I DID NOT come up with this title.

All credit for chapter title goes to SpiralRibbon :)

Chapter 10: Dangan Dancing

Physical education...

Yet another one of those general subjects shared by all students. It was great, because not only was I terrible at it, but then all the others got to see.

Of course, trying to explain this to an ever-energetic Ishimaru was impossible.

As a general rule, classes stuck together for (almost) all subjects, and we had different subjects in different time slots to other classes, but sport was the one exception. Whilst classes still stuck together, it was a subject we all had at the same time.

We had done a variety of things, including archery, basketball, tennis, and running. Of course, I had failed miserably in all of them. Okay, we'll maybe that's a little bit of an exaggeration, but compared to some, it was pretty terrible. Some... Like Togami. I averted my eyes from him at every possible time.

To be honest, I had started to notice some strange things with Fujisaki - she refused to enter the girls changing rooms, opting to change in her dorm ahead of time. I hadn't even noticed during the first weeks, but after a while, it had started to bug me. It was just like a science teacher with what could only be described as an isosceles triangle on his forehead. While I hadn't noticed it, all was fine. Once I had, it was the only thing I could notice. The rest of the class had ended up concentrating on his triangle instead of the lesson.

But this wasn't as bothersome as a visible thing. It was just a little strange. But, I reminded myself, everyone has their little quirks, right?

It had only been a few days since Owada's surprise party, so I was still in high spirits. With a happy Asahina by my side, continuously encouraging me to do my best, anything was possible! She was vastly better than me, due to her participation in a wide variety of sports, but her never-faltering smile and encouraging words made even me feel worthy. The same couldn't be said for the girl who I felt I was closest to, however. Fujisaki seemed on the edge of tears every time we had to do sport, numerous times explaining to me that she hated the fact that she was so weak. She didn't even have the strength to work out, apparently.

"But it's normal not to be very strong! Girls are often weak!" I had assured her the first time. Unfortunately, as a result, she had become even more upset, and I was left wondering where I had gone wrong.

My high spirits we, unfortunately, completely crushed when we were told during the day's lesson, that we were going to do a brief focus on dance for about 3 lessons before we moved on to the preparations for the athletics carnival. My hopes were further buried six feet underground when I was told we were to do partner dancing. In addition, our class had grown: those from the year above us were also doing the same unit as us. Leaving us barely enough time to wallow in our misery, the teachers clapped their hands and made us stand in two circles, the boys inside, the girls out.

Fujisaki stayed on the spot, looking hesitantly around as if she wasn't sure what to do.

"Come on, Fujisaki-san, let's go."

"Y-yeah..." She hesitantly followed me to the girls circle, where she was in front of Owada. The tall boy gave her a reassuring grin. I was in front of an upperclassman I didn't know.

The teachers showed us the steps to a simple partner dance, then turned on the music for us to try. After silly giggles from around the gym, and a few crashes, we finally got it. We only went through 4 partners before the music was turned off under the pretext of it being "just a warm up" because it was "too easy". With a sigh and a wish for the lesson to be over shortly, I tried, in vain, to remember the moves from the next dance we were doing. It was an undesirable one, having in it not only the famous promenade hold but also a waltz step and a twirl under a boy's arm. But once again, the music was starting, so I had to get on with it.

My next partner was Ishimaru. He was so serious about it that I found myself barely holding in my laughter. He didn't even notice. After another boy from the grade above, I found myself face to face with Leon. He laughed as he saw the stretch I had to make to put my hand on his shoulder, whilst he was almost stooping over.

"Shut up," I giggled quietly.

"I didn't say anything," he countered.

Before I could reply, it was time to move on to a new partner, Naegi. We exchanged awkward 'hi's. Really, I was just grateful to finally be dancing with someone more my height, and clearly he was too. He was shorter than most of the girls, but only by a few centimeters. And after that was... Togami.

Gritting my teeth, I danced as well as I could, not wanting to make a fool of myself in front of the self-made superior blonde, who would be sure to taunt me about my performance later. I also countered the urge to step on his feet, trying instead to look around to see how my other classmates were doing. Unfortunately, the height difference between us was even more evident and comical than before with Leon. I was glad when I moved on to the next boy, who was shorter.

Three dances and around forty minutes later, we were at the end of the lesson. I had passed a few more times through not only Togami and Leon, but also Owada, who was even taller than Togami, and so, we had burst out in fits of laughter every time . He may not be a very good person in sense that he broke a lot of laws, but he was really a fun person to be with.

Our torture lasted three lessons. Three whole hours, and I was fit to burst. It was definitely better than at my old, public school, but partner dancing is icky no matter where you do it.

When we had finished the supposed last partner dance during our last dance class unit, the teachers announced that we would do one more in the two minutes which were remaining. However, we all had to stand in one circle. Fujisaki was once again by my side, clinging to me without physically touching me. But, she seemed relieved that the partner dancing was over. I spotted Maizono on the other side of the room, looking very happy. It was without fail - her happiness was just plain contagious. But it did dim when I spotted her next to Leon. The latter was standing quite close to her, and to be frank, it made me angry. I wish he would make up his mind. But, let's be honest, only if that choice is me...

"Not like he would ever choose you," the pejorative voice at the back of my head said. "Maizono is much better. She's pretty, tall, is a great singer, smiles..."

It was hard not to listen to that voice. Thankfully, one of the two sport teachers started to speak.

"Now, this is very important. You all know this dance, and if you fail to do it, you'll get a failing grade. Understood?"

The students nodded, some grim, others terrified.

"Good, then let's start!"

Celes, who had been standing next to me, groaned. Of course, it was in that elegant way of hers.

"Oh, please."

"What is it?"

"I'll explain later..."

At that moment the music started. It was a funky tune I knew.

I knew it, but I couldn't quite pin it down. What was it?

All around me, students had started to smile and laugh.

The beat... Was familiar...

I don't wanna be a chicken,

I don't wanna be a duck,

So I shake my but!

*clap, clap, clap, clap*

Oh my god. They were making us do the chicken dance.

I started to laugh, and joined in. Somehow, my eyes fell on Togami, who was doing it, to my great surprise. It seemed as if he had never done this dance before. And he sure wasn't enjoying it - his moves were past half-hearted, in fact, barely there, and his face was the image of disgust itself. This sent me into peals of laughter. The image was carved into my mind and I wished that I had my camera to take a video

Just before the lunch bell rang, the song finished. The teachers were laughing, as well as the students. Well, except for Togami, of course.

"I knew they were going to do something silly," Celes explained, leaning over. "They didn't mean it, and it was obvious. They have terrible poker faces."

Of course, leave it to the Queen of Lies to spot something like that.

"Make sure you come prepared next week, Monday!" the teacher called out to us at the end of the lesson as we all hassled to get out. "We have preparations for the athletics carnival next lesson! And don't forget, it's the sport season! Athletics carnival coming up in two weeks, and swimming carnival after that!"

A/N: A few things today...

First of all, I'm proud of myself. I managed not to procrastinate.

Secondly, I'm sorry for how short this chapter is. I just didn't really have anything more to write on the topic.

Thirdly, I have based this off my own experience the other day at school. (yes, the teachers made us do the chicken dance, catching us all by surprise). I am fully aware that things may be very different in Japan! I just have to assume it's similar to my own school life here because otherwise, I'll need to find a Japanese schoolgirl with which I can discuss things, and that may be a little hard.

Once again, I have an empty chapter slot, if that makes sense. If you have any ideas on things you will like to see happen, tell me! I'm open! Well, as long as it's not sport related. I'm going to have a whole bunch of sport related chapters coming up, so... I look forward to reading your ideas!

Triggering-Death: don't worry. I'll be sure to include your idea. Just not yet XD