Only You

Ch 1

Sounds of panting and heavy breaths filled the dance studio as the music to our workout dance reached the end. The heat inside was evident just like the bright sunny day outside. Yet smiles still adorned my student's faces as if the playlist we had didn't wear them out.

"And then, let's just do something light to bring our adrenaline down... You will need it," They follow as I began to do some light stretches, the music turning back to the transition song, a soft tune playing in the background. "And now... we are done for today," they cheered, making me chuckle. My partner taps my shoulder, a mischievous look washed over her face, and I shrugged.

The soft tune continued to play as we all dispersed towards our bags. As my partner and I began to talk about the next needed lesson, one of the students came, while fidgeting with her fingers.

"Miss, are we seriously done for today? Don't you usually have something fun for us to dance to? Is today an exemption or something? Are we just doing the routine for today?"

My partner, Tessa, laughed lightly next to me, giving me the 'look' from earlier, and silently sang, "I told you so," making me laugh as the students glance at us weirdly. "Miss?"

Since I began to lead this class outside school hours, I have made it a habit of free dance time in the end. I learned the kids loved them because it's a good way to unwind from the heavy workout and complex routine.

Plus, it was my intention for it. I only want the kids to have fun. They deserve it, we all do.

"What do you think? Tessa?" Raising an eyebrow and grinning, the students looked at each other as murmurs rose between them. Confusion, puzzlement, and some uncertainty float around the air as they try to guess.

"Don't tease them Fea, poor kids," Tessa shakes her head as she stops the tune abruptly. Her action caused the kids to look up, anticipation clear in their expressions. The studio had a pregnant pause, and I caught the look Tessa throw me, amused.

"You are a tease. It's now or never," she mouthed while wiggling her body like a hot octopus, making me hold back a chortle.

My partner, one of my best friends, or should I say the owner of this dance studio, was always like this. Letting me lead my theatre and dance class here for extra practice on Saturdays. This was the special, non-profit, and personal class created by her solely. For me only, of course.

"Okay, okay. But I want you kids to guess. If you get it right, I'll play it for you right away. And who knows, maybe we'll get to use this for the dance-off at school next week?" the group of fifteen to twenty teenagers began to talk all at once, making me laugh. Signaling Tessa with a grin and a soft nod, she plays the song that I had prepared.

The moment they heard the opening of the song, most of the girls gasped and shrieked in glee. "Dessert!!!" They jump as Girl's Generation's Hyoyeon's latest song, Dessert, plays loudly from our speakers. The guys smirked and got into position, as if ready to dance to the chorus.

"You know what I deserve?? Dessert!!!" They howled and shrieked aloud, their bodies swaying with the beat, and began to dance like crazy, making me and Tessa laugh. Amused. My students this year seemed to be more energetic than the past ones.

"Miss Ford and Miss Halls, come join us!" they pulled us, making us lead the dance. Laughing as we do, everyone had a fun time. As always.

***

"Dude that was awesome! You sure do have a way of making people fall in love with Girl's Generation. How do you do it anyway? Putting it on as you teach them how to act?" Tessa gushed and laughed as we leave the studio, we had just showered and locked the doors behind us.

"You know how I do it. You've been there when I have classes at school,"

Thanks to Tessa's bright idea a few years back, I quickly got over the awkwardness when I first enrolled as a teacher. The kids and I bonded over music. The kids that joined my classes and this special one, helped me gain insight into how they think.

For a young teacher back then, this was an alternative to befriend them. Also, it's stopped me from lazing around on Saturdays, and of course, staying healthy and in shape too. That's another benefit.

"I know. Too bad Brie couldn't join us. She was looking forward to dancing it with them,"

"We could have saved it for the next one, but that would be like next week,"

"Exactly! But she did say we don't have to. She wasn't so sure when she'll be able to join us again. Did you know that her working schedule has been hectic these past few weeks?"

"Really? You're talking like you don't know she's asking for them on purpose," Tessa gave the look that says, 'I don't buy that s**t. So why do you?' as she scoffs.

"Look, Tessa, she's still coping. You know that," sighing, I signaled the light had turned green and she has to drive. "Uh-huh. Like you?" Her taunt was sarcastic, like that's anything new.

"I don't know what you're talking about, because I am fine," Tessa scoffed again and suddenly, we pulled to the side of the road.

Glaring at me, she huffs, "If you are truly over him, and if she was truly over her ex as well. You two wonderful women won't need to find so many jobs to keep you occupied. Working yourself won't make the pain go away!"

"I don't go looking for other jobs. I never-" yelping at the sudden contact and it was then I realized, Tessa had flicked my forehead. "Oww...?"

"What is the Korean words for 'you are an i***t' again?" She made air quotes as her eyes gave me 'the look'.

"I ain't telling you," rolling her eyes, she sighs, "Neol pabo-ya!" she sing-sang over and over, and I rolled my eyes in response. Her accent was horrible.

"I'm not the i***t over here. If I were, then I'm a genius i***t who's good at acting! So hah! Jokes on you!"

"You do realize that that's no better right?"

"I...." lost for words, I could only pout.

"You are book smart and sweet in other terms babe. But you are an i***t when it comes to guys and love. How come?" Narrowing my eyes at her, she smirks when I had no comeback.

"Whatever,"

"So what should we get for dinner later? Want me to cook or should we get take-outs? And what about Brie, did she say if she's coming home tonight?"

"Let's just call for Chinese or pizza later. And nope, she got the afternoon shift and you know how she doesn't like to drive at night. She's staying in her room there,"

"Call, we'll do that. And I hope that's true. I only want to make sure none of you go back to being puny at the hands of those ridiculous men. I just don't want to see her or you getting hurt again,"

Tessa squeezed my hand and I squeezed back softly. "Trust me, I know,"

***

"Where are we?" I frowned at the lively café in front of us. Tessa said she was craving for something sweet and sticky, the monthly cycle's fault. So she drove to this café, that is, might I add was a half an hour drive from our neighborhood.

"The CCL's Café. I want their special mochi mini balls. They promoted it on their i********: and f*******: page saying it's their special menu for this week. I just have to come and get it. You coming?" Shaking my head, "Nah, go ahead and get what you want. I don't want any," and she left me in the car.

Bored from looking at my phone, I can't help but stare at the café in front of me. Tessa got a good parking spot, so I could see the insides as the front is made from a glass wall.

There was a line, I could see a few people in front of Tessa, and it wasn't a surprise. It was the time of the day when people are socializing, typical Saturdays.

The café is a two-story building, the insides painted in pastel colors and glass open windows, giving them the view of the park and road nearby. It seemed like a nice place to chill and relax. There is also a mini stage from what I could see.

From where I am, I can see people enjoying whatever it is that they purchased. The place looks oddly familiar though, the more I stared at it.

"Why do I feel like I've been here?" I can't help but talk aloud as I watch the line decrease and I could see Tessa ordering. My phone was discarded long ago and I just decided to look around the place.

There was no other building next to the café, and the closest would be a few blocks away. The owner must have this build on their own property. There was even a mini-park behind the café and why do I get the feeling like this café had a Korean cutesy theme?

Shaking my head, I unlocked the door when Tessa came back, face grinning like a kid. "I got mochi balls and cakes!!" She shrieks as she dumps all of the food on my lap.

Raising an eyebrow, I look at the amount she bought. We just burnt a good amount of calories a few hours ago and now she's going on a sweet dessert spree?

"Are you kidding me?" Mouth agape, she looks at me in confusion. "What? It's my period," I close her open mouth, letting her continue to chew the sweet delight.

"Never mind just finished that so we can get home. I want to laze around till tomorrow,"