Dance class – J-Hope
I flopped on the couch after work, throwing my bag on the floor and covering my eyes with my hand. Work sucked, the start was early today and as always, our whole department was under appreciated. Sighing, I picked up my phone as it pinged with a text.
"See you tonight! Week 3 and it's a guest teacher!"
Groaning, I rolled over onto my stomach, pulling a cushion over my head to hide. When I'd signed up to dance class with Emily as a 4 week block trial, I hadn't realised how hard it would be to go every week after working all day. And all I wanted to do tonight was draw a bath and soak my day away.
"I don't think I can tonight Em, sorry!"
The text came back straight away and I knew what it would be, grumbling as I clicked to read it.
"Nope, I'll come pick you up to make sure you go. You won't regret it."
"Nah, I just want a bath," I replied.
"You have enjoyed the last 2 weeks and I know they said last week that it was a surprise teacher and you don't love surprises but I'm sure it's going to be fab. And Zach might be there, he was cute. I need you as my wing woman tonight!"
Of course, she would play the ace card, knowing we had made a pact to always be there for relationship stuff.
"OK I'll go but I'm so not into it tonight."
"Yay, yay, love you! I'll pick you up in an hour. Who knows, maybe Zach will have a friend and it'll be worth you going!"
It had been a while since my last relationship, if Zach did have a cute friend, I might be up for it although I was definitely feeling weary. Trying to decide whether to shower before dance class, knowing I'd get sweaty, I decided to anyway. I could always shower again after and if there was anyone to flirt with, I wanted smooth legs and a fresh face.
When she text to say she was outside, I grabbed my gear bag and locked up, jumping into the passenger seat of her car. Buckling in, I gave her the once over. "Looking good," I noted, taking in her new dance gear and the extra makeup she's put on to previous weeks.
"I intend to slay tonight," she replied as we pulled away.
"He'll be drooling," I answered, still not really excited about the session as we headed into the night. She glanced sideways at me, noting the less than enthusiastic look on my face.
"Babe, we need to find you a man."
"I'm OK on my own," I replied, rolling my eyes. "Just worry about yourself."
"Oh, I have my night planned and hopefully the next few nights," she said, cracking up. "But your dry spell has gone on too long. You look hot, your legs are so long in those leggings, lets both plan to have a good night."
"OK," I said, smile tugging at the corner of my lips. Her energy was always high and she could drag me out of any slump. "But I'm picky."
"Don't I know it," she answered. "I wonder what style it will be tonight? I mean, I liked the Latin week and the contemporary was fun last week too but something fast would be good tonight. Hmmmm, or maybe something that means we have to partner up and hold them close. Oh yes, lets do that!"
I laughed. "I don't think we get to choose Em."
She huffed a little with a pout. "Well, as long as it's not something from the 19th century where you don't get to touch."
"I'm pretty sure the brief said a block of 4 modern dance styles. I doubt we'll be doing the waltz."
"True babes," she replied, face lifting again. "Either way, I'm looking forward to seeing my Zachy again."
"Your Zachy? Zachy? Really? He doesn't know what's in store for him tonight, does he?"
"He doesn't but he won't be disappointed," she grinned, raising her eyebrows at me and I laughed loudly, finally relaxing into my seat.
20 minutes later we were warming up, bags tossed in the locker room, stretching as we waited for the class to start. Zach had indeed arrived, disappointingly by himself, making his way over to stand behind us causing Emily to give me an intense stare. "Do you think I should go in for the kill now," she mouthed.
"Maybe let him see your moves first," I whispered back, laughing at how confident she'd been in the car and how her cheeks were now turning pink as she tried not to stare at him. I was distracted by this interaction so didn't see our instructor, Benji, arrive until I turned back to see him standing next to a stunning man who had his hands behind his back, smiling at the room.
"OK class, I said we had a surprise and some of you may know him but I'd like to introduce J-Hope to you. He's come to teach some hip hop today."
"Hello everyone," he said, giving a little bow of his head as his smile stayed on his face. I stared, mouth slightly open. His eyes blazed brightly, lit as if reflecting the sun. He was breath taking.
Em cleared her throat next to me. "Ummmm, wipe the drool babes," she said softly into my ear and I snapped out of it, cheeks flushed, eyes dropping down to the ground in embarrassment.
"He didn't see, did he," I asked under my breath, eyes still downcast.
She glanced over to the guest, seeing his lips tucked in hiding a smirk as he turned his eyes away from where we were standing and back to Benji.
"Ah nope, I think you're all good," she said with a wry grimace and I looked up relieved, missing her expression.
Benji was speaking again and I attempted to tune back in, aware I didn't want to be caught staring. Keeping my eyes on Benji, he was gesturing at J-Hope. "I'll be leaving the whole class in his very capable hands. Make sure you take in everything he's saying, it's all gold," and with that, he indicated for J-Hope to take the lead.
"Ah thank you. I will say sorry now. My English is still new. But I am looking forward to working with you all today."
As he spoke he looked at each of us, making brief eye contact. I steeled myself as his gaze floated my way, ready for the full force of his eyes. And when they hit, I wasn't ready after all. Because he held them longer than he needed to and I was swept away in the intensity. There was an answering flicker in return and I felt it, a spark of interest, whatever that looked like. I cleared my throat and looked away.
"Shall we begin everyone," he said with a smile, turning to face the mirrors.
45 minutes later we were all sweating and wrung out from the high intensity dance moves. I surprised myself by being mostly able to keep up but now was grateful for another break we had taken to hydrate again before the last 15 minutes of class. J-Hope had taught us most of a song and we were now going over and fine tuning little parts to perform it for him at the end. I knew it wasn't complicated for him, his body moved as if it all flowed easily from inside of him but for most of the rest of us, we were just glad it wasn't trickier.
"OK class, I will come and help each of you," J-Hope said as he called us back to attention, turning the music back on. We lined up again, Emily drifting to the space next to Zach she had inhabited since almost the very start of class. Those two were having a harder time keeping up because they weren't really fully focused on the dancing, more interested in learning about each other in small moments of conversation. I grinned and was still grinning when I saw J-Hope making his way over to us, smile slipping as I gulped. Until now, he had been out the front of the class, teaching us as a whole and the distance made it easier to admire him. As he made his way through the group, adjusting feet positions and helping with specific movements, I schooled myself to be ready as he appeared in front of me.
This close up, his eyes were beautiful and his body was flawless. "Good," he said, briefly commenting as he quickly looked at me, passing by and onto the next person. Disappointment flooded my body and my cheeks, I knew I was flushed from the exercise but now, I was blushing from embarrassment. I had thought we shared a moment in the eye contact at the start of class and had been waiting to see him closer but he had barely looked at me just now. Clearly I had been out of the dating scene too long and had misinterpreted it completely. Concentrating on the movements, I shoved my thoughts to the side in an attempt to get myself under control, avoiding looking at him.
We ran through it a few more times and then he made the announcement. "I will play it one last time now and watch you all," and he reached to start the music again, standing on the raised platform to get a better view, hands on hips. I was actually irritated now and ready to leave. It felt like a slight, a rejection to be passed by so quickly and now I just wanted to go home and climb into bed. But I'd do the last run through then leave and I would put my everything into it.
As the music began, my movements were strong, feeling the energy in the room and the beat as it flowed out of my arms and feet. And as the song finished, I looked directly at him, defiant as if telling him that I didn't care what he thought about how I danced after all. And he was looking back at me, head cocked to the side as the music stopped, eyes blazing into mine. I stared back, face impassive as he blinked and looked around the class, clapping his hands.
"Good, that was great everyone. Well done," and he bowed as he clapped, all of us calling our thanks and bowing in return, mine feeling a little forced as it left my lips.
Benji jumped up next to him on the platform, thanking him for us all and reminding us we had one more session next week of our block course and we could then decide if we wanted to do another block or join a class if a particular style had caught our attention. I was only half listening, needing another drink or water, wanting to gather my gear. But turning to look at Emily, she was very caught up in talking to Zach and I wondered if I would be calling an Uber home.
Reaching for my bottle, I took a sip as I looked around the emptying room, noting Benji and J-Hope still talking and laughing together. For some reason this annoyed me and I rolled my eyes, just in time to make eye contact with J-Hope again and his lip twitched a little before he turned his shoulder, engaging Benji in a private conversation. As I swigged a little more liquid, wondering if I should find out from Em what her plans were, I heard my name and looked up.
"Marley?" Benji was beckoning me over and I reached for my hoodie, ready to put it on as I walked over, brow furrowed.
"Hey," I greeted him, not looking at J-Hope as I did but focusing on Benji. I was feeling a little gross and sweaty, along with feeling annoyed, I really didn't want to be standing this close to someone I thought was attractive.
"Hey Marley. Did you enjoy the class today," Benji asked as I lightly touched the beads of water on my forehead.
"Ah yeah, it was really great," I said, glancing briefly at J-Hope, acknowledging he was standing there before turning back to Benji. But not before I saw that flicker again cross his eyes. Feeling confused, I focused on what Benji was saying.
"So, J-Hope was watching everyone closely and mentioned he thought you picked the dance up the fastest. I saw, you did very well."
"Oh, well, ah, thank you," I blushed at the compliment, looking at them both. J-Hope looked amused and I wondered how much of the spoken English he could understand.
"Yes and he wondered if you wanted to have an extra lesson now, after class."
My eyebrows shot up and my eyes flicked between the two of them. Benji was questioning with his, J-Hope's eyes bored into me and I felt my brain stutter, knowing I needed to answer. "Oh, well, ummm, wow. Ah thank you?" I said, not really making any sense or giving any real answer. Looking back at Emily, I indicated in her direction. "Em is my ride so I don't think I can but thank you, that sounded very interesting."
J-Hope cleared his throat and I looked at him as he spoke. "I will make sure you get home safely," he said, holding my eyes in his, clearly understanding what we were saying and I couldn't look away in that moment, feeling pulled into whatever was happening. He was making it very easy to say yes and I had no doubt that I wanted to, my feelings from earlier vanishing at the opportunity before me of a private lesson.
'Oh well, that's very nice of you."
Benji was standing slightly back from J-Hope and he nodded enthusiastically behind his back, making it quite clear I should take him up on the offer. So I took a breath and spoke again.
"Thank you, I'd like that. The lesson I mean. With you, the extra lesson," and I felt my cheeks warm at how my words were tumbling out.
"Great, OK then," he smiled, the intensity gone from his eyes but his smile lighting up his whole face. I couldn't help but smile back.
"Let me go tell Em what's happening," I said, jogging back over to put my stuff back down on the floor.
When I reached them, Emily and Zach were lost on conversation and I had to say her name a few times to get her attention.
"Oh, Marley, sorry, are you wanting to go," she asked turning towards me, her eyes wide. I could see in her expression that she was trying to tell me something and I had no doubt it was that she wanted to go spend time with Zach.
I laughed. "Actually Em, you can go and do whatever it is you want to do with your evening. I am going to have an extra dance class and I have a ride home."
"Oh, you must've enjoyed the lesson to have another one," she replied, only half paying attention, her gaze back on Zach.
"Something like that," I answered, taking a sip before looking to where J-Hope and Benji were still talking. Grabbing a small towel from my bag, I wiped up the sweat as best I could, wishing I could disappear to touch up my face before I returned to them but thinking it wasn't any use since he'd seen the gross side of me anyway.
"Have a good night Em. And Zach," I threw over my shoulder at them both, causing them to smile at me before they returned to each other and I walked over to the waiting teachers.
"Well, I have another class to teach elsewhere in the building but this room is free until I need to lock up so you're welcome to use it if that works," Benji was asking J-Hope as you walked up.
"This room will be fine, lots of mirrors is helpful," he replied as I arrived next to them, standing back a little, unsure of what would happen. I'd never had a private lesson before, I'd actually not even had a proper dance class before these ones. Dancing was something I did in my room or when I was out with my friends, a hobby but not a passion. Still, it was beautiful to watch others dance and I could see J-Hope was very good. A private lesson with him was a huge thing.
Zach and Emily waved as they left and Benji followed close behind, making sure J-Hope had everything he needed before he closed the door leaving just the two of us. And as we turned to each other, neither spoke and I chewed my lip, anxiety rising. After all, in a class, you could go mostly under the radar but in a one on one lesson, he would be able to see all my inabilities. So I spoke into the silence.
"Ah J-Hope? I don't really know how to dance. This was only my third lesson."
"It's Jay," he answered. "And if that is only three lessons, you are very good."
Well, thank you, ah Jay," I replied. "But I have a lot to learn."
"I have a lot to teach," he said and I heard all the meanings in his words as his eyes flickered over my face and down my body.
I cast my eyes to the ground, feeling a burn on my cheeks. Now more than ever I was aware of how closely I was standing to him when I had gone over to wait, self consciously taking a step back. He stayed put, opening his mouth to say something, a smile appearing on his face before he closed it again and indicated with his hand to stand facing the front.
"So, you did hip hop and that was very good. I know lots of styles of dance, what do you enjoy the most?"
"I enjoyed contemporary last week and hip hop tonight. It's all new to me though so I don't know what I want to try. What do you suggest?"
He was watching my mouth as I talked and I wondered if I was speaking too quickly. "Sorry, I talk too fast sometimes."
"Oh, I can understand everything you said. I was just enjoying watching you talk. Your lips, well, shall we dance then, just see what happens?"
I blinked a few times at the reference to my lips, not realising I was running my tongue across them until it was too late, highlighting what he'd just said and causing him to send a smirk my way. Nodding at him through the mirror, I watched as he turned the music on, flicking through a few tracks until he bobbed his head in satisfaction at the beat. He rapped a little to get the rhythm and I was hooked on the way the words fell out of his mouth until he caught me looking and I averted my eyes. Glancing quickly back, I saw he was smirking and rolled my eyes. Well, this was off to a good start.
"Let me show you the first eight counts and go from there," he said, bringing me back to what we were there for and I nodded as I turned to focus on his moves, his feet and hands quickly flowing with the music and I found myself easily feeling the beat. It helped that Jay was nodding along, watching through the mirror. "You learned that fast," he said with a grin after we'd run it a few times.
"Thank you, I haven't heard it before but this song is great."
"It's mine," he said simply, a small twitch at the corner of his lip as he shyly accepted my compliment.
"Oh wow, I feel like I should know that," I replied, feeling a little embarrassed. Clearly there were layers to Jay that I didn't know about.
"I kind of like that you don't know that," he said, head tilted a little to the side as if sizing me up. For some reason, that made me blush a little although I tried to hold his look. "Shall we carry on?"
"Yes, I want to hear more of the song," I answered and his smile was broad now, an answering one stretching across my face.
"Wah, you have a beautiful smile, it makes your eyes glow," he said, pausing for a moment and my cheeks flushed at his words.
"Thank you," I said softly and he stared for a moment before grunting a quiet sound and switching the song back on.
"Right, the next eight counts then," and I shook my head to try and focus back on what we were doing.
Twenty minutes later we were 32 counts in and, although it wasn't perfect, I had most of those moves down. There was a real possibility that he had toned down how complicated the moves were for my benefit and I appreciated that as I was already out of breath and reaching for my water bottle when we stopped for a break. He was doing the same and I took a moment to watch him, hair a little damp with sweat which added to his aura. On the other hand, my sweat just made me feel gross and I dabbed at it, hoping I wasn't looking as dishevelled as I felt. His eyes constantly flicked to me, while we rested and I had to take the chance to ask him a question that had been biting at the back of my mind.
"J-Hope, ah, Jay I mean," I quickly corrected myself when he opened his mouth to remind me of his name. "Why am I having this extra lesson? I mean, I'm enjoying it, but others could have had one too?"
"I didn't want to work with them, I just wanted to work with you. When I was watching you earlier I could see you were a natural. I'm enjoying this, just the two of us."
"I didn't think you were watching me," I said, remembering how he had barely glanced over me. "I'm learning quickly. You're a great teacher," I replied and he grinned, looking a little shy at the compliment. It was cute.
"My friends think I'm a dragon when I make us go over and over the moves but I do like to have them right. And yes, I was definitely watching you."
"Well, I appreciate your attention to detail," I answered. "And I'm enjoying it too, just the two of us." I blushed as I spoke, the flirting feeling obvious on my tongue. But when I looked up at him, meeting his deep brown eyes with mine, I could see he was recognising my words for what they were, his gaze drifting down my body before they flicked back to my face. There was a moment that stretched into a longer moment, when I thought he was going to say something about our connection. But he shook himself out of some kind of daze, laughing to himself as he did.
"Then we should keep going," he said, turning the music back on. "Now, can you do this," he asked, rolling his hips a little from side to side. I tried but felt like I was failing miserably. I had watched him in the mirror, he made it look effortless but my movements didn't look anything like his. "Just work on one side to start with," he encouraged. "Step out like this," and he demonstrated again, rolling his hip to the right, over and over. I copied and it flowed easier but still didn't look like his and I twisted my lip in frustration.
He was watching with a teachers eye, nodding along when the move looked more like it should but acknowledging it wasn't quite right. Turning off the music and stepping closer, he came in front of me, blocking the mirrors from my view. "Following exactly as I do," he said and slowed the movement down to half the speed as I copied him. Or tried my best. Because now he was just 2 feet from me and I was watching his back flex and more, his legs elongate and pivot, his hips move from side to side with just the right amount of sass in them. And I was more than a little distracted at the sight. "Does that help," he asked over his shoulder and I nodded, then realising he was facing forward and couldn't see, I replied.
"Ah, yes, I think it does. We could try it a little faster?"
"Sure," he replied, speeding up his movements slowly until we were back to the correct tempo again, adding in both sides so we were doing what we started out trying. Then he turned, taking a step back so he could watch me do the move, making me feel like I was under a microscope as he analysed. "That's really good, you've almost got it. We just need to fine tune it." As he finished speaking he walked behind me, standing so he could see my eyes in the mirror. He was taller than me by quite a few inches, his head sitting above my shoulder, his whole face visible in the mirror if he leaned a little. "Can I," he asked, his hands hovering against my hips, not touching but so close I could feel the heat coming off them from next to my skin.
My eyebrows shot up and I hoped he hadn't noticed the small intake of breath but he quickly continued his sentence before I could speak.
"It will help if I can guide you."
There was a question in his eyes, more than just about the dancing. And I nodded. To it all, even though I knew deep down it really wasn't necessary to teach me by touching. His small smile in return had a hint of triumph in it but it didn't hold because as soon as his hands touched my hips, the heat melted through the both of us and he pulled them quickly away.
"Aha," he laughed, a little embarrassed, wiping his hands on his trackpants before trying again. This time, as they landed lightly in place, a delicious tingle went through me and the heat from his fingers lit a fuse in my core that travelled throughout my body. It registered with Jay, his breathing increasing, hands holding more firmly now, fingers moving slightly as they settled comfortably. As he nodded at me in the mirror, our eyes locked and he moved, my body naturally moving with his. And he was right. This was so much better, having him guide me, for more than one reason.
As we eased into the movements, his hands seemed to relax more on my hips, merging in a way that felt natural and set my heart beating just a little faster. And as we moved together to the music, the roll of our hips in sync, my mind went all sorts of places that caused my cheeks to burn, my eyes having to look away when the intensity became too much. He was slotted behind me, a gap between us but as the music took over, Jay seemed to drift closer and I relaxed back until there was no distance, my back moulding into torso, hips now lined up in a different kind of dance that was familiar to me and foreign in this environment. As his head lowered a little, mouth so close I could feel his breath on my shoulder, my head started spinning and I felt too warm as he breathed in and out and in the mirror I could see he was focused, eyes closed as if feeling the moment. When I felt my body wanting to sink further into his, I gasped slightly and he instantly reconnected our eyes, hearing the meaning in the sound.
"I, ummm, I think I've got it now," I said, pulling away a little, causing his hands to drop from where they sat, trailing as they brushed against my thigh on the way down.
"Yes, I can say you do," he answered, looking down to where his hands hung at their side, then to my waist where my skin still felt hot then they drifted slowly up my body to my face which was flushing under his gaze.
I cleared my throat. "Ummmm, our time must be almost up."
"If you want it to be," he replied, coming round to the front of me again, turning his back on the mirrors. We hadn't committed to a timeframe but now he put his hands on his hips, watching me, waiting.
"I, ah, think I'm getting tired."
"You think you're getting tired," he asked, his eyebrow lifting in question.
"Yes, I had work today and then the lesson which I almost didn't come to. I'm glad I did by the way, thank you, this extra time was unexpected and amazing but I am feeling a little tired now. So, maybe I should call it a night?"
"Call it a night or finish your lesson?"
"Why do you keep repeating back my words as a question that sounds loaded," I responded.
"You seem unsure so I'm wanting you to say it so it's very clear. To us both," he quipped back, dropping his hands from his hips and taking a step closer to me.
"Jay, what do you want me to say," I asked, feeling like my breath was thick, coating my throat and making my words stick.
"You really want to know what I want you to say? Even after I asked to have a private lesson with you? Even when we just danced together? You want me to spell it out," he finished, voice getting quieter as he took the last few steps to stand directly in front of me. I didn't move although I wanted to step back, feeling a little initimidated by his tone which was dripping with suggestion. But I was locked on his movements and his face, his eyes ablaze.
"I think we're dancing with our words as well as our bodies," I answered, not wanting to say exactly how I was feeling. And sure, I was tired but no, I didn't want the night to end.
"How about I clear it up then. Are you going home tonight?"
"Is there another option," I asked, finding mysef biting my lip as we stared at each other, a kind of stand off happening just inches from each other.
"There are two other options. You go home with me or you go home but not alone. Either way I told Benji you would have a ride home so you can come with me."
I couldn't help the intake of breath that slipped between my lips. Taking a moment to stall what he was saying, I answered. "I was just going to get an Uber."
"No need, I'm going your way. And I always meant you'd be coming with me."
"You don't know where I live," I countered. "And that's a lot to assume."
"Doesn't matter where you live, I'm going that way if you want me to. And I don't assume anything apart from a car trip. Where we end up is up to you."
Up to me? I started to internally panic. Because I wanted to say come back to mine but I didn't know what that meant and I wasn't sure we were on the same page. Em had talked about meeting a guy but I honestly hadn't expected anything to happen tonight and now it tooked like I had an opportunity to find out much more about Jay. But was I feeling brave?
Jay could obviously see my head was warring with itself. "Or not. I understand. There is no pressure, it can just be a car ride."
"And if I want it to be more than a car ride?" I had to voice it, the words feeling like they were coming from another mouth as they came from my lips.
"Then I will be happy to ride and more."
"Did you want to come back for a drink," I asked, tentatively.
"And some ramen?"
I looked confused and he laughed. "It's OK, just a Korean thing. Yes, I would like to come to your place for a drink."
"OK then," I nodded and started to pack up my things. A drink was just a drink. Or it could be more but we would see where the evening went. Jay gathered his things and we walked out together, calling out our goodbye to Benji as we walked past the room he was teaching in. As we exited the dance studio, he put his hand on the small of my back, guiding me towards his car, leaving it there until we arrived at his car. And when he removed it, I felt the imprint left behind and a shiver went through me although the night was warm.
Jay surprised me by opening the back door and following in behind me. He had a driver and asked me to pass on the address which I did as we buckled in. Turning to him, I spoke. "I have a feeling there is more to Jay and J-Hope. If I Googled you, would I find out?"
He smiled wryly. "Yes, but wait until after so you can get to know me as Hobi first."
"You have other names too?"
"You have no idea," he laughed. "Maybe I should introduce myself properly. I'm Hoseok but I do get called J-Hope most of the time. My friends call me Jay and Hobi."
"I'm just Marley," I answered as we took off towards my house.
"I'm very pleased to have met you just Marley and I'm happy you came to dance tonight after all," he said, brushing his hand lightly over mine where it rested between us and I smiled. "Next time Em suggested anything, I was going to say yes," I thought as we drove into the night.
Jay
The driver came back to collect me the next morning, a deep, lingering kiss inside the doorway the farewell for now that sealed the rest of the night. The exchange of numbers and a date already set for a few days from now, meant we parted with a smile, the night fresh on my body. I climbed into the car, laughing to myself as I remembered a conversation we'd had on her couch the night before.
She'd just sat down after pouring our drinks when she let out a loud gasp.
"Oh my goodness, we didn't even talk about payment for your class! I'll pass it on through Benji if that's OK?"
"Payment for teaching you tonight? This is more than enough," I'd said, indicating the drink I held in my hand.
"No, no, I'm sure your time is worth a lot. I'll talk to Benji next week."
Putting my cup down on the coffee table, I reached for her hand, somehow knowing she wasn't going to pull away. "Marley, I asked to teach you. Just you. It was something I did because I wanted to. I won't take money for that. But I would teach you again for free, anytime."
"You're very sweet," she'd replied.
"Sweet? Are you sure?" I said in return, linking our fingers.
As she gazed down at our linked hands, she held on a little tighter. "Maybe sweet and other sides I'm yet to see?"
"I have time to show you all of those," I'd answered, leaning forward and she'd met me in the middle, our mouths searching for what we'd been wanting to do most of the night.
Now as we drove, quite a few hours later, I picked up my phone to find I'd missed a lot of notifications. Reading the one from Jimin, I replied straight away.
Jimin – Hyung, why are you not answering? I posted something on Instagram and you're normally the first to like it. Are you MIA?
Laughing, knowing he was right, I replied.
Jay – You know the favour I did for Benji last night? Turned out well for me!
Jimin – The dance class? What do you mean?
Jimin - Wait, did you hook up with someone?
Jay – Don't call it that Jimin-ssi
Jay - But yes...
Jimin – Go hyung! But seriously, tell all!
Jay – Not over text but I highly recommend you teaching a class. I think you will find it very enjoyable.
Jimin – I am definitely interested in the idea now! Are you due back to the offices soon?
Jay – I'm on my way now and I took a video. Man, she can move!
Jimin – While I'm sure it's great and I've been known to download things off the internet, I'm hoping you're talking about how she can move when she dances, not in bed...
Jay -Jimini-ssi!
Jimin – Right, I forget you're not some of the other hyung. See you soon Jay
I clicked out of the texts, opening up my photos instead. I'd recorded a small clip of her dancing in the group when she didn't think I was watching. I'd been watching before class even started, already noting her smile when she was talking to her friend. It's not that I'd set out to -pursue her but I'd seen the flicker of interest the first time our eyes met and hers had sparked something in me. So as we drove to work, I watched the clip on repeat, thinking about our upcoming date, sure that dance class was one of the best places I'd ever agreed to go.