Chapter 2
I arrive back in Iowa and I am super tired. I take a nap and wake up to find 5 missed calls. Three from mom, two from dad, and one from a number I do not recognize. I call it first, and recognize the voice immediately it's the producer.
" Hello" he said
" Hi, how are you?" I asked
" I'm doing just great. Glad you returned my phone call. I was getting a little worried that you might have changed your mind."
" No, never. I am so excited about doing this. I was in New York yesterday and came home earlier today. I was super tired and took a nap. I just seen where you called." I said
" We have heard from the rest of the cast members and have selected your partners. I hope you will be very happy with who you get. I can either tell you or you can wait to hear from your partner." he explained
" I want you to tell me." I said
" Okay, you have a different partner." he whispered
I gasp " Oh my goodness! Who!"
" Derek Hough" he said
I let go of the breath I didn't realize I was holding. Even though I didn't get Mark I'm happy with Derek.
" That's great! I yell
" Really?" he asks
" Yes! If I couldn't have got Mark I wouldn't have wanted any other person. Derek most of the time always does good with his partners and treats them well." I said
" Very true. I just want to make sure that your not mad you didn't get Mark again." he said
" No I am not mad. It is fine. Thank you for being so concerned. I say
" Well Miss Johnson I am going to get off here and you will most likely hear from your partner with in a day or two. Then, you will get some papers that need your signature. Lastly, you will need to find a place to stay in L.A. and then practices will start." he said
" Okay, thank you so much. Bye." I say
" Your very welcome. Bye" he replies
Two days later I am still waiting for Derek to call. I have not heard from Mark either I bet he is mad. Maybe this is a good thing we didn't get partnered with each other again but then again I won with him. Oh well I guess I cant do anything about it. Now that I think about it I might not want to change anything. It will be a change to have someone new and I like change. I got the papers yesterday and have signed them and filled everything out. I am going to stay in the same apartment that I stayed in during season 8. My mom and dad were both shocked to find out I didn't get Mark. They thought I would have and it would have been better if I had. I told them that Derek was a great teacher, and that everything happens for a reason. I decide to go to the gym and work out. While I am driving down the road my phone rings. I do not recognize the number, but I know its not the producer. I saved his number. I really hope it is Derek so we can start practice and I can go back to L.A.
" Hello" I say
" Yes, is this Shawn Johnson? This is Derek Hough."
" Yes, this is her. I am so glad you called." I say a little embarrassed
" I have been very busy trying to get everything ready for the show. I am sorry I didn't call you earlier."
" It's fine. So what do you think about them pairing us up?" I ask
" I actually am stoked, I honestly thought you were going to be Mark's partner again. How do you feel about it?" he ask
" I was shocked, but I am happy and I think it is going to be a great season. I say
" I think this season is going to be wonderful! When are you coming to L.A.? he ask
" In about three or four days. Have you talked to Mark?" I ask
" Yes, he was upset. You will never guess who he got."
" Who?" I ask
" Bristol Palin"
" Oh I bet he is upset. Do we have to do any interviews, or are we going to be on a show when they announce the pros and contestants?"
" I'm sure we will have to. I just not sure when. It won't be too long. We will have lots of interviews for the first couple of weeks." he says
" Okay, that doesn't sound to bad. I can hear them now. How does it feel dancing with Derek and not Mark? What was your reaction when you found out?" I say laughing
" Yes, it will be bizarre. But everything will be okay. I'm ready to get to practice, and start our first dance." he says
" Me too! I a excited. I haven't danced in so long." I say
" That's okay, not many people keep dancing once the show is over." he says
" Well that makes me feel better." I say
" You have nothing to worry about. You are a amazing dancer. Sometimes I couldn't tell who the pro was. You or Mark." he says
" Thank you" I say blushing
" Well I was just going to call and let you know the plan and what was going on. Again I am sorry for not calling any sooner." he says
" It is fine. You don't have to apologize. I will see you in a few days. "Bye" I say
" Bye" he replies
He makes me blush over the phone I can only wonder how practice will be. I was excited before and that phone call just made me more excited. The whole time I was working out dancing with Derek is the only thing I could think of. Is that bad? I hope not. Maybe I shouldn't have this little crush on him being the huge age difference. How could I not though. He has such a nice body, perfect hair, great smile, and awesome sense of humor. I hope these next few days fly by.
I moved out of my parents house a while back and I don't have much in my apartment so the only thing I am going to bring are clothes. I wish I could bring my dog, but it has to stay here with my mom and dad. Besides having a new partner this experience will be different. My mom wont be with me since I am twenty. It will be weird not seeing them everyday, or having her in rehearsals. I feel like I am growing up so much more and I'm happy I will be more independent this season.
The next three days fly by. I have said my goodbyes and boarding the plane. I am so nervous but yet so excited. I talked to Derek yesterday and he is meeting me at the airport. I have to go straight to my apartment drop off my luggage then have an interview. We have a promo shoot later for the show. I have a busy day ahead. By the end of the week practices will be starting up.
I slept the whole way to L.A. It was the best I have slept in days. I'm coming off the plane when I see Derek walking my way.
" Hey" I say as I am giving him a hug. I can feel his abs through his shirt.
" Hey, did you have a good flight?" he ask
" Great, slept the whole way here." I say
" Good, glad you got rest. We have a busy day ahead. I drove my car instead of having a limo. We can stop by your apartment and drop your luggage off. If you want to." he says
" That is fine with me. I will have to go rent a car when I have time."
We're riding down the road not much talking going on. Derek has a nice car. I surprised all my luggage fit in it. He has sang the whole time we have been in the car. I never noticed how great his voice was.
" Derek, I never knew you could sing." I say
" Yeah, I have been singing for a while I love it but not as much as dancing." he says
" You have a really good voice."
" Thank you" he says
" Anytime." I reply
We arrive at my apartment and we get all the luggage out of the car. I give him tour of it.
" Derek I have got to change. I will be right back. Just make yourself at home." I say
" Okay" he says
I am ready to get this day going. I hope the interviews won't be awkward. I don't think it will though. Derek and I have a lot in common. I have no idea what I'm going to wear. It has to be Hollywood style, but classy also. It takes me thirty minutes to change. I walk out of my bedroom to see Derek sitting on the couch watching TV. I guess he did make himself at home, but I told him too.
" You ready?" I ask
" Yes, and you look very pretty." he says
" Thank you." I say blushing I was wearing a red dress that fit my curves and was at a reasonable length.
" Anytime" he says
We arrive at ABC to do the interview and there is this awkward tension when we walk in and see Mark. I haven't spoken to him since I seen him in New York. Before I have time to say anything I am getting pulled in the hair and make-up room. I wonder if this is awkward for Derek since they are befriends and all. It takes them an hour or so to do my make-up. I thought I would have time to talk to Mark, but the interview is starting.
After the interview, I finally get to talk to Mark.
" Hey" I say
" Hi" he says giving me a hug
" How are you? I ask still feeling awkward
" Pretty good, how about you?" he asks
" Good, I got my apartment and all my luggage into it." I say
" Have you got a car yet?" he ask
" No not yet. But Derek picked me up from the airport and took me home and then brought me here. He is taking me back home I think." I say
" Oh" he says
I think that made the tension grow. We just silently stand there smiling at each other. I hope Derek comes and says he is ready to go. As if he read my mind I see him walking towards me.
" Are you ready?" he ask
" Yeah I am exhausted, but we still have the promo shoot." I say
" Then we better get going." he says
" Bye Mark " we both say and exchange hugs
It doesn't take long to do the promo shoot. It was fun. Derek and I have a lot of chemistry which works out well. So far we have got along great. No arguments or disagreement about anything. We are on our way back to my apartment.
" Do you feel awkward around Mark?" I ask looking him in the eye
" Not really, we are so close. Do you feel awkward?" he asks
" A little bit. But I think it will go away." I say
We arrive at my building. I am getting out of the car and I see that Derek did too.
" I will walk you up." he says
" Okay thank you." I say
We ride up the elevator I complete silence he walks me to my door and says " I will see you tomorrow for practice" he says
" Okay. What time?" I ask
" Since it is the first day we will have a long one. We will start at 9:00am and maybe be over before 3:00. It depends on how you pick up the steps and what you remember." he says
" Okay. Thank you for driving me around today" I say laughing
" Your welcome. I will see you tomorrow" he says
" Bye "
" Bye "
I close my door. I can not wait till tomorrow.