CHAPTER 4
"You've got that James Dean, daydream, look in your eye, and I've got that red lip classic, thing that you like…"
Taylor Swift's voice awakens me from my slumber. I clumsily reach over to silence my alarm, yawning widely as I stretch. Maybe I should do a Taylor Swift choreo some time. I never really liked her, though.
I reluctantly yank myself out of bed, reaching for my phone. I have class again tonight, and I'm looking forward to it. My phone is, once again, flooded with Instagram notifications – my students are tagging me in their photos everywhere.
My phone is inundated with messages, too. Messages from students, from fellow choreographers, from Seil, from my friends… Oh. I pause at one of the messages. It's from an unknown number. I click on it.
Yoojung, meet me at the studio at 5.30pm today. Please be punctual.
I raise an eyebrow. Huh? Could it be a student? No, can't be. Could it be… Jay? I shook my head. But he doesn't know my number.
Or… does he?
I frantically scroll through my contacts and dial for Hyojin, praying that she picks up.
"HI YOOJUNG!" Hyojin is a loud person. My ear almost explodes when she greets me.
"Hyojin! Can I check something with you? It won't take long."
"Yeah, sure." I can hear her munching on a sandwich.
I read the unknown number out to her.
"Yeah, okay," she says between munches. "Let me check that for you… uh… oh! It's Jay's! Why do you ask?"
My eyes widen in shock – and in horror. "Wait – it's Jay's?! How on earth did he know my number? He just messaged me last night while I was sleeping!"
Hyojin remains silent, but I swear I can hear her giggling on the other end.
"HYOJIN!"
She bursts into unbridled laughter, and I wish I could reach through and smack her face through the phone. I'm almost crying in desperation. "Hyojin CHOI! This is a serious situation! How did he get my number?!"
"Geez, Yoojung! Relax!" She always sounds like an older sister. "He asked me for it last night. So I gave it to him. Simple as that!"
"Oh, God," I mumble under my breath. "Hyojin. Didn't I tell you that I was… well, slightly creeped out by him? And that I wanted to, I don't know, avoid him at all costs?!" I shriek into the phone.
Hyojin laughs again. The world is driving me insane. "Look, Yoojung. Jay might be a bit scary, yes, but I'm sure he's not a bad person. At least he's nice enough to ask you to dance with him! Girls would kill each other for the opportunity to do that!"
I sigh, then I pause. "Wait. Hyojin. He told you about the couple dance?"
"Yeah!" she exclaims excitedly. "He says you're a wonderful dancer too!"
"Okay. Thanks Hyojin. Bye." I hang up swiftly, feeling the heat rising in my cheeks.
Great. GREAT.
I chew voraciously on the insides of my cheeks as I fingers hover over my phone keyboard.
Hi, may I know if this is Jay Kim?
I hit send, and I rush to go brush my teeth.
Shortly after, my phone beeps. I barrel out of the bathroom, toothbrush still in my mouth.
Yes, this is indeed Jay Kim. Hyojin gave your number to me last night.
I can almost visualize him saying those words in an exasperated tone.
Ah, okay. Sorry for the confusion! I didn't know she did. Just wondering, why would you like me to come at 5.30pm?
I hit send, and I sit beside my phone, brushing my teeth anxiously.
My phone pings. My class starts at 5.30pm today. I know that yours starts at 9, but I would appreciate it if you could come for my class to learn the choreography today.
Sure! I'll be there at 5.30 then.
Also, Yoojung. I need you to stay back with me after class for maybe an hour or so to learn the couple dance choreography with me. It's slightly different from the normal choreography that the other students are learning.
I hurriedly rush to rinse my mouth, and then come back. I chew on my cheeks vigorously. Okay, sure. Will it just be the both of us after class?
Yes. Are you okay with that?
My head is spinning. Yes, I'm completely fine with that. Thank you Jay!
He doesn't reply anymore, and I heave a sigh of relief as I sink back into my bed.
Today is going to be very eventful.