45 | pink and green

PINK AND GREEN

🪩

The energy in the ballroom buzzed like electricity through the air. It was show day—the semi-finals—and every corner of the stage, every dressing room mirror, every hallway seemed to hum with adrenaline and nerves. Dancers hurried past carrying costume bags and curling irons, producers clipped headsets into place, and stagehands whispered countdowns into radios.

And in the middle of it all sat Diana, cross-legged at the vanity, surrounded by sequins, glitter, and laughter.

Her reflection smiled back at her, cheeks already flushed with excitement and just a hint of nerves. Her hair was swept up into a sleek ponytail, her makeup done to perfection—bronze shimmer over her eyelids, a touch of sparkle at the corners, and her signature coral lipstick. It was their opening number look: bright, fierce, unapologetically fun.

"Okay, I swear if one more person asks me if my rhinestones are glued on right, I'm quitting this job," Emma said from behind her, tugging at the hem of her costume with mock irritation.

"You would never quit this job," Britt said, rolling her eyes while applying highlighter in the mirror next to Diana's. "You live for the rhinestones."

Emma snorted. "I live for dance and the paycheck."

Diana burst into laughter, nearly smudging her eyeliner as she reached for her brush. The light, giddy energy between them was contagious. They'd been rehearsing for days, perfecting this high-energy number that was going to open the semi-finals, and somehow, despite the exhaustion, everything felt lighter.

Her mind wandered—unintentionally—back to the Malachi. To the moment he had asked her to be his girlfriend, the way his voice had softened when he said it, how natural it had felt to say yes. How right it had felt curling up against him afterward.

"Earth to Diana," Emma said, waving a hand in front of her face. "You spaced out."

Diana blinked, caught, and laughed softly. "Sorry, just thinking."

Dani grinned knowingly. "Thinking about a certain someone, maybe?"

"Possibly," Diana admitted with a sheepish smile.

"Ugh, you're cute. I hate it," Britt said dramatically, tossing a glittery scarf at her.

The girls erupted in giggles, and Diana felt that familiar rush of warmth in her chest. She loved them. She loved this part of it—the backstage chaos, the teasing, the routine. The moments before the lights hit and everything turned magical.

She had her family here.

And now... she had him too.

Fifteen minutes later, Diana stood near the costume racks, fully dressed in her opening number outfit—royal blue sequined bodysuit with a short fringe skirt that caught the light with every movement. The front had quite a daring cut out at her chest, highlighting her body. Her heels gleamed, her earrings shimmered, and the adrenaline was just beginning to set in.

She was checking the fit of her costume in the mirror, mainly making sure she doesn't have a nip slip, when she heard a familiar voice behind her.

"Wow," Malachi said, his voice low and full of amusement. "You look—uh, what's the word I'm looking for?"

Diana turned, smiling immediately when she saw him leaning casually against the doorframe, one hand in his pocket, a lazy grin on his face. He was in a fitted grey long sleeve and jeans, a backstage lanyard hanging from his neck—simple, but somehow effortlessly attractive.

"Hot?" she supplied, arching a brow.

He chuckled, pushing off the door and walking toward her. "Yeah. Definitely that."

Diana laughed, shaking her head as he reached her, his eyes traveling from her legs up to her hair, a slow, teasing once-over that made her pulse quicken.

"Don't look at me like that," she said, trying to sound stern but failing completely.

"Can't help it," he said easily, slipping a hand around her waist for just a second. "You look insane. That color's my new favorite now, by the way."

She rolled her eyes, but her smile betrayed her. "You're ridiculous."

"Ridiculously attracted to my girlfriend," he said under his breath.

Her stomach flipped.

She didn't think she'd ever get used to hearing that word—girlfriend—coming from him.

Trying to compose herself, she nudged his shoulder lightly. "You're supposed to say something supportive, not flirty."

"Oh, I can do both," he said with a grin. "You're gonna kill it out there, babe. I mean it."

She smiled softly, meeting his gaze. "Thanks. I can't believe it's already semi-finals."

"Crazy, right?" he said. "Feels like the season just started."

"Right? It's gone by so fast. I feel like I blinked and suddenly we're here."

He nodded, brushing his thumb lightly over her waist. "At least you've still got tour after this. You're not done dancing yet."

Diana exhaled, the excitement and pressure of the night colliding all at once. "Yeah... tour's gonna be fun. Exhausting, but fun."

"I'll come visit," Malachi said casually.

She looked up at him, surprised. "You will?"

He nodded. "Of course. You think I'm gonna go months without seeing you? Not happening."

Her heart melted at that, and before she could respond, one of the stage managers called out, "Five minutes to showtime!"

Malachi glanced toward the ballroom, then back at her. "Guess that's my cue to get to my seat."

"Guess so," she said softly, smiling up at him.

He pulled her closer, hands tightening at her waist. "You nervous?"

"A little," she admitted. "But mostly excited."

He smiled, eyes full of pride. "That's my girl."

Before she could say anything, he leaned down and kissed her—a deep, lingering kiss that made her forget for a second that there were people everywhere, that the show was about to start, that she was supposed to be somewhere in exactly four minutes.

When he pulled back, she was breathless, cheeks warm.

"Go kill it," he murmured, his voice low and certain. "I'll be watching."

Diana nodded, grinning. "See you after."

"Count on it," he said, backing away slowly before disappearing down the hallway toward the audience entrance.

Dani appeared a second later, catching the tail end of Diana's flustered expression. "Ooooh, that looked intense. Should I leave you two alone next time?"

Diana smacked her shoulder. "Shut up and get to stage."

The stage lights blazed bright as the opening number began.

The music blasted through the speakers—a bold, high-energy pop track that instantly set the tone for the night. The pros filled the stage in dazzling colors and sequins, every movement sharp and perfectly timed.

Diana's body moved on instinct—each step, each spin, each snap of her fingers perfectly aligned with the beat. Her muscles burned, her hair whipped with every turn, and the audience roared in response.

And somewhere beyond the stage lights, in the front section of the crowd, she knew he was there.

Watching her.

Every time she hit a pose or threw a playful wink toward the camera, she imagined his reaction—the grin, the way he'd clap too hard, probably earning a few side-eyes from the people around him.

The choreography was bold, filled with lifts and flips and those dramatic transitions the show loved so much. It was fun, cheeky, and exactly what they'd wanted the semi-finals to open with.

As the final beat hit and the dancers struck their ending poses, the audience exploded in cheers.

Diana's chest heaved as she caught her breath, smiling wide as she turned toward the other pros, who were grinning just as big. They'd nailed it. Every beat, every trick, every formation—it was perfect.

As she walked off the ballroom floor, her eyes instinctively wandered toward the audience again—just for a second—and there he was.

Malachi, front row, hands cupped around his mouth as he cheered. Their eyes met for a brief moment, and even from the distance, she could see the proud grin on his face. He mouthed something she couldn't quite hear—but she didn't need to.

She knew.

She felt it.

The warmth, the pride, the quiet way he made her feel seen even in a crowd of hundreds.

And just like that, the exhaustion didn't matter. The pressure didn't matter. The cameras, the lights, the millions of people watching at home—none of it mattered.

Because he was there.

Because she was his.

And tonight, everything was exactly how it was supposed to be.

dianasinclair added to her close friends !

The show lights had barely cooled before the city outside Diana's window went still. Inside her apartment, the glitter and adrenaline of the Dancing With the Stars semi-finals had been traded for sweats, a pile of throw blankets, and the soft hum of the TV. Diana sat sideways in Malachi's lap, legs draped across the couch, scrolling lazily through her phone while his arms circled her waist.

They hadn't said much since walking in. After the noise of the studio—cheering crowds, camera flashes, dancers rushing past—quiet felt like the best kind of luxury. The only sound now was the occasional ping from a notification and the rhythmic tap of rain against the windows.

Diana smiled at a photo someone had already posted from the night: her mid-spin in the opening number, a cascade of blue fringe caught in motion. She looked happy, she thought. She was happy.

"Tonight was insane," she murmured, not looking up.

Malachi chuckled, phone still in hand. "You lit the place up. I swear, everyone around me was talking about how amazing you are."

She turned, resting her chin on his shoulder. "You actually listen to the crowd when I'm dancing?"

"Obviously." He tilted his head toward her, pretending to whisper. "Though it's hard when you're kind of distracting."

Her cheeks warmed, and she bumped his shoulder with a laugh. "You're such a liar."

He raised both brows, pretending to be offended. "Excuse me, I do not lie. I exaggerate in the name of truth."

That made her giggle, and for a moment, they just smiled at each other—the kind of quiet, lingering smile that came easily now. A few weeks ago, they'd been circling each other, hesitant to admit how they felt. Now, the space between them felt as comfortable as breathing.

Malachi was the first to break the silence. "So... I got invited to something."

Diana blinked. "Something?"

"The Wicked: For Good premiere." He said it casually, but she could see the grin tugging at his lips.

Her eyes widened. "You're serious?"

He nodded, leaning back into the couch cushions. "Yeah. Studio sent the invite earlier. Red carpet, glam, the whole thing."

Diana's excitement burst out before she could stop it. "When is it?"

"Saturday."

"Are you going?" she asked quickly.

"Was thinking about it," he teased. "Might bring Mk, though. You know, make it a guys' night. Popcorn, sparkly suits, some show tunes..."

Diana's mouth fell open. "You're not serious."

The corners of his mouth twitched. "You don't think Mk would rock emerald green velvet?"

"Malachi." Her tone was pure warning, but her eyes gave her away—amused, bright, already glowing from the inside out.

He laughed, putting his phone down and pretending to study her. "So... you're a Wicked fan?"

"Uh, yes." She sat up straighter, mock-offended. "That's not even a question. I was Glinda in middle school. Full costume, wand, everything."

"Oh, this I have to see."

"No, you don't," she said quickly, half laughing, half mortified.

He smirked. "I think I do. But okay, since you've earned points for honesty, maybe I'll bring you instead of Mk."

"Maybe?" she repeated, narrowing her eyes. "You're really pushing it."

He laughed again, reaching over to tug lightly at a strand of her hair. "Relax. Of course I want you to come. You're my plus one."

The words hit softer than she expected, wrapping around her like the warmest thing in the room. His plus one. Somehow it sounded bigger than "girlfriend." It sounded like a promise.

Her voice came out quieter. "You really mean that?"

He nodded. "Always. You know that, right? Wherever I go, I want you there too. You're my forever plus one."

Her expression softened, all teasing forgotten. "I want that too."

They sat for a beat, looking at each other. The glow from the TV flickered over them—his hand still resting around her hip, her fingers tracing idle shapes on his sleeve.

Then Diana broke into a sudden grin. "I can't believe I'm going to my second premiere."

Malachi's smile turned serious. "That first one doesn't count."

Her brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"

He gave her a look, half playful, half protective. "Because the last one was with Grayson. And honestly, he doesn't deserve to be attached to any of your firsts."

Diana rolled her eyes but couldn't hide her smile. "You're impossible."

He shrugged, brushing his thumb gently against her side. "Maybe. But I'm gonna show you what a premiere is supposed to feel like. Real glam, real fun. You're gonna walk that carpet and actually enjoy it."

Her chest warmed, that familiar rush of affection flooding through her. She nodded. "Deal."

Malachi smiled, content, and pressed a kiss to her temple. She melted a little against him, breathing in the faint scent of his cologne—clean, a hint of cedar and something that always felt like home.

After a moment, she suddenly gasped. "Oh my god, I need to find an outfit!"

Malachi burst out laughing. "I was wondering how long that would take."

"This is serious, Malachi!" she said, jumping up from his lap and nearly tripping over the blanket as she ran toward her closet. "It's Wicked! It's literally pink and green themed. I can't just wear any dress."

He followed her with a grin, leaning against the doorframe as she started flipping through hangers like a woman on a mission. "What happened to 'I'm tired, let's just relax'?"

"This is different!" she said, holding up a sparkly emerald top against herself, frowning, and tossing it aside. "This is big!"

He crossed his arms, still smiling. "You know, you're kind of terrifying when you're in fashion mode."

She spun around, mock-glaring. "You love it."

He tilted his head. "Yeah," he admitted softly. "I really do."

The way he said it made her pause—halfway between laughter and something that made her chest feel full. For a long second, she just looked at him, her grin fading into something smaller but deeper.

Then, with a soft laugh, she turned back to her closet. "Okay, I officially have nothing to wear."

Malachi pushed off the doorframe and came up behind her, looping his arms around her waist. "We'll figure it out," he said into her hair. "You're gonna look amazing no matter what."

She leaned back against him, smiling. "You're biased."

"Obviously," he murmured. "But I'm also right."

Her laugh filled the room, warm and easy, and when she turned to face him again, his hands were still resting lightly on her hips, a smile forming on her lips.

The two had moved back to the couch and turned on a movie, but Diana was still too focused on what to wear. She was scrolling through different stores online, trying to find something she liked.

She felt Malachi shift slightly and when she looked up, Malachi smiled, his gaze catching hers and holding it. The air between them changed — the same magnetic pull that always seemed to hum whenever they were close was suddenly stronger, tangible.

Neither of them spoke.

He leaned closer, his forehead nearly brushing hers. "You know," he murmured, his voice lower now, "you're gonna be the best-dressed there, right?"

Her lips curved. "I haven't even picked an outfit yet."

"Doesn't matter," he said. "You could show up in sweats and still steal the whole red carpet."

Her laugh came out quiet, a breathy sound that made him smile. He reached up, brushing a loose strand of hair away from her face, his fingers grazing her cheek. She leaned into his touch before she even realized she was doing it.

The world outside — the quiet hum of the city, the faint TV noise in the background — seemed to dissolve.

Malachi's thumb traced along her jaw, gentle, steady, until his hand cupped her face completely. "You have no idea what you do to me," he said softly, not teasing this time. There was something raw and honest in the way he said it — something that made her chest tighten.

Her voice barely rose above a whisper. "I think I do."

And then she kissed him.

It wasn't a sudden, rushed thing. It was slow — deliberate — like both of them knew they were stepping into something bigger than a moment. Malachi's hand slid to the back of her neck, pulling her closer as her fingers clutched his sweatshirt. The kiss deepened naturally, all quiet intensity and unspoken words, the kind that made time blur.

Diana shifted slightly in his lap, just enough for him to feel the quick, uneven rhythm of her breathing against his. His other hand found her waist, anchoring her close. The world was soft edges and warmth — her pulse fluttering beneath his touch, his heart hammering against hers.

When they finally pulled apart, they didn't move far. Their foreheads stayed pressed together, both breathing hard, both smiling.

Malachi's voice came out quiet, a little rough. "This—uh—wasn't exactly what I planned for tonight."

Diana laughed, still catching her breath. "No? You didn't plan to make out with your girlfriend on her couch?"

His grin widened. "Not that I'm complaining."

"Good," she said, her tone light but her eyes still soft and searching.

He looked at her for a moment longer, thumb brushing her chin. "You know what's crazy?"

"What?"

"I can't remember what my life felt like before you."

Her chest tightened again — not with surprise, but with the kind of certainty that came from knowing he meant it. She reached up, pressing another kiss to his lips, slower this time, and whispered against him, "Me neither."

The movie still flickered quietly in the background, forgotten. The couch was warm beneath them, the city glowing faintly outside.

Malachi leaned back slightly, still holding her close, still smiling that boyish, lopsided grin that made her stomach twist in the best way.

"Wicked premiere," he murmured. "You, me, and a red carpet we're definitely gonna own."

Diana chuckled, brushing her nose against his. "You really think we'll own it?"

He tilted his head, eyes sparkling. "You already own me, so... yeah."

Her laugh melted into another kiss — softer this time, slower, and filled with that same mix of happiness and disbelief that had defined every day since they became them.

And for the rest of the night, neither of them really cared about the movie or the noise outside. It was just them — tangled together, hearts steady and full — and a future that suddenly felt real and impossibly bright.

🪩

its premiere time!!!

next chapter is so cute 🩷💚

also, im starting to come up with ideas for a new book. would we want another malachi book with a new oc or would we want a zombies 4 victor book?let me know!

😊