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The second show in Ohio had gone off without a hitch. The energy, the crowd, the adrenaline — all of it still buzzed through Diana's veins hours after curtain call. She could still hear the echo of applause in her ears as she stood in front of the mirror backstage, wiping off her makeup, the glitter refusing to budge completely.

The first few hours of tour had been a whirlwind. It had taken her a moment to catch her breath and remind herself that this was really happening. She was officially on tour.

The next morning, they were officially switching over to tour buses.

The lot outside the theater was lined with sleek, black buses, each one labeled with taped paper signs — "Cast A," "Cast B," "Crew." The winter chill clung to the air as Diana pulled her beanie tighter over her head and slung her dance bag over her shoulder. Dani was ahead of her, laughing as little Nikita toddled beside Pasha, bundled in a pink coat.

"Ready for life on wheels?" Brandon asked as he came up beside her, his backpack slung across one shoulder.

Diana laughed softly. "As ready as I'll ever be."

He grinned. "You'll love it. Give it a few days, and you'll be sleeping through the bus bumps like a pro."

She hoped so.

The first night was rough.

The hum of the highway and the vibration of the wheels under the floor kept her awake for hours. Every bump made her heart jump, and every turn made her shift uncomfortably in her bunk. She had her AirPods in, playing soft music, but it barely helped. She missed her bed. She missed the smell of her apartment.

She missed him.

Malachi.

Even thinking his name made her chest ache.

He had texted her earlier that night:

today 10:13 PM

you on the bus yet?

yeahit's weirdlike really weird

you'll get used to ittry to sleep babyi love you

i love you too

She had stared at his message for a while before setting her phone down on the pillow beside her. Then she pulled on the oversized hoodie she'd "accidentally" taken from him before leaving — soft gray, smelling faintly like his cologne and detergent — and curled up inside it.

That hoodie had become her comfort blanket.

By the end of the first week, she was finally finding her rhythm.

Mornings usually started with the soft chatter of the others waking up, the faint smell of coffee from the tiny kitchen area, and Dani gently trying to convince Nikita to eat breakfast before rehearsal.

Then came the long rehearsals at the venue, warm-ups, spacing, costume runs.

Each day blurred into the next, but in the best way — filled with movement and music.

The first week of shows had gone amazing. The fans were loud, the energy electric, and Diana found herself performing with the same passion she'd had during the televised season — only this time, there were no judges or scores. Just dancing.

It was freeing.

After one particularly fun show, Diana sat on one of the couches, scrolling through Instagram stories fans had tagged her in — videos of her tango with Brandon, clips from the group quickstep, and even a few candid photos of her laughing backstage.

today 11:38 PM

you crushed it againdidn't you?

you saw?

obviouslyyou're all over my social media you looked insanethat red costume? yeah i'm jealous of brandon

LMAO don't be he almost tripped me with his footwork

stillyou're unreal sinclair

She smiled down at the screen, biting her lip.

They hadn't been able to FaceTime much as they had been lately.

Filming for Camp Rock 3 had officially begun in Vancouver, and Malachi's schedule was chaos — early morning calls, night shoots, choreography, script reads. Sometimes he'd text her at odd hours with a half-asleep selfie from set or a behind-the-scenes shot of the cast.

She loved those moments, even when they were brief.

Still, the distance was harder than she'd expected.

There were nights where she lay in her bunk staring at the ceiling, the movement of the bus rocking her gently, her phone clutched in her hand. She'd scroll back through old photos — the ones of them at the pier, decorating her Christmas tree, the blurry selfies they'd taken in his car.

Her favorite was the one Felicia captured of them at the first show, him giving her flowers and holding her tightly, both smiling like idiots.

It made her heart ache — in a good way and a bad way all at once.

"Diana, you good?"

She blinked, looking up from her phone to see Dani standing by the front lounge of the bus, a mug in her hand.

"Yeah," Diana said, forcing a small smile. "Just thinking."

Dani smiled knowingly. "Missing him?"

Diana laughed quietly. "Is it that obvious?"

"It's written all over your face," Dani teased softly, coming to sit beside her. "First tour is always a mix of excitement and homesickness. Add a boyfriend into that mix, and... well."

Diana chuckled. "Yeah. It's... weird. I love being here, I really do. But I miss him so much sometimes it just hits me out of nowhere."

Dani nodded in understanding. "You'll find your balance. Trust me."

"I hope so," Diana said softly, smiling down at her hands.

That night, after another show in Chicago, she finally got a FaceTime from him.

Her heart jumped when she saw his name. She answered immediately.

Malachi's tired but smiling face filled the screen. His hair was messy, and he was clearly in his trailer.

"Hey, superstar," he said, voice warm and teasing.

"Hey yourself, movie star," she shot back. "You look exhausted."

"I am. You look gorgeous."

She rolled her eyes but grinned anyway. "Shut up."

He laughed. "I miss you, Di."

Her throat tightened. "I miss you too. So much."

They talked for an hour — about his castmates, about her tourmates, about the weirdest snacks they'd found at gas stations.

It wasn't deep or emotional, but it was them. Easy. Natural.

And when it was time to say goodbye, he gave her that little half smile and whispered, "Go dance your heart out tomorrow, okay?"

"Always," she said.

"Good. And keep wearing my hoodie."

Diana laughed. "You know I do."

He smirked. "Then it'll smell like me and you when I get it back."

"Gross."

"You love it."

"I do."

As the days rolled into weeks, Diana fell more and more into the rhythm of tour life.

Every new city meant a different crowd, a different energy, and sometimes a new hotel before climbing back onto the bus again.

She'd text Malachi pictures of her dressing room mirrors or quick selfies in costume. He'd send her clips from set, including one of him and his castmates attempting a dance routine between takes — badly.

today 3:36 PM

you're so offbeat i can't even watch this without cringing

jealous you're not here to fix me

you're unfixable

still your problem though

unfortunately

love you too 😘

Her heart always softened after those little exchanges.

Even with miles between them — her dancing across states, him filming in another country — they somehow still felt close.

It was never easy, but every show, every applause, every quiet bus night reminded her why she was doing this.

This was her dream. And so was he.

And somehow, she was living both — even if they were a thousand miles apart.

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dianasinclair 1st month of tour 📸

user i wish i could go 😢

user i had THE BEST TIME!!!

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Malachi Bartonhot. Diana Sinclair 🤭

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By the time the bus had finally rolled into Michigan, Diana felt something shift inside her — a quiet comfort she hadn't even realized she'd been missing.

It had been exactly a month since tour kicked off, and she had fallen into the rhythm of it: long travel days, quick hotel showers, endless rehearsals, and late-night laughter with the other pros. But there was something about stepping onto familiar soil that made her heart swell.

Michigan was home.

The chill in the air carried that crisp, early-February bite that made her breath fog. She could practically smell the faint mix of pine and snowmelt that she'd grown up with. The trees were bare, their branches tracing lace-like patterns against a pale gray sky.

They had arrived late last night, the tour buses parking outside the Fox Theater in Detroit. This morning had been spent running spacing rehearsals onstage — cleaning routines, marking transitions, laughing with Brandon about a missed lift — but her excitement for that evening wasn't just about the show.

It was about seeing her family.

Her friends.

It was about seeing Aspen.

Her best friend. Her other half from before all this began.

The two of them hadn't seen each other in months — not since before Diana flew out to Los Angeles all those months ago for the beginning of the season. FaceTime calls and texts had bridged the distance, but it wasn't the same. And now, with both of their schedules constantly clashing — Diana touring, Aspen deep in college life — finally being in the same city again felt surreal.

By the time rehearsal wrapped, Diana was practically buzzing.

She changed quickly — jeans, a cream sweater, her favorite tan coat, and a soft beanie to keep her warm. She pulled her scarf closer around her neck as she walked towards her uber.

The two were gonna be meeting at the little café they'd always gone to in high school.

Brew Haven.

The name was etched in gold on the window, the inside fogged up with warmth and the smell of espresso. Just stepping inside made her heart ache in the best way. The wooden counter looked the same. The little chalkboard with hand-drawn flowers was the same. Even the barista with the bright green hair — that had to be Piper, who had been working there since they were sixteen.

And then she heard it.

"DIANA!"

The shout cut through the cozy hum of conversation, and before Diana even turned, she knew that voice.

"Aspen!"

The two collided in the middle of the café, laughing and nearly toppling into a display of muffins. They squeezed each other tightly, both talking at once — a chorus of oh my God, I missed you! and you look amazing! and I can't believe you're really here!

Aspen's laugh was exactly the same — bubbly, bright, contagious.

"Talk about a glow up," Aspen said when they finally pulled apart, eyes wide as she looked Diana over. "Like, seriously. Touring dancer, shiny hair, LA glow. Who even are you?"

Diana rolled her eyes, grinning. "Please. You're literally thriving. Look at you! College fashion icon."

Aspen twirled dramatically in her coat before laughing again. "Okay, okay, fair. But seriously — I can't believe this is happening right now."

"Me either," Diana admitted, heart swelling. "I've missed you so much."

They ordered their usuals — Aspen's caramel oat milk latte and Diana's cinnamon cappuccino — then found a small table by the window, the same one they'd always claimed in high school. Outside, people hurried past in scarves and boots, their breath visible in the winter air.

Aspen leaned forward, chin propped on her hand. "Okay. You go first. Tell me everything. How's tour life?"

Diana exhaled a small laugh, swirling her drink. "It's... crazy. In the best way. But also exhausting. We're constantly traveling — buses, hotels, new theaters every few nights. It took me a week to stop getting dizzy in my bunk."

Aspen snorted. "You always did hate car rides. I can't even imagine trying to sleep on a bus."

"It was rough at first," Diana admitted, smiling at the memory. "But I got used to it. Now it's like this weird comfort thing. I'll wake up at like three in the morning, and the bus is moving, and I just... know I'm somewhere new."

Aspen's eyes softened. "That's kind of poetic."

Diana shrugged shyly. "It's been so good, though. Everyone on the tour is amazing and Mandy's choreography is insane! We have this big girls' contemporary piece that's just... wow. It's such a rush every time."

Aspen's face glowed with pride. "I'm so proud of you, Di. You're literally living your dream."

Her chest warmed at that. "Yeah," she said softly. "I really am."

They talked for a while — Aspen catching her up on dorm life, her professors, her roommate who had a mysterious habit of eating cereal at two in the morning. Diana laughed until her stomach hurt.

Aspen paused after a sip of her latte, her eyes glinting. "So..."

Diana looked up. "What?"

"Don't 'what' me." Aspen leaned forward. "How's Malachi?"

Diana felt her cheeks heat instantly, a smile tugging at her lips. "He's good."

"'Good,'" Aspen repeated, smirking. "That's all I get?"

Diana laughed, shaking her head. "He's... amazing. Honestly. We FaceTime when we can, but he's been filming in Vancouver, so it's been kind of crazy. But we text all the time."

Aspen sighed dreamily. "The movie star and the dancer. My heart."

"Stop," Diana said, hiding her blush behind her mug.

"I won't stop!" Aspen said with a grin. "You're literally living a rom-com. The only thing missing is a dramatic airport reunion scene."

Diana chuckled softly, though her heart ached a little at that. "Yeah. I miss him. A lot."

Aspen's teasing softened into warmth. "I bet. Long-distance sucks, but you guys are strong. You'll get through it just fine."

"Yeah," Diana said quietly. "We really try to make it work. He's always checking in, always cheering me on. And honestly, just knowing he's keeping tabs, even from miles away... it means everything."

Aspen smiled. "You two are disgustingly cute."

"Shut up," Diana said, laughing again. "You're just jealous."

"Maybe a little," Aspen admitted. "Speaking of cute — there's this guy I've been talking to."

Diana's head snapped up, eyes widening. "Wait, what? A new guy?!"

Aspen blushed, fiddling with her straw. "Yes, a new guy. His name's Noah. He's in my psych class. Super sweet, super smart. He kind of looks like—"

"Don't say Timothée Chalamet."

Aspen burst out laughing. "Okay, fine. But, like, maybe."

They dissolved into giggles, just like old times — the kind of laughter that left Diana wiping tears from her eyes.

When they finally calmed down, Aspen reached across the table, her expression softening again. "I can't believe you're performing tonight," she said. "I'm so excited. Front row, obviously."

Diana smiled, warmth filling her chest. "I can't wait for you to see it. I'm so excited. There's just something about dancing in your home state, you know?"

Aspen nodded. "Yeah. Feels full-circle."

They talked for another hour, slipping easily between gossip and nostalgia — high school memories, inside jokes, dreams about the future.

When it was finally time for Diana to go back to the theater, Aspen stood with her outside the café, both shivering slightly in the crisp afternoon air.

Aspen hugged her tightly. "Break a leg tonight, superstar."

Diana smiled into the hug. "Thanks, Asp. I'll see you after the show, yeah?"

"Wouldn't miss it."

As they pulled apart, Diana took one last look at her best friend — cheeks pink from the cold, eyes shining with pride — and felt her heart settle.

Tour life was incredible. It was everything she had worked for. But moments like this — being home, being grounded by the people who knew her best — reminded her who she was underneath all the glitter and lights.

today 4:12 PM

how's michigan treating you sinclair?

cold. but i saw aspen todaymy heart's happy

goodthat's what I like to hearyou ready to blow the roof off that stage tonight?

always

wish I could be there

me toobut it's okay because you're always with me❤️

She tucked her phone into her pocket, smiling softly as she got into her uber.

Home wasn't always a place.

Sometimes, it was the people who stayed — no matter how far the road stretched.

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The roar of the crowd was deafening. The lights above the stage blazed golden and white, swirling like fireflies as Diana spun into the final pose of the group number. Her chest heaved, every muscle in her body alive with adrenaline, every nerve buzzing from the pulse of the music. And then—

The lights cut.

Silence for a single, suspended beat—then the theater erupted into cheers.

Diana grinned, breathless, her hands clutching Britt's as they bowed to the audience. She could hear people chanting names, see phones waving in the air like stars, feel that wild, dizzying rush that only came when everything clicked perfectly on stage. The kind of night that felt like magic.

Michigan. Her home.

The same state where she had danced in local recitals, where she had once dreamed of being on a stage like this. And now—she was here, on tour, performing for thousands.

And out there, in that massive crowd somewhere near the front section, she knew Aspen was screaming her head off. Her parents were probably crying. Her family cheering her on.

And for a brief second, standing there under the bright lights, she imagined Malachi in the crowd too — cheering her on, his proud smile that she loved so much. It made her chest ache with longing, but she shook it off. He'd texted her earlier, telling her to crush it tonight, superstar ❤️. She knew he would've been there if he could.

For now, she'd soak up every ounce of love from the people who had watched her grow up.

The music faded out, and the cast ran offstage, their energy wild and giddy. Diana could barely stop smiling as she wiped the sweat from her forehead and grabbed her water bottle.

Dani clapped her on the shoulder. "That was insane, D. Michigan shows up for you."

She laughed, still catching her breath. "It's the home state energy, I guess."

It had been perfect.

Backstage after the show was chaos in the best way. Crew members congratulated the dancers as they passed, camera flashes blinked from behind-the-scenes photographers, and the smell of hairspray and roses filled the air.

Diana was toweling off her face when she heard someone shout her name.

"DIANA!"

She looked up just in time to see Aspen barreling toward her, brown hair flying, arms already open wide.

Diana barely had time to squeal before Aspen collided with her, nearly knocking her backward with the force of her hug.

"Oh my god!" Diana laughed, wrapping her arms tightly around her best friend. "Aspen!"

Aspen let out a delighted shriek. "You were so insane up there! Like, those lifts! Your dancing! I almost lost my mind!"

Diana laughed again, feeling her heart swell. "It felt so good to finally dance in front of my family."

Aspen pulled back to look at her, eyes bright. "They're gonna freak out when they see you. They're literally right behind me."

Diana turned just in time to see her mom and dad walking in, followed by aunts, uncles, and cousins, who were carrying small bouquets of flowers.

Her mom reached her first, tears already welling in her eyes. She cupped Diana's face with both hands, shaking her head. "My baby girl... you were incredible."

Diana felt her throat tighten. "Mom—"

"No, seriously," her mom said, her voice breaking a little. "I've watched you dance since you were four years old, but this... this was something else."

Diana hugged her tightly, burying her face in her mom's shoulder. For a moment, the noise of the backstage world faded, and it was just them—mother and daughter, proud and overwhelmed.

Then her dad stepped in, wrapping both of them in his big arms. "I missed you, kiddo."

Diana smiled up at him. "Missed you too, Dad."

He grinned, eyes twinkling. "You killed it out there. Seriously. The crowd went nuts for you. And that tango—wow. I didn't know my daughter could be that fierce."

Diana laughed. "You're just saying that because you don't know how to tango."

He chuckled. "True. But I know talent when I see it."

Then, in classic dad fashion, he added with a teasing grin, "So when do we get to meet that boyfriend of yours?"

Diana's face instantly flushed, and Aspen burst out laughing beside her.

"Dad!" she protested, swatting at him lightly.

"What?" he said innocently. "I've seen the Instagram posts. He seems like a nice kid."

Aspen snorted. "Oh, he's definitely more than nice. You should see the way he looks at her. It's like, heart eyes times a hundred."

Diana groaned. "You guys are the worst."

Her mom handed her a small wrapped gift. "We brought this for you, honey. Just something little."

Diana took it, heart swelling all over again. "You didn't have to—"

"Open it," her mom insisted.

Inside was a delicate silver charm bracelet. Hanging from it were tiny dance-themed charms — a dancer, a star, a little heart with the words you shine.

Diana felt tears prick her eyes. "Mom..."

Her mom smiled softly. "So you have a piece of home with you, wherever you go."

She hugged her again, and Diana squeezed back tightly.

It was one of those moments she wished she could freeze — surrounded by the people who had loved her long before fame, before tours, before spotlights. The ones who reminded her who she was when the world got loud.

The group hung around backstage for a while, taking pictures, laughing, and talking about the show. Aspen made Diana reenact some of the choreography just for fun, and her cousin Maddie tried (and failed) to copy one of the spins, nearly falling over.

When it was finally time for Diana to head back to the bus, they walked her to the exit together. The night air was cool against her warm skin, carrying that crisp Michigan scent she missed — a mix of pine and lake breeze and nostalgia.

Aspen looped her arm through Diana's. "You're seriously killing it, D. I can't even explain how proud I am."

Diana smiled softly. "Well you coming here to support me means everything."

"Obviously," Aspen said. "Wouldn't miss it. You're my star."

Diana laughed. "Stop, you're gonna make me cry again."

Aspen grinned. "Good. You deserve happy tears."

Diana hugged her tightly. "I'll call you tomorrow before we leave, okay?"

"Deal." Aspen squeezed her once more. "And tell your movie star boyfriend that if he breaks your heart, I will personally drive to Vancouver."

Diana giggled, shaking her head. "You're terrifying."

"That's what best friends are for."

They shared one last hug before Diana's parents stepped forward. Her mom brushed a strand of hair from her face. "We're so proud of you, sweetheart."

Her dad nodded. "And we'll be keeping tabs on every city you go to. Just don't forget where you came from."

"Never," Diana promised.

She hugged them both one more time before heading toward the tour bus, her bag slung over her shoulder. She turned back one last time, seeing them all waving — Aspen, her parents, the rest of her family — and felt her heart swell.

She wished Malachi could've seen this.

But she knew he'd be proud too.

She pulled out her phone once she was on the bus and sent him a text:

today 12:12 PM

we just finished the showmichigan was amazingmy parents and aspen came backstage 🥹

i knew you'd kill it ❤️ wish i could've been there to see it

me tooit was kinda emotional ngl

i beti'm proud of you tiny danceralways

stop or i'll start crying again

cry prettyyou always do ;)

🙄 you're impossible

yeah but you love me

yeah... i really do

She smiled softly, setting her phone aside as the bus lights dimmed. Outside, the night stretched endlessly ahead — city after city, show after show.

And even though she missed him deeply, she felt full.

Full of love, of gratitude, of the kind of joy that came from knowing she was exactly where she was meant to be.

The kind that came from dancing her heart out — and knowing that, wherever she went, she carried a piece of everyone she loved with her.

🪩

so i had to make michigan her home bc it's mine too!

not any in person malachi this chapter but maybe that will change next chapter 🤔guess you'll have to wait and see 😊