AN: Tiny little time jump about two weeks.

Dinah's POV

My alarm goes off taking me away from my beautiful dream, where Zendaya was teaching me how to ballroom dance, back to the land of the conscious. My alarm isn't some random song either, it's a recording of Normani and my mom shouting 'wake yo ass up!' at the same time. Nothing gets me out of bed faster than my mom's screaming. Once I'm done with my hair, makeup, and clothes, it's time to get breakfast. Well brunch because it's almost noon but whatever. My mom is up with my baby brother Seth as always so I give them both a kiss on the cheek as I pass them.

"Morning Mom."

"Morning Dinah. You're up early today."

"It's Audition day for the dance team I'm excited!"

"So early? Isn't it normally towards the end of August?"

"Yeah, but the school pushed it up. We had no say in it. All the dance teams and troupes are auditioning today."

"Is Ms. Harris back in the city yet?"

"Harris-Wilson she got married last month. And yeah she called Normani last night and told her to be there at 12:30."

"So that means the rest of the team has to be there at 12:30."

"Yup and we start at one."

"How long are you going to be gone?"

"I don't know but I have a date at five with Zendaya so I'll be back to change before that."

"Zendaya huh? What is this date number 3?"

"I'm not sure if we count the barbecue as a date. And yeah Zendaya"

"You really like her huh?"

"Yeah I really do. She's interesting and actually listens to me when I talk and when she tries to be smooth it comes off cute and adorable not corny like most people."

"How come none of us has met or even seen what this girl looks like?"

"Mom that's a big step."

"So I wanna see who this girl is that is making you so happy. So bring her to your brother's game on Saturday so I can meet her."

"Mom I am not doing that!"

"Why not?"

"Because the whole family is going to be there not just you! I'm not going to bring her around auntie Leilani and her ratchetness. It's gonna scare her away!"

"Yeah that would be too much wouldn't it? Fine but you and the girls still have to go. The team needs their cheerleaders to win."

"Don't worry mom I'm not trying to hide her from you. I promise."

"Good now go let Normani in."

Right after she spoke the doorbell rang so I went to let Normani in. She follows me into the kitchen almost wordlessly, only greeting me at the door with a quick 'morning'. Once in the kitchen she kisses Seth on the head and hugs my mom. After she lets go mom takes Seth into the other room give Normani and I privacy to talk.

"You're quiet. What's up?"

"Remember the deal we made in my room a month and a half ago?"

"Yeah today's the day! You finally gonna ask Lauren out?"

"I was but then she told me that she's auditioning for the team today."

"What's the problem?"

"I'm the captain Dinah. I shape the routines and say who leads what and who doesn't. What if I can't be unbiased?"

I put my plate in the sink before helping my best friend down from her freak out. Leftovers for the win.

"Okay first you're worrying about a "what if " that is breaking rule number one of the carefree black girl code. Second Mrs. C would never let that happen she let's everyone get chance to lead a performance even if it's a bad idea. It's okay to have Mrs. C pick a lead, it's her job to do it, you can ask for help."

"Thanks Dj."

"That's what your co-captain is here for. Now come on we can't have the captains late on the first day!"

We say goodbye and quickly get to the school before 12:30. We let ourselves in and make our way to the studio assigned to us. The school is always open to students who need a place to practice or if they have a project to work on. They even rent some of the equipment out to the community center and hire students to teach kids about the arts. We get to the dance wing and see a bunch of girls with twerk shorts and knee high socks on. Among them is Lauren waiting for the door to open. I give Lauren a look that I hope says good luck and keep walking. Jilly is waiting with them too but she's acting as a spy and getting a feel for each girl's personality. Normani and I keep walking ignoring the looks and glares we get and go in the room.

"I swear you cut two it closer and closer each year. Why did I make you two captains?"

"Because we're currently your best dancers and your favorite students."

"That could easily change Dinah Jane."

"Ooh bars 🔥🔥! When's the rap album droppin?"

"Normani handle your girl before I slap her upside the head!"

Normani pushes me by my head towards the table(judging table) and we put our stuff down before helping Mrs. C finish setting up. Right before we are set to start Camila and Ally walk in the door. I know they were here earlier because Ally drove with Lauren here,who was in line when we got here. I was wondering where those two were. They walk in with two Starbucks trays in their hands. Camila takes Ally's bag from her and sits down while Ally continues towards us.

"Good morning you two."

"Good afternoon Miss. Brooke. What do you have there?"

"Just some drinks to keep everyone awake. I know audition day is tough on you three."

"You're literally a saint Ally. I hope you know that."

"It was nothing I fed Lauren and Jilly earlier so I thought you two should get something to. That way everyone is equal."

"Ally I hope you run for office one day this country needs kindness and generosity. And you clearly have it all."

"All this love over a Starbucks trip where I didn't even spend my own money? You are the kind one here Dinah-Jane."

"Are you two done with the love fest because I would like my drink now."

"Oh shove it Mani. You're just jealous Ally likes me best."

"Whatever DJ. Ally what did you get us?"

"Two Chai teas both with two extra pumps of Chai and cinnamon. What you always get and I got Mrs. C an iced mocha."

"Put her cup in front of the middle seat. Where did Camila go?"

"She has clipboard duty. She's out there getting all the girls names down before we start."

"I hope Jilly knows to not write her name because she's not dancing until tomorrow."

"She knows and Lauren knows we're going to have to mispronounce her last name on purpose."

"You on music this time?"

"Yep. Camila has the worst timing plus she's writing the names down. I wouldn't be able to read her handwriting."

"She needs to work on that chicken scratch desperately."

"You ain't never lied DJ."

Ally chuckles and I smirk slightly before Mrs. C comes over to the table.

"Ally, my change?"

"Here you go. And the receipt so you can claim it for a tax write-off."

"Thank you. Now go join Camila out in the hall because as soon as she's done we're ready to start."

"Yes Mrs. C."

Ally leaves and after about five minutes all the girls file in Ally and Camila bringing up the rear and closing the door behind them. Once they join us on this side of the room Mrs. C begins her speech.

"Welcome to tryouts ladies. I am your coach Mrs. C. Tryouts are a three part process that will last two days. Today you will perform a solo you created so we can see what you can do. Tomorrow the ones who make it will learn a routine and dance it in groups. After that the final few of you will learn and dance a brand new routine next to a member of the squad. Next to me are my captains Normani and Dinah, if you knew them before today that won't help you in here. I make the final decision not them. You have twenty minutes to stretch before the first name is called. Let's get started ladies!"

Normani and I keep a close watch on the girls to see who actually listened to Mrs.C and is stretching and warming up and who's not. There are only a few girls who aren't stretching so we try to listen to the conversations they're having. Twenty minutes are up and Mrs. C is back at the table to explain what happens next.

"Ladies your twenty minutes are up! When your name is called you will give Ally back there your music. Once she has it you have two minutes to impress me with what ever you have. After your two minutes you will sit and wait until the last girl is done. Is that clear?"

"Yes Mrs.C!"

"Good then let's begin!"

Camila calls the first name and after that the chaos begins. Girl after girl they all come up, do the same routine to the same song and it's terribly boring. Twenty girls go by and I know Mrs.C is not impressed by any of them so far.

"Lauren Jauregui."

Lauren hopefully will pick up auditions and bring some excitement. She told us the song she was dancing too so hopefully she brings it. She gets into position and as soon as the song starts I know she has it in the bag.

Watching her move across the floor I see why Normani is into her so much. She is giving moves and attitude and style and everything we were asking for. It probably helps that she had insider info but I'm surprised she had all this in her. Her song ends and I have to stop myself and Normani from clapping for her, clapping would show favoritism and we didn't clap for anyone else so she won't get applause either. After Lauren the energy in the room picks up but most of the routines are still really predictable. The next girl that catches my attention isn't until ten girls after Lauren.

"Kaelynn Gobert-Harris."

Like Lauren she hands off her music, giving Ally some specific instructions, then gets into position. Once her music starts I know she's getting chosen to come back the next day. She throws in a few tricks that make me pause because I've never seen them before. I kinda don't want her audition to end.

Unfortunately her music ends all to soon and when she's done she goes and sits back in her spot until the last girl. The rest of the girls fly by and before I know it we're on the last girl on the list.

"Camren Bicondova."(AN: The little blonde girl)

Wow that's some last name. And I thought Lauren's was bad.
Once she's done Mrs.C stands to get the clip board from Camila. She writes a few names down and hands it back. The girls are all waiting for her to say something. She walks to the wall of mirrors, pulls a magnet out of her pocket and hangs the list on the wall.

"Before I let you see this list I want you know that just because you weren't picked doesn't mean you aren't talented. It just means I wasn't impressed with what you brought today. Work harder and come back next year even my dancers need improvements from time to time. The ones who made it I'll see you tomorrow same time as today."

With that she leaves and they crowd around the list to find out their individual fates. One by one they trickle out the room  some with smiles but the majority not. My heart goes out to them it really does at this moment I only care about Lauren's results. Jilly comes over to us and waits for Lauren with us. She's the last to look at the list, deciding to pack up her stuff first before looking at the results, and when she goes up Normani grabs my hand like she's experiencing labor pains. Lauren turns around after looking at us with a blank face. I surprisingly crack first anxious energy running through me because I just can't take it anymore.

"Well?!"

"I'll be dancing tomorrow!"

We run up and crowd around Lauren and congratulate her with a group hug.

"See I told you you would make it past day one!"

"I just can't believe that I was one 20 of girls that made it out of almost 60 girls. That's the unbelievable part."

"I told you you could do it! We should all go out to celebrate tonight!"

"Mani isn't it a little to early to celebrate?"

"No well I don't think so."

"Manz I think we should wait until tomorrow to celebrate because tomorrow is gonna be way harder."

"I can't believe this but I agree with Jilly. Celebrating today just for her to get cut tomorrow is not gonna be a good look."

"Fine we'll hold off until tomorrow. Is that better for everyone?"

"Don't worry Mani I know you're just excited for me. Maybe we can do something just the two of us tonight."

Ooh.....Lauren I see you girl I see you!

"See that works perfectly since I have a date tonight anyway."

"A date? Since when?"

"Like this morning. Or late last night whichever one. She asked to hang on FaceTime last night."

"Oh well do you need a ride or anything?"

"Actually no she said she would meet me at the park we met at the first time."

"Okay well keep us updated D."

We all part ways at the parking lot. Normani and I going towards her car and everyone else goes to Jilly's truck. They drive off first waving as they pass then we drive off. I snatch the aux cord before Mani can look and start playing music before she can even turn on the radio.

"So I can't control the music in my own car now?"

"Nope that's the rules. Shotgun controls the music!"

"Ugh! You better play some Rihanna then!"

"Really after we heard Work like seven times today?"

"Fine just not Work. Play Desperado or Needed Me."

"DJ DJ is on it."

"You need a new DJ name badly."

"Let me live."

Desperado comes through the speakers shutting Normani up for a minute as she starts dancing in her seat as she drives. We get to my house and she parks the car, getting out we both go straight up to my room and end up laying on my bed.

"Want me to help you get ready for your date?"

"Want me to help you get ready for yours?"

"Dinah I'm serious."

"Normani so am I! You know Lauren asked you out like right in front of me right?"

"She wasn't asking me out she was asking me to hang out."

"No she was not! She would not have phrased it like that if she wasn't asking you out!"

"Whatever Dj. Now what are you going to wear on your date?"

"I don't know she didn't say what we were doing or where we were going."

"How about something simple then?"

"Okay fashion guru go at it. My closet is open for business."

Normani almost jumps out of my bed and basically attacks my closet. She takes about 20 minutes and when she comes back to my bed she has a full outfit, including shoes, in her hands.

"Here wear this."(AN: The outfit in the below picture minus the hat plus Dinah's honey camo jacket)

I take the clothes and strip leaving me in only the white tank top I was already wearing, and my underwear. I get dressed and go to the mirror to look at the outfit she put together. It's a nice outfit all together but it feels like it's missing something to me. I grab my camo jacket with the word HONEY on it and put it on. After a little fixing and primping I turn back towards Normani to get her opinion.

"Well? What do you think?"

"I think you should hurry up if you want a ride to the park."

"Wait! What if I get something on my white shirt?"

"Then you just put your jacket over it."

"What if she gets cold?"

"Then offer her your jacket, dummy! Now hurry up and finish getting dressed."

I look at my phone quickly and see its 4:45.

"Oh shit I only have fifteen minutes and I still need to get my boots on!"

I run around my room getting all the things I need and tossing them in my bag quickly. By the time I'm done running around it's 4:50 leaving me only ten minutes to get to the park.

"Okay I have everything I normally have when I leave the house. I think I'm ready to go."

"Perfect! Come on I'll drive you there it's on the way to Lauren's house.

"Wait! Hair tie just in case."

I grab a hair tie quickly before running out of my room after Normani. Once we're in the car again we ride in silence because it's not a long ride in the car. Pulling up to the park with two minutes to spare I hug Normani and sprint out of the car.

"You're the best Mani. Love you, don't sleep with Lauren just because she invited you over for Netflix and Chill!"

"Bye, have fun fool!"

I laugh and quickly get to the bench in the middle of the park, the one under the big tree, and wait for Zendaya.

Zendaya's POV

A lot has happened in the last two weeks. I got my license the other day finally and since I did it so quickly my uncle gave me his old car. Trevor's super upset that I got a car before him when he was the one who got his license first. It's not my fault he's a horrible driver, besides no one I know here has a car and my school is far away so I need it more than him. That's another thing school stuff has been happening too. I've had to go up there multiple times in the last two weeks to fill out paperwork before the school year starts and I'm looking to be more involved at this school more than I was back home. There's this dance team Dom and Deja are apart of and they say they need members so I might tryout to help them out. I can't believe it's been two weeks  since I've seen Dinah. I mean outside of social media and FaceTime. Some days when I'm missing her it feels like my whole time line is her and those are the days we FaceTime  because I need to see her. Since neither one of us has had any transportation other than walking seeing each other has been hard and that's why I worked so fast on getting my license. I mean I know how to longboard, but I sold my board a while back. I need to get a another one. Maybe I could teach Dinah how to ride it one day. That would be cute as hell. I park at the gate that has the shortest distance to the big tree and back and start walking to her. I see her in the distance and wow she looks amazing. Looking around a moment Dinah spots me coming towards her and starts to meet me half way.

"Hey!"

"Hey! You look beautiful."

"Thank you. You look great too."

"I don't compare to you but thank you. Ready to go?"

"Yeah by the way where are we going and how are we getting there?"

"Well if you follow me I will tell you all about it. Shall we?"

I stick my arm out and she takes the hint and wraps her arm around mine and I lead her to the car. I open the door for her, get all in on my own side, and buckle in before she asks me a question about the car.

"You've been here for a month. How do you already have a car? Also how long have your license, because you told me you didn't have it before tonight."

I laugh and take out my wallet to show her my license start answering her many questions.

"The day before the BBQ, my mom went to the DMV and while she was there she picked up a rules of the road booklet. It was the only thing I was reading other than school paperwork for the rest of that month. When I got my license my uncle, who lives here in the city, gave me his old car. Does that answer all your questions?"

"How about where we are going tonight?"

"Oh! Well do you like pizza?"

"Am I alive? Of course I do!"

"Well then I hope this place is good because I saw it on food network the other day and I'm really trying to make a good impression here."

"Let's go then."

I start the car before I plug my phone into the aux chord and hit shuffle before driving off. As I'm driving Dinah sang along to multiple songs and I'm blown away by her voice. She sounds like she's trained in singing for years. Oh my god she sounds like Beyoncé. I'm gonna marry her. The song ends as we pull up to a stop light and she looks over at me. Probably because I'm staring at her crazy.

"What?"

"You can sing?"

"Yeah I go to a performing arts school I got in for singing and dancing."

"Well you're really good. That school would have been dumb not to let you in. Is that where all your friends go too?"

"Yeah we all do. Well except Tori but she's graduated already."

"Wow so like all your friends are like crazy talented?"

"Yeah most of my current friends are all from school. What about you? Have you made any friends here yet? Besides me of course."

"Yeah there are a bunch of families in my neighborhood so I made a few friends just in my neighborhood alone."

"It's great you're making friends. It must have been hard leaving all your friends back in Oakland."

"Yeah it was but social media helps a lot. All I have to do is open the never stopping group chat I'm in and play catch up."

"Oh god don't even get me started on group texts."

I laugh as I turn onto the street of my uncle's apartment building downtown. By parking here I save money and time by trying to find a spot later. I stop the car and look at her before speaking.

"So the plan is the leave the car here. My uncle lives pretty close to the restaurant so I figured we could walk and find something else to do on the strip before or after dinner. Game?"

"Definitely let's go!"

*phone bleep*

*whispering* "Oh man my phone is gonna die." Dammit I'll have to leave it in the car.

"If you want you can put your phone in my bag, I have a portable charger with me. You can plug it in and leave it in there. That way you can check on it throughout the night when you'll really need it."

"That's a great idea. Don't you come in handy?"

"Maybe you should keep me around then, if only for my great ideas."

"Oh I definitely plan on keeping you around."

I pass her my phone and she plugs it in and places it in her bag. After we get out I take the bag from her and carry it as we walk. As we walk she points out all the things to do and different restaurants she's been to down here. We get to the pizza place around six and I give a quick thanks to God that it's not crowded. They give us a table near the back wall before handing off a few menus before leaving us alone. We decide on a half veggie half Hawaiian pizza with a bruschetta appetizer. She tells me about her day while we eat and I tell her about mine. When the check comes I pay and tell her she can get the next one and because she paid last time.

"So where to now?"

"How about we keep walking and find some dessert?"

"I think there's a great ice cream place near by."

"Then lead the way."

Dinah's POV

Right now Zendaya and I are walking tourist attraction strip after dinner looking for an ice cream place. I like to come down here during the fall when it's less crowded so I know my way around here. We find the place soon enough and Zendaya's face lights up when she sees the sign.

"You didn't tell me this was a  Häagen-Dazs shop! I love their ice cream!"

"Well come then!"

We get our ice cream and sit on the patio because the inside is really crowded. I pull out my phone to get a quick snap of my ice cream but out of the corner of my eye I see Zendaya making heart eyes at her ice cream.

I get a picture of her before she realizes and save the photo for a later date.

"So what kind did you get?"

"Coffee. What about you?"

"Caramel cone."

"I've never had that before. Can I try it?"

"Only if I can try some of yours?"

"Sure let's switch."

I try hers and I gotta admit it's pretty good but I think mine is better. After ice cream we make our way back to the car hand in hand. I'm swinging my arm slightly so both our arms swing as we walk making Zendaya smile.

"I had a really great time tonight with you."

"I had a great time with you too. I wish it didn't have to end."

"Me neither."

"Hey my brother and I are having an early birthday party since our birthday is during the school year. Wanna be my date?"

"Of course. How old are you turning?"

"18." (AN: In this Dinah is the older one because I got the dates mixed up. Okay? Good! This fic starts the day after her birthday.)

"My friends can come too right?"

"Of course! You can bring anyone you want. Just none of your exes."

"Well I'll just have to sneak Normani in somehow."

"Wait you and Normani dated?"

"Yeah briefly freshman year but we broke up because there was nothing there but attraction."

"Wow I don't know what to do with this new information. So you never have any urges to get with her at all?"

"Only if I'm drunk but I rarely drink like that so no not really."

"I might need a little convincing, I don't know if I believe that."

I can tell she's not actually upset or anything by the tone of her voice. I know she just wants a kiss so I humor her for a bit longer.

"Come here."

She leans closer to me and I connect our lips in a soft kiss. She places her hands on my shoulders to bring me closer and deepen the kiss. That's when I pull away.

"Down girl we're still in the middle of the sidewalk."

"Okay let's get back to the car."

"By the way if you wanted to kiss me you could have just asked."

"I'll remember that next time."

We get to the car and start kissing again but she pulls away because if we kept going I would have missed curfew. Plus I still need to give her directions to get to my house. We pull up to my house six minutes before my curfew so now we're just sitting in the car while the radio plays in the background.

"Here I should give you your phone back now."

"I almost forgot you had my phone. That would have been a problem when I got home."

When I hand her the phone she grabs my wrist and pulls me across the middle console into another kiss. We only pull back when air becomes a problem for us.

"I have to go."

"I know, doesn't mean I can't wish that you could stay."

"Cool it romeo you'll see me in a few days. I promise. Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

I get out the car and go inside the house with a smile on my face. I feel like I'm floating all the way up to my room and I fall on my bed and just lay there for what seems like forever until my phone vibrates in my pocket.

ZenCutie: just got home just wanted to say goodnight beautiful 

I reread the text over and over again before I squeal in my bed.

"Oh my god! What is this girl doing to me?!"

AN: Hi guys I said an update was coming soon and here it is! One more chapter before some really fun stuff happens. Long story short Dinah meets some of Zendaya's friends from Oakland. Leave a comment about who you want me to feature as Z's friends. Vote Comment and Share if you want and I'll see you next chapter.

Happy Reading

Peace,

Meags