| Chapter 4 |
| "No Aubree. Come on. Pay attention. You have to have more of a stiff motion. Like this." Ryan continued to coach Aubree on a part of the routine they had learned before they took a lunch break. Aubree rolled her eyes. "That's what I'm doing!" "You're doing it, but you're not doing it right." "Ry, if I get anymore stiff I'll be a board." "That's what you're supposed to be!" She looked at him with a confused, yet frustrated look. "Whatever!" She threw her hands over her head and walked out the studio to join the rest of the group for lunch in the quad. "What's up, sweetie," AJ said as he put his arm around Aubree and kissed her cheek. "Nothing," she mumbled. She glanced around the table and took in all the smells. 'These guys really know how to throw a bar-b-q,' she thought to herself. She picked up a chip and bit down hard. "Okay, 'Bree. I may not have seen you in like 12 years, but I still know when you're upset. So tell me." "It's nothing. I'm just starting to think that dancing isn't my thing anymore." "What?" AJ put his plate on the table and made her sit down across from him. "Listen to me before you make any decisions. Today when we were learning the new routine, I couldn't keep my eyes off of you. I could barely concentrate." "I was that bad?!" Tears began to form in her eyes. He laughed. "No, you were that good. You have a talent for this. This is what you need to do. What gave you this idea that you shouldn't dance?" "Well, Ryan was trying to help me and he made it sound like I was so horrible." "He's just trying to help." AJ put his hands on hers. "You are nothing but perfect. Besides, why else would you have been chosen if Jake didn't think you were great?" She turned her frown upside down and giggled a little. "Thanks, Alex." As she got up from the table she ran her fingers through his hair, sending him in a slight moment of ecstasy. He closed his eyes and made a wish. ~*~*~*~ After lunch, everyone returned to the studio to finish the routine. Fatima announced that they would be having partners for the rest of the dance. Brian was coupled with Missy, Kevin with Cassie, Howie with Madison, Nick with Jessica. When she said that AJ was with Aubree, Aubree got so excited. She ran to AJ and jumped on his back, which sent Ryan into a silent rage. Terrance moved his way through the dancers to Ryan's side. "He's movin' in man. This is the perfect way for him to get her back," Terrance whispered. "Shut up," Ryan growled back. ~*~*~*~ As the dancers boarded the bus to go back to their hotels, Aubree couldn't find Ryan anywhere. After searching the bus twice, she found him in the very back seat, away from everyone, and turned to the window. "Hey sexy," she said as she tried to give him a kiss, but got no response. "Something wrong?" "No," he said shortly. "Nothing you want to talk about?" "No." "Nothing you want to tell me?" "No," he yelled. "I just want to sit quietly. Okay? Alright?" "Alright," she said as quietly as she could. She inched away from him and sat with her arms crossed for the whole ride. They followed the group into the hotel. Everyone remained silent in consideration for Ryan. Just before Ryan closed the door to the guy's room, Aubree put her foot in the door. "Please tell me what's wrong, Ry." "Nothing," he said as he leaned his head on the door. "Was it something I did? Something I said? Whatever it is, just tell me and it will be gone." He pondered for a second. "It wasn't you." "Then who?" "AJ." Chapter 5 Featured Stories Main Page |