Author's Note: I really enjoyed writing this chapter. I did really geek out with the dance terminology but I just love dancing. I hope you enjoy this as much as I did writing it! ~ KennyEchelon

Left my Heart on the Dancefloor Chapter 9

We ran off-stage, smiles plastered on our faces. I freed my hair from its pony and my scalp breathed a sigh of relief; I ran my fingers through it, tousling out the hairspray sticking it together. I turned to Britt and linked both her hands in mine, squeezing gently.

Her face softened at my eye contact and I could feel myself grinning like a fool. I didn't even care what I looked like, I was that happy. Brittany let go of my hands and put her arms around me in a tight embrace, not caring that I was all hot and sweaty. I returned the pressure around her waist and rested my chin on her shoulder, standing on tiptoes so I could reach.

"Go knock 'em dead, babe" I said into her ear "and if they don't give you 1st, there's gon' be Bitchtana to answer to. I'mma kick their asses if they don't but there are gonna LOVE you."

"Thank you Sanny" she sang back, hugging harder.

She skipped off to the changing rooms to get ready for her solos and I called a good luck message after her. The dance students who weren't performing in the solo section went into the auditorium to watch and I took a seat in one of the itchy fabric chairs about a third of the way from the front. I scratched my head because the hairspray was still irritating it. I'd put that much in to hold my mane back.

There was a 15 minute interval between the groups and solos so that the dancers could get changed and an assistant could run out to grab the adjudicator a coffee. I tried to make small talk with the others during the wait but it was slightly awkward. We'd grown closer in the run up to the competition but there was still some wariness there. It wasn't like talking to Britt.

She made conversation so easy and relaxed and I'd never had that. The girls at Lima Heights were too self-absorbed to talk about anything that wasn't related to them and my mom, dad and Abuela thought I was better seen and not heard. It was like she was more than family.

I thought of her, stood in that dressing room and practically pissing herself with nerves. She would never show it. She was too professional for that. She'd learned that it looked better in auditions not to appear scared and after that she didn't show what she was feeling in that sort of situation. She'd told me that when I went over to her house once and saw her rainbow Post-It note reminders on her notice-board.

I quickly rushed into the backstage area, getting there as quickly as I could so I'd make it back before the end of the interval. Narrowly avoiding collisions with people from other schools I found the right door and burst in. She was in her underwear and I blushed a bright pink color, especially noticing that she was wearing a thong because it was easier to hide under a costume.

"Oh god, I'm sorry" I stammered, trying to compose myself.

"It's fine" she smiled, pushing a piece of hair behind her ear, "We're dancers. We see people get changed all the time. Besides, I don't mind. It's you."

I thought I could see her cheeks redden but I wasn't sure in the poor light. I let myself hope that they did because my heart was now banging against my ribs. My eyes wandered and I noticed that her abs were more defined and her chest was more developed than the first time I'd seen her.

She wasn't making very much effort to hide herself either. It was almost like she wanted me to look. The thing was, if it was anyone else, I would use my judgemental bitch powers to figure out whether that was true but I didn't want to do that to Britt.

I cleared my throat, bringing me to my senses. "Anyway, I came down 'cause I knew you'd be crapping yourself right now and I wanted to tell you to calm down because you're amazing and talented and you can do this." My words tumbled out without pause for breath.

Brittany's eyes shone and she caught her lip in her teeth, smiling. I walked over to her and hugged her, the smell of her hair and deodorant surrounding me. My breath caught in my throat when I noticed that her half-naked breasts were pushed against me and I tried to ignore it but that was not going to happen.

"Thanks so much!" she gasped "Oh my god, San, I love you!" I grinned involuntarily and replied with an "I love you too, Britt."

And at that point in time, I believed it was true, I just hadn't figured out how I loved her. Was it platonic or something more? She was definitely my best friend but a nagging feeling told me that I wasn't going to be happy with just that for very much longer.

I left her to finish getting changed and I returned to the auditorium, my face pink and thoughts racing. The announcer started calling for everyone to return to their seats just as I'd sat down but I was too busy thinking about what had just happened to take notice to what was being said. It wasn't until Brittany's name was called as the second dancer that I was snapped out of my thoughts.

She came onstage in a floaty dress in light blue. There was a long slit up to her hip on one side and studded pieces of fabric were attached to her straps and wrists. Her hair was loose and it cascaded around her face as she stood center-stage in classical pose. She was incredibly beautiful and it almost hurt to look at her. The soft white and blue lights didn't help either.

Classical music drifted out of the speakers and she developpéd her leg into an arabesque at the back. The audience cheered, but none were as loud as me. She leaned forwards into a penchée, raising her leg past ninety degrees and holding it with unbelievable strength.

Pulling up into a relevé, then lowering into a retiré position with her foot pointed in front of her knee. Executing a good piqué, she moved into a pas de bourrée. I watched in awe as she danced the most amazing solo I'd ever seen, but I may have been a little biased. Her grande jeté en tournons were elevated and she really showed off her flexibility.

She finished in an open fourth, her back foot released and her arms were in open fifth position, facing out to the audience. They cheered loudly and I nearly screamed myself hoarse. All dignity and inhibitions were gone, thanks to Brittany Susan Pierce.

The other dancers performed but none of them held my interest like Britt. I paid attention because it was polite but it just wasn't the same. After the section had finished the adjudicator took a few minutes to review their notes and then called the performers to return to the stage.

Britt didn't look very nervous but I could tell from the way she was picking at the sequins on her dress that she really was. The eight other dancers in the category looked way more scared. I suppose Brittany could look arrogant to anyone who didn't know her; like she was sure she would win.

But she wasn't so I had to do that for her.

"First place in the Solos Category… Brittany Pierce from Lima Academy!"

I yelled my delight as she beamed widely, squealing over her victory. Her hands covered her face in surprise and she giggled happily. Accepting her trophy she said a quiet thank you to the announcer who handed it over.

My hands were red from clapping so hard and I swear I was losing my voice. I was unbelievably proud and she looked so happy I felt my chest was going to explode.

"Oh Britt" I whispered "I'm so proud of you."