Old, But Not That Old [Motough]

4. dancing [derek]

Carrie Ann raises her arms. "All hail to you, Miss Mota, that was incredible!" The audience screams and Beth covers her face with her hands. I laugh, throwing my arm around her shoulder and shaking her in congratulations. "The dancing was there, the character was there, the chemistry between you two... the CHEMISTRY, was... wow. I don't know what... happened between last week's performance and this week's but your chemistry level just went OFF THE CHARTS!" The audience cuts her off with cheers and applause and I try my best to hide my grin. I know what happened, Carrie Ann.

Beth glances up at me and we share a small smile. Wow.

"Very well done, Bethany. And very nice choreography Derek... very beautiful." We mouth 'thank you' as the audience once again screams behind us.

Len's turn. Oh boy. He looks at us with intense eyes and I prepare for his harsh British-accented criticism. "The rumba is a very hard, and incredibly passionate and romantic dance. It takes true maturity and true... honesty to be performed well..." The audience is silence waiting to see what he will say next. I feel Bethany tense up next to me. Len smiles. "...and you nailed it, young lady."

Bethany turns to me, with her mouth slightly dropped. I can't believe we got... positive feedback from Len. She throws her arms around my neck and I hug her back.

"Very well done." Len finishes, smiling. I thank him, grinning from ear to ear.  I can't believe this.

"Well, Julianne, we're going to skip you in the interest of time..." Tom says, putting his arm around Bethany. I glance at my sister at the judges' table, who winks at me and gives me a thumbs up and a proud smile.  "We're gonna send these two lovely people up to get their scores. Great job." Tom gestures for us to head to the stairs, and we shuffle over, hustling to Erin Andrews, who is waiting to quickly interview us before scores.

"Wow! Bethany and Derek, that was incredible! How did it feel?" Erin asks as Beth and I reach her. She puts the mic in front of Bethany, who breathes heavily after the dance and the hustle up the stairs.

"It felt amazing," Bethany exclaims. "I was a hard dance but it became very... natural, so it was a lot of fun to just... get into and really feel. I had a lot of fun."

"Very nice, very nice," Erin says. "Now, Derek, Carrie Ann commented on your chemistry. Did you... feel that, or..?"

My heart starts beating. Watch what you say, Derek! "Yeah, I definitely think we had good chemistry. I had told Beth that this dance requires a lot of chemistry and passion and she was able to really focus on that I think. She did well listening to my instructions," I chuckle to hide the incredible awkwardness I am feeling right now. "I'm really proud of her."

I tighten my grip around Bethany's waist and she leans her head on my shoulder, grinning. 

"Sweet," Erin cooes. "Well let's get your scores."

Bethany and I turn our attention to a screen that will show our scores.

"Carrie Ann Inaba" "10!" My eyes go wide as I take in the '10' score sign that Carrie Ann raised. I look at Beth who is covering her mouth in excitement.

"Len Goodman" He grins as he lifts his sign. "10." The crowd roars. Oh my God.

"Julianne Hough" "Tennnnn," my sister says, smiling wide. The audience yells loud. I grab Bethany's hand and squeeze it.

"Bruno Tonioli" "Gorgeous: TEN!" The crowd erupts in cheers and Bethany screams, turning to me. We make eye-contact and pull each other into a tight hug.

I'm so overwhelmed. A perfect score. I'm so damn proud of this girl.

"You're amazing, Beth! I couldn't be prouder," I say into her ear.

She continues to squeeze me in a tight hug. "Thank you, Derek! Ahhh, I'm so happy!"

We pull away from the hug and Erin speaks. "Wow, congratulations, guys! Your first perfect score of the season; how does it feel??"

She puts the mic in front of Bethany, who is beaming with joy. "It's amazing. I feel like I'm on such a high right now," Beth giggles. "I couldn't have asked for a better partner." She glances at me and smiles warmly. That smile...

"Derek?" Erin asks, offering me the mic.

"Ditto.." I say, with a huge grin, leaning over and kissing Bethany on top of the head.

I pause for a second, realizing that I just kissed her, but it was only on the head. Mark does that to Sadie all the time. Other partners do that all the time. It's fine. Right...?

"Well these two did get a perfect score, but they're gonna need your votes to help them stay in the competition so vote away. Tom..?" Erin sends the attention back to Tom who sends the audience on a commercial break.

The other dancers run towards us, congratulating us and hugging Bethany. She looks so happy, and to be honest, I am incredibly happy as well. Seeing her so proud of herself makes me feel amazing. We make eye-contact and grin at each other.

I watch as Bethany receives her praise, and can't stop thinking of how proud I am of her. The only thought that tops that one is how much I want to kiss her again.