Ryder the Love Expert | Protector 2.1

Chapter 13

       Our duet was up next. When we were called onto the stage, I gave Mae a hug to calm her nerves, and mine, and mine before making our way onto the stage. We started on different sides of the stage and held a freeze before the music came.

       As soon as the music started and I began dancing, all my nerves went away. I wasn't even focused on the audience or the judges. I was only focused on me dancing with the girl I had strong feelings for.

       Mae didn't even look nervous at all. She was focusing her emotions into the dance so our storyline was able to be told.

       Most of the audience cheered when we did a lift, and I could have sworn I heard the triplets yell, "That's our brother!"

       The helicopter lift was what made the audience cheer louder since many lifts followed after that, including one where I tossed her in the air and she spun in a full circle.

       When our dance ended with a hug, the audience cheered loud. I glanced over and saw everyone, including the judges, giving us a standing ovation.

       When Mae and I got backstage, everyone in our studio gave us a hug. "That was amazing!" Amelia said. "I think it was way better than stupid Nonpareil."

       "I know it was better than Nonpareil," Dempsey said.

       "They had no chemistry," Isla said. "You two did. If you two were dating, you would be the perfect couple."

       "So....We are the perfect couple," I said.

       "What, you're dating?" Isla asked. "Since when?"

       "Two weeks ago," Mae said.

       "Well, that explains why your duet was amazing since then," Isla said. "Not that it wasn't amazing before, but starting two weeks ago, it was as close to perfect as a dance could be."

       "Isla, shut up, the host is talking," Arthur said.

       "You shut up," Isla snapped back.

       Luckily, they both decided to shut up and we all looked at the stage. "Can all duets please join me on the stage?" the host asked.

       "Good luck!" everyone in the studio said before I took Mae's hand in mine as we went on the stage.

       The dancers from Nonpareil decided to stand beside us and they both gave us a smirk. They thought they were so better than us just because they beat us last year. Well, I beat them in the solo competition, so they can suck it.

       "The judges have calculated your scores and decided the top three," the host said. "In third place is....Josephine and Katrina from Step Touch Dance Studio." The audience applauded as the two dancers got their trophy from the judges, who were standing beside the judge.

       Mae's arms went around my waist as she gave me a tight side-hug. "What if we don't place?" she asked.

       "I think we will," I said. "Second isn't that bad."

       "Second is the first loser."

       "Wow, way to have confidence," I said. "Mae, we'll place, okay?"

       Hopefully.

      "And second place is....Kimberly and Raphael from Nonpareil," the host said. They both looked shocked, and not a happy shock. I guess they were expecting first place. They always expecting first place.

       After they got their trophy and stood back in the spot, the host continued. "And in first place we have....Ryder and Mae from D.A.N.C.E," he said.