This chapter wasn't written to anything specific so listen to anything you want while you read.

Tonight is another round of elimination from the real season of "So You think You Can Dance" and we're going to find out who is in the top twenty for this story. (Keep your fingers crossed for Evan) now that Jeanette is gone I want him to win.

Chapter 12- Couples

POV-Bella
The hotel was radiating excitement the next morning as the dancers woke up and hauled their luggage down to the Great Hall. The tables had been cleared away and one massive table capable of holding all of us was left in the middle of the room.

Conversation was high and moods were higher as everyone filled their plates and sat around the massive table. By the time he and Emmett joined the rest of us I already had someone sitting on both of my sides.

Edward caught me watching him as he and Emmett walked to the buffet and he mouthed "Good morning" to me. I returned the welcome and rejoined my conversation with Alice. Jane was sitting on her other side and she had been telling Alice and I about her cousin.

"He left just yesterday. His name is Alec. I'm bummed he didn't make it to the end but I'm even more surprised he made it this far. Personally, I don't think the boy can dance to save his life but the judges seemed to like him well enough."

"Was he the boy you waved off on the bus?" Alice asked and I remembered the short boy I had seen Jane with the night before.

"Yep, that was him. I made him promise not to tell our family that I made it until they got to watch the taping tonight."

Now it was my turn to ask a question. "Won't they know you made it when you don't get off the plane with him?"

She shook her head, her short brown hair swinging around her face.

"Nope, we actually don't live with our family. We got an apartment in New York a few years ago when we moved here. The rest of our family is still living over in Italy."

"That explains your accent." Alice said as if a light had just been turned on.

"Accent?" Jane asked.

I nodded along as Alice explained. I had picked up on Jane's accent before but I hadn't thought much about it. If her family was originally from Italy though, that would explain it.

"You have an accent and I couldn't figure out what it was."

She nodded and returned to her food. Alice turned to face me and caught me trying to read Edwards lips as he mouthed something to me from across the table. He and Emmett had taken seats next to Tanya and Jessica at the other end.

"He asked if you were all packed," Alice said as she stuck her fork in her mouth. A light went on above my head and I nodded my answer back at Edward. Edward rolled his eyes and mouthed "Thank you Alice."

Alice mouthed something back which I missed and Edward laughed before saying something in response. I felt lost. Alice nodded her head and chuckled at me.

"What did you say to him?"

"That you can't read lips very well."

"And what did he say?"

"He noticed."

I huffed and blew my bangs out of my face. Edward chuckled from his end of the table and I wondered what my chances would be of hitting him if I tossed my bacon at him. I decided against it fearing for the girl on his left and stuck the bacon in my mouth instead.

"You want me to hit him?" Alice offered holding up her own bacon strip. She held it up in front of her and took aim at Edward.

I tried to stop her but it was too late. The bacon missile flew out of Alice's hand and sailed across the table. I covered my eyes, only opening them when I heard Emmett bust into laughter. I peeked though my fingers and found Edward pulling a strip of bacon off his shoulder. He shot a questioning glance at me and I pointed my finger at Alice as she pointed at me.

He rolled his eyes and chuckled at us. Tanya rolled her eyes as well, not looking nearly as amused by our antics. Emmett shot us both big smiles and said something along the lines of wishing he could throw food at his brother and Edward reminded him of a time when they were kids and Emmett had apparently dumped a box of cereal on him followed by a glass of milk.

"Oh yeah, I remember that. That was the day you broke my batman action figure."

"I was six." Edward defended himself.

"And you shouldn't have been in my room."

"At least I never played with dolls."

Emmett puffed out his chest and scowled at his little brother. "It was an action figure not a doll."

"Just keep telling yourself that Emmett."

People around the table chuckled and Emmett made a grab for Edward. Edward ducked out of his brother's grasp and cleared his plate. I quickly finished my food and joined him.

"Did he really dump a box of cereal on you?"

"Yep. The whole thing. Esme was furious about the milk. It ruined her carpet."

"I bet it gave her a chance to redecorate."

He nodded. "She would never admit this to Emmett, but she secretly loved it when he broke something around the house. It's a good thing Carlisle has a knack for handling stocks. With Emmett's love of videogames, Esme rebuilding every other year and the upkeep of my piano we must have cost him an arm and a leg."

We left our dishes in a bin for the waiter and grabbed our bags. The others were clearing up as well and we took turns racing across the street with our bags. A canary yellow Porsche missed hitting Alice buy inches and she turned her finger on the driver.

"Hey! I'm walking here asshole!"

Jasper grabbed her arm and pulled her out of traffic as another car came rolling down the road.

"Technically, you were in his way."

Alice shifted her bag farther up her shoulder and gave the Porsche a distasteful look. "Clearly, you've never been to New York. I've kicked cars flashier than that for almost running me over."

When we finally got to the studio crew men were waiting to assign us to our new rooms and show us around. The studio we had been working in was far larger than I had realized. The ground floor was the only one I had really seen and it held the massive auditorium. It also held studios one and two which were the largest, several store rooms for the cameras and the medic's room. I was already well acquainted with the medic's room.

The second floor held: Tony's prop shop, three smaller studios which would be open for us to use whenever we needed them: and a large lounge room which would be where we would gather for meals and be hanging out between workouts.

The third and fourth floors held the choreographers studios which we would be getting acquainted with very well over the next few weeks and a massive Costume room. Stepping into the costume room was like walking onto the stage of Phantom of the Opera. The walls were decorated with masks and bright paintings. The floor was a rich dark wood and the chairs and mirrors that surrounded the room were decorated with gold accents.

The costume room was run by a woman named Max. Her real name was Maxine, but she had promptly told us upon being introduced to her, that the last person who had dared to call her Maxine woke up with a shaved head the next day. I would not be calling her Maxine.

The fifth floor held ten apartments where the girls would be sleeping and the last floor, number six, would house the boys. The whole building was built like some kind of twisted funhouse with stairs leading everywhere and all of the rooms seemed to have more than one door. If we were taking a poll I would put twenty dollars on me being the first to get lost.

I was staying in room number two. Alice had the room next door and Jane was staying across the hall. I was disappointed to learn that Angela would be staying in room nine at the other end of the hall but glad to find that I would no longer have to share a bathroom.

I used my key to open the door and dumped my suitcase on the floor at the foot of my bed along with my other bags. I was just trying to talk myself into unpacking when someone knocked on the door and it swung open.

Alice was standing in the doorway looking as hip as ever and she chuckled when she saw the disgruntled look I was throwing my bags. "You can unpack later Bella, come with me."

I followed her into the hall and she pointed down to the end.

"Go get Angela."

I knocked on Angela's door and she smiled up at me.

"Did you miss me Bella?"

I nodded. "Of course I did, but that's not why I'm here. Alice wants to talk to us. Come on."

Alice was knocking on door number five and a few moments later Rosalie opened the door. Alice slipped around Rosalie and sat on her bed. Rose shot me and Angela a confused look but we just shrugged our shoulders and followed her in.

"What is this all about Alice?" Rosalie asked as she cleared off the rest of her bed so Angela and I could sit down.

"We're going to a club tonight and I wanted to make sure you all had appropriate outfits."

"A club?" Angela asked.

Alice nodded. "Yep and the boys are coming too. I've already told Jasper to make sure they're ready. It's just around the corner and I promise it's going to be lots of fun."

"And when did you decide we were going to a club?" I asked Alice, leaning against the wall. I hadn't brought any clubbing clothes.

"I looked this place up before I got here. It's supposed to be really hot. Like a mix of Mexican restaurant and New York club. I promise you're going to love it."

Rosalie dug around in one of her bags and pulled out a chunk of shiny black fabric. I think was supposed to be a dress. She smiled up at Alice.

"I'm in."

"Good." Alice clapped her hands. "What about you two?"

I shook my head and Angela paled at my side.

"I didn't bring any club like clothes Alice."

Angela nodded along with me. "Honestly, I don't club."

I wasn't surprised by that. I hadn't spent a ton of my life in clubs, but thanks to Summer I had seen my fair share. Angela didn't seem the clubbing type. Then again, I had been looking for a way to find Angela's inner Vixen. A club might be just the place to help her with her confidence problems. Alice met my eye and it was like she could read my mind.

"I'll go talk to Max. I bet she'll help us. Either way, we're going after dinner. That way the filming is over and no one will notice we're missing."

Alice disappeared out the door and the rest of us sat in awkward silence. I glanced at Angela and then up at Rosalie.

"I'm going to go unpack. I'm sure Alice will track me down when she gets back."

Rosalie nodded and Angela followed me out. I was halfway through unpacking when Alice returned. She tossed a small bag at me.

"You will wear this to the club. I really like that Max girl. She has excellent taste in clothes but as soon as we have more time we're going shopping. I already gave Angela her outfit. Its beautiful. Poor Ben's not going to know what hit him."

I peeked in the bag and saw black jeans and green silk. I zipped the bag shut as quickly as I could and gave Alice a doubtful look.

"Why are we doing this?"

She smiled. "Because it will be fun and we all desperately need a little fun after those call backs. We're going to go out, maybe get a drink and unwind."

She paused for a second and then a sheepish grin spread across her face and her nose wrinkled. "And I really want an excuse to dance with Jasper again."

I could see her logic there. If we went to a club I could probably get Edward to dance with me. I did want to dance with Edward again. I glanced at the bag and then smiled up at Alice.

"Are you even old enough to drink?"

She shook her head. "Nope, I'm nineteen just like you but, that hasn't stopped me in the past."

I rolled my eyes and tried not to be a hypocrite. I was not an avid drinker but Renee had let me try a few of her drinks over the years.

"I'm in but we should invite the others too. Who did you have Jasper talk to upstairs?"

"He was going to talk to Emmett, Edward, Ben and Jake."

I nodded. "Would you mind if I asked a couple of the other girls to join us. We could make it a party."

She nodded, "I knew there was a reason I liked you Bella. Go ahead and invite whoever you want but, I get to do your hair and makeup."

I shivered and Alice pouted at me. "Please."

"I can do my own hair and makeup."

She went from begging to defensive in the blink of an eye and put her hands on her hips.

"You're going to have people all over you doing your hair and make up for the show. You're very pretty Bella, but with my help you will glow and I'm not taking no for an answer so you have no choice. I'll see you in Rosalie's room after dinner. Come dressed."

She spun on her toes and disappeared out the door. I stared after her dumbfounded and then scowled at the empty space.

"Ok then, I'm glad we came to an agreement. I'll see you after dinner Alice. I would love it if you did my hair Alice, thank you." I grumbeled to myself.

I swung the door shut with a snap. Great, now I was talking to myself. This show was going to drive me crazy before it was over I just knew it. I glanced at the bag again and pulled the zipper back. It could have been worse, I guess.

There was a knock on the door. I shot it a distasteful look and figured Alice was coming back to tell me more about tonight.

"I'm busy Alice, go away."

"No Alice out here Bella, it's me."

I shot off the bed and stubbed my toe on my bag. I fumbled with the door and practically tore it off its hinges. He was standing in the hall looking like a lost model. He held up two cups of what could only be coffee and I waved him in.

"I take it Alice told you about the club," He said as he sat at one of the bar stools in my room.

"She didn't really tell me that much about it. Just that we're going, I have no choice, and I have to wear that." I pointed an accusing finger at the bag of club clothes and snagged one of the cups of coffee from him. I needed cafine right now and I wasn't going to be picky about it.

He unzipped the bag and grinned up at me. "I look forward to seeing you in that."

I rolled my eyes and took the bag from him, banishing it to the back my closet until after dinner. "Did Jasper tell you anything more about this club we're going to?"

He nodded and sipped from his drink. "It's called Danza de la noche, which translates to "Dance of the Night" if I'm not mistaken."

"Sounds like fun."

He nodded. "Emmett and Jake think so. Ben looked kind of freaked, I don't think he clubs too much."

"Nether does Angela. This will be her first time."

"Alice has ordered us to pick you up at the front door at six. If we're late, she promised to remove our favorite organs for us."

I grimaced and he chuckled. "That reminds me I need to talk to Leah and Jane about tonight."

He stood up and walked with me to the door. "Then I'll see you down at lunch."

"Save me a seat."

He disappeared again and I crossed the hall so I could knock on Jane's door. I stood in the hall and sipped my coffee while I waited. A few moments later Jane opened the door and grinned up at me.

"To what do I owe the pleasure Bella?"

"Alice is dragging a few of us to a club she found tonight after dinner. You want in?"

Jane nodded. "Sure I'm in for a little clubbing. Time to find out if Vegas has any cute boys in it."

"We're going to meet in Rosalie's room after dinner so we can do our hair and make up."

"Which room is she in?"

"Five."

Jane nodded. "I've got just the thing. I'll see you at lunch."

I moved down the hall and stopped at door number seven. I knocked and Leah opened the door.

"What's up Bella?"

"Alice found a club down the road. A few of us are going after dinner to unwind. You want to come?"

She nodded. "Yeah, sounds like fun."

"We're meeting in room five after dinner to get ready if you want to join us."

"Kay"

I spent the rest of the morning unpacking my things and moving into my new room. If everything went according to plan I would be living here for the next few months. I pulled my shoes on and brushed out my hair again before heading downstairs for lunch.

I took two wrong turns and ran into one dead end before I finally found the lounge. There was a table piled high with food and several of the other dancers were there getting food and eating at various tables. I grabbed a plate and picked a sandwich from the table.

"Bella, over here."

Alice, Edward, and Tanya had claimed a table by the window. Edward patted the seat next to him and I slid in with them. Alice slid me a sheet of paper. It was a day schedule for our filming. After lunch we were supposed to report to the costume shop for hair and make up, then we would be heading over to see the show stage at the CBS studios and film the partner assignments. There would also be a photo shoot after the filming.

"We're going to see the stage."

Alice nodded and bounced up and down in her seat. "And the judges are going to give us our first partners." She swiveled in her seat and waved over towards the door where Jasper and Rosalie were walking in.

"You're not going to get him Alice," I said honestly, already knowing where her thoughts were headed. This must be how it felt to be Alice. She always seemed to know what I was thinking or when something good was going to happen. She turned to face me, her light blue eyes narrowing into slits.

"And why won't I get him?"

"Alice, the judges pick partners based on style and height and ability. You and Jasper have over a foot in height difference. There's no way."

She scowled at her sandwich. "So?"

I chuckled and Alice pouted at me. She knew I was right and I almost felt bad about bursting her bubble. Jasper joined us and Rosalie sat at another table with Emmett and Erik.

"Who do you think you'll get paired with Bella?"

Tanya's question caught me off guard. She smiled at me but I detected some malice in her voice as she turned her gaze on Edward.

"Personally, I hope we get paired Eddie. That would make this competition so much easier. Seeing as how much practice we've already had working together."

A spike of jealousy ran through me as she grabbed his hand. Edward shook his head and squeezed her fingers before letting go of her hand.

"Don't call me Eddie, and I think the chances of us getting paired are about as high as Jasper getting matched with Rosalie."

She scooted closer to him and stared up at him through her heavily mascaraed eye lashes. I had an urge to pull him away from her and kiss him right here on the table so she would get the hint and back off. I shook off the feeling and noticed that as much as I hated how close they were sitting Edward hadn't scooted away from her. Maybe my possessive feelings weren't returned.

"And why is that Edward? We're almost the same height. We both have a background in Latin/Ballroom. Clearly we would be perfect partners."

He nodded. "And we've already worked together, that's my point. The judges allready snapped at us for dancing together once in the callbacks. They want to see how we dance with other people."

He glanced over at me and my cheeks flushed with heat. He looked back at Tanya and skillfully scooted away from her at the same time. "I'm looking forward to getting to dance with new people on this show."

Tanya scowled at him and shot me a disgruntled look before getting up to clear her plate. Edward scooted over again until he was right against my side and I felt a little smug.

"I'm hoping to get paired with this one girl I saw dance during callbacks. She was great."

What? I thought he wanted to get paired with me? I certainly wanted to be his partner. He nodded, continuing once it was clear I was not going to ask who she was. I hadn't realized I had competition for his attention. After that kiss yesterday I had thought my feelings for him were returned. Maybe I was wrong.

"She's got brown hair, a few shades lighter than her eyes. She's a samba dancer."

He leaned closer to my side and whispered the end of his thought into my ear.

"And she's a great kisser."

Oh…He was talking about me. My cheeks flushed and I felt very smug indeed. He wanted to be my partner. He had thought I was a good kisser. Cue inner happy dance.

I nodded and decided to play along with his joke. "I'm hoping to get partnered with this guy from Washington. He's got bright green eyes and his hair is this funny bronzy, red color. I can't figure out what to call it."

Alice giggled and Jasper smirked at us.

I glanced over at Edward who was watching me through his lashes. He ran a hand through his hair.

"You don't know what color my hair is?"

I shook my head. "I can't decide what to call it."

He looked up as if he would be able to see his own hair and shrugged. "I never really thought about it before."

"I was actually going to ask you about that Edward. Is that your natural color?" Alice asked.

Edward nodded. "Yeah, it's the same color my father had."

Topic of conversation moved from hair color to favorite colors and back to who we would want as possible partners and who we would definitely not want. Alice admitted that she did not want to dance with Erik again and I admitted that I wouldn't want to get paired with Ben. Broadway was something I had never tried before and people who danced it didn't generally get that far in the show.

At one, we walked upstairs with some of the other dancers and found Max waiting for us with a team all dressed in purple and red uniforms. I hadn't noticed before but Max's hair was streaked with red just like Tony's had been with purple.

Max pointed at me, snapped her fingers and a man with frosted black hair took my hand and led me away.

"This way miss."

He sat me down in his station and started to run his hands through my hair.

"How would you like your hair?"

I didn't know what to do with my hair. The most I ever did with my hair was run a straightener through it. I shrugged my shoulders.

"Just something simple."

He nodded. "You don't spend a lot of time in hair salons do you?"

"Is it that obvious?"

He chuckled. "Quite. Don't worry. I will make you look fantastic without going overboard."

"What's your name?"

"Jason, miss..."

"It's Bella."

He nodded and started running a brush through my hair.

"Well, miss Bella you are in very capable hands."

Ten minutes later my hair hung in soft curls and there was a light touch of makeup around my eyes. Jason took my hand and led me over to Max for inspection. She loved it. Said it was simple elegance and ordered me off to wardrobe.

Jason passed me off to another woman in Max's uniform who led me to a room full of mirrors and racks of costumes. She stood me up on one of many small circle platforms and pulled out a bright yellow measuring strip. Angela was on the platform next to me looking very uncomfortable as the assistant took her measurements.

Alice was led into the room and she started rolling off all of her measurements from memory. The woman working with her insisted on taking the measurements herself and Alice very smugly said I told you so as each one turned out to be exactly as she had said it was.

"Arm's out."

I held out my arms as she measured the length of my arms and down my sides.

"Stand straight please."

She measured my waist, the length of my legs and my bust size.

"What size shoes do you wear?"

"Seven."

She handed me several dance shoes and had me try on all of the different types. I was a different size for each type of shoe. Jazz shoes, ballet flats, Tap shoes, seven different types of heels and a few more I wasn't sure I wanted to know what they were for.

It was a whirl of colors and fabrics and getting poked with measuring devices. After what felt like a lifetime, I was spun out into the hallway with the other finished dancers. I glanced at myself in one of the mirrors randomly placed on the walls and inspected their work for myself.

My hair still looked perfect just as Jason had said it would be. The clothes I had been wearing were in my arms and I was now dressed in a pair of black dance pants and a simple white tank-top. I had been outfitted with a new pair of dance shoes and grumbled to myself as I realized this was only the first of many times I would have to get my hair and wardrobe done for me.

I dumped my things on my bed and crew members gathered all of us in the lobby down on the first floor.

"Bella."

I spun around and found Edward standing behind me. I hadn't seen him during the fitting. Boys and girls were kept separate so there was no need for private changing rooms. I bit my lip as I took in his simple new outfit. He looked almost edible.

He had been dressed in a pair of black dance pants like me but on top he was wearing a black button up with nothing underneath. Someone had tried to tame his hair and it was slowly moving back to its disorderly fashion and I wanted to run my fingers through it and help it along.

"You look great."

He nodded and brushed one of my new curls out of my face. "You too."

"Edward, you look absolutely fabulous as always."

Tanya jumped to our side and wrapped an arm around Edward's waist. Her strawberry curls had been sharpened and pinned around her face. She was wearing a simple red dress and she looked great. A warm arm was thrown across my shoulders and Jake pulled me to him.

"Wow, look at you Bells. I don't think I've ever seen you with your hair done."

Jake looked like a million bucks as well. Everyone did. Everyone was dressed in nice dancing clothes--things that we might wear to a real practice. Hair was curled and pinned and everyone had makeup around their eyes.

Now that we were in the top twenty, cameras would be doing a lot more personal shooting. We would do mini interviews for clips on the show and cameras would be following us to our rehearsals with the choreographers.

"You look good too Jake."

He smiled. "Thanks, come on let's get on the bus."

He took my hand and led me outside. I glanced back to find Edward. Tanya was clinging to his arm as she led him out behind us to where a large tour bus was waiting to drive us to the studio. The side of the bus said "So You Think You Can Dance" and had pictures of past dancers on it.

"Check out the bus." Jake said pointing at the announcement of this year's season on it. There was a large blank spot in the middle where the words. "Upcoming Top 20" were written.

"I see it."

We all piled onto the bus and found Mary and Nigel waiting for us. For the first time since we got to Las Vegas there were no cameras. Jake took the seat next to me and Tanya pulled Edward down next to her a few rows behind us. Once all of the dancers were on board we took off for the studio.

The ride was about a half hour and along the way Nigel and Mary talked about the photo shoot. Articles about us were going to be released in several different magazines over the next few days along with the announcement of this years top twenty which the world would see tomorrow night when the call backs aired.

We pulled up to the large studio and our bus followed a path around back. Nigel said they had to be careful that no one got pictures of us before our names were released tomorrow tonight. It was kind of an odd feeling.

Just a week ago I had been sitting at home not believing that this was possible. Now I was here, in the top twenty, getting ready for a photo shoot and we had security waiting to meet our bus so paparazzi wouldn't get a picture of us.

We were led inside and followed a long hallway around to the front of the building. It was absolutely huge. We walked through the doors onto the filming stage and my jaw dropped. We were really here. It was the stage I had seen on television.

The judge's box was on a raised platform to our left. Rows and rows of seats lined the front of the auditorium. Cat Deeley was standing on stage and she waved us up to her. I followed Jake and some of the others dancers as we climbed up the front steps.

I stepped on the stage and took a deep breath. I was really here. So many great dancers had been discovered on this very stage, dozens of award winning dances choreographed. This was the stage where Twitch and Katee had done the door routine to "Mercy". The bench dance that won an Emmy was first danced on this stage. Wade Robson had done "Ramalama" on this very stage.

Another hand wrapped around my waist and warm breath washed over my check as Edward whispered in my ear. "Breathe Bella."

I took a deep breath and air raced back into my lungs.

"It's beautiful."

He nodded and glanced around the auditorium. "Yeah it is."

Cat Deeley lined us up in two lines. The boys were lined up on her left and I was lined up with the girls on her right. Crew men in cameras were racing along the floor and Mary and Nigel sat in the judge's box. Tyce was back and he smiled along with the judges as Cat introduced them.

"Ok America, I'm here with your Top twenty and it's time for our judges to pair them up into our first ten couples."

She motioned for the Nigel to talk and he smiled at the camera.

"Thank you Cat. For our first pair we would like James to step forward."

James stepped forward. His dirty blond hair was pulled back into a ponytail and he was sporting a jacket, something none of the others boys were wearing. James glanced over the line of ladies waiting to learn which one would be his partner. He winked at me and I shivered involuntarily.

"James, we are partnering you with Tanya."

Tanya stepped forward and gave James a hug. He seemed far more excited than she was and I was probably the only one who saw the look she shot Edward. One by one, the judges called a boy forward and paired him with his partner.

"Erik and Jane"

"Ben and Jessica."

"Jacob-"

Jake stepped forward and flashed a hopeful smile over at me. If I couldn't have Edward as my partner I would have chosen Jake. We had been friends for as long as I could remember and I was looking forward to seeing more of his dancing.

"Jake you will be paired with Heidi."

Bummer, Heidi rushed forward and they hugged. He wrapped his arms around her and swung her around in a circle before they joined the other matched pairs off to the side. Nigel returned to calling people forward and pairing them off.

"Laurent you will be paired with Angela."

When Emmett's name was called he bounded forward and cracked his knuckles.

"Bring on the ladies."

Some of the girls chuckled and I rolled my eyes. I knew Emmett had his hopes set on Rosalie and it was clear from the intense look she was giving Nigel that she was daring him to call any name other than hers.

"Emmett, we have matched you up with Leah."

Rosalie scowled and Emmett threw her a sorrowful look as he embraced Leah and they joined the others. Jasper was called next and I could practically hear Alice mentally begging that the judges would over look their height difference.

"Jasper, your partner will be Victoria."

A tall girl with blaze red hair walked forward and gave Jasper a hug. She was only a few inches shorter than he was and she probably could have rivaled Rosalie in confidence. He took her hand and led her over to where the others couples were sitting.

"Mike Newton, you will be paired with Alice."

Mike seemed as worried about the pairing as Alice was disappointed. Mike was the second shortest boy in this season and Nigel said he was looking forward to see them work together to make their heights work. I was looking forward to Alice kicking Mike's butt when he tripped her the first time. I didn't pity her.

Rosalie got paired with Demetri and then there was only one boy left. It took a moment for me to remember that I was the last girl still standing next to Cat. Nigel called Edward forward.

"Edward, I guess it's clear who your partner is. We were very pleased with the work you and Bella did during the callbacks. You complement each other very well. We will be expecting good things from both of you."

I raced forward and locked my arms around his neck. He picked me up and spun us around a few times. He set me down and I resisted doing a happy dance. I was resisting a lot of things while the camera was still on. A part of me wanted to kiss him but a smarter part of me didn't want to be the center of a "showmance". Another side of me wanted to turn around and stick my tongue out at Tanya, but I was not going to sink to that level.

I settled for grinning like an idiot as Cat called the other groups back to her and we all did different poses with our partners as she said good night. My pose with Edward had been similar to our last pose in our dance during callbacks. He had swung me up on his back and I locked my legs around his chest.

Cat called a crew man forward and we were ordered to follow him to costume change. Backstage was as wild as I had feared it would be. Lights along the floor offered just enough light to see by and every available surface was black.

TV's and small speakers were set up so people back stage could see what was going on in front and wires covered everything. They were draped along the floor, scaling the walls through small holes and criss-crossing the ceiling above us like spiderwebs.

A long room in the back was set aside for costume changes. Each week we would be responsible for getting our costumes here. There would be assistants here to help us quick change and get our hair done. Right now we were going to be dressed for the photo shoot.

Max was back with her team of fashion ninjas. It took just over an hour but when they were done with us we all looked like models. That is if models could dance. A room in the back had been set up for the photo shoot and a man with a camera around his neck was calling out orders.

"Dancers, Dancers. This way, that's right. Don't trip over the equipment. It's very expensive. Mary, Nigel over there we will do group shoots with you in a moment. Cat, I want you by camera two. Dancers get with your partner. We will take a few shots of each pair and then move on."

Pair after pair were pulled in front of the camera and told to pose. The lights flashed and I was sure I was going blind.

"You two up front, smile."

Edward took my arm and led me in front of the camera. I was starting to get overwhelmed. It was all so much to look at, so much to think about. Edward put his hands on my arms and forced me to look at him.

"Calm down Bella."

I nodded and took a deep breath.

"Don't think about the camera."

"What am I supposed to think about?"

He smiled and took my hand.

"Dancing."

He spun me around and caught me in a dip. I could do that. I would think about dancing. I closed my eyes for a second then changed my mind and locked them on Edward's. He pulled me in front of him and we posed.

The camera clicked and Edward twisted me into a new stance. It was like a cheesy little dance. I wrapped my arms around his neck and he lifted me onto his shoulder by my waist. We hit another pose and I slipped backwards. I grabbed onto Edwards head and we tried not to fall over as we fell to pieces laughing at each other.

"All right, you're done, good work. Next pair."

Edward grabbed onto me and helped me find my feet as we moved over for the next pair to get their picture taken.

"Thank you, Edward."

He nodded and kissed the top of my head.

"You've got to learn to loosen up. This is what you want to do, just have fun with it."

"This is what I want."

A man in black led us over to a larger screen where Mary and Nigel were messing around with the other dancers who were already there. We joined the group and I tried to focus on having fun as the camera snapped.

Everyone got their group shots and a few singles were taken. We were all herded in front of the largest screen yet. Cat joined us and we did a few full group shots with all twenty dancers, the main two judges and our host.

"Ok Everyone. Say Dance."

We all did a funny pose, Alice and I gave Nigel bunny ears, and yelled.

"Dance!"

The camera snapped one last time and it was done.

~Darkrose

(Jumps in the air and does a happy dance) He did it! He did it! Yippy!!!! Evan's going to the finals!!
Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! TOP FOUR! WooHoo! I can't wait to see the tour they go on.