Hey all! I hope you had a great week :D I got to go see Into the Woods AND Annie with my little sister this weekend. It was tons of fun and good to spend time with her (: On a sidenote, I actually wrote myself a bio. Finally. It's not that big of a deal and super boring, but if you want to check it out, that's there now.
So let me explain: You know how in some novels there are different parts within the book? Like they say "part one" and "part two" and such? Yea, so the last chapter was like the end of Part one of this "book" and this chapter is the beginning of Part two! This Part will focus a lot on the dance crew and the different competitions. So be prepared for a lot of dancing :D Also, the other couples will be offical soonish. I'm excited and have been doing a lot of planning. This chapter explains the dance competitions a bit better and sets up other things. So hang in there, I know this chapter is a bit boring. It's more of an expositional chapter, because it's setting up part two. Anyways. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I got too excited about writing and forgot to plan... Oh well. Soon I will own all! But until then... nope...
"So explain it to me one more time," Elsa requested, her wide eyes looking up at Jack, who had her tucked into his arms.
Jack chuckled and looked down at her, "Explain what, Princess?" His back was leaning against the wall as they sat on his bed.
"How do all these competitions work? For the dance crew."
"Oh!" he interlaced one of his hands with hers, his fingers brushing along her long fingers. "The competition next weekend is preliminaries. We get scored by the judges with some audience help, along with every other crew in the region. There are just prelims across the region happening on the same day. They make it easier to locate the ones they want to compete in regionals. At the end of the day, all across the region, they compare scores and take the top twenty-five crews to compete in Regionals. In prelims, you get one shot, one performance. In Regionals, it's a full competition. We perform a crew piece, but there are also solo, pair, and small group competitions."
She snuggled further into his shoulder, "And how do the other competitions work? Like do you know ahead of time?"
"No, they are decided there. Sometimes you are given an hour to put something together, but other times it's whomever is good at that style. For example, if you have a contemporary piece put together, and they call contemporary, you would go perform. Everyone in the crew has been pulling together what they can. We have most of our bases covered there! Other times, they give you a word cue for a song, and you have to come up with a song and dance to it in a time period. But it's harsh. Within the first day, they cut the twenty-five crews to ten, and on the second day they take the top three teams for the National competition. It's pretty cut-throat. We made it to National, but placed fourth, so we couldn't go to the global competition. We missed it by one!"
Elsa giggled as Jack punched the air in frustration. "And global is in Rome this year?"
"Yes! And with you as our secret weapon," he said, brushing her fingers to his lips, "we are sure to make it."
"So our crew is pretty good?"
"We so are! And one of the crowd favorites. We have tons of 'personality.' I think it's just 'cause our team is stacked with attractive people who are super talented!" He grinned at her.
"Wait, why am I a secret weapon?"
Jack laughed, "Just now catching that? Well, the popular crews are well known. They do profiles of some of the people and interviews. The crowd eats it up! The more popular you and your crew are, you have a bit more of an advantage. So imagine, a favorite crew gets a new, stunningly beautiful and beyond talented dancer, who is by far the best girl on the team. You're going to get lots of attention. And no one knows about you yet!"
"Huh. Okay! So tomorrow, I'm gonna be presented to everyone?"
"Yes, love. But don't worry, you will do so well. They are all going to love you. Everyone will miss Esmerelda, but when we tell your story, and some of the crew gives an account of how you just jumped right in, you will skyrocket!"
Elsa looked down at her lap and there intertwined hands nervously. She loved the idea of helping Jack and the crew, to whom she had grown very close, but she hated being in the spotlight.
Jack noticed immediately. "Elsa, what's wrong?" his hand left hers to pull her chin back up to face him.
"I'm just very nervous. I love performing, but it's hard when you have to make a connection with your audience. Plus, I don't like attention like that… It just makes me nervous."
Jack pressed a chaste kiss to her forehead, "Don't worry, darling. It will all be right. I'd tell you to just be yourself, but I know you struggle to show your true feelings." He sighed, "Your true self is so stunning though. Please give it a try. You can do it, and we are going to rock the socks off both the judges and the crowd tomorrow! We have this in the bag."
She looked into his eyes, still slightly scared but feeling a bit better.
Jack smiled down at her. "Here, I'll make you a deal. When, not 'if' 'cause I know it's going to happen, we make it into Regionals, you and I are going on a real date."
"But…"
"No 'butts!' We have been dancing around this for a while, Elsa. And when we finally kissed yesterday, it confirmed it. I know you have feelings for me, and I've always been very forward about my feelings. I want to take you on a real date, title and everything. You don't have to say yes to being my girlfriend yet, but at least let me do this. Please?" he gave her the puppy eyes.
Elsa smiled up at him. "I guess we can do that."
"Yes!" Jack punched the air, causing Elsa to giggle. He then proceeded to do a happy dance on the bed, knocking them both off balance. Next thing Elsa knew, she was somehow pinned underneath him and they were nose to nose. Her hand came up to caress his cheek.
"This is going to be the best date you have ever been on," Jack said, and then promptly cut off any snarky reply with a passionate kiss.
Elsa's eyes flew open in shock, and then she relaxed into the kiss, her hand moving back to intertwine into the back of his hair and pulled him in closer. He gently allowed himself to lay on her, his arms encircling her.
They both jumped at the noise of a knock on the door.
"Oi! Love birds! Put on some clothes, I'm coming in!" Flynn's voice cut through the door.
Jack chuckled, raising himself off Elsa and pulling her up. He jumped off the bed and went to open the door.
"That was quick," Flynn observed, looking around him to see where Elsa was.
Jack laughed at him and slugged him on the arm. "That's cause we both are fully clothed."
"What?! That's no fun! Now go try again, and do it properly this time." He went to shut the door.
"No!" Elsa squeaked from the bed, as she got up and bounded across the room.
Flynn laughed at Elsa's enthusiasm. "Don't worry, chica. I fully support waiting, if that's your thing."
Elsa raised an eyebrow and glared at Flynn. "It better be YOUR thing, because I don't want you in Punzie's pants anytime soon."
"Don't worry, sunshine. I don't want mindless sex with her. I actually want to pursue a relationship." He smiled at Elsa, but added, threateningly, "Just don't tell anyone, cause I don't wanna ruin my rep. Also, I want to be the one to tell her. So no girly gossip."
Elsa chuckled at him, joyful that he let down his façade long enough to reassure her of his intentions with her best friend. "Don't worry, dear. I promise I won't. I want you to be the one to tell her. Are you planning on asking her out soon?"
Flynn and Jack made eye contact and shared a knowing smile. Jack turned to Elsa and slipped his hand in hers, "Flynn has something planned. Don't worry, I'm sure you will hear about it. In fact, we might be there!"
"We might?" Elsa cocked her head.
Jack turned to Elsa, took his other hand in his so he was holding both, stared her in the eyes, and then in the most pompous voice he could muster said "Elsa, would you do me the honor of accompanying me to the Harvest Festival Wednesday night? It would bring great joy to my heart."
Flynn snickered and Elsa giggled. "Why, of course kind sir! I would love to accompany you."
Jack swooped in and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Good. Now we can have front row seats to what Flynn is going to do!" he turned to Flynn, "Man, now I'm gonna have to show you up when I officially ask Elsa out! You make it hard for me…"
Flynn looked shocked. "You mean you aren't dating yet?" Both shook their heads. "Really? Everyone thinks you've been dating for ages."
Jack chuckled. "No, we've been taking it slow. Well, not super slow, but a lot slower than I would've liked to. I woulda asked her out the day I met her!"
Elsa promptly slugged him and added, "I needed time to open up to the idea."
Flynn grinned, "'Cause the idea of dating Jack is so revolting."
"Exactly!" Elsa replied, giggling.
"Hey! I'm right here!"
"Yes," Elsa ruffled his hair, "we know. Don't worry, I don't need you to do anything extreme to ask me to be your girlfriend. I don't need a big show."
"I know, but you deserve one." Jack pulled her into his arms, and then pushed Flynn out of the doorway. "Now leave us alone, man!" he said, shutting the door in Flynn's face.
"Have fun you two!" Flynn shouted through the closed door. He turned and walked back to his room, thinking about Rapunzel and Wednesday. Blondie said that her favorite part of the festival was when they let the lanterns go into the sky. He recalled the joy and wonder on her face as she had told him that she had always dreamed of lighting and releasing one herself, but had never been able to. Her parents had kept her from going to the festival, and she had just watched them from the window all these years. Well, I will make her dream, as little as it is, come true this year. He smiled to himself, picturing the joy on her face.
I just hope she likes me enough to say yes to becoming my girlfriend.
I'm excited for Flynn and Rapunzel to get together :D they are one of my favorities. Rather than being a theif, Flynn is a "heart stealer," bad boy. Get it? :D I was proud of myself for that. Figured I'd clarify. Anyways...
Review time!
FangirlAlertWatchOut: :D I'm happy squealing happened. Soon I will address Punzie and Anna's hearing about the kiss, and trust me, there will be much squealing!
Sayza: Thank you! I'm glad you thought it was cute :D And I'm glad it's not possible to die of that, because you being alive is a good thing ;)
OoPoPcAnDy: Hahaha, I'm assuming that's about the kiss, yes? :D
SureSnowflake: Glad to make you happy :D Remember to let me know what you want!
RasberryCheeseCake: I'm so glad you like it! I wish I could write faster.. Sorry :( But if I can, I will!
Iheartjelsaandunicorns: Well, then we didn't want Greg anyways! Fangirling is an essential part of this operation. ;D
Geminiagate: Thank you :D
disneyobsessionist: CONCEAL, DON'T FEEL! Just kidding, feeling is good. As much as I hate to admit that :P Thank you for the Jelsa kisses (i put some real Jelsa kisses in the story this week, but they didn't require any rows) and for the cookies! Can they be Gluten-free cookies though? My body doesn't like gluten.. D: it's terrible really. Anyways... Thanks :D
quirkycharm: Did you read it all at once?! Wow! :D I'm so glad you are enjoying it, and that you picked up on how I was shaping the characters! Thank you for reviewing :D
Gabby423: Thank you!
NAndM: I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Yea, I know the chapter was short. I do chapter length based on flow. I'm sorry that last week was shorter, but that's the way the flow of the story worked. Don't worry, some more action is coming soon! They need some downtime first ;) Also, I purposly left out Elsa's story for a bit. I've dropped hints, but it is not time to reveal quite yet! It will emerge by the end of the story, don't worry. It's all in the plot line :D Have a good week!
GoudelPrincess: :D I know, right?! Finally!
Randomperson: I know, right?! I love that song. I love singing that song :D And I know "I will survive!" I love that song too. It's gonna be calm for a bit; I kinda explained that in the beginning. The "part one, part two" stuff :D I need to set up the competitions. it's gonna be good! Lots of fun songs and drama. And chocolate is always good. Hot chocolate is just as good :D I'm drinking some now. And yes, your other review sent :D I don't know what it's like having a big sister (I'm the eldest), but my little sisters like to nose into my stuff. I have to be careful, cause I know they read Jelsa fanfics, and I don't want them to read this cause they aren't allowed to read swearing or boys being crude. Even though they are like 16 and 14... BUT STILL THEY ARE LITTLE GIRLS AND I HAVE TO PROTECT THEM! kay. sorry. :D have a good week! Siren, out
Marielle: I'm so glad that you liked it! And i'm sorry it was a long time in coming, but it was needed :D Have a good week, and thank you for the encouragement!
Mozsarik: Thank you so much! It's awesome to be refered to as "amazing" :D I like that. I'll try to keep writing? lol. I might give it up writing fanfics when I'm like thirty or something. But I'll keep writing in general. I'm sorry they aren't offically dating yet... Elsa is still hesitant, and Jack wants a big bang. So a bit longer :D
MashiroAzuki: Good job detecting the "stop" in the chapter, as it is then "end of part one" BUTTT never fear! This is just the end of the first half. There is more to come ;)
Have a fablous week everyone! My amazing boyfriend is coming to town, and it's been A WHOLE FREAKING MONTH since I've seen him last. So I know I'm gonna have a good week :D super excited. kay. Love you all and thank you for reading! Please keep sharing with your friends and reviewing to let me know what you think. Thank you!
xoxoxoxo,
Siren