A NEW RHYTHM
1143 Words
Being enrolled in a Salsa and Hip Hop dancing school was not an easy everyday routine. Dana had built her life around discipline, repetition and music. She could spend hours practising one movement until her body understood it without her mind having to command it.
That morning, Mrs. Emily Arthur entered the rehearsal hall carrying her speaker.
“Everyone in four positions, please. No waste of time.”
The dancers moved quickly.
“Choose a partner. We are starting with the four Salsa routine.”
Dana partnered with Daisy. They went through the steps while Mrs. Emily watched closely, correcting shoulders, feet and timing.
Then she clapped her hands.
“Everyone, I want to introduce someone special to our Hip Hop and Salsa dancing programme. Let’s welcome Mr. Michael Wayne.”
The hall erupted.
“Oh my gosh!”
Several girls stared at him openly.
Daisy nearly stopped breathing.
Dana simply whispered, “What the f**k?”
The memory of the party flashed through her mind.
Their eyes met.
Michael recognised her immediately.
For a moment, neither moved.
Mrs. Emily continued, unaware of the tension. “Mr. Michael is going to teach advanced Salsa and Hip Hop moves three times a week, starting tomorrow.”
The rest of her explanation became background noise.
After class, Dana and Daisy went to the restroom where several girls were already talking.
“Isn’t he handsome?” Jasmine asked her followers. “Those bright blue eyes were so intense.”
Racheal applied lipstick and glanced at Dana. “His eyes weren’t on you. They were on Dana.”
Joan nodded. “She’s beautiful. I don’t blame him.”
Jasmine smirked. “Can he stay faithful with her? In my eyes, she isn’t even appealing.”
Dana ignored them.
Daisy walked beside her afterwards. “You were Jasmine’s topic in the restroom. Girl, that guy is making you popular.”
“How is that my business?” Dana asked. “If she wants him, she can have him.”
“You do not know what you’re saying.”
Before Dana could answer, she walked straight into someone.
She looked up.
Michael.
“I’m sorry,” she said.
He steadied her by the arms.
He had never seen a girl look quite like her. Her dark brown eyes were wide with embarrassment, her lips soft and red, and loose strands of hair had escaped her knot. For a second, he forgot they were standing in public.
Then he released her.
“Sorry,” Dana repeated.
“No problem. Take care of yourself, girls.”
He waited until they disappeared from sight.
Later, Dana sat at home trying to concentrate.
She was not the kind of person who spent time thinking about guys. They had never triggered anything in her.
But Michael had.
She remembered seeing him on stage. She remembered the way he had looked at her while singing. Then she remembered her ridiculous daydream at the party.
She had imagined kissing him.
And somehow, while daydreaming, she had actually done it.
“Damn,” she whispered.
Her cat meowed.
“Seriously, Princess? Are you that hungry?”
She fed the cat and returned to her thoughts.
Across town, Michael sat at a bar with his friend Jones.
“Yo, Mike. How are you doing, bro?”
“I’m good. Just many things on my mind.”
“Is it a girl? Because from the friend I know, nothing worries him.”
Michael laughed quietly. “Yeah. It’s about a girl. I don’t know her, but I think it’s love at first sight.”
Jones stared at him.
“You haven’t even spoken to her?”
“No. We have met intimately twice.”
Jones nearly choked on his drink.
“What do you mean?”
“We kissed. It was accidental. Then I met her again at the dance school. She fell into my arms.”
“And you’re already gone?”
Michael smiled. “Those moments drove me crazy.”
Jones stopped him when he reached for another drink.
“Control yourself. If you like a girl, watch her first, then tell her how you feel. Just don’t wait until it’s too late.”
Michael nodded.
“Thanks, bro.”
That evening, another problem waited for Dana at the dance school.
Jasmine stepped into the restroom and stood before the mirror.
“Dana, do you really think you can plant yourself around Michael and succeed?”
Dana sighed. “I haven’t got your time. Stay clear of my problems.”
“If you want him, stay away. He is mine.”
“Suit yourself, Jasmine.”
Dana left.
Jasmine remained in front of the mirror, her face hardening.
She had never liked losing.
And she was not about to start now.
The following morning, Dana arrived early. She preferred the rehearsal hall before everyone else came in because the empty room belonged to her. She could hear every footstep and every breath without someone talking beside her.
She placed her bag down and began stretching.
Mrs. Emily entered a few minutes later and watched her quietly. “You are serious about this, Dana.”
“I have to be.”
“You do not have to be perfect.”
Dana looked up.
Mrs. Emily smiled. “There is a difference.”
Before Dana could answer, the door opened and Michael walked in carrying his notes.
“Morning.”
Dana’s stomach tightened.
“Morning,” she replied.
He looked at her for a second longer than necessary, then turned towards Mrs. Emily.
“Ready?”
“Always,” the instructor replied.
Daisy arrived shortly afterwards and immediately noticed the silence between Dana and Michael.
She leaned towards Dana. “So, Cinderella, how was your night?”
“Normal.”
“Liar.”
Dana elbowed her gently.
During practice, Michael remained professional. He corrected everyone equally and never mentioned the party. Somehow that made Dana more conscious of him.
When their eyes met, he would smile briefly and look away.
That small gesture stayed with her.
Jasmine noticed it too.
She began watching Dana more closely, no longer merely curious. There was something competitive in her expression whenever Michael stood near them.
Racheal noticed and whispered, “Jasmine, leave the girl alone.”
Jasmine ignored her.
She had grown up believing that money opened doors. Her father could solve problems with a phone call, and she rarely heard the word no. Michael was the first thing she wanted that did not seem impressed by her name.
That made Dana a problem.
For once, she was calm.
Dana stayed quiet during the rest of practice. She moved with care and kept her eyes on the floor. Michael noticed her focus and nodded once. Jasmine clenched her fists but said nothing more. The day ended without any more words between them.
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