Page 86 of Wicked Dance
“Agreed,” Jessie says. “Wow, that’s invasive.”
“Welcome to reality TV,” I say.
~*´`*~
As we approach the time for the show to start, the TV screen in the top corner of my dressing room pops on and the live feed of the stage is piped in. Currently it glows blue from theDance Blitzlogo and the neon lights along the floor. In the corner beyond the stage, I can see a hint of the studio audience entering and taking their seats.
My stomach flutters again.
After a few minutes, the TV flashes and switches to the actual broadcast, a commercial and lead-in with theDance Blitztheme.
I watch as the lights go up onstage and Barry walks out. He’s just started talking when a girl in all black comes in the room. “Five minutes,” she says.
I nod. Barry describes how to vote, and the website and app download flash on the screen. He explains that viewers have forty votes that can be divided any way they like but they must be cast within two hours of the end of the show. Then he talks about each of the girls, and little interview clips and dance rehearsal footage are shown.
I’m deeply engrossed, when the door opens again. “Places,” a girl says.
I stand up and Jessie follows me into the hall.
Kendra approaches and checks my dress and makeup and hair. “Break a leg,” she says.
The dance coach rounds the corner and waves at me. “Remember to relax into that last turn,” he says.
“Got it.”
He pats me on the shoulder as he passes by.
We enter the backstage area, completely black except for low red lights and the occasional rectangle of a viewing screen with a hood surround. When we get close, I see Barry out onstage, looking up at the video screen. They must still be running the montage.
I feel a hand enclose mine and turn to see Blitz. His eyes shine as he looks down at me. “Love you,” he mouths.
“Love you too,” I whisper.
The lights go back on Barry, drawing our attention back to the stage. He walks to one side, saying, “We’ll be right back after this message.”
This is our cue to carefully go out into the darkness and wait for our dance to start. The chorus dancers start to fill in around us.
Then we’re back live. Barry talks about me a little, and the screens show the castle date footage just like in practice. I sense the cameras moving into position.
Then Barry is back. “For our first number of the night, the couple you’ve been waiting to see again in person, the princess who stormed the castle to save her prince, Livia Mays, with our dance bachelor Blitz Craven.”
I’m not quite ready for the applause and feel a little startled. But as the music starts up, I’m able to tune it out.
The number runs exactly as planned, no stumbles, no big mistakes. I’m a little nervous, not quite as at ease as during the rehearsals, but I don’t think it’s anything too noticeable.
We take a bow and head to the side stage to meet Barry. My stomach flutters. A live interview. I almost trip on the hem of my dress, but Blitz squeezes my hand and keeps me steady.
“That was truly lovely,” Barry says, grinning broadly. His dark gray suit gleams as much as his dark hair. “How did it feel?”
“Amazing,” Blitz says. “I’m so happy to be back onstage with Livia.” He gazes down on me with utter fondness.
I lean into him automatically. “I would never want to dance with anyone else,” I say.
“Oh, ho!” Barry says. “That’s a lot to live up to, Blitz. Is the Texas ballerina trying to tie you down?”
“She already has, Barry,” Blitz says.
Barry looks out to the audience. “If you agree that Livia is the girl for Blitz, remember to cast your vote.”
