Humans, as a species, tend to cling to things. They cling to physical, inanimate objects that shouldn’t mean anything but in some twisted way they do. They cling to beliefs, like religion. They cling to people and relationships when it was time to let go. Something that almost everybody clings to at least once in their life is their past. Zhou Mi clung onto two things; his past love and dance.

The former was something that he had treasured for five years before it ended bitterly when she ran away because her father had demanded she stopped seeing Zhou Mi.

They had been together since their last year of high school and had stayed together through college as he studied dance and she studied to become a doctor. They couldn’t have been more different. He was creative, laid-back and spontaneous although rather reserved. She was organized, logical, and out-going. Somehow it worked for them though, almost as if their two different personalities merged to become one, functioning person.

When it ended Zhou Mi had some trouble (to say the least) getting back on his feet. He had ended up locked up in his apartment for days until finally his friends made him leave. When he finally got out the door he found himself at the dance studio.

Zhou Mi clung to dance because he clung to his past love. He had planned on asking her to marry him eventually, but those plans were gone when she left. Now he figured he would never find somebody else; she had been his soul mate after all.

Dancing for Zhou Mi was his escape. It kept him sane, or so he liked to think. When he was dancing he forgot about everything that had to do with her. Dancing became his life and he used his passion to open his own dance studio where he taught lessons.

He liked his job because it was all up to him. When he worked, how much he worked, the rules he made his students follow; it was all his decision. The biggest rule he had was that he did not have outside relationships with his students. He had seen too many fellow dance instructors go down because they had taken a liking to a particular student and it didn’t end well. He refused to let that happen to him. Besides, he wasn’t going to fall in love again.

There was, however, one student in particular that seemed to be trying to ignore Zhou Mi’s rule and get close to him. Cho Kyuhyun was not much younger than him and was struggling to make it big in a tough music industry. Zhou Mi prayed that he had the pipes because he sure as hell didn’t have the moves.

“You are still doing it wrong!” Zhou Mi practically shouted at him during a group lesson.

The rest of the class had managed to get the with the spin right on the second try; Kyuhyun was still struggling after the fifth try.

“I’m sorry! I will get it next time.” Kyuhyun apologized quickly and they tried it again.

He still didn’t get it.

At that point Zhou Mi was fed up and moved on to the next part of the choreography. Kyuhyun just sulked and struggled through the rest of the class.

When the class was over Kyuhyun purposefully lingered behind so that he was alone with Zhou Mi after the class left.

“Do you think, is there any way that…maybe, I could get private lessons?” Kyuhyun asked shyly, not meeting Zhou Mi’s eyes.

“I don’t teach private lessons.” Zhou Mi answered as he blatantly refused to look at Kyuhyun as he gathered his things.

He really didn’t teach private lessons and Kyuhyun knew that before he asked. Zhou Mi figured private lessons took up too much of his time and it meant getting closer to students, which he didn’t want. He hated getting close to people in general.

“Please! I desperately need this! The company said they won’t take me on unless I can improve my dancing drastically and I can’t miss this opportunity!” Kyuhyun was pleading and Zhou Mi thought he might start crying.

“The answer is still no.” Zhou Mi said firmly, still not looking at him.

“Please! I will do anything! I will even get on my knees and beg you if you do this for me. I will pay you whatever you want, just please, help me.” Kyuhyun begged and when Zhou Mi turned around Kyuhyun was indeed on his knees and he was crying; pathetic.

Zhou Mi looked at him with a frown. He wasn’t going to be a softy; no, he was most definitely not going to give in.

“Sing.” Zhou Mi demanded and Kyuhyun looked up at him, confused.

“What?”

“Sing. Prove to me that you have what it takes to make it before I take you on as my own personal project.” Zhou Mi explained and Kyuhyun stood, bowing a little in thanks before going to his bag and pulling out a CD. He put it in the sound system and hit play. Then he started to sing.

It was something that Zhou Mi had never heard before. There were a lot of great singers in the industry, but Kyuhyun was different. Unlike most artists, Kyuhyun sang with a purpose. Zhou Mi didn’t quite understand what that purpose was, but it was there behind the music.

When he had finished Zhou Mi stared at him for a minute with his mouth hanging open. Kyuhyun just smirked as he knew he had won.

“Be here at 5 a.m. tomorrow, don’t be late or the deal is off.” Zhou Mi said and Kyuhyun left with a huge grin and a small bow.

Kyuhyun was there the next morning, right on time.

“So where do we start?” He asked with a grin on his face. If only he knew what he was in for.

“Leave your stuff; we are going for a little run.” Zhou Mi said and Kyuhyun looked at him shocked. This was definitely not what he expected.

When Zhou Mi had said ‘little run’ Kyuhyun thought he would be fine. He wasn’t an athlete, but he wasn’t in horrible shape either. He was wrong. Their little run had turned into ten kilometers and when they finally made it back to the studio Kyuhyun was gasping for breath, sweat pouring down his face while Zhou Mi smirked coolly at him.

“Why?” Was all Kyuhyun could get out between raspy breaths.

“Because you aren’t strong enough. Dancing is hard work and takes serious strength which you lack. It is part of the reason you have so much trouble. Besides, if you want to be an idol you have to be strong and have stamina. The lifestyle is exhausting so it is better you start building that endurance now.” Zhou Mi explained and Kyuhyun didn’t see another choice but to nod in agreement before starting to stretch while Zhou Mi the music.

For the next two hours Zhou Mi had Kyuhyun repeat basic hip hop moves over and over again until Kyuhyun finally collapsed from exhaustion and he sent him home, telling him to be back at the same time the next day.

The next morning began similarly, only this time the run was shorter; only the two kilometers to the nearby park and back. Zhou Mi had decided he wanted to be creative and found a new use for the playground there. Kyuhyun swung from the monkey bars, doing pull ups until his hands were on fire and he thought they would be bleeding by the end of the day.

“Dancing, good dancing, involves the entire body and not just the legs.” Zhou Mi explained as they jogged the short distance back to the studio.

The remaining time was spent with Kyuhyun trying and failing at some more difficult moves until he finally began to get them towards the end.

On the third day they did yoga.

“Balance is key in dancing. You have to find your center of gravity or else you will topple over. It is also important to be aware of your entire body.” Zhou Mi explained while Kyuhyun just gave him a funny look from behind his thick lashes.

That morning Zhou Mi was having Kyuhyun try a particularly difficult move that he couldn’t seem to get.

After yet another failed attempt Zhou Mi just shook his head and turned off the music.

“I know you can get this move, you almost have it but it is like you are scared of it or something.” Zhou Mi said in frustration and Kyuhyun hung his head.

“I don’t want to make a fool of myself.” He responded but he wasn’t looking up to see Zhou Mi’s smirk as he went into his office in search of something.

He emerged with a CD and put it on; Kyuhyun recognized the music almost immediately.

“The Chicken Dance? Really?” Kyuhyun stared at him in disbelief.

“You need more confidence; part of confidence is not being afraid to make a fool of yourself, so dance!” Zhou Mi demanded and with a glare Kyuhyun began to dance, flapping his arms like a chicken.

Zhou Mi couldn’t help but chuckle as Kyuhyun shook his a little and when the part came where you spin around with a partner he couldn’t stop himself from joining in. When the song was over they were both in hysterics.

“I can’t believe you just made me do the chicken dance.” Kyuhyun noted when he finally calmed down.

“Feeling less embarrassed? Try that move again.” Zhou Mi said and put the old music back on.

This time Kyuhyun got it perfect.

After another week of early morning work outs and practices Zhou Mi began to teach Kyuhyun some choreography to a popular dance song that he could show to the company that Kyuhyun was trying to get into. As he slowly progressed Zhou Mi couldn’t help but feel proud of Kyuhyun, and a little proud of himself for helping him.

That was how he knew that Kyuhyun wasn’t just his student anymore.

He had never taken on a project like Kyuhyun before and he wasn’t even sure why he had agreed to help Kyuhyun in the first place. Now that he had though he was stuck; he enjoyed Kyuhyun’s presence way too much. Humans do get clingy after all.

Three weeks after they had started Zhou Mi stood, staring at Kyuhyun as he finished the song they had been working on getting the choreography perfect to.

Zhou Mi gave a slow clap and Kyuhyun beamed at him.

“Did I get it perfect?” He asked eagerly and Zhou Mi nodded slowly.

“Congratulations, you now know how to move.” Zhou Mi complimented and Kyuhyun couldn’t help but to do an over rated fist pump.

“But you still don’t know how to dance.” Zhou Mi stated blatantly and Kyuhyun frowned.

“What do you mean?”

“What I mean is that there is nothing behind it. Dancing is as much soul as it is movement. When you sing there is purpose, a meaning behind it that comes straight from your soul. Put that into your dancing and it will be perfect.” Zhou Mi instructed and Kyuhyun nodded, closing his eyes and putting himself where he needed to be.

This time when the music started, he danced.

Zhou Mi didn’t clap, didn’t say anything; he simply stood there with a proud grin on his face and Kyuhyun knew he had done it.

“Thank you!” He shouted and he pulled Zhou Mi into a hug. When he pulled away Zhou Mi was still grinning at him.

“How did you change it that fast?” He asked incredulously and Kyuhyun just grinned at him, staring into his eyes for a moment before he leaned in until he was kissing him.

Zhou Mi didn’t think at first and simply kissed him back because it felt natural to kiss Kyuhyun. He didn’t want to think because he liked this even though a part of him told him he shouldn’t. When Kyuhyun pulled away, Zhou Mi wasn’t smiling anymore.

“I thought of you. I love you Zhou Mi” Kyuhyun finally answered his question before leaning back in to try and kiss him again.

This time Zhou Mi’s brain was working and he stopped him, holding him away at arms’ length.

“No.” Zhou Mi said; his voice cold and flat. When Kyuhyun gave him a quizzical look he gave him a rough shove.

“Get out.” He demanded and Kyuhyun quickly obliged, grabbing his things and practically running out the door, confused by what had passed.

Humans may be clingy but they are also stupid and simple. It is impossible to cling to a new love when you are still holding onto an old one.

Two weeks later Zhou Mi the TV to see Kyuhyun performing. He had the voice for ballads but he was singing a pop song and his dancing was…good. Zhou Mi smiled a little at how much he had improved.

Zhou Mi wished he hadn’t done that; hadn’t told Kyuhyun to get out when he really wanted him to stay. It had taken him a few days, a bunch of crappy romance movies, three boxes of tissues, and five gallons of ice cream to figure out he loved Kyuhyun; because yeah, he was a bit of a girl like that.

Kyuhyun didn’t come back though. He had taken Zhou Mi seriously when he had told him to get out and was staying well away from him. Besides, he was a star now; he didn’t have time for stupid things like love. All he was left with were the memories of his morning torture sessions with Zhou Mi and that one kiss.

Zhou Mi on the other hand was left with Kyuhyun’s face and voice everywhere. He swore that every time he the TV he saw him. Granted, that was probably because he left the TV on Music Bank because he wanted to see Kyuhyun. He was stupid, and he knew it.

When he was slowly walking home from work late one day he passed by a bar and was surprised to see a young man being pushed out.

“Go to hell! All of you can go to hell!” He shouted and Zhou Mi could tell that he was obviously drunk.

The man started walking towards him and Zhou Mi thought he heard something muttered about ignorant s who wouldn’t let him drink his life away. Then he ran into him.

“Watch it! Can’t you see that some of us are trying to walk here?” The man slurred and tried to push his way past Zhou Mi and across the street that was filled with speeding cars. Zhou Mi grabbed his hand and stopped him.

“Can’t you see you are about to get yourself killed and I just saved you? You should be thankful.” Zhou Mi tried to argue as he held onto the man tight in case he tried to run out into the street again.

“You are right; your highness Heechul is forever at your service.” Heechul said and stumbled a little as he tried to bow.

“Alright Heechul, now I think I am going to call you a cab.” Zhou Mi said as he searched for an empty cab.

“Hey, is that accent of yours Chinese?” Heechul asked as he leaned into Zhou Mi, his eyes coming dangerously close to closing as he stifled a yawn.

“Yeah, the name is Zhou Mi.”                                                                                            

“I hate Chinese men. What do you do for a living?” Heechul asked as he gripped harder to Zhou Mi for support.

“I teach dance lessons.”

“I hate dancers.” Heechul murmured and now his eyes really were closed as he fell asleep standing up against Zhou Mi.

“I guess we are going to get along just fine then.” Zhou Mi muttered as he pulled Heechul into a cab with him, having no other choice but to take the sleeping drunk home with him.