Friday Fix

♚ | four

"THE key to any good dancer is fitness," the instructor said. "Before we begin any dance lesson, we'll do some light exercise."

I nodded my head, listening. I was pumped up. I was excited. I was in a class of fifteen other boys that I had to hide my true identity from, excluding the teacher, but that was alright because I was so ready for this.

The instructor's eyes narrowed. "Thirty push-ups, now!"

And the whole class dropped. Then -

"Fifty crunches! No stomach fat allowed here!"

We obeyed. Sweat was streaming out of every single one of my pores.

Light exercise, my foot.

"Now plank! And don't stop till I say so!"

My nonexistent abdominal muscles screamed and I gritted my teeth. So ready for this, my foot! Next to me a boy couldn't stand the strain and gave up. Which turned out to be a terrible idea because -

"Did I say you could relax, boy? Again!"

The class groaned. But again we did it, and again, and again and again.

Finally he gave us a break, and I collapsed, limbs splayed out on the dance floor. My breaths were coming out in short, hasty gasps, and my chest seemed to ache with every inhalation. Next to me Yugi sat down, shirt soaked to skin like mine. Luckily Hongki had given me that strapless undershirt, otherwise the outline of bra straps would be on full display right now.

I glanced over. "Aren't you tired?"

Yugi only chuckled, breathless. "It gets tolerable - after awhile."

He wiped sweat away from his forehead and I realized his skin was quite pale. "How's your roommate?" he asked me.

I made a face. "Hates my guts."

"That's just Jungkook for you. My only advice is to stay out of his way."

I propped myself up on my elbows. "Jungkook. Is that his name?"

"That's right. Ahn Jungkook, asshole extraordinaire."

I giggled. Immediately Yugi gave me a weird look.

Shit. Boys don't giggle, do they?

Fortunately at that moment there came a loud clap, followed by a sharp order,

"I said take a break, not go to sleep! Up and at it!"

We scrambled to our feet, and the training resumed.

♚

It seemed as if my muscles had just begun to relax when I had to attend my second class of the day - hip hop. For this I was alone, because Yugi had contemporary dance. So it was just me, with twelve other students I did not know, as we sat cross-legged on the floor listening to our instructor expound on the history of hip hop. Halfway through the lecture the door banged open and a familiar figure walked in.

Mr Park, our instructor, folded his arms. "Ah. Mr Jungkook. How nice of you to join us."

The boy - Jungkook - didn't even apologize. He merely shrugged and dumped his bag down in one fluid motion. As he drew near us his eyes caught sight of me and darkened.

For my part, I crossed my arms and pretended I didn't care, all the while groaning internally as I realized this meant he was taking the same course as me, and we would have a lot of occasions besides our room to interact with each other.

Just great.

Hip hop was not as brutal as fitness class, but with most of my muscles battered from the intensive workout earlier, I couldn't keep up. Mr Park noticed it but didn't comment - perhaps he was cutting me some slack since I was a new kid.

Jungkook however, was not as kind.

As we took a break, and I downed some water while gasping and panting, he strolled past.

Our eyes met.

The scorn in his tone was unmistakable as he said, "Looks like I don't need to do anything to kick you out. You're doing a fine job of that on your own."

He walked off. I seethed.

Freaking bastard.

I stayed late after the class ended. There was no way I was going to give Jungkook the pleasure of repeating those words. Drenched in sweat with only the light of the setting sun peeking in through a high window, I practiced and practiced and practiced. I practiced until I forgot about dinner and my stomach forgot about grumbling; I practiced until my muscles felt like lead and my brain told me to stop; I practiced until I simply could not go on anymore, and I fell backward, hitting the ground and laying there.

I laid down for a good ten minutes, doing nothing but breathing. In and out. In and out. In. Out.

In.

Out.

I would have fallen asleep, if my phone hadn't vibrated with a notification. It was Ha Yul, asking me how I was doing. We chatted for awhile, as I went off on the vastness of the campus grounds, the beauty of the school lake and the training. For a second I hesitated, debating on whether I should tell him about my roommate problem.

But what can he do? He can't just barge in and demand Jungkook to treat you right. Besides, hasn't he helped you enough?

This is one problem you have to solve on your own, Lee Haneul.

So I didn't mention Jungkook. The conversation ended and I continued to lie there, watching dust motes flutter in evening light. In the silence, I became aware of music, playing somewhere nearby.

Gathering my things, I stood up. It was La Cumparsita, I recognized, a piece written for Argentinian tango. As I walked the corridors, the music became louder and closer, before finally I saw it - a dance room with its door ajar, light spilling out.

I stopped behind a wall and watched. I couldn't not. There was only one person in the room, and my gaze was drawn to him irrevocably, like metal to magnet. He was tall, and every move he made conjured up images of smooth silk and grace. La Cumparsita was a slow sizzling tango and he danced it to perfection, every gesture seemingly effortless. Dancing alone one would have taught he painted an awkward picture, but no - from the tips of his ash grey hair to the shine of his polished shoes was nothing but eloquence and elegance. The way his eyes were all focused in concentration made goosebumps break out along my skin.

I might be majoring in urban dance, but boy did this man make me want to change course.

The music ended and he struck his final pose. Lost in my moment of awe I forgot myself and did the next natural thing - I clapped. Hard and loud.

His eyes darted to the door even as I darted further behind my wall. Squeezing my eyes shut I let out a mental curse. I could have kicked myself.

You dumbass -

"Hello? Is anyone there?" Holy s**t, that is a deep voice. And husky too, at that.

With my heart in my mouth I pointed my toes and took flight. I'd had quite enough of introductions for today.

♚

Jungkook started to give me hell the moment I decided I was going to hit the bed.

"That's my bed," he said, the moment I made to climb the ladder to the top bunk. "Or have you forgotten this morning?"

Forcing myself to be calm, I gave a curt apology and moved to the lower bunk.

"That's my bed too," he said, matter-of-fact. "I alternate."

I stared at him, not quite believing my ears. "You what?"

"I alternate. It gets boring sleeping on one bed. Plus I don't have to change the sheets that often."

Oh you've got to be kidding me. I was exhausted, it had been a long day, and I simply had no wish to tag along with his games. So I shot him a glare and said, coldly,

"Well you're going to have give up one. Because you have a roommate now, and I'm not sleeping on the floor."

Jungkook's eyes hardened to a texture like flint. "I think you'll find that you do."

I didn't waste anymore time arguing. "I'm taking the lower bunk," I announced, and moved to it.

He was in front of me in an instant. Being an entire head shorter, I tried not to be intimidated. He smells nice, though.

Stop it.

"I said," he growled, "this is my bed."

"Not anymore, buster," I retorted.

He took a step closer and looked down on me, literally. "Get out while I'm still nice."

"Why don't you try making me?" I snarled, and as I spoke the last word I jerked my chin upward in defiance.

To my surprise he nearly tripped over himself as he backed up. I stared. Jungkook eyed me in disgust.

"What the f**k, dude? Were you f*****g trying to kiss me?"

I blinked. Oh. Well. He was looking down on me and we were standing pretty close, and I guess when I tilted my head up it could have been interpreted that way. . .

A nasty gleam entered my eye.

I sidled close, and for the first time I saw apprehension entered Jungkook's eyes.

"You know," I began, "I wouldn't mind sharing the same bed with you. I'd quite like how we'd waken up together this morning."

I winked.

A fly could have easily flown into Jungkook's open mouth of horror.

"Are you - are you gay?" he blurted out.

I reached out a finger and brushed the front of his chest. "Well why don't you find out?"

♚

I got the lower bunk.

Score.

❈

Now before any bashing occurs, I would like to state that this does not mean Jungkook is homophobic. Prejudiced perhaps, but then again Haneul was making s****l implications. Naturally, Jungkook's first reaction would be shock and wariness.

I trust the story still satisfies?

Or perhaps you would like me to turn up the heat?

Yours in seduction,

Lady Godiva.