61 | take it all in

TAKE IT ALL IN

🪩

The soft glow of the hotel lamp bathed the room in gold, its light pooling over the white comforter and the scattered remnants of Diana's night routine — a half-empty bottle of water, her phone charger, her laptop, and a travel candle flickering faintly on the desk.

The rhythmic hum of the city below was muffled by the thick hotel curtains. Outside, the streets were still alive — late-night cars sliding across slick asphalt, distant laughter from people heading home from restaurants or bars — but inside, Diana's world was quiet and cozy.

Her phone balanced on a pillow in front of her, the familiar ringtone of an incoming FaceTime call cutting through the stillness. She smiled instantly when Aspen's contact name appeared on the screen.

"Hey!" Aspen's voice came through bright and cheerful, even though her dorm room lighting was a little too harsh and she had a messy bun that looked like it had seen better days.

Diana grinned, tucking her legs underneath her as she adjusted the screen. "Hey, you! You're up late."

Aspen rolled her eyes dramatically. "Yeah, well, chemistry decided to be the villain of my night. I needed a break, and you were the perfect distraction."

Diana laughed. "I'll gladly take the role of distraction. How's everything? How's class? How's..." she made a sweeping gesture, "college life?"

"Oh, girl," Aspen sighed, shaking her head, "it's a whole show. You know that one girl from my psych class — the one who's obsessed with her professor? Yeah, she got caught flirting with him again, during lab. And the professor's wife is on faculty."

Diana's eyes widened as she clutched a hand to her chest. "No way!"

Aspen nodded vigorously. "Way. And that's not even the best part. Someone filmed it and sent it to the class group chat. It's like reality TV but with more caffeine and student debt."

Diana laughed so hard she nearly dropped her phone. "I swear, you could write a book with the stuff that happens there."

Aspen grinned, pleased with the reaction. "Please. I'd sell out instantly. Anyway, enough about me. How's tour life? How much longer do you have?"

Diana leaned back against the headboard, sighing softly. "Two more weeks," she said. "We're in Seattle right now, then we've got a few more cities before we end in Las Vegas."

Aspen tilted her head. "Two weeks. That's not bad. Are you ready to be done?"

Diana hesitated, then smiled faintly. "Yes... and no."

Aspen chuckled. "That's a very diplomatic answer."

Diana shrugged, looking down at her hands. "I mean, I love tour — the dancing, the shows, meeting fans, seeing their faces light up. It's... special. I feel like I'm living in this bubble of music and lights and energy, and it's addictive."

She paused for a moment, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "But it's also exhausting. My body's tired. My brain's tired. And sometimes, I just want a day where I don't have to put on makeup, or wake up to a schedule, or... sleep on a bus that's constantly moving."

Aspen's smile softened. "Yeah. You've been going nonstop for months. You deserve a real break."

Diana exhaled slowly, her voice quieter when she said, "I miss Malachi, too."

Aspen's eyes immediately softened, her tone gentle but teasing. "I was waiting for that part."

Diana laughed, cheeks flushing lightly. "Of course you were."

"So," Aspen said, tucking her knees up under her blanket, "how much longer does he have filming?"

Diana picked up her water bottle and took a sip before answering. "A week after I wrap. He said production's been going smoothly, but they had to add a few reshoots, so it pushed the schedule."

Aspen nodded. "So basically, you're both finishing around the same time."

"Pretty much," Diana said, smiling softly at the thought. "He's been so sweet though. He was with us for a week and then after that we've been FaceTiming every day. Sometimes it's only for ten minutes before bed, sometimes for an hour if our schedules line up. He tells me about set life — all the crazy stuff that happens behind the scenes — and I tell him about the tour and the chaos that is Nikita on a sugar high."

Aspen grinned, eyes lighting up. "Okay but... real question. Have you told him how much you miss him?"

Diana laughed, flopping back onto her pillow. "Aspen, I tell him that every single day."

Aspen giggled. "Good. Because if you didn't, I'd be concerned."

Diana's laugh faded into a softer smile. "He's been so busy. We try not to make each other feel guilty about it. It's our jobs and we both understand, but sometimes, it's just... hard. You know?"

"I get it," Aspen said gently. "You're both doing what you love, but that doesn't make the distance easier."

"Exactly," Diana said. "I'm proud of him, though. He's been working so hard, and it's paying off."

Aspen raised her brows. "Of course he is. Malachi's killing it. You two are like the ultimate power couple — dance tours, movie sets, red carpets... it's wild."

Diana laughed softly. "We're just trying to survive the chaos."

Aspen smirked. "And doing a pretty good job of it." She tilted her head, her smile growing. "You'll see each other soon, though. A few weeks isn't too bad."

"Yeah," Diana said, eyes softening. "Soon."

Aspen brightened suddenly. "Okay, wait. When you do see each other, you better promise me that I get to meet him in person. I feel like I already know him — between your stories and the FaceTimes where he randomly pops in, I need to actually hang out with the guy."

Diana laughed, propping her chin on her hand. "Deal. Once tour and filming are done, we should plan a weekend. You can fly out to LA, and we'll show you around. Beach, brunch, the whole thing."

Aspen gasped dramatically. "Yes! Oh my god, can we please? I'll literally book the ticket right now."

Diana giggled, shaking her head. "Let me finish tour first, drama queen."

Aspen smirked. "Fine. But I'm holding you to that."

"You should," Diana said warmly. "You'll love him. He's... he's everything you think he is. Better, even."

Aspen smiled knowingly. "You're in deep."

Diana's cheeks warmed. "Yeah," she admitted softly. "I really am."

They both fell into a comfortable silence for a moment, the kind that only best friends could share. Diana adjusted her pillow, curling slightly onto her side as she glanced at the clock. It was almost midnight.

Aspen noticed, too. "You should probably get some sleep, superstar. Don't you have to be up early?"

Diana groaned, covering her face with her hands. "Yes. Call time is 8 AM."

"Then go to bed!" Aspen said, laughing. "You'll thank me when you're not sleep-deprived tomorrow."

"Fine, fine," Diana said, sitting up slightly. "But I'm calling you tomorrow after the show, okay?"

"Deal," Aspen said with a mock salute. "Goodnight, D. Love you."

"Love you too, Asp," Diana said, smiling warmly.

The call ended, and the room fell back into soft, peaceful quiet. Diana exhaled slowly, setting her phone on the nightstand and switching off the lamp. The only light now came from the faint city glow filtering through the curtains.

She lay back against the pillows, pulling the blanket up to her chin. Her mind replayed the conversation, but soon, it shifted to thoughts of Malachi — his laugh, his voice, the way he always looked at her like she was the only person in the room.

She reached for her phone, scrolling to his name in her messages. There was already a text from him, sent just a few minutes earlier:

today 12:13 AM

hey tiny dancerjust wrapped for the nighthope you're getting some resti miss youcan't wait to see you soon

miss you toojust about to sleepFaceTime tomorrow?

wouldn't miss it for the worldsweet dreams baby

Diana smiled to herself, clutching the phone to her chest for a moment before setting it down. She turned off the screen, closed her eyes, and let the warmth of his words settle in her chest.

As she drifted toward sleep, the sounds of the city faded, replaced by the faint echo of applause and laughter from the shows, the adrenaline of the stage mixing with the gentle hum of memory and love. And somewhere in that quiet space between exhaustion and dreams, she could almost feel him beside her — his hand brushing hers, his voice whispering goodnight.

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Daniella Karagach • 3-27living her best life                              ♥️ @Diana Sinclair               436k                                                                      💬                   9,262

usershe's the cutest

usera future pro in the making 🥹

Britt Stewart she killed it 💗     liked by creator

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The Vegas sun was slipping low, spilling gold across the windows of the dressing room when Diana sat down at the mirror. The hum of the city filtered faintly through the glass, a distant chorus of traffic and laughter, and somewhere below, music pulsed from the strip. Inside, it smelled of hairspray, perfume, and the faint sweetness of flowers someone had left on the counter earlier that day.

Her makeup was already done — a soft shimmer on her lids, a hint of blush, the kind of glow that came after weeks of performing and perfecting the same look until it felt like second nature. Her hair, loosely waved, caught the light when she turned her head. Her reflection looked calm, but inside, her heart was heavy with the knowledge that this was it — the last show.

Her phone was propped against the mirror, the screen glowing with a familiar face. Malachi's grin filled the frame, his hair a little messy, his eyes bright even through the distance of the call. Behind him, the light from his Vancouver apartment window cast a silver-blue tint across his features — the telltale sign of early evening where he was.

"You ready for your last show?" he asked, his voice warm and teasing.

Diana smiled, pulling one leg up beneath her on the chair. "Ready, yeah. But also... not ready at all," she admitted, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "I can't believe it's ending already. It feels like we just started."

Malachi nodded knowingly. "Yeah, that's how it always hits you. The last show sneaks up out of nowhere. You spend months wanting a break and then when it's over, you'd give anything to do one more night."

She let out a small laugh. "That's exactly how I feel. We went out for lunch today — the girls and I — and we were all tearing up by dessert."

He laughed softly, leaning closer to the camera. "You're all such softies."

"Maybe," she said, smiling, "but you should've seen us. Even the waiter was giving us napkins. It's just... this tour's been insane, you know? Like, exhausting but also kind of magical."

"I know," Malachi said gently, his tone shifting softer. "It was the same way during the last show of the DZ tour. Everyone was crying, trying to take pictures, trying to pretend it wasn't over. It's emotional, for sure. You just gotta... take it all in. Every second of it."

Diana's eyes softened. "I will," she promised quietly.

He smiled at that, his gaze lingering on her through the screen. For a moment, it was just the two of them — the noise of dressing rooms and people passing in the hallway fading away until it was only the sound of their breathing and the faint hum of his voice through the speaker.

She tilted her head slightly, smiling as she watched him. "You look tired," she said softly.

Malachi chuckled. "Long day on set. We're shooting one of the last scenes of the movie this week. Early call times, late nights — you know the drill."

"Yeah, but still," she said, concern flickering in her voice, "you need to rest when you can."

"I will," he promised. "After your show and you give me the recap, maybe I'll finally crash."

She smiled at that, resting her chin on her hand. "Deal."

Just as he was about to say something else, the door flew open with a burst of laughter.

Nikita's voice filled the room, and in ran the little girl, curly hair bouncing, a sparkly jacket slightly too big for her tiny frame. Behind her, Dani followed with a grin, a bottle of water in one hand and a half-eaten bag of gummy bears in the other.

"Hey, hey, slow down!" Dani laughed as Nikita made a beeline for Diana.

Diana turned just in time to catch her, scooping her up into her lap with a warm laugh. "Whoa! Someone's excited!"

Nikita giggled, looking at the glowing screen in front of them. "Mawachi?" she asked, her voice filled with that bright, innocent thrill that only kids could pull off.

Malachi's smile widened as he leaned closer to the camera. "Hey there, Nikita!"

"Hi!" she squealed, waving so hard her tiny fingers nearly smacked the phone over.

Dani, hovering behind them, laughed and leaned into frame. "Sorry for barging in! I didn't know you were on a call."

"It's okay," Diana said with a laugh. "We were just talking."

Malachi smiled at Dani. "Hey, Dani."

"Hey, superstar," she said, giving a mock salute. "We miss you out here."

"Miss you guys too," he said sincerely. "You killing it tonight?"

"Oh, you already know," Dani said, grinning. "Final show energy, baby. The crowd's gonna lose it."

Nikita giggled, leaning closer to the screen again. "Mawachi! Sparkles!" She pointed at her glitter-covered sleeves.

"I see them," he said, pretending to shield his eyes. "They're so bright! You're glowing."

She squealed again, delighted, hiding her face against Diana's shoulder.

Diana smiled softly at the sight, rubbing Nikita's back. "She's missed you," she said gently.

Malachi's expression softened instantly. "I miss her too. My favorite little performer."

Dani watched them with a smile before glancing at Diana. "Alright, boss lady, I'm gonna check on costumes. You good?"

"Yeah," Diana said. "We're good."

Dani gave her a quick smile and slipped out the door, leaving the room quiet again except for Nikita's soft hum as she traced her fingers along the edge of Diana's sleeve.

For a second, the moment lingered — fragile, real, and full of quiet affection.

Then Diana's stage manager poked her head through the door. "Ten-minute call!"

Diana nodded, her heart tightening a little. Ten minutes. That was all that stood between her and the end of the tour.

She turned back to the phone, the reflection of the dressing room lights glowing in her eyes. "Looks like I've gotta go," she said softly.

Malachi nodded, his expression gentle. "You're gonna kill it out there," he said. "Like you always do."

Her lips curved into a small, genuine smile. "Thanks."

"And hey," he added, voice lower, more intimate now, "I'm proud of you, Di. Really proud."

Her chest tightened at that, warmth blooming under her ribs. "I love you," she said quietly.

His smile softened. "I love you too."

She leaned closer to the phone, blowing him a kiss. He winked in return, the corners of his eyes crinkling with affection.

"Go be amazing," he said, his voice a whisper now.

She nodded, her heart both heavy and full. "Talk to you after?"

"You better," he teased, smiling.

Diana lingered for just a beat longer before ending the call. The screen went black, and she caught her reflection — hair perfectly curled, makeup flawless, but eyes shining with unshed emotion.

She took a deep breath, grounding herself.

Nikita was still sitting on her lap, her small fingers tracing the rhinestones on Diana's costume. "Owkay?" she asked softly.

Diana smiled down at her, brushing a hand through her curls. "Yeah, baby. I'm okay."

From outside, the muffled roar of the crowd drifted in — a sea of voices, laughter, and energy that had carried her for months.

"C'mon," Diana said, standing up and taking Nikita's hand. "Let's go make some memories."

As they stepped out of the dressing room, the hallway buzzed with excitement — dancers stretching, crew members rushing by with last-minute props, and laughter echoing down the corridor.

And though her heart still ached from the goodbye, Diana couldn't help but smile.

Because even from miles away, she knew he was watching — cheering her on, loving her, and waiting for the day they'd be in the same room again.

The roar of the audience filled the Las Vegas theater, pulsing through the floor and up into Diana's chest.

The music swelled — fast, bright, and commanding — as the final show of the tour began. Spotlights cut through the haze, sweeping over the glimmering stage.

Diana stepped into her mark, sequins catching every flicker of light. Ezra gave her a nod — the same reassuring nod he'd given her every night before the opening number — and the beat dropped.

They moved in perfect sync, every turn sharp, every lift clean. Months of repetition had burned the choreography into her muscles until her body knew exactly what to do.

The crowd was electric. Every time she spun into a pose or hit a dip, the cheers grew louder. She could see the faces in the front row — fans holding signs with her name, couples clapping along to the rhythm, little girls in sparkly dresses beaming as they mimicked her steps.

But underneath the glitter and the adrenaline, there was something else pressing in her chest — a quiet ache.

This was the last show.

The last time she'd feel the lights this warm. The last time she'd see her reflection in the polished floor under the glow of the spotlights. The last time she'd take that bow surrounded by the people who had become her family.

Her chest rose and fell in rhythm with the music, her heartbeat steady beneath the melody. She didn't want it to end.

When the number finished, the applause was deafening.

She turned to Ezra, grinning through the tears she'd been holding back all night.

"You're killing it," he whispered, squeezing her hand.

Her throat tightened as she nodded. "You too."

Every dance was perfect. Her tango with Brandon was fierce. The quickstep brought a smile to her face. The girls piece definitely made them all tear up.

The lights dimmed for the final segment — a medley of every style they'd done across the tour. The audience went wild as each pro came out one by one: Val, Emma, Britt, Alan, Dani, Pasha, Gleb, and so many others, all greeted with roaring cheers.

When it was Diana's turn, she stepped forward with a bright, teary smile.

Her section was a fiery Latin piece — fast, precise, full of attitude — and she poured everything into it. Every flick of her wrist, every sharp turn, every kick held the weight of all those months on the road.

By the time the final note hit, her chest was heaving, her body buzzing with the last burst of adrenaline.

And then came the finale.

The cast gathered together at center stage, forming one tight line. The audience stood, clapping, screaming, cheering their names.

Confetti burst above them in a shower of gold and silver.

Emma grabbed Diana's hand on one side, Dani on the other. They all looked out at the sea of people, breathing in the sound.

"Thank you for an incredible tour!" Britt called into the mic, her voice booming over the crowd.

Cheers erupted again.

Diana looked out into the audience — faces glowing with joy, phones recording, hands waving. And she felt that ache again, bittersweet and deep.

The applause rolled over her like a tide, and she finally let herself cry.

She didn't try to hide it this time.

The tears streamed down, mixing with her sweat, glitter sticking to her damp cheeks. She smiled through it, heart full.

When the music faded, the group took one final bow. Cameras flashed. The crowd chanted their names. The curtain slowly began to fall, and she caught one last glimpse of the glowing audience before it disappeared from sight.

Backstage was a whirlwind of joy.

People shouted, laughed, hugged, snapped photos — the energy so bright it could've powered the city itself.

Champagne corks popped somewhere down the hallway, and someone had already started a playlist of their favorite dance songs.

"Finale photos!" Emma called, pulling everyone together.

The pros gathered in a big cluster — some still in their costumes, others wrapped in robes, glitter and sweat everywhere.

"Okay, everyone say 'We did it!'" Alan shouted.

"We did it!" they all yelled in unison, throwing their arms up as the flash went off.

Diana laughed, the sound bubbling out of her like it couldn't be contained. She turned to hug Dani, then Britt, then Emma, each of them still giddy from the high of the show.

"You were amazing tonight," Britt said, resting a hand on her shoulder. "Seriously, Di. You've grown so much this tour."

Diana smiled through another wave of tears. "Thanks. I can't believe it's done."

Emma grinned, eyes soft. "That's how it always feels after the last show. It hits you like a truck tomorrow morning."

They all laughed, but it was true.

As the celebrations began to wind down, the crew started cleaning the stage, packing up equipment, gathering costumes. People were hugging their goodbyes, promising to keep in touch.

Diana lingered near the curtain, her jacket draped loosely over her arm, her eyes flicking toward the darkened stage beyond.

Something pulled her there — like she wasn't ready to walk away just yet.

Quietly, she slipped back through the side curtain and onto the empty stage.

The theater was nearly silent now.

The confetti still sparkled faintly under the stage lights, scattered like tiny stars.

Rows and rows of empty seats stretched out before her — the same seats that had been full of cheering fans only an hour ago.

The air smelled faintly of hairspray, sweat, and stage fog — familiar, comforting, real.

She walked slowly toward the center of the stage. Her heels clicked against the floor, the sound echoing in the vast emptiness.

When she reached her spot, she stopped and looked out.

It was strange, standing there in the quiet.

For weeks, she'd performed, in different cities, always with lights blinding her and the roar of the crowd beneath her. Now, it was just... still.

Her eyes drifted to the front row — to where she'd seen little girls dancing in their seats earlier, waving glow sticks and wearing sparkly dresses that looked just like hers.

She smiled softly, tears welling again.

She thought about her first night on tour — how nervous she'd been, how unsure.

And now, here she was.

A part of the family.

A part of the show.

A part of something that had meant more to her than she could put into words.

Her throat tightened.

She sank to sit on the edge of the stage, legs dangling over the side, her hands resting loosely in her lap. The emptiness felt sacred — like the space itself was holding every laugh, every cheer, every heartbeat from the past few months.

Her voice came out barely above a whisper.

"I actually did it."

She let the words settle into the air.

It wasn't about perfection anymore. It was about getting here. About showing up. About proving to herself that she could do this — that she was meant to.

Tears slipped quietly down her cheeks, but this time they weren't sad.

They were full of gratitude.

The kind of tears that come when your heart is too full to hold everything inside.

She closed her eyes and took a slow breath, the scent of the stage wrapping around her like a memory.

Then she stood, brushing the glitter from her palms.

And with that, she turned and walked off the stage — her footsteps fading, the last lights dimming behind her — leaving the theater in silence, still shimmering faintly with the ghost of her final dance.

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dianasinclair first ever tour complete 🥹

user can't believe it's over 😭

user so proud of you ❤️

aspenbrooks my little star ⭐️ i am so unbelievably proud of you!!! i love you so much 💋 dianasinclair 😢 i love you asp 😘

user last slide is a mood

user her and malachi 🥹 user the hand on her leg 😩

daniellakaragach my favorite tour yet!! you made it so special and i am so honored that i got to be there to dance with you and see you shine each night ♥️ dianasinclair i wouldn't be here without you!! thank you for always      being there and supporting me, i love      you ♥️

user she better be back next year user if not im boycotting the show

ezra.sosa so proud and happy for you!! you were amazing and im so happy i got to do this with you 🥹 love you mrs. barton dianasinclair HAHAHA I LOVE YOU 😘

pashapashkov proud of you d, you killed it!! 🔥 dianasinclair love you pash!!!

user what am i gonna do with no new tour content 😭

brandonarmstrong my favorite tango partner ♥️ dianasinclair ♥️

user love that ezra is their 3rd wheel ezra.sosa correction: i am their child

malachibarton my tiny dancer ♥️ you did it!! i am so proud and i can't wait to see you soon!!! dianasinclair counting down the days ♥️

🪩

tour is officially done

we only have 4 regular chapters left and then the momager and pucker up chapters (which im gonna put in between these last few chapters)

like this book will be done by the end of the week 😭i actually can't believe it

😊