Hey There,

Welcome all of you PCA-appreciators! It's Thursday! It's fanfiction and it's time to party! I'm on time this week! YAY! So happy about that! And I hope this is bringing you plenty of sunshine with it. I have to admit that this chapter was a bit tougher than others. But luckily I found all of the right music and this chapter was much better after that. But this will FINALLY be the performance that has been hyped by the last few chapters. And following the usual order of things it's all from Quinn's point of view. But there may be some other opinions tucked in there too... Let's get started!

Standard Disclaimers apply - I don't own Zoey 101, Zoey 102, Nickelodeon, MTV, or any of the other trademarked things mentioned. I am merely borrowing all of these things for my own twisted amusement. Most will be returned unharmed.

Enjoy!

"The Collective Trials of a Quinnventor… and Logan"

Chapter 26 - A Tango with Truth

TRIGGER WARNING - a character in this chapter (who is in perspective at the time) will be experiencing a light anxiety attack. It's nothing terribly major, I've touched on such things before comically. But it wasn't the character in control of the storytelling at the time. So playing it safe I wanted to warn anyone ahead of time (I don't think my writing is even that good), it's just a friendly heads up to anyone easily affected by these things (I can be too). I don't want to hurt anybody, reader discretion is advised.

((Quinn's Perspective))

First thing's first, I think my makeout-proof chapstick and face moisturizers are an overwhelming success. It has been inspired by this whole secret-keeping thing going on with Logan. If worn it proves retardant to getting that kiss swollen redness, pinkness, or blotchiness some passions can leave behind. Even if Mark had never left me to wonder at such troubles... Logan seems to be endlessly otherwise. Considering all of the making out I know actually happened hadn't been visible on my face after ANY of our dance sessions yesterday.

And Logan's face was scrutinized, and everyone just knew he'd been making out with someone... And obviously not me... Who was innocently pale and pristen as I had been when I had left.

Interesting...

But more on that in my work journal, junk journal and logs. This is my book strictly set for personal journaling, and not my experimental successes or failures. But it is sort of relevant too. When you think about it... And this little book is more than halfway filled. If you can believe it.

Oh! but when this particular product is safer for more than my use. I don't only wish to tint the chapsticks like color-stain and experiment with more flavors. Logan has requested a tube for himself, and I should make a note of that. It could be very helpful to him. As well as any men hoping to hide such... pass times.

Anyways, Monday morning…

Not nervous at all…

I'm so lying!

I was so nervous, I ran right to my lab in the science building. Lab 9 on the second floor, first thing this morning, and tried to get myself back on track. But it only seemed to make me way worse at first. Because all that accomplished was the complete dismantling of two prototypes, that I had nearly fully realized. When I went to a utility closet to retrieve the dustpan and broom I would need for clean up (I wasn't expecting anyone else to clean up my failures). I stirred up the sci-club and their endless insults. Telling me how pathetic I am for attention, how saintly of Logan to take pity on me and still I didn't have a date for Prom.

Did you know you didn't have to be a witch to swing a broom at nerds and they'll scatter? Because I learned that one today from experience. When they scrambled in all directions but still wouldn't leave or heed my warnings, however. I did chase them out with the gun that enabled me to elongate the shots of my zap watch. So I got in a little idiot-target practice this morning too. But I STILL didn't feel better, or any more accomplished.

Getting back to work after that, I ended up destroying three of my favorite tools. While facing it that I was back to the drawing board on two more patens as well. All before Mark was intruding and trying to gain my input on his end-of-the-year projects and exam prep. Even though I distinctly recall telling him to seek help elsewhere. Before I could even threaten to zap him out of my door, Brooke came and yanked him out of my lab... Look at that, she can be useful.

I don't know how he found me or knew I would be a wreck. But Logan did find me, somehow. He came around that corner and surprised me. In my defense, I was usually chasing Mark as well as sci-club members out of here, and other science enthusiasts. I wasn't expecting him at all. But I still hugged him and shared a good morning kiss. Before I asked, "What are you doing here? And this early?"

"I wanted to see how you were doing." He said putting his books and bags down on the only table not marred or littered with ruined prototypes. Then he asked, "How are you feeling? Are you very nervous? What happened over there?" He asked pointing out the worst area coated in demolished particles remaining of my patens.

I waved off, "Not important, just some failed experiments and shoty wiring gone bad. But no, I'm good, I'm not all that nervous."

But he could see right through my lie and smiled about it. "Somehow I knew you were gonna be like that."

"Like what?" I insisted.

"You know, shrugging it off like you're not worried when you're trying to hide it?" He said, still smiling.

But two can play this game, "You meeeeeean? Kinda like how you tried to hide the way that Lola hurt you? And I knew better than to believe you?" I asked as I put my arms around his shoulders.

"Yes, " He outright admitted putting his arms around my waist. "I can see through you, just like you saw through me. I know you're more scared than you'll admit and that's why I'm here." Then he showed that it hadn't been books in his hand after all. He was carrying breakfast for two, complete with coffee from the coffee carts and he said, "The last couple of days have been really nice. Starting the day like this. I thought it might be nice today too… Maybe even it can be a new thing for us. Meet in the mornings, like this… when we can, because I know your tutoring schedule is gonna be booked up. I knew that you would probably be too nervous to even remember to eat or even stop at a coffee cart. Since you always get that way when you're super nervous or focused on something. Is it okay? If we eat here together?"

I let him know, "Sometimes you are just the sweetest-" I did manage to get out before he kissed me again. Then I let him know, "This lab has been set aside for my own personal use. So the only person who normally comes in here is me. I think I've probably eaten in here more than in the cafeteria. Especially the first couple of years."

"So it's cool?" He made sure.

"Yeah, it's cool."

And in just that little pocket of time. He got me talking about other things, thinking about other things and new solutions to the problems I'd already been wrangling this morning. I wasn't freaking out so much over what we had to do later on today. Even sitting here sometime later and writing in my lotus-covered journal between class periods. I couldn't tell you how he did it. But I was me again, and I wasn't nearly as petrified as I had been then. After talking to him and relaxing like that this morning. I was able to find my courage and confidence. So that I was perfectly fine in all of my other classes…

We'd walked to homeroom together, but made sure to arrive at different times. He'd even checked on me between classes, thinking I didn't notice. But I did. I was fine... really...

But then it was time to head to warm-ups before dance class arrived and my nerves were back to being in tatters. In fact, I was SO panicked I may have accidentally incinerated someone's textbook that had gotten left behind. Torched it right to the thick black lab table top. I'm not talking about a page of it or a section of it either. The whole thing, black and crispy, stuck to the durable surface.

When I confessed this to the teacher, Dr. March who usually taught the class period before my lab time. She waved it off and said, "Oh don't worry, serves them right for leaving it behind and we're getting all new books the start of next year. I'll handle it when the student realizes their mistake… I'm too excited to see you and Mr. Reese dance together today. Don't think on it another minute and good luck out there. Most of the science department has even canceled classes to attend, others are bringing classes along. We'll all be rooting for you!"

So word about our dances had even reached the science department. And a bunch more people are coming to see us perform today… more than normally would be attending this exhibition… People I know well, people who I work with closely… Grrrrrrrreat.

As I walked down the hall I was getting cheered on as I left the department. And I kinda felt like my head was somehow disconnected from legs. Because they kept moving even though I couldn't fathom how. While I know Dr. March and ALL of the others had been trying to make me feel better and supported... Most of them. It just sent my anxiety to supernova intensities. I walked out of the lab and onto the gymnasium on weak knees, shaky legs, a racing heart, dripping in sweat and I couldn't seem to catch my breath. I knew I was beginning to spiral, but even as it was happening... the worst thing about it was that I couldn't understand it myself. Why was this happening now? I've already done this before… multiple times! Logan and I have been dancing together, teaching, and setting an example for weeks. This was really only another dance and example. Why was I so flipped out about this one performance? Or these specific dances?

I'll tell you why! Because before today… it had just been dancing with Logan. That's how I kept it in my mind and what made it so easy to shrug off. He was my friend long before any of this had happened, he's more than that now. But he's also essentially one of my BEST friends. I hadn't just been saying that to Zoey the other day. I'd meant it. Dancing with him has been so fun, unpredictable because he changed it a little bit every time we did it... Because we both had gotten better and better over time. It was short, and usually helped us keep our hands to ourselves the rest of the day… or at least it helped us try.

But today it had to be so much more. I wasn't just dancing and teaching anymore. I was also acting, playing a role, and doing something more similar to what Lola does in drama class. I had a role to play in more ways than one. I had to PRETEND to be someone besides myself, at the same time as I was really going to be letting some of my own true feelings show for Logan. And he knew that... it was like letting him read my diary or something! During that Tango, we've concocted. Combining Paulina's ideas, with what we felt, AND I was gonna be dancing beside technically three professionals… I was the weakest link, but I had to act like I was just as much a pro as my partners.

What's worse, is Logan and I had spent the better part of yesterday making these routines ours. Which had meant lending a ton of actual feelings and moments to this act, we're playing. We'd talked a lot about so much of what these dances (even if especially the Tango) needed to be. The push and pull of feelings along the way, the argument of heart vs. brain. All affinities and passions we've been hiding like our lives depended on it. Had come out in those talks, moves, and rehearsals. Even some things we'd hid from each other, they'd all come out in practice and now they needed to come out for a crowd. Things that wouldn't need to be acted at all in the end because for me, they were the truth…

For Logan, it was gonna be the same. He'd even shown me some of the times that he wouldn't be acting either. Just thinking about them made my hand start fanning my face all on it's own. And I had to smack it down before someone saw it. Like Logan, for example. I'd rather him see me smack myself than realize I was fanning myself thinking about him. Then I'd have to see that grin... you know the one. The one that does things to my insides!

But that didn't change the fact that I could still remember how freaking STEAMY those performances had gotten behind closed doors. How we'd both lost it several times (and one memorable time on the mates folded up in a corner too) and even more so in those last walkthroughs we'd practiced before bed last night. There had been more than one reason I was up so early this morning. How could anyone sleep after that much freakish HEAT? Thank goodness we'd been rehearsing that part outside last night. Or we would have definitely set off the fire alarms. And my boyfriend telling me for the first time that he was majorly turned on… by me. By everything we've been doing lately? He'd never used those words before. Not exactly that phrasing and I could feel myself blushing just thinking about it now too.

Losing it had been fine… yesterday, it was all been trail run and prep. Today was for real and the line between acting vs. truth was way too sparse and sketchy! And it was probably in different moments for him, than me. Today, there was gonna be an entire audience watching us. With our friends mixed in it, our peers dominating it, even most of our teachers were gonna be there… It was beyond nerve-wracking, it was nerve-razing.

As it began to register that I was having an actual anxiety attack. And I kinda fell against a cool cinderblock wall walking toward the gym. I really tried to make my fall look intentional. Like I'd meant to do it and I was just gonna study there for a minute. Try to calm down, and use the cool wall as a deterrent. I tried to focus on breathing in and out. But sweat was dripping down my back, my heart was hammering so hard in my chest it was starting to ache. I ended up leaning there longer than I'd meant to. Just trying to get myself straight.

I concentrated on my breathing, in and out. And trying to think of things that would soothe my rattled ribcage. I couldn't help but appreciate how things have changed lately. That it used to take me thinking about Otis, my alpaca baby back home to do that. Thinking about being home with him and how much simpler his life and needs are compared to mine. Even when I was with Mark, he hadn't been the first thought to help me as much as Otis was.

Given all of the events happening in the pages before these entries. It should come as no surprise that those thoughts and ideas today had greatly centered on Logan. Otis and my other close friends were all in there too. But I found that if I just thought of this whole thing as just a chance to dance with Logan, like we had on our perfect little beach date. Or that movie set, or those fancy parties in the north pole… It really wasn't so terribly different. I just hadn't had a spotlight on me for those dances… So I had to set my mind like that. I had to imagine the spotlights were gone, even if I still felt their telltale burn. I had to look at him and forget everything else… And suddenly, it didn't seem so hard anymore.

I wish that I could have come to that conclusion a little sooner it would have saved a lot of worry. But of course, two of my friends found me dealing off to the side and had stopped to help me. But when they first arrived, they somehow seemed far away to my ears… even though they were right at me. I heard them saying my name and shaking me. I even felt a cool set of fingers on my forehead. I don't know what I had been expecting. But James and Vince were not it.

They kept talking to me and trying to get me to answer. But I just couldn't focus on them at first, I was still in too deep. They both looked so blurry as they moved and stood still leaving such psychedelic shapes even though my glasses were still on my face. I couldn't get words out, to answer them. So they had to be forced to draw their own conclusions for a while, while I recovered.

Finally, I did hear James say to Vince, "I think she's having an anxiety attack."

Vince asked in a cool under pressure tone, "What do we do? How do we help her?"

They both picked me up, intending to carry me to the infirmary. But as soon as they had me hovering in the air between them (Vince was holding my right arm and leg James had my left arm and leg). Vince remembered, "No, no! We can't take her there, to the infirmary... it's closed. Something about a chicken pox quarantine, it was all over the newscast this morning."

James corrected, "I thought that was only on the second floor?"

Vince said back, "It was but now it's the entire building. I guess not everyone caught that and got it over with in kindergarten like me."

James nodded, "Or preschool, like me."

When I snapped out of it I was still hovering airborne and made them both put me down. I swore I was fine but James insisted on making me drink water and answering a short series of questions to make certain I was okay. At the end of this annoying query he announced. "Yep! That all sounded very Quinn to me. You must be fine, but what happened just now?"

"I guess my nerves got the best of me, just for a timespan." I tried to explain, and my voice was even affected by this little spell of insecurities. Even then, after I swore I was okay. Both boys kept asking, "Are you okay?" or "Are you sure?"

I got it together, sipped on the water bottle and shared. "I think I just got so freaked out, because I have to go dance now. I don't ever do stuff like this, normally. I'd leave this to Lola or Zoey till now, till recently and it all overwhelmed me, you know?."

"I don't blame you," James said crouched slightly down to my level. How are they both so tall?

Vince was posed the same way. As he said, "For what it's worth, you would never know that from how good you are. How well you and Logan dance together. It's like almost perfect or something."

I ended up sharing with them at this low point. "I really really don't want to let people down. I want to do my best and I think it all caught up with me… Now that it's actually time to do it. You know what I mean?"

James asked, "Are you sure you can even go on after that?"

Vince added, "Yeah, that little spell you just had seemed pretty intense. And you're still pretty pale."

"I'm fine now," I promised, before admitting. "Though I am in awe at all of you who do this stuff ALL the time."

Vince asked, "How do you mean?"

I explained "Lola goes on stage all the time, and Zoey's never shy about it either, Logan's in movies all the time if not behind the camera. Michael and Lisa both sing, and Chase does comedy skits with Michael too. And all of you guys perform as athletes too. The only times I ever competed in any sport here at PCA were the wrestling team and the first girls vs boys basketball game that took place the first year they allowed girls to attend here. That's it! I never do things like this for a reason."

James reminded me, "Yeah, but Quinn you teach us something new every single day. And you have to present Quinnventions all the time too. How is all of this so different from how you put yourself out there doing that?"

"Be-CAUSE!" I started, "When I'm doing those things, I'm the only one who looks stupid if I mess up. Or if my invention doesn't do what it's supposed to, but now? There are so many people counting on me, rooting for me, and probably just as many hoping I fail or fall on my face-"

Vince chuckled, "Yeah, but trust me any athlet worth their salt faces that every time they compete. I know I do."

James added. "None of this freaking out happens to be about your partner, by chance?"

Vince pointed out, "Logan sure is counting on you, for one. That can't be easy-"

James added, "Yeah, he's not exactly known for being lenient."

In a moment of weakness, I found myself admitting out loud, to both of them. "He's the person I hate to let down the most of all… but when I go out there today. I'm not gonna be nearly as good as any of the dancers around me. I can only be me out there, and I just hope my best is good enough beside them."

James put a hand on one of my hands and Vince took the other. As James said, "Your best is pretty spectacular Quinn."

"Stunning, even." Vince agreed.

"And if it's any constellation…" James continued. "All of us will be there rooting for you no matter what happens."

Vince added, "Loudest and proudest of everyone. No matter what."

"Uh huh," James nodded, before saying. "I know we haven't gotten to be your friends nearly as long as everyone else. But we both think you're absolutely amazing."

"And we're so glad to call you our friend too." Vince said.

Then James repeated, "So glad."

I couldn't take it anymore, I did hug both of these guys by jumping between them. I thanked them both, before I hurried the rest of the way to the place where I was supposed to be meeting the other performers. But I had two escorts and I hadn't missed Vince and James pulling Logan aside before they left. Even though Paulina was pulling me into a changing room to get me all dolled up and dressed up for my performances (and doing my hair again which has been completely different each time, she really has a gift). I know Vince and James were probably talking about more than the pep talk they'd given me. They probably told Logan about my slight heart flutters in the hallway too. But by the looks of the handshakes and bro-hugs that were exchanged in that conversation before I was taken away. I think he got a similar pep talk, letting him know they'd be cheering us on.

But when I was dressed, primped and stretched for showtime. When Gleb and Paulina went out to teach the steps and basics to everyone first. While we were still hanging in the lobby waiting for showtime, completely alone, Logan b-lined to me and hugged me asking, "Are you okay?"

I said, "I'm fine, embarrassed, but fine."

I don't even know how he did it, but he somehow managed to sit and scoop me up in his lap. All while he asked repeatedly,

"Do you feel, okay? For real?"

"Can you go on?"

"You don't have to if I don't want to."

And finally, he asked, "How can I help?"

He sounded like he felt so helpless, but I told him. "You're already helping more than you know." I was sitting in lap facing him, with my legs straddling his waist. My head leaned on his chest and he hugged me tighter and closer.

"We don't have to do it, we can just let Paulina and Gleb handle it-" He tried to say.

But I interrupted and said, "No. I want to dance. I want to go out there with you, I really do. I just had to remember that and stop thinking about all of the other stuff."

"What other stuff?" He asked in that soft tone of voice of his. The one that always makes me feel better, even when I'm at my absolute lowest and saddest.

I played with the collar and side flaps of his blazer as I explained. "All our classmates, friends, enemies, teachers and coaches out there watching us under a microscope. The fact that two pros are gonna be dancing with us and you know… we're almost telling our story but only we know that."

He said with some difficulty, "Us, Gleb and Paulina… And Chase, when he sees it replayed, he'll recognize it. Our friends are recording it for him… Liam and Lucy too."

"Really... well, that's very thoughtful of them," I said running my finger down the seam of buttons on his dress shirt.

He went on, "It was my idea, we've been sending clips to Chase for each dance. Because he's hoping to get back in time for Prom. Or around that time."

"I remember, and only we know that too." I nodded.

"Yeah, he asked us to keep that secret… I didn't want him to come back and have no clue about any of these dances." Logan was still saying even though he was so affected by what I was doing. It was so adorable. He finally asked again, "Are you sure you wanna do this?"

"Yes." I answered simply.

"You're certain?" He asked again.

I laughed, "I really am fine, I just had to freak out to actually achieve this certainty. Sorry things got all dramatic before I was certain. I need to apologize to Vince and James again when I see them."

"You couldn't help that," Logan rationalized, "I shouldn't have been pushing you so hard since Friday. I totally messed everything up."

I'd glance around to make certain we were alone, but when I was certain. I kissed him quickly and reminded him. "The whole reason we started this last friday, was because you wanted to dance more than one dance with me. I say we get out there and show them all how much we've been holding back. Are you with me?"

He smiled and said, "Oh! You have no idea."

That was how Gleb and Paulina found us, still hugging and assuring each other in that chair. First thing they both did (when Logan let me go) was check to see how I was. They let me know, I didn't have to dance if I wasn't up to it. When I told them both I was gonna go on because I wanted to dance. They both hugged me before taking me through the last few things I needed to know. Then it was really showtime and we all had our cues. Gleb and Paulina did a thirty-second wardrobe change and were all finally stage ready!

At the last minute, Logan took my hand and asked, "Am I gonna find you crying on a bench again out there?"

I laughed, "Hopefully, I'm a little less pathetic today."

He squeezed my hand and told me to "break a leg."

Gleb was pulling me the other way, but I did manage to blow him a kiss and wish him luck too, And Paulina… though I don't think she needs it.

When it was just Gleb and me waiting for our cues, last minute. He turned to me and announced. "I had one last change that could help you with some of those nerves when we dance together. But I want to try it first. Will you indulge me for a moment?" He asked.

And I agreed, "Sure." Because I did trust Gleb in theory. But I LOVED Logan and had been dancing with him for months. So that trust felt a little different with him.

Gleb took my real glasses off and put breakable stage props in their place. On both of our faces, and while I couldn't see clearly, I could make out what was happening and I knew our routine by heart. Even when my brain was all question marks, my body still knew where it needed to be through muscle memory, for every beat of the song. He made me picture it in my head that I was with Logan and we did the whole beginning of the dance blind. I couldn't see it to know, but it had felt like I had danced way better than I ever had with Gleb in that few seconds of trial. We were both sold. So now I was going to be legally blind till I got back to Logan and he put my real glasses on me.

I really hope this new plan worked!

Wish us all luck!

(Vince's Perspective)

It's official! All of the non-dancers of PCA still hoping to attend Prom had been completely racked over the hot coals of TRYING to keep up with these pros LONG enough! And I was gonna need to soak my feet for the second night in a row. How our friends aren't all in similar shape... I don't know! But I would sure love to know their secret and the pro-dancers had given up on us and it was showtime!

I was sitting in the stands in the gymnasium, waiting with everyone else. To see if they could do this, if Quinn was even able to go on. Our friends were all over the place and not sitting together. Because most of us had been handed digital camcorders. It was up to us to record everything we could. For Chase mostly, but also Logan really wanted to show Quinn how great she did too… Which I had to admire. We didn't sit alone or anything. Lola was next to me and everyone else was paired off too. But while we were waiting for the pros to return with Quinn and Logan. The buzz in the stands was positively teeming with excitement!

When the lights all turned off, you could almost hear a pin drop in that place! And when the lights did come back on they weren't nearly as bright. They were half-lit at best over the audience and there were spotlights all pointing to the center court. Where one of the outdoor wooden benches had been placed closer to our bleachers facing us while the lights had been out. But still close enough to be part of that brighter circle of light. All around that place was dim if not pitch dark. Lola [who held my hand] said. "This looks like a stage for a play or something off of 'Dancing with the Stars!' Not at all our normal lessons." Then she made a noise that sounded like she wished she had a part in it. Even after being shown in every way that she couldn't keep up with these pros… or even our friends. And I had to admire my girlfriend's drive and determination. Always the actress looking for her stage.

Then Coach Paine (the wrestling coach), came out walking slowly with her bum foot and still catering to her broken arm. That was still strapped up tight in a brace, and boot even if she wasn't sporting cases anymore. Carrying an easel that had all of these posterboard signs on it. Coach took the liberty of this pause to thank everyone for coming and showing excitement as well as support for our dancers. She also had us give a round of applause thanking everyone who had contributed to this whole thing. The drama department had given props and wardrobe. And the lacrosse team had carried in the outdoor bench.

Then she explained she was in charge of this stand that would tell us what dances were happening, and when. So we could notice the distinct styles and steps in action. And honestly, that little stand is the ONLY way I could tell the difference at first.

When coach had been explaining this, the poster board behind her was blank. But when she took that blank card from the stack to throw it down. The first card she flipped to had big huge "5," written on it. When she threw it down the card behind it read "4," Followed by a "3," "2," "And "1!" The crowd counted along and the next card read in big letters! "Let's DANCE!" And we all clapped like crazy!

That was when the music BLASTED Jennifer Lopez (according to my girlfriend) "Let's get loud!" Logan and Paulina came out dancing together, and the easel let us know it was "Mambo" style. To his credit, Logan kept right with her too. He really cracks me up! He was actually bringing game, dancing with a freaking pro! Get it, man!

The style was distinct as we'd kept being told... and they were even using steps we'd been trying to learn. We were all pointing it out when we recognized it. Not just us and our friends either. It was ALL of us watching, even if they zhuzh it up a bit.

They had the crowd on their feet! Especially since we all know how hard that actually is now. They made it look easy. They danced and danced their way across the lit area till they disappeared into the shadows. Then the music changed to a Little Richard song and Gleb appeared with Quinn, both sporting glasses and TONS of personality. They came through Swing dancing so fast and never missing a beat, step or trick! Michael later told me the song title was "Long Tall Sally" and all of us could not believe that was Quinn keeping up with Gleb. She even did a partial cartwheel guided by Gleb and SEVERAL of the lifts we'd been learning in the pools. Only her's were pristine. Our group was louder than ANYONE else cheering for her.

This was the same girl James and me were carrying earlier? No Way! He glanced at me wearing the same amazement I felt on my own face. She was a little dynamo! She looked like she was having fun too. She was like a completely different person, and she had no reason to worry. She was FANTASTIC! She never lost timing with a pro, and she had comedic timing as well. That had us all laughing with her, not at her.

But they too danced off into the shadows. Just in time for Paulina and Logan's Latin song to crank back up. When Logan and Paulina reappeared, he came in carrying her through a lift! WoW! Even Lola was calling that "ballsy." No other way to put it, really.

When Gleb and Quinn showed back up and Little Richard's tune returned. Gleb (not to be outdone) jumped over Quinn's head and shoulders! AHHHHG! All of us lost it! Both were looking like pros next to these pros.

But the third time Logan danced through with Paulina. He'd took off his jacket and rolled up his sleeves. More like Logan would actually do, and Paulina had to fight him back into that blazer after he'd pitched it into the shadows. All while never missing a step. When the spotlights returned to Quinn and Gleb, he snatched the glasses off of both of their faces and broke them before making her dance blind. We both jumped, (Lola said they HAD to be a prop, not her real ones, but it had looked real and Lola realized Quinn had to have been either wearing her glasses and switched them out last minute... OR she had been dancing this whole time blind... BLIND! The whole time, never losing time!).

She still did pretty good after that... when the fake ones were gone, but they weren't in sync anymore. It was like the spell had been broken on both sides. When their partners wanted to change who they were. The chemistry was gone and both pros dumped their partners in different ways. Paulina locked Logan out of the double doors and held them closed till she'd found a chair to prop against it. Gleb left Quinn on the end of the bench blowing her a kiss and waving goodbye while she was left there heartbroken. Turned away from us to look like she was crying there. But Lola pointed out to me, "She's probably turned like that facing that way because she wants to see the pros dance too. She described their dancing together as spellbinding."

Then Gleb and Paulina spotted each other across the floor. The temperature in the whole place spiked... They sauntered slowly towards one another. When Coach pulled the poster board card and it said "Argentine Tango." Even our coach did a double take and the bleachers were a buzz again with whispers. Supposedly that form of Tango is one of the most difficult things to perform in the world.

But those two made it look as easy as breathing. Every move was seamless, romantic, and even HOT! I'm not even that into dance and I could see that. At the same time as I thought they were gonna do it right in front of us. If you know what I mean? Their song choice was just as floating and magical as their moves. And halfway through it, Logan walked into sight (Stage left - according to Lola, when Coach Keller reclaimed the chair from holding the door and disappeared into the darkness) Logan watched the end of the performance and did a great job of just looking shattered. When the pros finished, the crowd went WILD! Standing Ovation! They bowed and walked practically through Logan as they left together. Paulina had somehow wrapped a hot pink feathered boa around him as she'd left blowing him kisses and waving farewell. But not looking back just like Gleb... they left both our friends in the dust to the thunderous applause and laughter of our peers.

Logan went over to the easel and tore the "Argentine Tango" poster board neatly into four pieces and stomped on it to the laughter of the crowd. Before he took off his jacket (and feathered boa) and threw it into the pile of discarded posterboards.

Michael even said, Somewhere at the top of the bleachers. "Now that's the most Logan thing I've seen yet!" Which made everyone laugh again. And Logan stopped to throw a lookup that way that said, "Shut up Michael!" Even if there was no dialogue allowed in this performance.

Then he seemed to notice he wasn't the only one left behind and hurt. As his eyes landed on Quinn, she visibly turned back around in her seat like she hadn't been watching the whole thing. Still sitting silently on the end of the outdoor bench, where Gleb left her. Logan took the seat next to her and even though there was no dialogue. They somehow played out a full conversation (while a magical instrumental played "At Night" - Jon McLaughlin). Where she was telling him, that Gleb had broke her glasses... and so much worse than that...her heart.

He somehow without words, asked if she was "okay?"

As she cried, he let her know he'd just been through the same thing. His heart was just as broken, and he felt just as bad. Then he asked, if she had another pair of glasses on her and when she showed she had a spare in her hand. He took them out of her hand and placed them on her face. They had this moment where they looked at each other. And he even told her she was beautiful... just the way she was.

Before Logan jumped back up and ran over to coach's posterboards... which were now left blank. He wrote out the word "Mambo" and he drew a question mark on it at the end.

All the girls in the crowd, "Aww"-ed and helped him out. Quinn still shook her head "no, no more dancing." But Logan walked back over to her and offered her a hand. While encouraging the crowd, to back him up. The whole place started to chant, "Dance… Dance… Dance…DANCE! DANCE! DANCE!" It was such a moment... like something you see only in movies! When she finally took his hand and he guided her back to the center of the floor and the center of the spotlight. The crowd was again quiet to the point of everyone holding their breaths. Lola even let out this little excited squeal, even though she has been the most against this matchup. She hadn't been the only one either, I heard Zoey, Lisa, Michael, and James all having similar reactions! Stacey yelled! "Come on guys!"

Even my Lola was most excited for them… or the role that she still thinks they're playing (While I'm not that sure).

They stood together and Jenniffer Lopez's song started back up again. But Logan didn't start dancing yet, he held up a finger signifying he "needed a minute." While the crowd laughed. And Michael could be heard guessing, "Too SOON!"

The music cut dramatically, and when it started back up again. It was "Rump Shaker" by Wreckx-N-Effect. I would have never imagined dancing that style, to that song. But it worked and the rest of our class was going crazy. Everyone was up on their feet for that entire dance. Their steps were so Latin, lifts were HOT! It was saucy as heck! And looked like way more fun than ANYTHING we've seen so far! I couldn't even believe it was the same dance we'd been trying to learn over the past two days. It looked so fresh and seamless between them.

When it was over Logan made a face like, not bad at Quinn. While the crowd went absolutely wild! He shook her hand admitting the girl could move!

Now it was Quinn's turn to run over and hold up a discarded posterboard asking if Logan could swing dance. He shrugged at her and offered her his hand again like "let's see?" And before the music began again, Quinn handed the board back to coach to place on the easel. Before stepping into the darkness to change songs. When the music began (AN: It was "Can't Sit Down" by the Dovells in my head) And I have to say, the dance was fun, fast, and they looked like they were having so much fun. But they had been dancing separately for the short old song. Even if they were perfectly synced.

Logan stepped into the darkness again. He cranked up another more updated dance song (in my head it was "Love Again [feat Ali Tampoli]" - Cedric Gervais) The lifts were impressive and seamless as the pros. They were in sync the entire time and their pair dancing was even better than their soloing! At the end they bowed and curtsied to each other and then us (the audience) to just as much of a standing ovation.

Then Gleb slickly lifted Quinn and ran off as far away from Logan as he could get while staying in the circle of light. Quinn made a face like she was crying out and reached out for Logan's help. But before Logan could reach Quinn's hand, which he was rushing to get, Paulina returned too and caught Logan's other hand and spun him back to her. On the other furthest end of the light. Both pros were trying to convince their old partners to come back to them (still using gestures and no words). But the way Quinn and Logan looked at each other. The way that they stepped away from their former partners and back to each other. Had all of the girls fan-girling in the stands. My girlfriend included, not that I wasn't freaking out with her! We were cheering them on as they reached each other... you couldn't help but get swept up in the story.

Quinn offered her hand and held up a sign (Roadrunner and Coyote style) That read: "Friends? New Partner?"

But Logan's face said it all with no words… he didn't want to be just friends or partners. So instead of taking Quinn's hand and shaking it in friendship. He pulled her into a kiss on the lips that had everyone freaking out. Especially Quinn who looked like that had not been in the plan at all (maybe even not in rehearsals for all we know) Quinn was even more shocked than anyone else. She kept covering her mouth and blushing while Logan smiled pretty pleased with himself and her reactions.

He took the sign from her hand cool as could be and spun it to reveal a heart. He even held it right in front of his heart before pointing Between himself and Quinn. Then he drew a question mark next to it too.

Everyone was saying, "Awwww!" Again… including me! I heard the bass tones of Michael and James behind me too.

They so HAVE to like each other in real life. I just know it! And if they're not a thing yet, they should be! Or they may be soon. Because there's no way that Quinn could act blushing like that even if Logan can. Or Logan couldn't have kissed her like that, without feeling SOMETHING! It's just NOT possible! It was hotter than their auction kiss had any idea of being.

Logan pitched the sign into the dark, before he pushed both pros back into the shadows and offered her his hand again. When their hands made contact the soft music floated in at first barely noticeable, but it built and became completely EPIC and MAGICAL as it played ("Impossible" - Nuttin But Thieves) Even though Coach changed the sign to read "Tango." I never noticed her doing that till I was watching the playback later. But no one noticed either, because everyone was so sucked into that dance. You couldn't take your eyes off of them!

They somehow danced a constant battle that was happening on that makeshift dance floor.

Can I love again after being hurt so badly? Can I risk my heart again when it feels like it's still bleeding inside of me? Or will I just hurt myself even more?

It was all there, you felt it… At the same time as you felt Logan all but begging her to trust him. That he had been hurt too, but being with Quinn... he'd never been so alive. That was what she had brought to his life. There was a moment she put her foot on his shoulder and he dragged her, and spun her. The trust, the HEAT! It punched you in the face!

There was a few lifts that the whole crowd gasped because it was that good. The biggest one was when Quinn stood on the seat of the bench and, ran across to the otherside and jumped off right into this crazy lift! I've never seen anything like that before. And they never lost eye contact through most of it and they barely smiled.

There were moments when it felt like they too were going to make out or do it right in front of us too! The way they held on to each other or grabbed at one another. It was so HOT it Sizzled! At the same time as it was all heart and feelings.

I think Logan was sneaking kisses in there too. I counted five throughout the dance on her hands, neck, shoulders, and the top of her head. But his affections didn't nearly affect Quinn the way her little similar sneaky kisses affected him. And I can't even believe how they did it. It was the most beautiful dance I have ever seen and at the end when they landed in their pose. It really did feel like Logan was asking her. Could she love him? Let him help her heal her broken heart by letting him give her his heart? That they could heal each other's hearts...

Lola was in tears so was Michael, Lisa and Zoey. James and me were even misty-eyed too. It was that AMAZING! And Just… WOW!

Everyone walked away with nearly that same impression too. It screamed at you, exactly the way Paulina had been trying to say since we met her. But we didn't get it...

I think we got it now! But Quinn and Logan had gotten it without so much aid... I wonder how that is?

The crowd started cheering because it seemed to be their finishing pose, but as they held that pose the audience began to chant again. But this time it was, "Kiss… kiss…kiss!"

Quinn covered her mouth with a hand and laughed behind it, while Logan leaned downward to whisper something to her. While he was close Quinn took a gentle hold of his face and kinda asked was it okay. Before she kissed him this time. The crowd practically tore the roof off of the place. It cheered so loud! You should have seen his face, his reaction, the way he squeezed her so tight and melted into her. The way he smiled and kissed her back. It was like he didn't want it to end. And even when the kiss ended. His head followed hers… The whole place was on it's feet! Even Lola was 'Whoo'ing and 'WoW'ing! Logan hugged Quinn, but he picked her up and turned them around too. Just as Gleb and Paulina came back out of the shadows clapping to take last bows with Quinn and Logan. And as promised our friends were all the loudest and proudest in the place. I whisper to Lola, "It's a shame Chase isn't here. He'd flip out too."

Lola said, "He still will, when he sees the replay. I'm sure we'll hear him even if he doesn't use his phone... his voice iiiiiit carries, like that."

Before everyone started to leave, Paulina promised that the four of them still standing center stage would be doing their best all week to help anyone who wished to learn. There would be lift lessons in the indoor pools every other day till prom. And then she thanked everyone for the warmest welcome Gleb and her had ever been given. In any place, they'd ever performed.

That club of sophomore girls that Quinn and Logan inspired, presented both Quinn and Paulina with big boutiques of roses. As well as ribbons to both guys declaring them "an Inspiration."

Lola guessed, "Logan will be wearing that ribbon all week long! Mark my words."

I had to ask Lola, when it was over, "I thought you hated the idea of them dating each other?"

She said, "I do, in real life. But they weren't them just now they were characters in a mini-play. And those characters had to be totally cute for each other. Who knew they could be so dedicated to those roles too. I have to say I respect that… But seriously! It's not real or anything, it's just another stage kiss. Trust me. Like the auction."

But I'm just not so sure. It wasn't just in the performances or in the way they danced so well together today. I had been noticing an attraction long before any of this. I'd mentioned it to Logan in the library the other day. It was in so many of the little things I've witnessed with my own two eyes. If they're not secretly dating, or thinking about it… they should be! They lit each other up! Really! But Maybe Zoey's guess is more on point. She's thinking that Logan's mad interested in Quinn, and the scientist is oblivious. Anyone who could be so freaked out beforehand, then turn around and dance like she just did. HAD to be capable of even surprising herself sometimes.

So while Lola is still in denial, I still think that there's bound to be more than just theater happening between those glances, wordless conversations that aren't on a stage and such heartrending kisses were happening off stage too. I hoped for real feelings and true affection between them. More than anything I hoped our friends could realize how magical they are together. Even if individually they're already awesome, how much better they could be if they let the other into their heart the way they'd just danced.

I still hope they can find some peace and happiness together. They both deserve it and need it, I really believe that.

It was tough to even think about heading back to our late afternoon classes now. But luckily before we had to do that, we did get to see Quinn and Logan. And gush with them as well as our pro teachers about their performances. Zoey and James got to them first, Zoey and Quinn were hugging each other and jumping up and down together for a minute. Before James hugged her too, and Lola grabbed my hand and said, "Come on! We've gotta beat Michael and Lisa!"

I got to Logan first while Lola was squealing and jumping with both of her roommates. Girls will be girls.

I told Logan, "You brought game, man! That was fantastic."

"I know," Logan nodded, giving me a bro hug, before James snuck over to us too. Giving him another one.

James boasted, "I never can believe what you two can do. You were both even looking like pros, beside actual PROS!"

Logan even boasted, "Quinn was even dancing blind through Gleb's parts. Because her glasses weren't hers till she was with me again, they were a prop. That broke easy."

So Lola and I had been right, she was dancing blind. Longer than we realized, Logan said it was something to do with her nerves. She knew the moves inside and out but when she saw Gleb clearly she got nervous. They'd found out while practicing in the pool if she couldn't see him so clearly. She didn't get as nervous and she could perform better. Which I still have no idea how that works. But however, they'd pulled it off, GENIUS!

When Michael got to Logan he was still all choked up as he gushed. Saying, "You guys were so great out there! So great! Chase is gonna freak out, he's never gonna believe that was you and Quinn!"

Logan said, "I don't think he'll be so surprised. He's been getting recordings of these lessons for weeks."

James and I snuck over to congratulate Quinn and give Logan a minute with Michael. I hugged Quinn and told her honestly. "That was the most beautiful dance I've ever seen! You were so nervous, I know you were! But you'd never know!"

James hugged her next and said, "QUINN! You were really SENSATIONAL!"

"Oh my," Quinn said, not knowing how to handle all of these compliments or attention. She pushed her glasses up her nose and said, "Thank you both. For being here and for your help getting me here. You both are keepers, and I'm really glad we're friends too."

I don't know how I can be expected to concentrate on European History after this. But as I walked to that next class hand and hand with my girlfriend. Chattering on about all of the behind-the-scenes things she'd unveiled. I really did hope these friends of ours would always be around to make life this fun and interesting for a long time. Even more than anything, I hoped I could keep this hand in mine far longer than forever.

((Quinn's Perspective))

It's over! I did it! We did it! And I walked to my late afternoon classes with my head held high.

Well, the dance club inspired by Logan and me, DID present Paulina and me with Roses. So I put them in water back at my dorm first. But after that! It was back to the old studious Quinn, on to late-day classes. And again, Logan and me have had to keep giving examples everywhere we go today. Even if we're not together, we're getting stopped. I was even getting asked by teachers, coaches and aids! Dorm Advisors, Coffee Cart workers and Janitorial staff.

But I did see hilariously Logan teaching the lunch ladies from where he stood in line. So I guess I'm not the only one.

Everyone wanted to know how we'd gotten so good. How we'd played our roles so believably? It was all a little overwhelming, to be honest. But we all finished the day by taking Paulina and Gleb to Sushi Rox to celebrate. They'd never been there and needed to know it was the best place to eat on campus. Since they would be helping out here for a while. Even Kazu was asking us (and the pros) to help him learn how to Tango. How adorable is he, he'd watched our performance too. Kazu's apparently trying to impress a new girlfriend who LOVES to dance. And Paulina and Gleb jumped right up and started teaching him after his dinner rush was over. Our friends were all helping too. It was too much fun after being so worried earlier today.

As fun as everything was, it felt like a small eternity before all of our friends were racing off. To dance practices of their very own, with their partners, boyfriends, and girlfriends. If not make-out sessions with those same boyfriends and girlfriends. I know I'm usually a much better keeper of all the details. But today, I just couldn't focus like normal. I couldn't tell you who went where with who. Or who was doing what, in the end. Because there was a hand holding mine under the table that kept tugging on me playfully. Trying to get me to leave, so he could make his excuses too. But we were both sort of hosting and making certain Paulina and Gleb were getting along better with the rest of our herd of friends and peers.

Even though things were much better between all parties after today's classes and spectacle. I still felt reluctant just to ditch, even if his eyes were doing the serious melty thing again. That I warned him shouldn't be legal! Even if I was just as desperate to be alone with him again. After that dance… and we hadn't gotten a single chance since.

Not one!

And we both probably need more than a minute. I know, I did!

Gleb saved us both by saying, "Don't you two have a practice of your own to run off to? We're not through teaching these guys yet. And we're gonna need your help tomorrow in class." He even winked at us on the sly.

Logan tried not to smile as he said, "He's right… we'd better go too."

"Yeah," I agreed lamely as our remaining friends barely acknowledged us. They were too busy trying to listen to everything Gleb and Paulina wanted to share. The moment we were out the doors and no one was around. Logan grabbed my hand and pulled me to the nearest hiding spot... Which thankfully wasn't far at all.

When we arrived and both were finally safely concealed by the cluster of trees. The moment we were alone and no one could possibly see us. I was in my boyfriend's arms, and there wasn't another place on earth I'd rather be.

I really did expect us to be already making out and making up for lost time. But Logan just held me at first and just hugged me so tight. The first thing I said was brilliantly, "Hi."

He smiled back, "Hey." It was too dark to see his smile but I could just hear it in his voice. The first thing he said was, "When we were planning the kiss I was supposed to steal… and you were so freaked about that…How did we not plan on the audience insisting on you kissing me at the end?"

I laughed and said, "It's all I've heard about all day… If I hadn't kissed you, there would have been a line out the door of other girls willing to take my place. Not that that's any shock to ANY one. That or people asking how I've kept this 'dance-thing' hidden inside all of this dorky exterior, all this time."

Logan sounded mischievous when he asked, "Did you tell them about you're old pageant days? Or did you just give your handsome partner full credit? Cause, I'm cool with either really."

I shushed him and reminded him, "I told you about my pageant days in full confidence. I swore you to secrecy!" I reminded as he laughed.

He held his hands up in surrender, "And I haven't told a soul… I was just wondering. How'd you explain it?" He questioned innocently enough as he wrapped his arms back tightly around me. "Because all day long, all I've heard was how happy everyone was when 'your character' kissed 'mine.' Even strangers were thinking it was all an act. All I wanted to tell them all was that…" He took a deep breath here and leaned his head against mine. Before he shared, "No one was more happy than me. And I wasn't acting, I wasn't even in my right mind. I was so crazy for you by the end of that skit… I may have overreacted when you kissed me. I may have lost it completely and I'm sorry… it even took me by surprise how many kisses I snuck in there today."

"No, not you." I waved off, "I'm sure no one noticed any of it was really us… Not even your tongue sneaking into both mouth kisses, the way you were squeezing me whenever I was in hold even when you were lifting me. Those were all things your character clearly would have done to my 'heartbroken bench-girl character'. You know, we should probably give her a name. Lola's gonna be asking weird actors questions like that all week-"

"Quinn." Logan insisted.

I didn't follow what he'd meant so I'd asked, "What?"

"No, your character had a name and it was 'Quinn' and she's come a long way. Since the day I found her sitting on a similar bench hurt and confused." When the solar-paneled lanterns I'd installed here came on, over our heads, right on time. He tilted my face so he could look directly into my eyes. And placed a hand on my right cheek.

I took both of his hands and closed my eyes as I admitted, "So have you. I honestly don't know how I could have overcome any of this. If it weren't for you and your help... Have I ever said, thanks for any of that?"

He grinned, "Only every other day… mostly… sometimes it's every day too. If I've been really good a whole week. Even the weeks we didn't get as much time together you always sneak in that 'thank you' somewhere."

"Well, thanks again, then." I blushed. "I really can't thank you enough."

"I think you do just fine," He said inching closer and teasing. "But I have an idea how you can say it better." Then he finally kissed me and we were both lost for an unsurmountable amount of time. Basically, till the two of us ran out of air and even then we didn't let go of each other. I couldn't seem to even loosen my grip by any measure.

The words bubbled up inside of me and even came up to my lips. They tickled my tongue but stayed behind my teeth, "I love you." I wanted to say it so badly, and of course, I would have loved to hear him say that he loved me too. But I knew better than to expect that and I knew that if I had let the words slip out… they could ruin absolutely everything.

Even on a day as perfect as today.

During this pause to catch our breaths, Logan teased in my ear. "You could tell me how turned on you've been all day?"

"Or all week." I corrected, teasing back. He made a noise at the back of his throat, that sounded like he really liked the sound of that. Or agreed with that assessment and I giggled, I couldn't help it.

"Me too." He admitted, leaning his head into my shoulder. Like he always did when he felt like going limp after an intense session like this one. I've noticed this new pattern as our makeout sessions have gotten hotter and I just hugged him tighter for a little bit. Cradling his head, and hopefully made him feel safe.

"And this is just the start of this week. There's still one more week after this one before Prom. Still more dances to teach. Not to mention all of the performing we'll need to do throughout the week now."

He stopped me right there and said, "Nope. Not gonna even think about it till class tomorrow… You don't either!"

But then he said, "Oh! And I think I've thought up the perfect plan where we can spend some time together too. Next week that won't interfere with your exam prep either. It would be the break we ALL need."

"Oh my." I couldn't help but sound worried, you know his track record as well as I do.

"It's good! I swear!" He's overselling a little. I'm still concerned.

So I asked him to, "Tell me gently."

He promised, "I will, but I'm still figuring some of it out so… when I've got a more solid idea. I'll let you know."

"Okay, and you're saying it won't interfere with my study schedule… not at all?"

"Nope! That I can guarantee."

But then when I looked back at my handwritten schedule and flipped to next weekend. I discover that he'd moved it all around while he'd had it yesterday… keeping Friday and the weekend totally free…

He's in so much trouble.

And if thinks I won't be confronting him about this. Bright and early tomorrow morning, whether I find him surrounded in our friends in first period or alone. He's got another thing coming!

That's all folks!

Well for this chapter, anyways! But I'll be back next Thursday if not sooner with the next installment. And Yes! I'm finally covering the rollercoaster episode in the next chapter. Which will be picking up from Logan's perspective… Oh! What fun I have instore for that!

SPECIAL THANKS one more time for all of the Music that made this chapter possible…

For Paulina routine with Logan. (Mambo) "Let's get loud" - Jennifer Lopez. or "Whine Up"- Kat DeLuna

For Quinn and Gleb's (swing dancing) "Long Tall Sally" - Little Richard

Paulina and Gleb's Argentine Tango - "Lover, Please Stay" - Nuttin But Thieves

Quogan's little meet cute "At Night" By Jon McLaughlin (an instrumental)

Quinn and Logan Mambo "Rump shaker" - Wreckx-N-Effect Also "Return of the Mack" - Mark Morrison is way fitting too. Even if the pace is a little slow.

Quogan 1st Swing dance - "You Can't Sit Down" the Dovells

(Updated Swing song) "Love Again [feat Ali Tampoli]" - Cedric Gervais

Quogan Tango- "Impossible" - Nuttin But Thieves (Album version is gorgeous, but I personally prefer the Abbey Road full orchestra version)

(OR I highly recommend making your own music selections in your mind when you picture it. That's SO fun as well, these were just my own dorky suggestions. Thanks for reading hope you enjoyed. And hope to catch ya next week!)

Hope you're having a great day, Take Care and Much Love!

~DarcyBeDippy85