No Ordinary Love Songs

Chapter 3 - Never Ever

A few questions that I need to know

how you could ever hurt me so

I need to know what I've done wrong

and how long it's been going on

Was it that I never paid enough attention?

Or did I not give enough affection?

Not only will your answers keep me sane

but I'll know never to make the same mistake again

You can tell me to my face or even on the phone

You can write it in a letter, either way, I have to know

Did I never treat you right?

Did I always start the fight?

Either way, I'm going out of my mind

all the answers to my questions

I have to find

- "Never Ever" by All Saints

Mike took her right hand while his other hand is wrapped around her waist. She then arched her back as he pulled her towards him. Together they swayed to Mike’s left for a dip and as he lowered her, she closed her eyes. She felt his breath near her face. Her heart beats faster as he pulled her towards him. Their eyes met, there was only an inch between their lips…

“It’s a new day Tiffany Benson, time to wake up!” her alarm woke her. Tiffany sighed in disappointment and looked at the clock. Her body ached all over. There was a war between her head and her body. Her body is telling her to stay home but her head is pushing her to go up. It is Saturday, there’s no class but it is their first Saturday practice. She cannot miss the chance to be with Mike for one whole day.

She went up, got in the shower and spent few minutes staring at her closet. She wondered what she would wear this time. Nothing really changed how Mike looked at her. To Mike, she was just a hopeless romantic dreamer.

After putting her clothes on, she looked at the mirror and put on a little makeup. She usually does not wear makeup during practices because they will just fade after practice but since the time she practiced with Mike, she started wearing more makeup and putting on more perfume than the usual. Today, she just does not feel well. ‘Besides, Mike never even bothered to look at my face,’ Tiffany tried to convince herself that this is okay.

There was no time for a hearty meal so she grabbed a bread and drank her milk, then hurriedly went out to see Mike who is already waiting for her in his car.

Tiffany opened the car door and sat. Mike mumbled but she did not pay any attention, Mike was like that every morning; she somehow got immune to all the insults he has to say.

“Are you listening?” Mike raised his voice.

“Huh? I am sorry, what was that?” Tiffany said as if she just woke up.

“I told you Rish will be with me today. I need you to help me convince coach for her to stay and watch us.”

Tiffany thought it was awkward but she is too tired to argue so she agreed and sank on her seat.

“Are you sick?” Sasha asked from the other line.

“No. I just need you to come over and watch us practice. I cannot stand seeing Mike and Rish together today. I need someone to talk to whenever we have a break,” Tiffany pleaded.

“What about Jason?”

“He is busy trying to figure out how to make the new dance routines easy for Mike. He usually spend time talking with the coach during breaks,” Tiffany reasoned.

“Okay, I’ll be there in half an hour,” Sasha answered.

“You’re the best, Sasha”

“I know,” Sasha quickly answered, “but I still think you are sick” she said before hanging up.

“Today’s dance will be Samba,” the coach announced, “I hope Mike still remembered the basic steps taught to him yesterday,” she looked at Mike.

Mike nodded. Jason showed Mike how to do the routine with Tiffany. Tiffany quickly learned the routine; she moved her hips as if it knows the language of the music being played. Tiffany made two turns and posed as Jason walked after her and caressed her body from her hips going towards her arm pits.

“Seriously?” Mike went to the coach.

“What is wrong with that Mr. Fulton?” the coach faced Mike.

“That is too much”

“What is too much?”

“The touching and the caressing”

“Get used to it. There is more coming up,” the coach clapped her hands to signal Jason that it is time for Mike to do the routine.

Mike is doing well but every time they reach the part when he has touch Tiffany, he is always hesitant.

“Haven’t you touched a woman before?” the coach walked near the pair, “Samba is supposed to be a lively flirtatious dance. Think of it as Tiffany flirting at you and you are falling for it. She is giving you the freedom to touch her body and you are the guy who is taking advantage of that freedom,” the coach explained to Mike and then she noticed his look at Rish. “That’s it,” the coach turned to Rish, “You will have to leave.”

“There is no need for that,” Mike insisted, “I will do the routine, just let her stay.”

“One more mistake and she is out,” the coach turned to Mike.

“You’re loving this,” Mike garbled at Tiffany.

Tiffany did not say anything. She simply walked towards her position for the routine and prepared herself to dance. Tiffany’s silent treatment frustrates Mike. He somehow wished she retaliated but she didn’t.

Mike tried his best not to make mistakes but Tiffany noticed his strong grips. He was as if expressing his anger about the routine through his force and harsh grips.

“You’re hurting me,” Tiffany whispered as they danced face to face.

“Then tell your coach to stop,” Mike answered as they shifted to make a turn.

“Stop!” Tiffany panted, “coach, can we take a break?” she looked at the coach.

The coach looked at the clock and announced, “Okay, let’s take an hour break. Jason and I will get our lunch; you can just relax or maybe take a nap.”

“I think I need some fresh air,” Tiffany told the group and then walked out. Sasha went after her and found her at the rooftop.

“We have to talk,” Sasha grabbed her arms but she reacted with pain.

“What is wrong with you?” Sasha stared at her from her head to toe. Tiffany is wearing a long jazz pants paired with white sleeveless and a black sweater. Sasha grabbed her arms again and tried to remove her sweater. Tiffany tried to resist but Sasha succeeded and revealed her bruises on her arms.

“What is this? Are you practicing to become a battered wife?”

“This is nothing, Sasha. This is normal during practices especially that it is Mike’s first time.”

“That is too much Tiff,” Sasha was upset and walked away.

“Sasha! Where are you going?” Tiffany ran after her.

“Mike needs to know how to handle a woman,” Sasha answered angrily.

Tiffany followed Sasha but they stopped by the entrance. They were dumbfounded to see Mike and Rish practiced the dance routines. They witnessed how good Mike is; he even taught Rish the routines that Tiffany needed to perform. This means that he knows the routines too well for him to successfully perform the difficult routines with Rish. He moved so smoothly and he was very careful not to drop Rish.

Sasha prepared herself to storm in but Tiffany stopped her. Sasha was about to reason out but she saw Tiffany’s tears on her cheeks. She felt bad for her friend so she hugged her, “I think you really need fresh air,” Sasha decided to take her back to the rooftop.