Page 98 of Wicked Dance
“Any ideas?” Barry prompts. “What did you think of tonight?”
I wonder — what would Blitz do? And I have it.
“It’s all about the fans,” I say. “They had faith in me, and I am so grateful.”
Barry turns to the camera. “Isn’t she a doll, America? Don’t forget to vote on your choice tonight! You have two hours after the broadcast to get it in.”
Back to me. “Livia, if you had one thing to say that would sway the viewers out there to cast their vote for you, what would it be?”
That’s simple. “I’m the one who truly loves him.”
Barry puts his hand over his heart. “Our director is still onstage with Blitz, where they’re recovering from Giselle’s crazy train. Let’s see what is in our dancing Romeo’s mind now that he’s missed his last dance with the wild, passionate Giselle.”
The camera light goes off. “Thanks, Livia,” Barry says. He and the cameraman hurry out into the hall, probably to go see Mariah in her room.
I lay my head on the counter as Jessie rushes in.
“Oh my God, Livia, what happened to Giselle? Is she crazy? She dropped like five thousand f-bombs on live television!”
My head twists so I can look at her. “There’s a thirty-second delay so they can bleep it out before it actually goes live.”
“Oh, thank God,” Jessie says, collapsing in a chair. “I thought they were going to have to carry her off the stage.”
“They don’t like wild cards on live TV,” I say.
“I guess this is it,” Jessie says. “The episode tonight determines the votes for the last show. What are you guys going to do on it?”
“They are bringing back a bunch of the girls for group numbers,” I say. “I’ll have a dance with Blitz, and Mariah will have one, and we will take part in a silly one where they are all fighting over him.”
“Oh, that sounds fun,” she says.
The noise level outside intensifies, indicating the live show is over. Jessie opens the door. “See you on Thursday,” she says.
“Bye, Jessie.”
I realize I only have one more week with her, with all this. I’ve gotten to know more people in the past couple of months than in the past four years. A lump forms in my throat. I won’t miss the drama and the crazy schedule and the other finalists. But going back to normal life will definitely be a change.
