13 | rehearsal chaos

REHEARSAL CHAOS

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Diana set her bag down in the corner, stretching out her arms as Grayson walked into the room.

"Morning," he greeted, a smile on his face. "Ready to kill it?"

Diana laughed softly. "Depends. Are you ready to actually keep your weight over your feet this time?"

Grayson gave her a mock-offended look, pressing a hand to his chest. "Wow. That's how it's gonna be today?"

She smirked and took her spot in front of him. "Just keeping you on your toes."

They cued up the track—Get'cha Head in the Game pulsing out of the speakers—and jumped right into their jive. At first, Diana watched carefully, her eyes sharp and focused. But as they got deeper into the routine, something shifted. Grayson loosened up, Diana laughed at one of his exaggerated moves, and the two started to flow together.

By the time they finished their first run, Diana was clapping her hands, cheeks pink from the effort. "That was actually really solid. You're finally starting to... you know..." She motioned loosely with her hands. "Bounce."

Grayson grinned, chest heaving. "That's because I've got the best coach."

She rolled her eyes at his cheesiness but couldn't stop the smile tugging at her lips.

After a sip of water, Diana tilted her head, an idea sparking. "Okay, hear me out. What if..." She darted over to the pile of props against the wall, pulling out a bright orange basketball. "...we try to incorporate this?"

Grayson's face lit up. "Oh, that's genius! I mean, it's High School Musical. We'd be robbing people if we didn't use a basketball."

"Exactly." Diana spun it once on her finger, barely keeping it balanced. "Although I haven't actually done this since middle school."

That should've been the first warning.

The next fifteen minutes were chaos.

Basketballs rolled across the floor. Grayson dropped one and it bounced back up, hitting his face. Diana tried to dribble and nearly tripped over her own ankle. At one point, both of them went for a pass at the same time and ended up colliding chest-first, the ball bouncing off toward the mirrors.

The two of them collapsed into laughter, sitting on the floor as their shoulders shook.

"I think," Diana gasped between giggles, "that might've looked more like dodgeball than jive."

Grayson held his side, still laughing. "I don't care. That was amazing."

"Disaster," she corrected, though she was smiling just as wide.

Eventually, they pulled themselves back up and tried again, this time slower. After a handful of retries, they actually managed to dribble in rhythm, toss the ball, and weave it into a pass-spin sequence that didn't look half bad.

When the music cut off, Diana bent over, hands on her knees, shaking her head. "Okay. That's... workable. Kind of."

Grayson beamed at her. "It's more than workable. It's gonna be iconic."

She rolled her eyes affectionately but didn't argue.

"So, uh... after this," he started casually, "you wanna grab food? We could film some stuff for social media too—people are eating up all our content right now."

Diana paused, lips parting. She felt bad, because she did want to hang out. But—

"I can't," she admitted softly. "I've got Worlds Collide rehearsal right after this."

Grayson's smile faltered. It was subtle, but she caught it. He nodded quickly, trying to cover it up. "Right. Of course. That's... yeah, no worries."

They ran the dance again, seamlessly integrating the basketballs, and Diana felt a swell of pride as they finished without a single fumble. She clapped her hands together. "That's good for today," she said, though she couldn't hide her slight hesitation as Grayson's puppy-eyed look met hers.

Grayson's eyes flickered, and then he shook his head. "Actually—can we run it again? Just to make sure it's locked in?"

Diana glanced at the clock. "Grayson, we're in a really good spot. I don't wanna be late for rehearsal with the others."

His voice sharpened a little. "You were late to our rehearsal yesterday because of their rehearsal. So isn't it fair?"

Diana blinked, caught off guard.

Before she could respond, Grayson added, softer but with an edge, "Sometimes it feels like you care more about your other dances than about me."

Her heart stung at that. "Grayson... that's not true. We're solid. You're doing great. I just don't think we need to overdo it today."

He was quiet, waiting.

Diana sighed. "But if it means that much, we'll run it one more time."

That finally pulled a smile out of him. "You're the best." He leaned over and pressed a quick kiss to her cheek before bouncing into position.

The move startled her—more playful than romantic, but still bold. She shook it off, taking her place.

They danced through the routine once more, landing their basketball section cleanly this time. Diana complimented him as she grabbed her stuff. She told him she'll see his tomorrow as she moved towards the door.

Grayson just nodded, watching her rush out, his expression unreadable.

The moment Diana slipped into the room, all eyes turned toward her. She was only a few minutes late.

"Well, well, look who finally decided to show up," Dani called out, her tone light and teasing, though her grin made the whole group chuckle. "Was Grayson holding you hostage or something?"

Diana flushed but laughed, tossing her bag down. "Pretty much. He wanted to run the routine one last time."

"Of course he did," Dani said knowingly, shaking her head before clapping her hands together. "Alright, before we jump back in—"

Diana's attention drifted. Her gaze had landed on the tiny figure curled up on the floor near Dani's bag.

Her face lit up instantly. "Nikita!"

The little girl looked up with big brown eyes, her light curls tumbling around her face. She didn't say anything but her expression shifted into happiness.

Without thinking, Diana hurried over, crouching down and holding her arms open. "What are you doing here, baby girl?"

"She's with us until Pasha's done," Dani explained, walking over. "His rehearsal ran long too, so Nikita's hanging out here for a bit."

Diana scooped her up effortlessly, hugging her close. Nikita tucked her head against Diana's shoulder, tiny fingers curling into her shirt.

The girls in the room collectively let out a chorus of "awws."

Ezra groaned. "Okay, okay, don't get carried away. She's not that cute. Trust me—Nikita's secretly the sassiest two-year-old you'll ever meet."

Diana laughed, rocking the toddler gently. "That's just because she doesn't like you, Ez."

"Facts," Dani chimed in with zero hesitation.

Malia tilted her head at Ezra, curious. "Oh, come on. She can't be that bad."

Ezra, determined to prove his point, stepped closer. "Watch."

Still in Diana's arms, Nikita immediately leaned back the second Ezra approached. Her brows furrowed, lips pursing in a tiny frown.

Gasps and laughter erupted around the room.

Diana chuckled, stepping back protectively. "It's okay, Nikita. I'll protect you." She exaggerated the words, grinning as the toddler clung tighter to her.

The room slowly dissolved into separate conversations, but Diana's focus stayed locked on Nikita. She brushed a curl away from the little girl's forehead, bouncing her gently.

"Cute," a voice said beside her.

She looked up to see Malachi walking over, his usual playful smile softening as his eyes landed on the toddler. "Seriously—she's adorable."

Nikita blinked at him, her expression unreadable, as if weighing whether he was a friend or foe.

Malachi crouched a little, extending his hand slowly. "Hey there, little one. High five?"

For a moment, it seemed like Nikita would ignore him. Then, out of nowhere, she smacked his hand with her tiny palm and let out a giggle.

Diana's jaw nearly hit the floor. "No way."

Sure enough, Nikita leaned slightly toward Malachi, a small smile tugging at her lips.

Diana raised her brows. "I think... she might actually let you hold her."

"Really?" Malachi asked, surprised but already holding his arms out.

"Really," Diana confirmed, carefully transferring Nikita into his embrace.

The toddler settled against his chest like it was the most natural thing in the world, her small hand immediately reaching up to fiddle with the chain around his neck.

Across the room, Ezra caught sight of the scene and froze. His jaw dropped. "You're joking!"

The entire group burst into laughter.

Dani walked over, hands on her hips, shaking her head in disbelief. Her eyes flicked between Malachi, Nikita, and Diana. "Looks like someone's got a new favorite."

Malachi smirked proudly, bouncing the little girl lightly in his arms.

They spent a few more minutes soaking in the surprising moment—Nikita giggling softly, Malachi somehow winning her over completely—until the studio door opened.

Pasha poked his head in, spotting his daughter instantly. "There you are, Keeks."

Nikita perked up, reaching toward her father as he crossed the room to scoop her back.

"Thanks for watching her," he said gratefully. "Say bye to Mama and Auntie D."

Daniella kissed her little girls head before kissing Pasha. Diana waved at the girl who was snuggled into her dad's chest.

The little girl waved once from Pasha's shoulder before disappearing out the door, leaving the group still buzzing from the unexpected softness of the moment.

"All right, team, let's get serious," Brandon called, clapping his hands sharply.

The group moved quickly to the center of the rehearsal floor, shoes scraping lightly against the polished wood. The air buzzed with energy as everyone fell into their starting positions.

"Okay," Dani said, stepping forward with her clipboard, "we're running the first two sections. Eyes sharp, energy high. Let's hit it clean, then we'll move on."

The group nodded, their focus sharpening instantly.

The music started, and all seven stars lined up shoulder to shoulder, backs to the imaginary audience, arms slightly out, poised like statues ready to spring to life. Kylie was first. She pivoted smoothly on her heel, spinning to face the audience, and belted out her opening line. Her arms moved fluidly in small, precise motions—one hand brushing her shoulder, the other extended to accentuate her words—then she snapped into a frozen pose, legs angled perfectly, eyes locking on the invisible crowd.

Freya followed, spinning elegantly from the back row, stepping forward with a quick slide, then executing a small series of arm waves and a sharp hip sway as she sang. Her choreography was subtle but commanding, drawing attention while leaving space for the others to shine.

Then the rest of the group turned simultaneously, sliding into staggered positions for a sweeping, coordinated movement. Hands lifted in perfect angles, feet gliding across the floor as if they were connected by invisible threads. Dancers and pros weaved through the stars, circling around them in flowing arcs, accenting the chorus with high kicks, spins, and perfectly timed jumps.

Malia stepped forward for her section, and half the group split off to join her. They mirrored her movements—quick body rolls, synchronized turns, and sharp, angular poses that emphasized every beat. The floor seemed alive under their feet.

Dara's part immediately followed, and the other half of the group shifted to match her energy. They executed mirrored spins, sweeping arm extensions, and low, dramatic lunges as she sang, adding depth and dimension to the performance.

By the end of the chorus, everyone moved back into a tight formation, circling inward for a final synchronized jump, landing with a precise freeze that left the group looking like one cohesive unit.

The music shifted smoothly, fading into Good To Be Bad.

The Zombies cast, along with Diana, Ezra, Britt, Sage, and Mari, slid off to the wings, leaving the floor open for the rest of the cast to transition.

Malia immediately stepped into Mal's part with bold, grounded footwork—slides, spins, and pops timed perfectly to the beat. Kylie moved into Evie's section with sharp, angular arm swings and quick turns, while Dara hit Carlos's choreography with athletic kicks and spins. Joshua, taking Jay's section, bounced across the floor with energy, incorporating rapid slides, spins, and precise hand gestures that punctuated the lyrics. Dani, Brandon, Liv, Isaac, and CJ moved around them, falling into each step perfectly.

They moved across the stage in sweeping diagonals, forming a staggered "V" for a dramatic visual, then spun to face the audience for a high-energy synchronized jump. Each beat was accentuated with a sharp movement: a snap of the wrist, a kick, a step-slide combination. The choreography was clean, fast, and intricate, but they flowed together seamlessly.

Once they reached the Zombies section, Dani paused the music. The room fell quiet except for the soft sound of breathing and shoes shifting.

"Alright," Dani said, scanning the group with an approving smile, "not bad! Timing's tighter, energy's higher—this is coming together beautifully."

"There were a few transition bumps but we'll fix those as we go," Britt added and everyone nodded.

Diana met Dani's eyes, a spark of determination in her gaze. "Ready to move on?"

"Let's do it!" Dani replied, clapping her hands.

"Alright, Descendants group, take a breather! Zombies group, your turn to shine!" Diana called out, clapping her hands to get everyone's attention. The Descendants crew stepped to the side, stretching and chatting, while the Zombies crew hustled into position.

"So," Diana began, scanning the group with a thoughtful smile, "The Place To Be is about two rival groups, right? That's the concept we're working with?"

They all nodded, the energy buzzing in the room. MK leaned forward with a grin. "Yep. The Daywalkers, that's Freya, and the Vampires, that's Malachi and me."

Dani clapped her hands together, eyes sparkling. "Perfect! Then we'll split the rest of you into sides to balance it out."

Ezra suddenly shot a hand into the air. "I call being a Daywalker!" he said with mock bravado. The room went silent for a beat as everyone turned to stare at him.

"What? It sounds cool!" he shrugged, grinning.

Freya laughed and smacked his hand with hers in a high five. "Welcome to the team, Ezra!"

"I can be a vampire," Britt offered smoothly, flicking her hair back. Sage quickly chimed in with a nod of agreement. Mari raised her hand next. "I'll take Daywalker," she said, excitement in her voice.

Diana did a quick mental count. "Alright, that's four Vampires and three Daywalkers, which means I'll join the Daywalkers as well." She smiled, and the group murmured their agreement.

With the teams set, they dived into choreography.

The Daywalkers went first. They choreographed that Freya would take center stage, her voice clear and confident as she sang and moved with fluid, commanding energy. Diana, Mari, and Ezra circled around her, their footwork sharp and precise, echoing the rhythm of her movements.

They shifted smoothly to the side, clearing space for Malachi and MK, who stormed in with the Vampires' section. Britt and Sage mirrored their steps, their motions slightly edgier, sharper, almost predatory in contrast to the Daywalkers' flowing style.

As the music twisted into the "Na-Na-Na-Na-Na" segment, the two groups faced off in a mock dance battle. Freya's team executed synchronized spins and slides, while Malachi and MK countered with sharp kicks and staccato arm movements. The tension of each side trying to outdo the other.

When the music softened, Diana gestured toward Malachi and Freya for their duet moment. "As you harmonize, I want you to circle each other slowly. Freya, your hand can rest lightly on his chest. Malachi, move yours along her waist, really feel the eye contact, and connect," Diana instructed, her voice gentle but precise.

The two nodded, stepping closer. Freya's fingers rested lightly against Malachi's chest, his hand gliding softly along her waist. They moved together seamlessly, the small gestures perfectly timed with the music.

Kylie, leaning against the wall, spoke up in awe, "Ah, perfect! Fans are going to lose it over this moment!"

Dani nodded approvingly. "That's exactly the effect we want."

After the brief romantic duet, the music morphs into a combination of the Daywalkers and Vampires sections. It was time for partner work. Diana paired with MK, and immediately, their chemistry was undeniable. Their steps flowed together, the contrasts of their styles melding effortlessly into one seamless routine.

"You tumble, right?" Diana asked, a mischievous glint in her eye.

MK smirked. "Hell yeah I do."

Diana's eyes lit up. An idea struck her. "Okay, what if, as the song ends and transitions back into 'Worlds Collide,' you run at me and jump into my hands, and I flip you back?"

MK froze mid-step, eyebrows raised as he scanned her small body up and down. "You want me to jump into your hands? I don't know about that..."

Diana laughed, shaking her head. "No, no—you're not fully jumping into me. You place your foot in my hands, and I'll give you the boost for a backflip."

"Ohhh...that makes way more sense," MK chuckled, shaking his head. "Alright, let's do it."

He stepped back and Diana planted her feet firmly, arms ready. They exchanged a nod, and in perfect timing, MK sprinted forward. His right foot landed in Diana's hands; both bent slightly to absorb the momentum. With a coordinated push, Diana sent him flying into a clean backflip. He landed with a sharp, confident stomp, arms outstretched, and the group erupted into cheers.

"That is going to look insane on stage!" Ezra exclaimed, practically bouncing with excitement.

They decided that this flip would transition seamlessly into the boys' section in Worlds Collide. The three boys would have their own moment and then when the chorus hit again, the rest of the cast would explode back into the routine.

Finally, as the music hit the last note, the seven performers moved in unison, striking a dramatic final pose while the rest of the dancer positioned themselves around them, forming a perfect tableau. The group erupted into cheers, the energy electric, everyone grinning at the fact that they finished choreographing.

Daniella smiled. "All right, that's a wrap for today. Grab your bags, shower, go eat. You've earned it. But be ready because tomorrow, we start cleaning!"

As everyone moved to grab their stuff, Malachi immediately turned to Diana. "Hey, you coming with us? DZ crew wants to celebrate."

Diana grinned. "Absolutely."

They all headed to a nearby restaurant, chatting and laughing the whole way. Around the table, stories flew—Joshua shared a hilarious tour mishap, Dara joked about costume malfunctions, and MK recounted a stunt from rehearsal. Diana laughed until her cheeks hurt, fully enjoying the energy and camaraderie of the combined group.

Later, the group decided to make a few TikToks. Diana paired with Malachi for a dancing clip—a spin and dip that made them laugh through several failed takes. One take, Diana tripped over Malachis feet, her body falling down. Malachi tried to catch her but ended up going down with her. The two were a tangled mess on the floor, both laughing hysterically. Kylie and Malia watched from the side laughing and filming the whole thing.

Finally, Malachi and Diana nailed the dance. They watched the replay, both grinning, satisfied with the video.

The rest of the evening was filled with more laughter, shared stories, photos, and more TikTok antics. Diana felt completely at ease, thrilled to be part of the energy and bonding. She watched Malachi interact with the group, admired the synergy of the Zombies and Descendants cast, and felt a rush of excitement imagining how incredible this number would look live.

As the night wound down, everyone waved goodbye, still laughing and joking. Diana felt a mix of exhaustion and exhilaration—a long day, but one that had come together beautifully.

malachibarton just posted a tiktok !

Malachi Barton  • 10-4just trying to keep up                             ♥️    @Diana Sinclair                              968k                                                                   💬                                                                  14.9k

userpetition to get malachi on dwts           user           and diana as his partner                    Mk                   where do i sign???

useri just know graysons fuming

Diana Sinclairkilled it 🫶🏻       Malachi Barton        😉

Mkokayyyyyy 😏        user        HELLO???!!!

usermalachi we saw those eyes go down 👀

userthat DAMN wink

Freya Skyelove love love

userthe hand placement!!!

Ezra Sosathat was hot       Diana Sinclair       EZRA!              Malachi Barton              ...he's not wrong                     Diana Sinclair                   MALACHI!

userthey are sooo hot

userforget grayson, team malachi      user      #teammalachi             user            #teammalachi

usernot him posting this THE day after graysons post

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things are slowly heating up!

i'm so excited for what's next!!!!

😊