I had been dancing for two hours straight and I swore my legs felt like they were going to fall off in a matter of seconds.

“Arms up,” Kris ordered. “Lift your elbows. They’re flesh, not stringy noodles.”

I groaned at the comment.

Dance classes with Kris were like boot camp, with an extra dose of cruelty and severity.

After another ten minutes, I pulled away, panting, my hands on my knees.

“Have I mentioned, I hate you?” I said through breathless pants.

“I can count the times,” he said. “Now twirl.”

Pursing my lips, I lifted myself back up and turned with an under-arm swoop. It wasn’t that hard. Memorizing the step was—including the endless notes and remarks from the teacher.

“Now left,” he said. “Right. Keep your mind focused! No—spin! Gah!”

I stopped as soon as he released a frustrated groan.

“Break time,” I announced.

“We already had a break.”

“That was two hours ago.

He clapped his hands, signaling for me to hurry up. “Come on, come on, we don’t have much time! Someone’s coming in twenty minutes to use the studio!”

I groaned, feeling the burn around my legs and ankles. I’d already stretched, but I could still feel the pain as it twitched around my back and my hips.

“I hate you,” I spat.

He rolled his eyes. “As if I didn’t know.”

“Let’s add another—I hate you for being tall.”

“Sorry, can’t help it. It’s in the genes,” he said, shrugging.

“Now, can we call it a day? My muscles are aching.”

He was hesitant, and at first I thought he was going to snap.

He uncrossed his folded arms. “Alright.”

“Thank you.” I heaved a deep sigh and fell to the floor.

He hoisted his backpack. “Come on. I’ll buy you a drink on the way.”

I opened one eye from the floor. “Make it ice cream.”

“Fine, fine.”

I stood back up, my face beaming. “Have I ever mentioned, I love you?”

I saw him lift a brow when I said those words.

“Have I ever mentioned, I love you?” he returned.

“Uh, no,” I said, dumbfounded.

“Yes, I have,” he insisted, then he poked my forehead. “In your dreams.”

My face turned sour, and I could see him grinning to himself as he made his way to the door. I followed, and if I hadn’t been careful I would’ve fallen when he stopped halfway. I bumped directly into him, my nose complete dug into the back of his shirt.

“Oh, Kris,” said a voice. “Sorry, I thought the dance studio would be empty.”

I jumped to my feet and peeked from behind the giant.

“Rika?” Hyoyeon looked over to meet my horrified eyes. The nine girls were standing just outside the door, some already making their way in as me and Kris stepped aside.

I clenched my eyes shut and actually tried to hide behind Kris, hoping I wouldn’t be seen. But my hope fell when Jessica moved over and tapped my shoulder.

“Rika?” she exclaimed.

I came out from behind Kris, pulling the cap on my head lower. “Uh, sup.”

“What’re you doing here?” A typical question.

“W-W-Well, I-I-I—”

“I was just giving her some dance lessons,” said Kris. I instantly froze. Jessica turned to Kris, then back to me. I knew exactly what she was going to say. But for some reason, the look on her face was hazy, I couldn’t tell what she was actually thinking inside.

I wanted to punch Kris right there was being such a blabber mouth.

“Well,” I said, turning to face Jessica. “Y-You know a-about the party this Sunday, right?” I turned to Kris next, begging for him to cover me.

“Right,” he said. “Little Mermaid here didn’t want to embarrass herself during the dance.”

I mentally slapped my forehead at Kris’ unhelpful words.

I quickly changed to a new subject.

“Oh, Sica, how did the blind date go?” I asked, pretending I didn’t know.

Jessica frowned. “He never showed up,” she said, speaking with much venom in her v