Hustle Hijinks
A #ShippingIt Story
By Chelsea Visser
Hey—Quinn!
Riley?
Quinn, you're not busy … two weeks from now, right?
I … I don't think so?
Awesome! We're dancing hustle.
Wait, what?
Hustle! You know, backstep, forward, spin, back—
Yes, I know hustle, Ri, but why are we doing it two weeks from now?
Oh! There's a comp in town! But there are some dances open to everyone; you don't need to be on the team or anything. Please? It'll be fun, I swear.
I-is coach going to be weird about it?
Why would he be?
Ri, you know why.
He won't be weird about it. I mean, he might, but he won't say anything about it. And if he does, I'll call him on it, and the rest of the team will back me up.
I don't want you getting in trouble.
Hey. Hey. I want to do this. I want to dance with you, Q. I'm tired of tiptoeing around coach, and I'm not the only one tired of the comments he makes. We're going to dance, and we'll have fun, and that's all that matters.
*
Good morning!
Is it still morning?
I brought you coffee.
See, this—this right here is why you're my favorite.
How'd morning session go?
Madison and I made it to semis in foxtrot, and I think we would have finaled if I didn't trip over my own damn foot.
Hey. Next time, right?
Yeah. Thanks, Q. You get us all signed in for hustle?
Yep! Heat's supposed to start at 2:47.
Oh, thank god; that means I have time for lunch.
Go! Go eat! I'm going to go get changed. Meet you back here in a bit?
Yeah!
*
You would not believe how much stuff is in my hair right now. Don't touch it! I just got it to look right!
Okay, okay, I'm sorry! But wow, yeah, did you use the whole can, kid?
Most of it. Somebody in the dressing room had this super-strong stuff. We got my hair standing all the way on end; it was awesome.
Okay, yeah, we're trying that later.
Only if we do your hair, too.
God, fine. Okay, come here. Let's go dance this song and warm up.
Hey, Ri?
Yeah?
You look really good today.
My frame was awful; I don't know what—
That's not what I meant.
Wha—oh. Thanks.
You know, with your hair like that, you can really see how pink your ears turn when you blush.
Oh, my god, brat, come on. Let's dance.
*
That was so fun!
Right?!
How many times did you even spin me that one time?
At least four—I lost count.
Did we make the next heat?
Here comes the sheet. If we make this next round, you need to dip me.
There it is! Do you see our number?
Let's see …. Yes! Third row!
Come on!
*
I am so, so sorry.
Q, stop apologizing. That was hilarious.
I didn't mean to knock you over!
I know, Q. I'm fine, I swear. Seriously, though, did you see coach's face—
During that dip! Yes!
I've never seen his face turn that color before.
Hey, heat sheet….
Hey. Hey, it's all right.
We didn't even make quarterfinals.
Hey, look at me. I don't care about quarterfinals. Did you have fun?
Yeah.
I did, too. Tons of fun. I don't need a ribbon for that.
Okay.
Thanks for dancing with me, Q. Seriously, that was the most fun I've had all day.
Really?
Really. Now, come on. Let's go cheer on the next group—there's still a lot of dancing to be done.