Hey all! So apparently I forgot how hard it is to write around my family. We had a great family reunion this last week! It was fun, but I feel as though I got nothing done. BUTTT I did get some great planning done. I have the whole Epilogue written in my head, and I know exactly where I want to go with this story. And shit, it's good! Be excited :D
Without further ado, the next chapter :D
Jack took a deep breath in as he looked down at the unread text message from a weird number.
This was it. The information for the final event.
The crew was all assembled around him in their practice room, eagerly awaiting the information for the final event of Regionals. After this event, the judges would take an hour to deliberate and then they would announce the three groups who would be attending Nationals.
He looked around, meeting everyone's eager eyes, and then grinned. They could do this!
His finger clicked open the text.
"Your crew must pick two people, one boy and one girl, to perform a song that contains the word 'leaving.' This can be any style, from ballroom to hip-hop to contemporary. You will be judged based on creativity, technique, and uniqueness. Don't worry about selecting the same song as a different crew, this will not affect your score, but we would like to see many different styles. The rest of the crew is allowed to help choreograph. The pair must be behind stage, where they will receive their order of performance, promptly at 8:00PM. The doors will close at 8:01, disqualifying anyone who is late from competing, thus losing all possible points for this event. Good luck!"
Jack looked up from his phone at all the brainstorming faces.
"Any ideas?" he asked.
"Well, everyone will choose to do some contemporary heartbreak song or some hip-hop douche song," Meg deduced.
"So we should stay away from that. Anyone know of any other styles of music with the word 'Leaving' in it?" Marty asked.
"And who do we want to dance? My vote is Jelsa. They are already super popular and have great chemistry," Giselle gushed. "Their waltz earned us a ton of points! Plus they have a ton of stuff already up their sleeve."
The rest of the crew turned to the pair with a smirk on their face.
"Got anything with the cue word, love birds?" Puss asked.
Elsa looked deep in thought, and half-muttered to herself, "So no contemporary or hip-hop… What if we stayed away from the traditional idea of leaving… Something still hopeful?" Then her eyes lit up. "I got it! And it could be salsa! Jack and I have a couple salsa sequences already worked out, if you still want us to dance. I know we aren't necessarily the best salsa dancers…" she trailed off looking at the rest of the crew.
Vanessa scoffed, "We just need to win. If you guys think you can do it, I'm cool. Plus, they will be looking for chemistry."
The rest of the crew voiced affirmation.
Jack pushed Elsa toward the stereo. "Let's hear the song, Princess! I wanna see what you mean by 'still hopeful.'"
Elsa smirked at him and then pulled her phone out. A second later electronic beats with a fast salsa rhythm came pounding through the speakers.
Cause tomorrow morning we'll be leaving
So right now, you better jump right in
Tomorrow morning we'll be leaving
So let's keep it rocking til daylight
Gotta live like we got one night, one night, one night
Gotta live like we got one night, one night, one night
'cause you know we just got one life, one life, one life
So gotta live like we got one night, one night, one night.
By the end of the song, Jack had Elsa twirling around their practice room in various salsa passes. The upbeat music was pouring into everyone and the rest of the crew was laughing along with them.
The music ended, and Jack dipped Elsa in an impromptu pose, everyone else's applause thundering in their ears.
"Yea, that will work perfectly. It's super positive! It's more about living life to the fullest because you may never know when life ends. Super cute!" Giselle squealed.
Ariel was laughing with her, "I've never even heard this song before! It's super catchy and positive!"
"And it has the cue word," Simba smiled.
"They seem like this won't be a problem at all. They were already dancing and it looked great!" Timon chimed in.
"Do you need our help choreographing? Or do you think you would do better by yourselves?" Puss asked.
Jack looked down at Elsa, "Do you have some ideas for this song babe? Or do you want help?"
Elsa thought for a moment, then smiled at the crew, "I do have some ideas, but I would love help. Giselle, would and Ariel figure out what we should wear? We should have this done by 7:50 so we can come change and go to the main room."
The two girls squealed together, starting to discuss outfit ideas and how cute the two were together. Timon smiled at them and then looked at the pair, "I'll go watch them and make sure they don't get to crazy. I'm not much of a help in the latin department anyways!"
Jack laughed at this, and the crew watched as the trio left to pull together the pairs outfits.
He turned back to the remaining of the crew "So how should we do this?"
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Merida looked down at her music theory book and huffed. She was stuck. Her fingers itched for her phone, and before she knew it, Hiccup's face filled the screen and her finger hovered over his number. Then she shook her head.
I can't call him… We can't study together anymore. I'll just want to kiss him…
There was a knock at her door.
"Come in," she grunted, still frustrated at the impasse she found herself in.
As though her thoughts called him, the object of her affections peeked through the door. "Hey Merida, can I come in?"
She half-groaned and half-cheered and buried her face in her hands, nodding. In a moment, Hiccup was next to her on the bed, his arm around her, and the delicious smell of coffee filling her nose.
"Hey, what's wrong? Are you okay? Is it . . ."
She cut him off, looking up from her hands. "I smell coffee."
Hiccup laughed, "Well, yeah. I figured you would be studying for our Music theory test tomorrow and needed the liquid persuasion." The cup found its way into her hands, and soon her nerves were settled.
"That bad, huh? Good thing I read your mind." His grin was infectious, as he leaned over and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Hi you. Struggling? Need help?"
Merida groaned again, stuck in the same situation. She really wanted to say screw music theory and just spend time with him, but she really needed to study. Her grade had been suffering recently and she really needed a good grade on this test. "Yeah, I need help. But I don't wanna study when you're here."
His grin widened, "I didn't realize I had that effect on you, darlin'"
She shoved him, almost succeeding in pushing him off the bed. But he was prepared for her crazy antics.
He crawled back toward her. "Come on, Mer. I'll help you study." He tucked the girl in his arms, the book on their laps, as he began to explain the tools to submerge tonality.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The now-familiar sound of the crowd cheering reached Elsa's ears as she burst through the doors, laughing, hand-in-hand with Jack. They were right on time, making it into the final competition.
The crew did it! They had pulled together a unique, prize-winning piece in an hour. Elsa grinned as her hands brushed down the impromptu skirt Giselle had thrown together with Ariel's help. Elsa's black tube-skirt was modified, with black lace over it, following the tight curve of the skirt, and then flowing over the edge into a pleat in the back. Another longer edge flowed over her right leg. A cobalt crop top, that Giselle had been apparently been saving for Elsa, flowed over the top of her body. The neon chiffon kissed the top of the skirt in the front, flowing up diagonally, leaving her sides and lower back bare. The front came into a halter neckline and the back was left almost open, only a strip across the back. Her hair had been shaken out of its earlier braid and left down, the natural curls cascading across her back
Giselle had really outdone herself, modifying a skirt and throwing together both outfits in less than forty minutes.
She smiled at Jack, taking in his simple black pants, classic converse, and a white dress shirt open at the top. If she didn't know any better, she would have assumed they were just going salsa dancing, not about to perform on stage.
"Giselle really did a good job," she said, after catching his eye.
He grinned back, "We all did. Seriously, this is going to be one hell of a big-banged finale for us. The best part is that it was totally a team effort!"
She seriously loved the crew. They worked so well together, throwing out ideas, rejecting others, all the time respecting everyone and not getting offended when their ideas weren't being picked. They were a team; everyone worked together.
They stood together, Elsa leaning into Jack's arms, as they waited for their turn. The smiles and excitement never left their faces.
And finally, it was their turn. Jack turned to her, "Ready, love?"
She grinned back, "Born ready!"
"Good," his eyes danced with hers. He pressed a kiss to her forehead, "I'll see ya on the other side!" He took off, running behind stage to the other entrance.
The intro music brought her out of the stupor. Luckily, Simba knew the light guy and had handed him a small list of requests. The lights dimmed, and colors came flashing on the stage.
She caught sight of Jack across the stage and shot him a grin. Here they go!
The first beats of the music kicked in, and on the first beat of the music they both slid on stage and posed. Elsa pretended to 'fix herself up,' and Jack popped his collar, both acting as though they were preparing for a night out. When the beat kicked in, they danced to the center of the stage, freestyling, until they were back to back and bumped into each other right as the words started.
We're in the spot right now, Ch-checking it out
They both spun around, and as though they were having a dance off, Jack began. He did a basic salsa step, adding a spin, and popping his collar and chest on the stutter of the music. Jack added some hip-hop footwork, blending it indo more salsa step, and gesturing for Elsa to go on the last word.
Packed from wall to wall it's going down no doubt
Elsa did a double time salsa step to each side, then followed with a hip sway to each side. She dropped on "down," her arms countering upwards, and then body rolled up. She tried not to grin at the 'whoops' emerging from the male side of the audience.
Got girls to my left, drinks to my right
Jack added an impressive one-handed handstand, with one leg bent, commonly seen in hip-hop, and gestured to the left with his free hand, as per the music. Elsa countered with a contemporary-esque spin, throwing the weight of her body by her stationary leg, her other leg flying up into a standing splits. Once that was landed, she leaped into the air, once-again showing off her flexibility in the splits.
I can tell that this is gonna be one of them nights
They stepped toward each other on the stage, facing off, Jack popped his collar again and spun, and Elsa swayed her hips, both freezing on the last word.
Whatever you need is on the dance floor
Can't wait anymore because it don't last forever
So turn up that spotlight
Gonna tear it up like we got one night
As the beat of the music picked up, the couple went into one of their classic salsa routines, doing passes and spins, all without touching each other. It was as though they were connected, Jack leading, but without the normal contact, the face-off still stood. They froze on the 808 on the last line, the lights blacking out.
'Cause tomorrow morning we'll be leaving
So right now you better jump right in
Elsa let the salsa beat wash over her, mirroring Jack while doing basic salsa step. On the word "jump," they hopped turned to the audience, jumping three times to the right and sliding back to the left.
Tomorrow morning we'll be leaving
So let's keep it rocking 'til daylight
They went back into salsa, passing through each other's arms, but still not touching.
Gotta live like we got one night, one night, one night
Gotta live like we got one night, one night, one night
'Cause you know we just got one life, one life, one life
So gotta live like we got one night, one night, one night
Their routine was all fun, relishing in the idea that no matter what happens the next day, they would have the time of their lives tonight. And that's what it was; even if they didn't make it to Nationals, Elsa and Jack would make this last dance the most fun they had the whole trip.
I got one hand up the other on you
They finally made contact, their hands clasping as Jack pulled Elsa into the traditional ballroom hold.
Got me in a spell yeah girl the way you move
They went into a side salsa twice, and then Elsa swiveled her hips down on the "way you move"
Tomorrow ain't real tonight is our truth
Jack pushed her back into the basic salsa, his hand flowing over her head and down her arm, and as they came back, he pushed her into a back spin, and then pulled her forward under his arm, around his back, and back to his front.
Gonna have you screaming out gotta make you say ooh, ooh, ooh
They lapsed into Bachata for a moment, Jack pulling Elsa straight to him, not an inch in between their bodies. On the "ooh, ooh, ooh," he pushed her back into her favorite spin, pivoting them around four times, but their bodies never leaving each other.
We're falling in love on the dance floor
Girl you and me we'll make this last forever
The future is so bright
Gonna live it up like got one night
'Cause tomorrow morning we'll be leaving
So right now you better jump right in
Tomorrow morning we'll be leaving
So let's keep it rocking 'til daylight
Gotta live like we got one night, one night, one night
Gotta live like we got one night, one night, one night
'Cause you know we just got one life, one life, one life
So gotta live like we got one night, one night, one night
Now in contact, their passes became more complicated. They had pulled from everyone's knowledge and their own experimenting, to come up with the most complicated passes they could. Elsa was spinning across the stage, a giant smile on her face.
As the music dropped out, they lapsed back into Bachata, his arms turning her to pull her into a cuddle. The beat came back and he spun her around three times, pushing her back into the salsa moves.
'Cause tomorrow morning we'll be leaving
So right now you better jump right in
On this quieter build up, they stopped. Their emotion and elation shown on their face, as Jack just pulled her into a simple, traditional slow dance.
Tomorrow morning we'll be leaving
So let's keep it rocking 'til daylight
As the build up came, Jack spun Elsa to the front of the stage, allowed her to spin out, and then back in, lifting her up by the hips, her legs flying out into the leap. She followed through, stepping to the other side of his body after the landing, and then lined up their arms, allowing her back to connect to Jack's as he leaned forward, rolling over him, her legs following in a wave. They landed, and then jumped twice as the crowd roared.
Gotta live like we got one night, one night, one night
Gotta live like we got one night, one night, one night
'Cause you know we just got one life, one life, one life
So gotta live like we got one night, one night, one night
They went back into their complicated salsa passes, the grins on their faces. They nailed it. The crowd was sold, and from the looks of the judges, they were impressed.
'Cause you know we just got one life, one life, one life
So gotta live like we got one night, one night, one night
As the chorus repeated softly, they went back into Bachata, Jack pulling Elsa close, her head on his shoulder, their hips connecting and swaying together.
'Cause you know we just got one life, one life, one life
So gotta live like we got one night, one night, one night
On the last beat of the music, Jack's hands captured Elsa's hips as he dipped her, freezing in their final pose.
How's that for a final dance! This one was so hard to write because I don't know a ton about complicated salsa... I can just do the basics. Hopefully, I conveyed what's in my head! Song, #1 nite, by Cobra Starships. Seriously adore this song.
Review time! This is the last time that I'm going to reply to all the reviews here. It's getting a bit rough. SOOOOO since I love talking to all ya so much, I'm gonna PM reply to reviews that are from fanfic people and reply to the Guest reviews here. Hope this is okay! Thank you all for reviewing :D
Colla voce: I'm glad there is another one out there! It inspires a lot of my dancing desires and some of this story, so I'm glad that you watch it too :D And thank you!
KenzoJelsa: Thank you so much! I'm glad you're enjoying it
manyotpsforlife: Lol... Thank you for your momentary fangirl, it was much needed! Garage shows are always the best ;)
Guest (26 May): :D maybe just a little bit of something between Meg and Hercules. I was super upset, cause I didn't start watching til the last four weeks, so I missed the whole beginning! I never get to watch cause I don't have time at school.. Hopefully the next season is good and I'll get to watch some! I hope finals went well! Thank you for reviewing and reading!
disneyobsessionist: Lol... yay fangirl! I love Hercules a lot and wanted to play with his character :D And I should know how to describe a kiss, I've done a bit of kissing in the past couple years... :D Thank you, boyfriend! Seriously, experience helps. Also, I read a lot of romance novels. I can always tell when someone has experience in kissing by reading their writing... lol. Thank you, I hope you enjoyed this chapter!
OoPoPcAnDy: :D seriously made my day
Art Song: I'll check it out! Haven't heard that one yet, but I'm sure its good. Thank you for reviewing!
VixenOfSapphireShadows: Sweet name! I absolutely AH-dore it :D and seriously? That's absolutely hilarous and I couldn't stop laughing when I first read this... best image ever! Have a good week too and thanks for reviewing :D
Frozen07212000: Thank you, I'm glad you are enjoying it!
cyrus010: Thank you so much! I know how that feels, and I'm sorry to keep ya waiting! Hope this one gets you back in the groove ;D
kiki: Thank you so much! I know, right?! Val is one of my favorite pros (I love Derek too) and I literally did a dance party for him. Hehe, I love a steamy Jelsa. :D And i guess that just makes me the sassiest person ever, cause I just take away my filter when I'm writing for her :D Sorry to keep you waiting for this update and I hope it didn't dissapoint! on dating in middle school: Honestly, It's never about the age. It's all about maturity. I personally "dated" in middle school and nothing much came from it. From experience, I don't like dating unless you have been friends for a while. I think it's difficult to be getting used to being with someone in a relationship aspect when you are still getting to know eachother. My opinion would be to wait a little while. Middle school is when you are still figuring yourself out, and it's hard to figure out how to be yourself when you have to be yourself with another person. In order to develop a solid, good relationship, know thyself before stepping into it. Now, that's just for a serious, super intense relationship. I'm totally for dating for fun, just to get to know the person. It's a little different between later high school/college and middle school, though, because that usually includes the physical aspect of the relationship. Since you probably aren't ready to jump into the touchy-feely stuff, I would reccomend holding off, and just be friends for the time being. Cause the difference between best friends and dating is adding the romance and the physical aspect. Hope this helped! Thank you for calling me wise :D If you have any more questions, I'm more than willing to answer. I have a lot of experience and am OLD (I'm turning twenty in a month)
Haydoll Scott: Hope this fed your Merriccup addiction :D more Kristianna to come!
joyfuljellybean: I do too :D thank you for your review and I'm glad you got excited!
Need-for-sleep: Thank you so much! I'm glad you're enjoying it!
I hope all ya'll have a good week! please follow, favorite, share with your friends, and let me know what you think in a review! I love talking to you guys :D
xoxoxoxo,
Siren