step down. Cuts would be announced after dinner.

The sixth group was called on stage and Alice elbowed me in the side.

"That's Emmett."

Emmett was on stage dressed like a pimp. His hat was on sideways, his pants were hanging low around his hips and there was a chain around his neck. I started giggling. Hip-Hop was definitely Emmett's style but he didn't make a convincing pimp.

"What do you think they're doing?"

Alice shrugged. "I'm not sure I want to know."

The music started and the two girls in Emmett's team joined him on stage. They were both dressed in scraps of cloth I would struggle to call dresses and it became clear as soon as the song started why.

I'm bringing sexy back
Them other boys don't know how to act
I think it's special what's behind your back
So turn around and I'll pick up the slack.
Take em' to the bridge

Their dance was excellent. Emmett was able to showcase both girls and at the same time he used his strength to do a couple of impressive lifts. The dance seemed to fit Emmett's style and neither girl on stage looked too depressed about having to dance that close to him.

The judges like the dance and after a few brief comments Emmett and his group were dismissed. A crew member dressed in black came and led our group back stage as the next group started their song. I didn't recognize the song but it was a lot slower than any of the others had been.

Alice pulled everyone in line and fluffed Jane's hair.

"Let go of my head." Jane swatted Alice away and Alice pouted.

"I just want us to look good."

"I look fine." Jane snapped.

I grabbed Alice and pulled her to my side. "Did you get our music set up?"

She rolled her eyes. "Of course I did. It's all ready for us."

Once the group in front of us was done and the judges had critiqued them, it was time for us to go on. The lights dimmed and our group got called on stage. We filed out and Leah took her spot in the center of our circle.

The opening string of words started and Leah began her solo. As Leah danced in front, the rest of us danced behind her. The background dance was fairly simple. A few steps to the left, then back to the right, on occasion two of the girls would change places or look like they were making a comment about the soloist's dance. Just having a good time.

As the first chorus ended we broke into two lines of three. Lauran was front and center and she led the first group set in the moves she had helped choreograph.

Now put your hands up
Up in the club, we just broke up
I'm doing my own little thing
Decided to dip and now you wanna trip
Cause another brother noticed me.

I'm up on him, he up on me
Don't pay him any attention
Just cried my tears, for three good years
Ya can't be mad at me.

We returned to the back circle and Alice took center stage. Alice wasn't as powerful as Leah but she commanded the audience's attention just as fully. Alice had a smile on her face as she spun out her last move. She stopped on her toes, gave a short bow and winked in Jasper's direction.

Alice spun on her toes, gave Jane a high five and traded places with her. As the song broke into another chorus of "Put a ring on it", Jane showed off her ability to pick up new dance styles. I certainly couldn't tell this was her first time dancing Hip-Hop.

After Jane it was Lauran's turn to show off and her eyes were locked on Twitch as she danced. I desperately hoped her attempts to be seductive wouldn't look bad on the rest of us and focused my attention on Alice who had just moved to my side.

Alice and I danced for a few seconds before she twisted away and changed places with Leah. I swapped places in the circle with Jane and I ended up right next to Angela. I hadn't had time to try and help Angela with her solo and it was clear she was starting to get nervous.

I hooked my arm over Angela and threw her off for a second at the sudden change in choreography. I pulled her to my side and she started to roll with the new moves.

"Angela you've got to loosen up. You'll do just fine, go get them."

I swapped places with Angela so she was in the center. She glanced up at me and nodded. Lauran spun to face the judges and back flipped. Angela hesitated so I pushed her forward, hoping no one would notice the momentary lag.

I got gloss on my lips, a man on my hips
Got me tighter in my Dereon jeans
Acting up, drink in my cup
I can care less what you think
I need no permission, did I mention
Don't pay him any attention
Cause you had your turn and now you gonna learn
What it really feels like to miss me

Angela slid under Lauran just in time and started her solo. I swapped places with Leah and tried to focus on the background dance as Angela did her solo. I could tell she was trying to listen to my advice and her solo ended up better than it ever had in practice. I just hoped it was enough to impress the judges.

Angela popped to her left and slid into the circle as I made my way forward. I still hadn't come up with a set choreography so I just let the music move me.

Cause if you liked it then you should have put a ring on it
If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it
Don't be mad once you see that he want it
If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it
Oh, oh, oh
If you liked it then you should have put a ring on it
If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it
Don't be mad once you see that he want it
If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it
Oh, oh, oh

I looked out at the audience, determined not to let the judges distract me. My gaze fell to the front row and locked with a pair of bright green eyes. My heart beat took off and I couldn't look away. The balance of my body shifted from my heels to my hips and the focus of my dance locked on the front row. I wasn't dancing for myself anymore, I was dancing to him.

The lyrics of the song changed and I pulled my eyes away from his face. I had missed the end of my solo and fallen behind. I spun backwards and fell into my place as again we broke into two lines of three for the end of the song. It took a moment to get back in time with the others and I cursed myself for letting anything distract me.

Don't treat me to the things of the world
I'm not that kind of girl
your love is what I prefer, what I deserve.
Here's a man that makes me then takes me
And delivers me to a destiny, to infinity and beyond
Pull me into your arms, say I'm the one you own
If you don't, you'll be alone
And like a ghost Ill be gone

We moved as a group to the last chorus. The front row switched places with the second so everyone would have a chance to be up front. As the song came to an end I fished the small gold ring out of my pocket.

The ring slipped on my finger and we hit our last pose. Everyone crowded together, center stage. The attention fell on our outstretched hands. The music ended and everyone clapped. I kept my gaze locked on the judges, refusing to allow myself to get distracted again. My heart beat was erratic and it took longer than normal to get it slowed down.

We all stood up and moved so we were standing in front of the judges. Nigel was first, he kept his comments simple. He was impressed with Leah's solo and commented us on starting with her. Mary was more enthusiastic.

"That was fantastic girls!"

I smiled along with the others and a sense of relief seemed to settle over everyone.

"Who did your choreography?"

Leah pushed me forward before I had time to react. "Bella did it." My cheeks blushed red and I pulled Alice forward next to me.

"I didn't do it alone. Alice and Lauran both helped."

Lauran jumped to my side and nodded. Alice patted my hand and took a step back.

"You're too modest Bella. We helped but the concept was yours."

Mary was impressed and she commented on the use of our rings. Next Twitch gave us his opinion.

"I got to see a little of your rehearsal earlier and I'm impressed at how you used each of your own styles to make the solos all different. Each one was rooted in Hip-Hop but the audience got a feel for each of your individual styles as well."

I had hoped someone would pick up on that. Nigel commented on our time management and we were excused from the stage.

My head was spinning as we got back stage and I realized I had been holding my breath. I pressed my fingers to my temples and took a few deep slow breaths. A pair of larger hands covered mine and pulled my arms to my side.

"If you're dizzy you should try putting your head between your knees."

I spun around and tripped over a cord on the floor. Edward wrapped his hands around my waist and steadied me. It was dark back stage so I couldn't see his face clearly and I hoped he wouldn't see the blush on my face. I had always been a good blusher but ever sense he showed up it was getting out of hand.

"I'm fine."

A crew man hushed us and reminded us that another group was on stage. We apologized and Edward pulled me off to the side. The rest of my group was all ready gone and I caught a glimpse of Sam standing with the rest of his and Edward's group.

"You're the only person I know who forgets to breathe."

He was whispering in my ear and I giggled as his lips tickled me.

"Breathing's overrated." I took a step back and tried to see his face more clearly.

I could feel his chest rumble under my hands as he chuckled and then the music on stage stopped.

"You better get ready."

He nodded. "Wish me luck?"

"You'll do fine, I know you will."

"Thanks, your solo was fantastic by the way."

I was going to comment that my solo had been a disaster. I had let myself get distracted and fallen behind. It was lucky for me that the judges hadn't seemed to notice it, but if I went home tonight I wouldn't be surprised. Before I could comment Sam had grabbed Edward and was pulling him back over to their group so they could get ready.

"Good luck."

I was pretty sure he hadn't heard me. I was still whispering so the crew members wouldn't yell at me again. I made my way as quickly as possible back to the auditorium, trying to make sure I didn't trip over any more of the cords that littered the walkway.

I fell into my seat just as Edward's group started dancing. Their group consisted of Edward, Sam, Mike and some girl I didn't know. I might not have known the girl, but I did know the song. It was "Lie to Me" by: Ne-Yo

I hadn't noticed before but everyone in their group was dressed in black. Edward looked good in black. Edward was in the front with Mike and Sam and as the music started, they danced slowly with the opening string of words.

Lie to me
Lie to me
Lie to me
Lie to me
Lie to me
Lie to me
Lie to me
Lie

As the chorus started, the girl in their group started stalking forward. She was dressed in a black dress and had a blood red tie around her neck. She stopped behind Mike and started mirroring his moves. Edward and Sam continued dancing as she spun Mike out of line and pulled him to her. He was the first to fall for her lies.

I don't wanna be numb
I don't wanna feel a thing
I don't want reality
Actually, reality stinks
How about we just pretend,
That your cellphone didn't even ring
And that I wasn't on the other side of the door
Listening to everything.
Tell me another lie

As soon as the first chorus was done she shoved Mike aside. She had finished using him and was moving onto the next man in line. Their dance was slower than the others I had seen so far, contemporary style dancing sometimes was. It was beautiful, slow, kind of dark. The girl stopped behind Edward and started mirroring his moves like she had with Mike. He was her next victim.

I don't wanna know what I know to be true,
What I need you to do, tell me another lie,
I don't wanna know what I know to be true,
What I need you to do, tell me another lie,
I don't wanna know what I know to be true,
What I need you to do, tell me another lie,
I don't wanna know what I know to be true,
What I need you to do, tell me another lie...
Lie to me
Lie to me
Lie to me
Lie to me
Lie to me
Lie to me
Lie to me
Lie

She pulled Edward out of line and they danced together. She had Edward under her spell and as soon as the chorus was over she shoved him aside like she had with Mike. Edward joined Mike in the back and they danced in sync as the girl stalked towards Sam. She stopped behind him and shadowed his moves as another verse of the song started. The predator expertly stalking her prey before the kill.

Please make me believe
That there is nobody for you, but me
When I ask who were you talking to
Tell me it was Kimberly
Tell me the last night you didn't leave
After you thought I was asleep
Crept back in at 6:45
Tell me it was just a dream
Baby I need, I need, desperately, desperately
To believe you
Cause I won't be held responsible, responsible
For what, what I might do
Baby I need, I need, desperately, desperately
To believe you
Cause I won't be held responsible, responsible

She pulled Sam out of line and they danced together. Behind them Edward and Mike were still moving together, like they couldn't see the others dancing in front of them. Once she had finished with Sam she pushed him away like she had the others.

She glanced around and realized that there was no one else waiting for her on stage. She turned her back on the judges and slipped back stage, on her mission to find another guy to dance with. Edward and the others moved back to the center of the stage and ended the song the same way it had started.

Tell me another lie
Tell me another lie
Tell me another lie
Tell me another lie
I don't wanna know what I know to be true,
What I need you to do, tell me another lie,
I don't wanna know what I know to be true,
What I need you to do, tell me another lie,
I don't wanna know what I know to be true,
What I need you to do, tell me another lie

It was fantastic. As the song drifted out everyone started clapping. The girl came back on stage and she joined the boys as they moved to stand in front of the judges. They were laughing and who ever she was she slipped her arm around Edward's waist.

The judges loved their dance. The girls name was Monika and she was the one who had come up with their choreography. I kept my eyes locked on her face and tried to find out why I suddenly didn't like her.

"Bella, are you ok?"

Alice was sitting on my side and she tugged at my arm when I didn't respond. I glanced over at her and Jasper and shrugged.

"I'm fine."

Liar, liar pants on fire. I wasn't fine but I didn't know why I was mad. I had no right to be mad at her. Monika had come up with a great dance and it would probably ensure Edward made it to the next round. I should be happy, right?

"No you're not." Alice said knowingly. "What's wrong?"

I scowled a bit and shook my head. "It's nothing."

"She's jealous." Jasper said like it was the most obvious thing.

I scowled at him and got defensive. "I am not." I was not jealous of Monika. I was a better dancer than she was. My choreography had been just as good as hers. I had no reason to be jealous of her.

Jasper smirked at me. "Just keep telling yourself that."

Alice shot him a confused look and they had another one of their silent conversations. Alice glanced back at me and smiled before returning her gaze to the stage.

The judges tore at Sam a bit and then they were asked to step off stage. The next group stepped up and we watched as Rosalie danced circles around Ben and the rest of her group. In Ben's defense he was the only guy who managed to keep up with Rosalie at all and even then just barely.

I glanced around the room and found Edward sitting with his group up in the front row. He glanced over his shoulder and I gave him a thumbs-up. He smiled and then we both looked back to the stage.

It took another two hours for all of the groups to finish and then everyone raced through dinner so we could see who was getting cut. I held my breath as Emmett made it to the next round and one of the girls in his group got sent home.

The entire group after Emmett's got sent home and then it was time for my group to face the judges. Alice was bouncing on the balls of her toes as the judges called her, Jane and Angela forward. They all made it to the next round.

Lauran was called forward next. She had not impressed the judges and they recommended she try again next year after her dancing had matured a little bit.

"You're cutting me?!?" Lauran asked in a bewildered rage.

"Yes, please step off stage." Nigel asked as he called myself and Leah forward.

"You can't cut me! I was the best dancer in this group."

Lauran had a few choice words for the judges and then a crew member in black had to pull her off stage so the judges could continue.

"Bella, Leah. You are both very strong dancers and we were particularly impressed by both of your solo's."

I felt my stomach drop. I could just hear it in my head. "You're good but not good enough. Get off the stage. You failed." This couldn't be the end. Nigel cleared his throat before finishing his statement.

"We're expecting even better things from you both in the next round. Congratulations to you both."

Leah jumped up and down and pulled me into a hug. We hurried off stage and rejoined Angela, Alice, and Jane in our seats. No one knew where Lauran had gone but she wasn't in the auditorium anymore.

Edward's group was next. Edward and Monika got passed to the next round instantly and I had to sit on my hands as the judges tore at Mike and Sam some more.

"Mike we look forward to seeing you do more in the next round but we will expect more." Mike smiled and hurried off stage before the judges could change their minds.

"Unfortunately Sam, this is the end of your Vegas callbacks, maybe next year."

Sam's face fell. He had been cut again. Once again Sam wouldn't make it to the top twenty. I heard Erik a few rows ahead of us complaining and Alice looked like someone had caught her off guard. Something I had come to learn didn't happen very often.

Sam bowed his head and thanked them for the opportunity. He walked off stage and the next group moved to face the judges.

The rest of the cuts blew by. The two boys who had danced with Rosalie and Ben were dismissed along with another handful of dancers. In the end, another twenty one people had hit the end of their road and would not have a chance to make it to Vegas. There were only sixty-seven of us left and it would be a blood bath to try and make it to the top.

I followed the others back to the hotel and we all gave Sam a hug and took turns saying our goodbyes.

"Don't worry about it you guys. I look forward to seeing you make it to the top twenty."

"You really think we're all going to make it when you couldn't?" Erik asked.

Sam shrugged. "You never know. There could be a reason we all met right at the start."

"You're starting to sound like Miss Superstition." Erik said pointing in my direction. I punched him in the shoulder.

"At least you'll have your own room now." Sam pointed out.

Erik nodded. "A silver lining."

We waved as Sam and the other dismissed dancers got on the bus for the airport and watched until the bus was out of sight.

We walked back up the stairs, no one willing to break the silence that had fallen over our group. Sam had seemed just as strong in my mind as Summer and now they were both gone. I wondered briefly how Summer would take the news that Sam had been cut.

Angela and I said our goodbyes as we reached our floor and Edward wished us sweet dreams. Emmett chuckled and ruffled my hair.

"No worries Bella, if he wakes me up again he'll be at your door in no time."

I blushed. Erik looked confused and Edward hit Emmett upside his head. I said goodbye and quickly let the door swing shut behind us before anyone else could comment. Angela opened the door to our room and I let her have the shower.

I sent a texted Summer the bad news about Sam and she told me she already knew. Sam was texting her from the airport. She wished me good luck on the next round and I fell asleep before Angela even got out of the shower.

~Darkrose
We're almost done with callbacks!

I have a questions for anyone who's a fan of the show. Does anyone know where the top twenty stay during the taping of the show? Right now I just have them living at a hotel but I don't have any idea where they really stay.