Becca POV
I shut off my alarm and roll over; I really don't want to move.
"It's Friday!" I realize. I climb out of my bed and dance around the room, excited that the long week is almost at an end. I only stop dancing when I trip on my shoes and fall on my ass with a loud 'thud'.
"Ow," I groan.
"Are you okay?" My dad says, entering the room.
"My butt hurts," I complain.
"Okay? Did you break anything?"
"ONLY MY PRIDE!" I exclaim and he starts laughing at me, "It's not funny."
"Can I ask the reason you ended up on the ground?" He asks, coming over to me and helping me up.
"I was dancing enthusiastically."
"Oh, really? Why?"
"It's Friday." I throw my hands in the air and almost fall... again.
"You're acting like your drunk."
"How do you know I'm not?"
"Because you passed out on your bed the second we got home last night, and I know for a fact that you haven't moved since."
"You're observant."
"I just know you really well,"
"True."
"I'll get out of your room so you can get ready, Cassie made breakfast."
"You didn't?"
"My culinary skills have a capacity, I can't use it all up." He says, dramatically.
"Whatever, just go so I can change clothes." I roll my eyes and literally push him out the door. I put on a tie-dye tank top and blue spandex, and I put Nike shorts over my spandex.
I skip down the stairs, bag-in-hand, into the kitchen. Cassie is cleaning and my dad is eating his breakfast. A plate full of food sits on the counter next to my dad. There's an omelet and fruit on it.
"Thanks Cass." I say.
"My pleasure Ms. Evans." Cassie replies. I start eating the yummy looking food.
"This is really good, better than anything dad makes." I tease.
"Not true," Dad interjects, "I'll make you dinner tonight and prove you wrong, nothing against your cooking Cassie."
"I'm not offended," She says. I smirk.
"Wait, you just want me to make you food?" He says, glancing at me.
"I don't know what you're implying." I say, innocently.
"You are manipulating me."
"Gasp, why would I ever do that to you?"
"Did you just say 'gasp'?"
"Um, yes,"
"That's not important, you were manipulating me."
"No, anyone can cook better than you, that's a fact." I smirk, eliciting a response.
"You didn't have this attitude about my cooking yesterday." He challenges.
"My eyes have been opened." It is really hard to refrain from laughing right now.
"You claim anyone can cook better than me, right?"
"Yes?"
"And you are an anyone?"
"That's not the point."
"I'm making it a point."
"Okay?"
"You and me, a cook-off, tonight."
"What? No."
"Yes,"
"This is ridiculous, how are we going to determine the winner?"
"Cassie?"
"Sir, I would prefer to stay out of this if I am allowed." She says.
"I won't force you." He says.
"See? We can't do it." I say, happily.
"Let's ask your boyfriend."
"No, Asher stays out of this."
"I think it would be a good test of his love for you. He can decide if he can put up with a girl who can't cook."
"Hey! I can cook."
"Fried eggs don't count."
"I can do more than that."
"Then this shouldn't be a problem."
"Fine, I'll invite Asher over for dinner, happy?"
"Yes," He nods, "Now, Cassie, just finish the usual chores and then you may leave."
"Alright, sir." She agrees.
"I better get to school. I will crush you tonight." I say, glaring at my father.
"Let's make an entree and a dessert." Dad interjects.
"Ugh, fine." I agree. I grab my stuff and go to my car.
I walk into my classroom.
"Let's get started." Mr. Carlton says, simply. I put on my tap shoes and begin to warm up, "Did you see Asher today?"
"No," I say, going into a split, "why?"
"He wanted to see you."
"Oh, I'll find him between classes."
"Okay, let's work on your routine then."
I look for Asher in the hallway on my way to the ballet class. I spot him walking into the classroom.
"Ash, you were looking for me?"
"Yeah, I wanted to show you the final song on the album."
"You finished it?"
"Last night,"
"Can I see it? Or hear it?"
"I have the lyrics sheet with me, if you want it."
"Yeah," He pulls a piece of paper from his pants pocket and hands it over to me. I begin to unfold it.
"Give me feedback when you're finished."
"Alright." I walk into the classroom and take a seat, readin over the lyrics.
"Life Of The Party
I love it when you just don't care
I love it when you dance like there's nobody there
So when it gets hard, don't be afraid
We don't care what them people say
I love it when you don't take no
I love it when you do what you want cause you just said so
Let them all go home, we out late
We don't care what them people say
We don't have to be ordinary
Make your best mistakes
'Cause we don't have the time to be sorry
So baby be the life of the party
I'm telling you to take your shot it might be scary
Hearts are gonna break
'Cause we don't have the time to be sorry
So baby be the life of the party
Together we can just let go
Pretending like there's no one else here that we know
Slow dance fall in love as the club track plays
We don't care what them people say
We don't have to be ordinary
Make your best mistakes
'Cause we don't have the time to be sorry
So baby be the life of the party
I'm telling you to take your shot it might be scary
Hearts are gonna break
'Cause we don't have the time to be sorry
So baby be the life of the party
Come out tonight, come out tonight
There's no one standing in your way
Come out tonight, come out tonight
We don't care what them people say
We don't care what them people say
We don't have to be ordinary
Make your best mistakes
'Cause we don't have the time to be sorry
So baby be the life of the party
I'm telling you to take your shot it might be scary
Hearts are gonna break
'Cause we don't have the time to be sorry
So baby be the life of the party
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Life of the party
So don't let them keep you down
Oh you know you can't give up
'Cause we don't have the time to be sorry
So baby be the life of the party."
I stare at the sheet in front of me. I had no idea Asher had such powerful lyrics. I glance in his direction and see him staring at me. He looks away and continues to warm up.
"Let's get started." The teacher says, "Let's continue with our routine for the performance. Rebecca, please help perfect the dance in any way you can."
"Yes, ma'am." I watch the dancers go through the routine smoothly, but there's something off about it.
"Stop." I yell.
"Is something wrong?" The teacher asks.
"The dance is all wrong."
"Our showcase is in two days, we can't just change the dance."
"No, you can't. All I ask that you do is make the movements more fluid. You guys are dancers, ballerinas it is your responsibility to live up to the name. Dance is an art, art can't be forced. I hate choreography because I feel like it's a crime against dance. I love impromptu, it makes me feel alive. Dance is about feeling alive. Yes, you have to have a choreographed routine, but don't think of it as one. Think about why you dance, improve yourself every step. Follow the choreography, but listen to the music. Try the routine again, this time with your mind not on the routine, let it wander. I want emotion, fluidity. From the top!" The dancers line up and the music starts. I watch each member dance, not thinking about the routine, but focusing on their emotions.
"That looked much better," I commend, once they're finished.
"Thank you," A girl says.
"You are welcome," I smile. I'm glad to be making a difference.
"Class, you have impressed me, take the last minutes of class to talk or dance as you please." The teacher instructs.
"Did you like the song?" Asher asks, coming towards me.
"It was beautiful, I can't wait to hear it." I reply.
"I'll be recording it soon, I'm sure your dad wouldn't mind if you sat in while I did."
"I'm looking forward to it."
"Speaking of looking forward to things, would you be willing to come over for dinner?"
"Is there a certain occasion?"
"No, well, kind of, my father and I are having a small competition, determining the better chef of the family and we need a judge."
"So I'm the judge?"
"If you're willing,"
"Let me guess, this was your dad's idea?"
"Yeah, he thinks it will be a 'good test of your love'."
"Doesn't he suspect that I'm biased?"
"Probably, but he still requested you."
"I'll do it because I love you."
"Aw, I love you, too,"
"Oh, really? Let me have a kiss as proof."
"Hell no!" I back away, trying not to smile.
"That's just rude."
"You know I'm not a kind person."
"No, I know that you act like an unkind person, there's a difference."
"Sure,"
"I love you because you're humble and kind and perfect to me."
"You really don't know me then, do you?"
"Oh, I know you Rebecca Elizabeth Evans."
"I wouldn't want it any other way." Asher steps towards me and wraps his arms around my waist, "You want to kiss me right now, don't you?"
"How did you know that?" He smirks.
"Oh, I know you Asher I don't know your middle name Carlton." I giggle. He leans down and gives me a peck on the lips.
"It's Asher actually."
"What?"
"My middle name is Asher,"
"My life is a lie, what is your first name?"
"Steven,"
"Holy crap!"
"I forgot to mention it, I'm sorry."
"I'm not angry, just surprised."
"Please, never call me Steven though, I probably won't respond."
"Even if I say, I love you Steven Asher Carlton?"
"I'll make an exception for that." He leans in again and we kiss, not caring that we are in a classroom full of students.