Dance to Perfection

 by Essie B., Tori H., and Sara M. 

Did you ever want a peek inside Riley's dancing lesson (from Yosemite at Last)? Here's your chance, from Riley's POV. 

Riley sighed, he still didn’t know how to dance for his wedding with Andi. Every lesson ended with sore toes and little hope. Riley sighed again. What should I do?  I can't disappoint my wife-to-be. 

“What’s the sad face for?” Chad walked in the barn,

“Nothing.” Riley said quietly.

“Riley.” Chad frowned. 

“Okay, fine. Our wedding is coming up and apparently we have to dance a waltz at the end?” Riley glanced at Chad who nodded, “Well, anyway, I can’t dance. The only thing I can accomplish is to step on her toes. I’m not making any progress.”

Chad laughed, “You can't dance! Whyever not?”

“It’s not funny, Chad! I just can’t.” Riley stood

“Sorry,” Chad quickly sobered. “Can’t you learn?”

“Not with Andi. I told you, I step on her toes,” Riley answered

Chad grinned. “My toes don’t bruise so easily. I will teach you.” 

Riley gasped. “I don’t think I heard you right.”

“You heard me, I will teach you how to dance and we can surprise Andi.” Chad grinned again “Come on, we will have a quick lesson right now.” 

“Do I have a say in this?” Riley asked Chad.

“Nope.” Chad shook his head. “If you want to please Andi, then you gotta learn to dance.” 

Chad started humming and Riley did his best to follow. Chad started swaying and stepping side to side. Riley tried to copy his movements.

Chad then started to dance, really dance, Riley did his best but he soon stepped too far forward when he thought Chad would step back farther and Riley whammed his toes. 

“Ouch!” Chad yelped, “No wonder Andi can’t stand this.” His mouth went to a firm line. “Don’t think you are getting out of this, ” Chad stared at Riley

Riley groaned and rolled his eyes. 

“Quit that and just start dancing.” Chad said firmly.

Riley did as he was told but he didn’t stop thinking, Chad sure likes to tell me what to do, ranching or dancing, oh no! Riley held back a cry when he whammed Chad’s toes again.

Chad stopped, “Riley! Watch those feet!” he bellowed

 Again Riley rolled his eyes. You asked for this. He told Chad silently. 

“No, start dancing but watch your steps!” Chad said .

Riley gave a feeble nod, “Okay.” he tried his best. Even with his best, Chad still had nine sore toes by the end of the lesson they held the next day, but it was one less than before. 

Riley sighed when they finished lesson three. Chad and scolded him many times whenever he stomped on Chad’s toes too hard.  

Well, I’m getting there….more or less, Riley thought when he arrived for his next lesson. 

Chad saw him coming and stood, putting the newspaper aside. “How are you doing, Riley?” he asked, “Hope you are ready to dance… for real.” Chad grinned

Riley protested, “I thought we were already dancing for real!”

“Nope, that was a test.” 

They started, surprisingly Riley was better at dancing than he thought, just when he thought he had mastered dancing…… he stepped on Chad’s toes again! “Ouch.” Chad hopped on one foot.

“Sorry.” Riley said, “Am I even getting better?” He said as he backed away, Riley hoped he could be done with these dancing lessons. 

Chad knew what he was thinking and said, “You are getting better but, we are not quitting yet! I won’t have my sister’s toes stepped on.” Chad laughed.  

Riley blushed, Will he ever forget that? Riley sighed, stepping on Andi’s toes was not fun! 

********

A few days later Chad had finally decided that Riley had mastered step dancing so they moved on to the waltz. Riley thought this was easier than step dancing! 

“You are very good now, Riley, I think we are done with the lessons.” Chad smiled his approval.

Riley whooped, “I can’t believe it!” he quickly sobered, “I won’t step on Andi’s toes.” he promised. 

Chad relaxed and smiled, “Good.” 

“Now, you better go get your girl.” Chad ushered Riley on his way.

Riley smiled as he left the barn aisle. Never again would he be caught dancing there.