CHOREOGRAPHERS TO THE STARS (Chapter 156)

Warren and Sophia had a busy summer for themselves. They had all those programs of their own to work on, and many others.

Some were easier, because they were closer. Ryan and Amy worked in their rink, so that was real easy to coordinate. Allison Bowman and Tom Bellamy were close by, so that was easy to coordinate. Especially since Tom was around a lot, anyway, visiting with Kristin.

"So, how's it going to feel in September, going out with a Harvard woman?" Warren teased him.

"Horrible, I feel so inadequate," he mock-moaned.

"Ah, shaddap," Kristin said. 

"She'll have a ball. Harvard girl, going out with a scruffy figure skater."

"Oh, stop it, will you?" Kris told him. "It's going to be Harvard girl going out with gold medalist, anyway. That ought to get me some notoriety."

"After I won the medal at Worlds last year," Allison said, "Eddie was the star of the school for a while."

"I get some of that, well, I did when school was in," Kristin said. 

"Harvard will be different. Those snobs won't be impressed," Tom grinned.

"Until you come visit and they see what a hunk you are," Kristin joked.


They leisurely worked on the competitive programs for Tom, Allison, and Ryan and Amy throughout the early summer. Ryan and Amy also needed programs for the Pro-Am-they were going to the Canadian one. Since those weren't 'serious' programs, they mostly planned to do those themselves. However, one day Amy cornered Warren and Sophia.

"Hey, will you guys take a look at our rhythmic program for the Pro-Am? It's kind of up your alley."

"Sure," Warren told her. He and Sophie went and stood by the rink and watched Ryan and Amy.

He was kind of surprised by the choice of music: Ricky Martin's "Living La Vida Loca." He guessed that this was Amy's choice, as Ryan had never skated to anything like this with Courtney. Ryan, however, was plainly having a ball skating to it.

And Warren and Sophie quickly realized something-this was one hell of a program.

"That was marvelous," Warren told them when they finished.

"It's pretty simple choreography, well, compared to you two at least. But it works," Ryan said.

"It's not that simple," Sophie argued.

"Well, what I was wondering is-is it too sexy?" Amy asked.

"It's very sexy," Warren laughed, "but not over-the-top. It's more just hot than suggestive. Is this a problem?"

Amy looked down. "I don't know how Eric is going to react to it."

"Why would he care if you're being sexy?" Sophia laughed.

"Because I'm on the ice being sexy with Ryan, not him."

"Ah," Sophie said. "You know, I think Eric understands."

"It worries me. We've only been together, what, a month and a half? About that."

Just then, he walked in. "ERIC!" Amy said.

"Hi, honey. Want lunch?" Eric asked her.

"Sure, in a bit, we need to work some more."

"OK," Eric said, and settled in next to Sophia and Warren in the bleachers.

"Amy, show him." Sophie said. Amy shot her a look. "Trust me."

"Uh, OK." She and Ryan headed towards the center of the ice.

"What is she showing me?" Eric asked.

"Their rhythmic program for the Canadian Open. They did this one themselves."

Living La Vida Loca started, and Ryan and Amy started dancing. Warren watched them-but Sophia was watching Eric. And Eric's jaw was hitting the floor.

Halfway through, Sophie giggled and said to Eric, "Close your mouth, little brother, the flies are getting in."

"Uh, well, I can't believe how good she looks."

"She was afraid you wouldn't like it."

"Why on earth?"

"Because it's rather hot."

"I noticed," Eric smirked, his eyes still riveted to the ice.

"Yes, and because she's out there being hot with another guy."

"Oh," Eric said. "Well, Ryan's her partner. I understand all that. I don't worry about that." He smirked again. "And even if I worried about Amy, I know who Ryan's girlfriend is. And what she'd cut off if he ever went after Amy."

Sophie cracked up. "Right you are." She sobered. "I think Amy's a little insecure."

"I don't know why."

"Well, I have an idea. Just a guess, mind you. But, I saw when you walked in. She got all enthusiastic to see you. You were much more subdued. I know that's just your personality."

"Well, it's not just that," Eric said. "I'm less outgoing than she is-but what you see isn't so much subdued as it is overwhelmed."

"By Amy?"

"Yeah," Eric said with a little grin. 

Just then, Ryan and Amy ended the program. Amy skated over to where Eric was sitting, obviously worried. Eric dispelled the worry with a big, "WOW!"

Amy lit up. "You liked it?"

"Loved it. It was awesome. You're awesome," he told her.

She squeaked happily, and reached over the boards to hug a surprised Eric. Then she let go of him, grinned, and said, "I'm going to go get changed, then we can get lunch."

"OK," Eric said. She bounced off to the dressing room.

Ryan, watching, laughed. "You are so gone, it's amusing," he said to Eric.

"Uh-huh," Sophie agreed. She turned to Warren. "Snugglebear, I think you're going to have competition for the most pussywhipped human on the planet."

Everyone laughed at that. Warren said, "To be pussywhipped, you first have to get pussy. I don't believe Amy and Eric have gotten to that point yet."

"No, we haven't," Eric admitted, "but I don't think that's necessary to be whipped."  

"Probably not," Sophia grinned.

Amy came out then, and she and Eric headed for lunch.


In early August, Liz Cushman landed at the airport for her week of choreography. Crash came with her. Warren and Sophia met them at the airport, and Liz said, "We have a surprise for you." She then held out her left hand-and showed them the diamond.

Sophie squealed, and Warren gave Crash a congratulatory hug.

"When?" Sophie asked them.

"Next summer. Will you be a bridesmaid?" Liz asked. "My sister's going to be my maid of honor, but I'd love for you to be a bridesmaid."

"Of course, I'd be honored," Sophie told her.

"And you, of course, will be the best man," Crash told Warren.

"A natural role for me to fill," Warren smirked.

"When did you do this?" Sophia asked.

"A couple of weeks ago," Liz told her. "We wanted to wait until we saw you in person to tell you."

"My parents don't even know yet," Crash laughed. "We're going to go tell them now."


After Liz had left, Brett and Andrea came. They were upbeat and happy, and had a ball with Warren and Sophia, choreographing their new programs.

After a couple days, Warren was with Sophie at their house. "So. Brett and Andrea. Are you seeing what I'm seeing?"

"That they finally figured out that they were nuts about each other? Looks like it," Sophia laughed.

"Yep. It's hard to choreograph with all that mooning going on. And, jeez, what did it take them-eight, nine years?"

"I know," Sophia laughed. "I think Brett had to grow up a little."

"True. It's funny-when I first met them, Andrea barely tolerated him."

"That's been gone for a while," Sophia said, "Andrea's been mooning over him for the last few years. I think he had to get over her previous scorn."

"Right. Looks like he got over it. I thought they were going to start kissing in the middle of a spin today!"


By the second-last week in August, everyone's programs were set, including their own. That was good timing, as Warren and Sophia got in their car and drove to Rochester, NY.










