The next evening found everyone at the Orlando Arena filled with nervous, anxious energy. Natalia was in the dressing room with the rest of the dancers who were putting the finishing touches on their make-up or clothing. Natalia was sitting down, her hands wringing together over and over; she was more nervous than she had been in her life. She could hear the bass from the opening act vibrating from the stage to the back-stage area. The ten minute call was made and everyone was silent for about a complete second and then it was more mayhem. Natalia stood up and took a good look at herself before a small smile crossed her face; her dad would have a fit if he could see the outfit they wore for the first couple of songs. The top was tight and cut a little low in the front and back, which both revealed her tattoos and her navel peircing. The pants were tight, as well, and low cut....very, very low cut. So low, her OTHER tattoo was visible. Her dad...and probably her brothers...would have a fit when they saw this outfit. Funny, that was just the reaction she was going for.
The dancers made their way onto the darkened stage; the crowd was screaming already. The level of noise was...unexplainable. Natalia could almost feel the push of the energy coming from the audience. Taking another deep breath, she turned and took her place with the others. It was time.
Nick tried to concentrate on the prayer Kevin was saying as they all huddled in a quick circle right before they went on stage. He could already hear the audience screams, that just made his adrenaline higher and his attention span even shorter than normal. His right leg began to bob up and down with excitement, this is what he missed...this is what he lived for. Kevin finished and they all straightened up before taking the long walk to their places where they would come out of the stage. It was time.
Natalia couldn't believe how much louder it really got when the guys appeared from under the stage. The force of the noise seemed to push her back and made her want to fall down flat on her back. The music started and all ten of the dancers went into the moves they had worked so hard on for weeks on end.
Nick smiled as the stage darkened once more and he took his place behind Natalia, his hand on her hip. He leaned down and said quietly, "You okay?"
She barely nodded her head and he grinned, "Ok..you're doin' good Nat...you're doin' fine."
She relaxed and then, began to have fun. Nick coulnd't believe how good she really looked. Natalia was a pretty girl, but now with the stage make-up and outfit on, she was irresistible.
She turned, her arm going around his neck, the other on his waist, before she slid down the length of his body, sliding around to end up behind him. Nick turned, meeting her head on, grinning just a bit. She met his eye and cocked an eyebrow as if in challenge. His grin grew even wider as she slid down his body again, only this time to go underneath and between his legs. Nick fought not to laugh out loud, that was the move she hated to do in rehearsal and she had nailed it this time.
It was nearing the end of the first show and everyone ran off stage to change into their last outfits.
This time, the outfit was a little more comfortable. Low rider jeans, black boots, and a short sleeved top that tied up the sides and rode up high. Natalia met up with Nick in the hall as they walked back towards the staircase that would take them back on top of the stage. He grinned, "So...I guess I'm special, huh?"
She looked at him weird, "What are you talking about?"
He stopped, turned her around and pointed down, "Your tattoo you said only someone special could see..."
She looked down before grinning at him, "I guess that would make you very special, huh?"
He smiled, "Guess so."
She turned and began her walk up the staircase again. Nick followed, the smile still on his face.
Natalia was lounging around her hotel room in sweatpants and a tank top that she had tied up in the back. She had just gotten out of the shower and was looking forward to crawling into bed out of exhaustion. There was a knock on the door and she looked at the clock, it was nearing one a.m. She looked through the peephole before opening it, "Hi Nick."
He smiled, "Hey.."
"What are you doing? I thought you were at the after-party?"
"I was..but I got bored and decided to come see you.."
She smiled, "Well come on in.."
He stepped in, "You weren't goin' to bed, were ya?"
"I was about to crawl into bed...but not really."
"You sure?"
She smiled, "I'm sure.."
She padded past him and his eyes immediately were drawn downwards at the two tattoos adorning the small of her back. God, that was sexy. She sat down on the bed and he finally followed. "How come you didn't want to come to the after-party?"
She shrugged, "Just not my thing..plus, I had to report to Michael..he says hi by the way."
"Tell him I said hi next time you talk to him."
"I will."
"Are you just anti-social or do you not like the people you're touring with?? I mean...not to sound mean or anything..but you..you dance for a living but you won't go to a club?"
"I go to clubs..just not often. And..I don't really get along with anyone on the tour just yet so I didn't feel too comfortable going to the after-party."
"You should go next time we have one.."
"I might."
"Promise?"
She rolled her eyes, "Niiiicckk..I don't make promises."
"Maybe you should start now."
"And why is that?"
He leaned forward; almost a little too close for comfort, "Because, if you would ever let yourself truly go and be yourself FOR real then maybe..just maybe you'd have fun."
"I have fun."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"Ok..come with me next time we have an after-party or the guys decide to go out after a concert?"
"Maybe."
"No, promise me Nat."
"And what is with this 'Nat' thing??"
"It's a nickname..I like it."
"I've never had a nickname in my life."
"Well, it's time you do."
She smiled, "And you're just the person to give it to me, huh?"
He grinned, "Yep. So promise."
"Promise what?"
"Promise you'll let yourself go and next time we all decide to go out, you'll go with me?"
"Like as in a date?"
"If you want it to be a date, then it is."
"Nick, quit being so damn vague."
"I'm not. Come on..promise."
She sighed, "Fine..I promise."
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