Thanks for the reviews lovelies! Hope you enjoy this chapter!
Roxas was feeling unbelievably nauseous. He was currently clad in his sport shorts and a grey tank top. The quad-spiked necklace he always wore under his school shirt was now visible, and anyone looking at him would guess he was about to take a sports class. But right now, he was standing between Namine and Neku and staring stupidly up at Miss Lockhart, his thoughts blurring.
Namine turned her head and couldn't help but hold back a chuckle. He looked so scared of what was about to happen, when it was something as commonplace as a dance class. He looked like he wanted the floor to open up and suck him in, taking him anywhere but this place. She quickly gave him a pat on the shoulder and whispered, "Don't worry, it's just a warm-up."
He smiled nervously and shook his arms in preparation, but he breathed deeply to calm himself down. She wondered why he was so nervous. Sure, he had stated he couldn't dance, but how bad could he be if he could handle a skateboard, and move swiftly around a basketball court?
The music started and Miss Lockhart's stark hair swished behind her as she started the classes' exercises. They were simple stretches, including head and shoulder isolations, leg stretching, floor work and partnered stretching. Namine noted Roxas' natural flexibility as he reached down to touch his toes with ease. She smiled - he wasn't bad at all! Maybe she needn't have worried about the partner stuff after all.
"Alright guys, we're gonna do a short routine to demonstrate the jazz genre," Miss Lockhart announced with a passionate flair, and changed the song on the stereo.
"Jazz hands at the ready, guys?" Selphie giggled, and Roxas cringed. Namine shook her head.
"Don't worry Roxas, no jazz hands required. You'll be fine," She reassured. If his stretching was anything to go by, he might actually make a good dance partner. The blonde boy smiled down at her, but the nervousness was still in his eyes.
Miss Lockhart stood front and centre as the jazzy number started up. "We're gonna start in this position, then flick our heads and arms back, roll the right side around," She began to move her right arm and leg in a circular motion and the class followed, "Then a hop and a turn," she moved in time and the class followed suite. "Good! One more time. Five! Six! Seven! Eight!"
It was during this routine that Namine discovered Roxas' true dance skills.
His flexibility did nothing to aid him in his awful coordination. He struggled to keep up when the pace increased, and he often moved in the wrong direction and bumped into the people beside him. The classroom wasn't terribly huge, but there was enough room to dance together, and Namine prayed to the dancing gods that Roxas was just getting used to it.
An hour later, he had not gotten used to it. He had bumped into Neku, stood on Selphie's toes, and slipped backwards during a turn and fallen on his behind. The only person he had managed to avoid was Namine herself. She buried her hands in her face as she watched him fall. How could he be this terrible!?
By the end of the class, Roxas was in a very grumpy mood.
"Gods dammit all I hate dancing I hate it I bloody hate turning I hate quick steps I hate pointing my toes I hate it I hate it-"
"Roxas, it wasn't that bad," Selphie rolled her eyes, watching him stuff his dance gear into his bag ferociously. "You just need some more practice."
He hung his head into his bag and sighed heavily. "I have to dance in front of the entire year level. I'm gonna be at the bottom of the barrel."
"How popular were you really, anyway?"
Namine missed Selphie's quip and didn't laugh. She was too busy worrying about his performance. Could dancing that terribly really be salvaged with practice? She wondered how he could be so nimble on the sports field, but so awkward on the dance floor. She felt sorry for his future wife on their wedding day, that was for sure. But for now, she felt more sorry for herself - what if he was picked as her dance partner!?
"Good job today, boys and girls," Miss Lockhart gave a thumbs up to the group as they packed their things. "Next lesson we're going over dance theory and timing. Then our next prac lesson will be focused on 3-4 and 4-4 time-steps. Homework: practice today's routine!"
"3-4 what?" Roxas asked, utterly confused. Selphie petted his blonde locks.
"There, there, uneducated child..."
"Stop patronising me!"
Namine snickered this time, reminding herself that dance partners weren't even assigned yet, and there was probably a slim chance that she'd actually get Roxas as a partner. Though she wondered if she could bribe Miss Lockhart into picking Neku instead.
x-x-x
Back in the safely of their homeroom class, the group were working hard on their first creative English assignment. Most of the class were engaged and writing away, but Roxas was far from peachy.
"Ow..." The blonde boy tried to discreetly rub his lower back where he'd fallen, but his slip in class wouldn't get by the others.
"Did you break your butt, Roxas?" Sora whispered rather loudly, and the group around them giggled and laughed. Roxas swatted the air near Sora's face and pouted.
"Like you didn't just fall over the other week during cricket."
"Yeah, but I didn't land on my bu-" Namine quickly covered Sora's mouth, partly to protect Roxas and partly to try and start a cute interaction between the two of them. Besides, any excuse to get closer to him was a good one. He escaped from her clutches and chuckled at her efforts. "Alright, alright. We're still proud of you, Roxas."
"Geez..." Roxas tightened his grip on his pen, his face creasing at the memory of this morning's dance class. It had gone so much worse than even he had expected. He thought he'd at least be able to keep up and mimic the moves... but...
He looked over at Namine giggling and gushing at Sora, and realised why he'd stuffed up so badly. When she looked up at him and encouraged him... he just got so nervous. He knew how much Namine loved dancing and didn't want to ruin her experience - which was why he stayed as far away from her as possible during class - but he just couldn't keep his thoughts together while he danced. He kept thinking about how he'd let her down if he screwed it up, and now he actually was! Why couldn't he think straight when she was beside him?
Namine was still chattering away to Sora, who was happily obliging, none the wiser. Roxas rolled his eyes. How could Sora be so oblivious? Namine was blushing, barely making eye contact, and swirling his hair between her fingers. She always twirled her hair when she got nervous, Roxas had noticed. He thought it was a cute trait, but not when Sora was the sole witness to it.
He swivelled in his chair to face behind, where Kairi was working between Hayner and Olette. "Kairi, would you kindly tell Sora to shut it so I can concentrate?"
Kairi looked up and giggled. "Come on, Sora, you lazy bum," She poked his back with her pen and he let out a peculiar and effeminate shriek before turning and laughing at her. They shared a smile and locked eyes for a moment before Sora turned back to his work.
Roxas saw the look on Namine's face and thought the very same thing. How was Namine so oblivious to Sora's feelings? You could see Sora and Kairi liked each other from a mile away... but he guessed Namine was so focused on her feelings that she didn't notice anyone else's. Especially not his.
x-x-x
At lunch time, Namine was particularly quiet. The gang were nestled in their usual spot, basking in the shade. Roxas and Olette were chatting, Hayner and Pence were currently enthralled in an arm wrestle, Selphie was entralled with her digital camera, most likely looking at the snaps she took for photography class, and Sora and Kairi were debating the finer points of planning a trip. She listened as Sora spoke animatedly about the trip they would all take when they graduated. He had always wanted to travel the world and experience everything there was out there. Namine often daydreamed about them going on a spontaneous road trip, or on a plane to an exotic tropical paradise. It would be simply perfect.
She would have joined in with the conversation, but she wordlessly ate her sandwich, debating. Should she tell someone she liked him? If she did, there'd be a chance it got out to the whole group - and if he didn't like her back, that would be so embarrassing! Hayner would tease her to no end. But if she didn't tell anyone, she couldn't ask for advice. She knew she was biased in her perspective of Sora's behaviour - she needed an outsider's opinion. Every smile, every laugh around he made around her made her believe that he could like her back... but she wanted advice on how to act around him to reinforce the flirting.
The next question would be who to ask. The first person to spring into her mind was Kairi, of course. She was her best friend, and she was no stranger to crushes. He had handled Riku's crush on her gloriously well, and let him down gently, and nobody was more excited to meet boys at high school than she. Namine was actually surprised she'd said no to Riku at the time, and she hadn't been in a relationship at all yet. But she would probably have some great advice for her, and she was such great friends with Sora that she had an inside track into his influence.
Then there was Roxas. Namine knew she could trust Roxas with anything. He wasn't like the other two goofballs - his personality was rich and quiet, and you had to draw it out of him, but when you did, you revealed a kind, funny and supportive guy beneath. He wasn't experienced in relationships either, but since year 7 a few girls had come to him to ask him out and he had also turned them down politely. Namine also had to wonder why Roxas had said no, but he'd always said they weren't the right girl for him. Even so, he had a pretty good hook on romantic endeavors, and had been forced to watch more chick flicks than his two compatriots. Maybe he would have some good advice? Besides, he was Sora's best friend. He could easily ask him about Namine for her and find out the exact answer.
Kairi and Roxas seemed to be the best candidates. Selphie would just flip out and come up with grandiose schemes for getting him to fall in love with her... grandiose, but over-the-top. Hayner would get all embarrassed and weird and edge out of the topic, being completely lame with girls. Pence would come up with a calculated plan, but he would probably talk Namine out of it, being the cautious guy he was. Olette was often pegged as 'one of the guys' growing up, but she hadn't had any relationship experience either, and was more supportive than she was informative. So, she had to choose between her two closest friends.
She looked from one to the other. Kairi was giggling and hitting Sora on the chest playfully. Those two were extremely close, which could be an advantage. Roxas was still talking to Olette, his warm smile giving the girl solace. He could get the answer directly from Sora, but was Namine ready for the answer...?
Namine swallowed loudly. She had to think about it some more. Sora wasn't just any old guy... he was amazing. She couldn't screw this up no matter what.
x-x-x
A week later, Roxas still had the same mortified expression on his face. He felt like it was only yesterday he'd made a fool of himself in front of the entire dance class. He gave a pleading look to Namine. "Please get me out of this somehow."
Namine shook her head and smiled. "You'll get better, you'll see. Dancing isn't easy, you know." She silently prayed to the gods of dance that he would improve drastically today.
"Yeah, I have a new-found respect for you guys..." He admitted, and Selphie flicked her hair proudly.
"You know it, bruh!" She giggled, imitating one of their favourite movies. "Got a lifetime of knowledge!"
Miss Lockhart stood in front of the class one again, with a rather crafty expression adorning her features. "Alright guys, we're doing the waltz today to demonstrate 3-4 timing. But first, we're sorting you into your dance partners for the end of year assessments!"
Namine's eyes widened. This was it. This was the moment she'd find out if she would get her toes squished by Roxas and fail her favourite class.
The entire class seemed to falter beneath the news and Miss Lockhart simply laughed. "Come on guys, you're all 15 now! Girls don't have cooties, I promise. Now, let's see..." She pulled out the sheet of paper with the list of partners. Namine's fate had already been decided and she didn't know it. "One of your prac exams will be with your dance partner. First pair is Marlene and Denzel."
Marlene, her hair tied up with a large pink bow, smiled over at the brunette boy.
"Serah and Neku."
There goes that, Namine thought helplessly.
"Selphie and Ventus."
"Yay!" The brunette clapped her hands together. Ven was an incredibly sweet boy who hung out with some older kids. He smiled at her.
"Namine and Roxas."
Namine's expression dropped like a lead weight. No. No. This couldn't be happening.
But it was. Roxas' expression matched hers and they caught each other's eye. They replaced the look of panic stricken shock with an awkward smile.
No, no, no! Oh, I knew this would happen! What am I gonna do!? Namine thought desperately, wondering if she could enroll Roxas in an extremely intensive dance camp for the year. She suddenly grew extremely frustrated. He didn't even want to be here, and he clearly didn't want to put in the effort - she deserved so much better than this! Why should she suffer because Roxas was stupid enough to hand in his enrolment late!?
She caught his gaze again - she didn't realise she was scowling. He looked away quickly, but she saw his pained expression before he could hide it. She suddenly felt ashamed of herself. It wasn't his fault that he was here. Well, it kind of was... but he hadn't meant for this to happen. She knew she shouldn't blame him.
I have to be positive, She scolded herself as she stood, getting ready for the lesson as Miss Lockhart started the music. I have to believe my own words. Roxas will get better. And I have to help him get better. I will.
As the lesson went on, Namine's confidence plummeted as Roxas failed to grasp the idea of 3-4 timing. Selphie gave her a sympathetic look from across the classroom, and the blonde girl sighed. It was going to be a long year.
x-x-x
"You should've seen the look on her face..." Roxas sighed, venting to Sora in their sports class that afternoon. The guys and girls had been separate today, with girls doing netball and guys doing basketball. He could see Namine on the other side of the gym chatting with the girls, no doubt complaining about her completely inadequate new dance partner.
"I'm sorry," Sora consoled, missing Hayner doing a slam dunk and a mini victory dance. "I'm sure she's more upset over her grades than having to dance with you. You know how she gets with that stuff."
"Yeah..." Roxas picked at his shoes, feeling dejected. "But this is going to make things so much worse. Before I was clumsy because I was nervous about her, but at least I could stay away from her... now I have to dance with her! This'll make me ten times more nervous than before."
Sora cocked his head and smiled. "Why don't you just think of it as a chance to get closer with her?"
Roxas scoffed. "Are you kidding? She's gonna hate me after dancing with me.
"Come on, you big dummy, dancing is like, the most romantic thing ever. If you get over your nervousness I'm sure you'll dance just fine, and Namine will fall head over heels for you."
Roxas kept his gaze on his shoes, but his lips quivered in thought. "I want to dance well with her... what kind of idiot boyfriend can't dance with his girl, right?"
"Exactly," Sora slapped his shoulder. "You'll get there. Just think, every week you get to hold her, and watch her dance... you should be in heaven! I wish I could dance with Kairi."
Roxas smiled genuinely. "I guess I never thought of it like that. Hey, won't you get to act with her anyway?"
It was Sora's turn to smile nervously now. "Well, I- I hope so. I mean, I'm auditioning for the main lead and she's auditioning for the main girl lead, so..."
Roxas shook his head. "Let's trade lives, man. Your way sounds much simpler." And less complicated, he though complacently.
x-x-x
"Namine!"
The girl in question turned as Roxas was running towards her. His drum sticks were once again poking out of his backpack and he wore an agitated expression.
He's still worrying about dance... Namine thought, thinking of their class starting in just half an hour. But Roxas spoke before she could give him any words of encouragement.
"I have some bad news..." He scratched his neck nervously, but Namine suddenly had a glimmer of hope. Maybe he had found a way to quit dance!? "Er, my drum teacher has changed their schedule, and, well, every second or third week I'll have to skip dance to take my drum lessons."
Namine stopped walking dead in her tracks, and Roxas' face turned white. This was even worse than him being her dance partner. Now he would get even less practice than expected! "But- you- are you serious!?"
He winced at every word. "I'm sorry... They said Miss Lockhart said it was okay, and my midyear drum exams are coming up..."
Namine sighed, too exhausted to even battle the hordes of bad dance-related news coming her way anymore. "It's okay..."
"No, it isn't," Roxas stopped her then, grabbing her shoulders, but quickly letting go, turning red. "I want to be a good dance partner for you, I do. I wanted to tell you that. I'll try harder. I promise."
Namine's eye bulged at his words, the genuine fire in his voice. She couldn't help but smile. "Roxas... you're so sweet. I know you will." He smiled at her then, fidgeting with the buttons on his shirt, and she suddenly got an idea. "Wait a minute, we live virtually next door! We can practice outside of school. What do you say?"
He looked taken aback at first, but quickly nodded. "It's a deal."
"Good," Namine felt the enthusiasm back in her voice. Roxas was trying so hard for her... she had to return the favour. "I won't go easy on you, so work hard!"
"Yes ma'am!" He nodded with vigour, and the two began the trek to school again.
Namine watched the drum sticks click together in his bag. Roxas sure had a lot going on... with his drum exams, and having to take extra dance lessons with her, she didn't think he'd have the energy to deal with her crush on Sora either.
Namine had decided. She was going to tell Kairi about her crush.