Friends with Benefits ~ Joanne Suggwell

After the Launch Show

Joe's POV

I'm not gonna lie... filming the launch show was TERRIFYING. I had already met all the other celebrities and pros at the group dance rehearsals so that wasn't the bad part, but waiting for my partners name to be called was horrible.

I got Dianne, bubbly, red head from Australia who was a bunch of fun. We got on like a house on fire at the group dance rehearsal, even though we danced the least together. She just got my sense of humour and didn't judge me for having two left feet.

After getting to know each other backstage for about an hour, we were called back to the stage to film the dance then we could all go home.

The launch show was filmed about a week before it was being released so we had plenty of time to rehearse with our partners and just generally get to know them before the public found out who we were partnered with. This was beneficial to all of us, pros and celebrities alike, because we didn't have the pressure of the public trying to start the "Strictly Curse" or any rumours that could possibly ruin a friendship before it had the chance to grow and develop.

It didn't stop our family and friends from hounding us though. Keeping the secret of Dianne from Zoe and Alfie was the hardest possible thing I think I've ever had to do in my life. And I've done GCSEs!

I think I'm going to throw a Strictly themed party on Saturday though because the Launch Show just so happens to be aired on my birthday and it could give me and every one on Strictly to get to know each other before we're our head to head.

I'll ask Dianne about that at training tomorrow. Hopefully she'll think it's a good idea and help me plan it because I don't know the first thing about planning a party this close to the actual date of it happening. Actually, I don't know the first thing about planning a party full stop. I would ask Zoe like I normally do but I think this would give me a good opportunity to get to know Dianne and just have a good, stress free time with her before things got too hectic.

I'll just sleep on it and ask her in the morning. I'm really looking forward to knowing more about her and her life. I have a feeling we're going to get on well and stay friends after Strictly finishes (or we get thrown off the show).

Dianne's POV

I got partnered with Joe Sugg last night. I assumed that because I was still one of the newer dancers I would get paired with someone slightly older, with less... rhythm? I don't know. I'm not trying to be mean about anyone on the show but after my experience with the Rev last year I didn't really have any hope of getting a good partner.

I'm assuming Joe's going to be good, I've only really seen him dancing in the group rehearsal and I didn't see much of that because we weren't that close together during the whole dance, only being partnered for a short period of time before working with other people.

Today we have our first real day of rehearsals and I have a real treat for him... THE JIVE! He mentioned yesterday that the Jive was the dance he was most nervous about performing so I felt sort of bad for him, but on the other hand I didn't because I was throwing him in the deep end and showing him that coming on this show wasn't going to be a walk in the park. He was going to have to work on it and he was going to have to work HARD.

I told Joe to meet me at the studio at nine this morning because we had people coming in to film our VT around then so arrived at half eight so I could warm up and get everything ready before Joe got there. This was going to be fun.

By the time nine o'clock rolled around, the camera crew were here and setting up and I had just got a text from Joe telling me he was two minutes away because he took a wrong turn somewhere along the drive.

A couple of minutes later I heard a knock on the practise room door and called out (without thinking) "come in if you're good looking!" I immediately cringed at myself because who wouldn't? I have known this guy less than 24 hours and I'm already making a fool of myself. To make matters even worse, that was all caught on camera and was almost CERTAINLY going to be shown in the VT in two weeks time.

Joe walked in looking very attractive (and almost too... awake? That will change by next week) and for a moment, I was glad I broke up with Anthony a couple of weeks ago, I could have thoughts like this without feeling guilty.

We quickly hugged before he got straight to it.

"Right Dianne, what is my dance" he asked me.

"Jive!" I say. His face immediately fell. I felt bad for him but it gets it over and done with at the beginning so he didn't have to worry about it later in the show.

I showed him the choreography a couple of times so he got the general gist of what we were going to be doing and then I start to teach him the moves. I included the Fortnite dance that everyone seems to be doing so hopefully (fingers crossed) he already knows one move and I don't have to teach him it.

After a couple of hours, the camera crew left, deciding they had the footage that they needed for today, leaving us to carry on training.

As it was only day one, Joe was struggling to get the steps and put them into the routine and was really putting himself down about it.

"Joe, stop, you're being too hard on yourself" I told him after he started muttering angrily at himself.

"I can't get it, Dianne, I'm going to let you and my nan down and all my fans and it's going to be the most embarrassing moment of my life" he admitted to me, holding his head in his hands.

"Come on, Suggy, you'll be fine, this is only day one" I said to him, grabbing his face with my own hands, making his eyes meet mine. Suddenly, time stopped, and I couldn't force myself to look away from him. As if like magnets, we started leaning towards each other and I couldn't help it, I wanted to kiss him.

Rational thought then reentered my brain and I cleared my throat, pulling away from whatever that was. I couldn't do this, I was partnered with him for God knows how long and I have only just broken up with Anthony. Not only that, but I've known him for less than a day!

"Right, we'll try the hand thing again, shall we?" I say, trying to stop this awkward tension that had just entered the room.

"Umm.. what? Yeah let's do that". Joe clearly wasn't thinking straight after that, which gave me a confidence boost.

After a couple more hours of training and a lunch break, I decided that we should have a rest and reflection on how our day had been before heading home for the day. The awkwardness left us after we got back into the routine and I chose to ignore the fact that it happened.

"So, how do you think today went Joseph?" I asked him after we had sprawled out on the sofa, our legs tangled up.

"I think it went okay after my little wobble at the beginning that is" he chuckled, then paused, "hey, Di, I was thinking about doing a Strictly viewing party/birthday party on Saturday, do you think you can help me plan it?"

"That would be amazing! I would love to help you plan it! This is going to be SO much fun!" I squealed, I have never been more excited about anything!

"Okay, can we plan it in our breaks the next couple of days? And you text all the pros and tell them about it? I'll deal with the celebrities and my friends" he seemed excited too, which was amazing.

"Well, we'll meet here, same time tomorrow" I tell him, gathering my belongings and heading towards the door.

"See ya tomorrow, Di" he replied, getting his own stuff together.

I have a feeling this is going to be a VERY interesting partnership.

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A/N
Yeahhhhh this is shit, sorry? I don't know why I'm writing this, it's been a hot minute 😂 anyway, please be honest with me as to whether I should carry this book on or not?

Xoxo, me, myself and I