Natalia arrived early at the studio the next morning. She changed quickly and put her things into a locker before heading out to stretch a little and get warmed up.
She didn't know anyone else was there just yet so she was surprised when Fatima came out and began to stretch with her. Fatima sat down about two feet away from her and stretched her legs out in front of her and leaned all the way over to touch her toes. Natalia was nervous; why did she (all of a sudden) have the feeling she was about to be handed her pink slip and be asked to leave?
Fatima looked over at her and nearly laughed at the look on Natalia's face. "Don't worry Natalia, I'm not going to kick you out."
"You're...you're not?"
"Nope...I see too much talent in you."
"Oh..umm..thanks."
Fatima smiled, "I know I kinda rode you hard yesterday.."
"Kinda? You nearly made me cry!," Natalia said without thinking. After realizing she said THAT outloud, she blushed.
Fatima laughed, "There is the fire I knew was in you! I always knew you were a spitfire inside!"
Natalia smiled, "Sorry...I kinda tend to speak without thinking."
"That's alright. How are you holding up though? I know you had it rough yesterday."
"I'm okay...I just kinda felt stupid messing up in front of big people like that.."
"First thing you learn is that they don't see themselves as 'big people' Natalia. They seem themselves as 20-something year olds with a big job on their hands. They love to goof around and they mess up ALL the time, I mean, don't even get me started on how BAD they used to be when they first started!"
"Really?"
"They were awful! But seriously, they're friendly, good guys. They love what they do and take it seriously sometimes, but even they have bad days. Plus, you're good, and I think you can teach Nick a few things."
"He's not bad."
"No, he's not. But he sometimes tends to forget things, or he just doesn't pay attention. But, I think you two look good together so thats part of the reason why I put you two together."
"Oh..."
"Have you made any friends Natalia, while you've been here?"
Natalia sat up and crossed her legs in front of her, she suddenly found the floor very interesting. "Well..not really...I don't think the other four girls like me very much. I never had many friends...and when I did, most of them were guys."
"Are you an only child?"
She shook her head, "Nope, I have two older brothers. They all live in New York, near my dad."
"Ohhhh..."
"I don't know why but girls just have never liked me..."
"I noticed Michelle giving you a hard time yesterday...you sure put her in her place though."
Natalia smiled, "Yeah...like I said though, I tend to speak before thinking."
"That's good, in some cases."
"I guess so.."
"You know, Natalia, if you ever need to talk or anything, I'm a pretty good listener."
Natalia smiled and began to pull her hair from it's ponytail, "Thanks Fatima...I may just have to take you up on that offer one of these days."
The morning rehearsal was very productive, the team of dancers was definitely making headway. But then, the afternoon came and Fatima dismissed everyone but the five girls. The Backstreet Boys soon showed up after that.
Natalia had been doing alot better than the day before and she was much happier with herself. Nick came over smiling, "Hey, you look better today.."
She grinned,"I feel better."
"really?"
"Yeah..I had a long talk with my brother last night and I actually got here early today and I really haven't made any mistakes today, so it's a good day. How was last night?"
Nick shook his head and shrugged, "I decided not to go and I just went home."
"Oh really?"
"Yeah...I was tired anyways..so I went home and popped in a movie, then fell asleep with my dogs."
"You have dogs?"
"Yep..three pugs."
"Awww..how cute!"
He smiled, "Yeah..they are. You have any pets?"
"Nah..my dad doesn't like animals."
"Really?"
She nodded, "Yeah...I still live at home, too."
"How come?"
"I dunno..he's not home much so it's as if I have my own place."
"Where are you from?"
"New York. But after seeing how nice it is here, I'm thinking of relocating."
Nick smiled, "I love it here..it's not too cold in the winter and it's just hot enough in the summer."
"I bet...are you ready for rehearsal today?"
Nick groaned and rolled his eyes, "I guess, if I have to be."
"What are you whinin' about now, boy?," AJ asked as he came over slinging his arm around Nick's shoulders.
"I'm not whining, AJ."
"You always whine Nick..it's like..part of you."
"Shut up."
AJ rolled his eyes and playfully pushed Nick away, "Hi, I'm AJ."
"Natalia. Nice to meet you."
"You too..how you likin' us so far?"
Natalia crossed her arms in front of her, "Well, so far I've only met the young, blonde one, and now I've met the resident 'bad boy'...so far, so good. You all don't seem THAT bad."
"Well..I've only met my dance partner and now you, but I must say that YOU are the more prettier one.," AJ said winking playfully.
Natalia laughed, "Yeah, right!"
"I only speak the truth my lady."
"Maybe the websites were right...you ARE a flirt."
AJ grinned, "Nahh..that's Howie and blondie here."
"Hey!"
"You are, man! You should see this guy work it at a club...all the girlies love him."
"Yeah, well, I AM the cute one, apparently."
"Yeah..you WISH."
"Shut up AJ."
"Nope."
"yep."
"Hey, you got a tattoo?"
Natalia looked to where AJ was pointing and then nodded, "Yeah..I have three."
"oooo Really?"
"Yeah..."
"Where?"
She pointed to the one on her hip that he was pointing at, "This one, it's a butterfly, one on my back and one where you don't really need to see."
AJ raised an eyebrow, "Ooooo..kinky."
She scrunched her nose, "Not really..."
"Got peircings?"
"Yep...my navel..you?"
"Had this peirced but got tired of it, " AJ said pointing to his chin, "and I have 11 tattoos.."
"Wow...running out of skin yet?"
"Almost."
"How many do you have Nick?"
Nick looked at his arm where she was looking at his shark tattoo, "Four.."
"Cool..I love tattoos and peircings..although, not too many, you know? Can't go too overboard."
AJ nodded, "Oh yeah.."
Nick nodded, "Oh yeah, I'm definitely done after these four."
She smiled, "I'm done too...can't take too much more..plus, my dad would have a heart attack if I got another tattoo.."
They both looked around as Fatima began yelling for them to get into position. Nick smiled inwardly, he was finally beginning to get into this girls mind. And he was beginning to learn that he really liked being around her.
"So..how old are you brothers?"
Natalia finished the bite of her sandwich, "Well, Michael is 31 and Christopher is 28."
"And you're?"
"21."
"Oohh that's cool..you close with them?"
"Oh yeah..they're the ones I go to talk to about ANYTHING.," Natalia said.
Nick nodded, understanding. They were sitting out back on their lunch break, away from the others. "You're the oldest in your family, right?," She asked as she brushed off her lap.
He nodded, "Yep..then my sister, BJ, then Leslie, Aaron and Angel."
"Ohhh..cool.."
"Yeah..I miss them alot.."
"Do you see them often?"
"Kinda..lately I have because we've had this break...my brother has come for a visit once or twice in the past month..."
"He looks like you, doesn't he?"
Nick smiled, "Ummm..yeah.."
"I looked on the 'net..I'm nosey.," She said with a smile.
"It's okay..so..you haven't ever mentioned your mom..is she around?"
Natalia shrugged, "No, not really. She was never a big part of my life or anything. I haven't spoken to her since I was about 16...last I heard, she was living in New Zealand with her boyfriend.."
"Ohhh.."
"Yeah..I was pretty much raised by my brothers. I love my dad, but his job kept him away alot."
"What does he think of your dancing?"
"He thinks it's just a phase that I'll grow out of eventually. He doesn't realize that I'm actually pretty good at it...he wasn't real excited when I got this job...he said it was too far and too many things could happen...but my brother, Michael, he convinced him that I would be okay.."
"He ever seen you perform?"
"Nope..but I'm hoping to get him and my brothers to come to a show when we get to New York.."
"I think he'll be proud."
"I hope so."
Nick smiled, "So..what do you do for fun?"
"Back home..I used to go clubbing alot.."
"By yourself?"
"That or with Michael..he's real cool and we'd go out alot.."
"Cool..he doesn't mind when you drink or dance with guys?"
"Nope..he knows I know my limitations and knows I'm not going to do anything stupid with some guy I danced with for five minutes."
"That's cool.."
"He's a cool person, he's more of a friend than a brother...ya know?"
"Yeah..."
"Your turn...what do you do to have fun?"
"I like to take my boat out on the ocean...I like to go out with the guys...watch tv...just relax."
"Understandable."
"Thank you...ok..favorite color?"
"Blue. You?"
"Green. What's your favorite food?"
"Ummm..Italian. You?"
"Just about anything..."
She smiled, "Figured as much."
"We eat alot of fast food."
"I bet.."
They hopped off the picnic table they had been sitting on, threw their stuff away, and made their way back into the studio.
Rehearsal ended about 8 that night. Natalia was exhausted, but it was a good type of exhaustion. She changed into shorts and a t-shirt, after showering, and made her way outside. Nick was waiting near his car, "Hey..."
"Hey..I thought you were gone."
"I was waiting for you."
"How come?"
"I was wondering, if you were hungry and maybe would want to go grab some dinner?"
"Sure..."
He smiled, "ok...cool.."
He opened the door for her and she slid into the seat.
Nick got into the driver's side and pulled out of the studio parking lot and drove around before making Natalia decide where they should eat.
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