Foot steps fell across the sleek wood floor; creaking and crackling of pointe shoes being walked in. Light chatter and laughter swept across the room. Groups of friends reuniting again.   

   As if we didn't see each other everyday, Jinae thought.

   A popular pop song played from someone's phone, not giving a thought as to other people's taste in music. There were some students at the barre, some stretching on the wall, some stretching while looking out the large window that looked out into the city. And then there was Jinae, sitting against the farthest wall, stretching herself out. 

   The door opened and closed. Everyone stopped what they were doing and turned to see if it was the instructor finally arriving. The music paused quickly. 

   "Oh, what a fabulous entrance! One fit for a queen." Ethan strutted in, whipping his dance bag around to strike a pose. He wore red dance shorts, a tight black v-neck, old black leg warmers, pink converse, and black Ray Bans. Everyone went back to what they were doing, the music playing again and whispers about Ethan spread.

   "Ugh! Fine, es, be that way. Don't acknowledge when a human being enters the room! Rude. . es." He said with snaps zig-zagging in front of his face between the words. He looked back and lit up when he finally saw Jinae.

   "Jin, babes!" Ethan dropped his bag down next to her and bent down, wrapping his arms around her shoulders.

   "Hey Ethan. You're late." Jinae scolded him lightheartedly.

   Ethan waved the idea away. "How the hell can I be late when the instructor isn't even here?" He slipped back onto his and spread his legs out to second, leaning all the way forward, his legs going straight to the sides of his body. " is always late." He said into the floor.

   Jinae smiled, sliding her leg up the wall and leaning into the stretch. "But the class decided as a whole to stretch before class actually started so we can listen to music we like."

   Ethan scoffed. "I did not agree to . The five biotches over there, Melody -- Miss y , Madison -- Queen Tranny, Austin -- -o-matic, Rayne -- Head Magee, and Haley -- Miss "I swear I'm a natural blonde but my roots are black", Big Future Stripper, made up the minds of the whole motherin class because they think they are the reigning es." He ranted as he slid into his right splits with comfort and ease. "I just go for a run and stretch before I get here. You know I can't stand most of the hats here."

   Jinae wanted to burst into laughter. She too shared a hatred for Melody, Madison, Austin, Rayne, and Haley, but didn't vocalize it as much as Ethan did. And the group was not too far away from them. Ethan always made sure that, when he was talking mess about them, they were within earshot. "Then why do you still go here? You're eighteen, you've graduated. Just go find a college."

   Ethan shook his head. "I can't quite yet. My mom is still sick and my dad is still in Canada. I doubt that er will even come back. Probably doing some stupid from his company."

   Jinae put her hand to to hide her giggle. She loved Ethan's vulgarity. "I hope your mother feels better. And I hope you get the chance to break your dad's nose."

   Before Ethan could thank her, the door opened again. The music went off and everyone froze. Mrs. Addey stood there in the doorway, her usual black leotard, long, sheer black skirt, character shoes, and her long, sheer, multicolored scarf draped so elegantly across her chest. And, as usual, her trademark scowl.She put her hands on her hips and exclaimed. "What was that god awful noise?"

   Nobody dared to say a word. After a moment passed, Mrs. Addey's shoes clicked across the floor to the center of the room, hands still on her hips. "Alright, if you feel like listening to that kind of music, we will."

   Everyone glanced at each other with hope in their eyes. Mrs. Addey cleared to get the attention back on her. "That means we'll be doing Russians, jetes, calypsos, and pas de chats across the floor for the first half of class,"

   There were a few groans here and there, but besides that the whole class was fine with the settlement. As long as they got to listen to their kind of music.

   "With ankle weights."

   A chorus of real groans and complaints spread across the room. Ethan and Jinae gave each other an uneasy look. Jinae's ankles were just starting to feel better from last week's five hour practices, now she had to put five pound weights on them and try to get off the ground. 

   Mrs. Addey clapped her hands and shooed them to the supply closet. "Go on, stop complaining and get the five pound ones. You won't strengthen with anything lower."

   This was going to be the longest two hours of Jinae's life. And possibly the most straining.

   Students filed out of the studio, cringing with every step and making little groaning sounds. Ethan and Jinae leaned on each other as they walked down the sidewalk. The sun was just starting to go down and the street lights were turning on ahead of them.

   "My ankles are never going to get a break, are they?" Jinae sighed deeply as she took another step.

   Ethan tried breathing in deeply. "I should say not. Mrs. Addey is getting tougher on us because she knows we're about to leave her and go on to college and companies. The bad wants to be acknowledged in our company principle bios." he scoffed, readjusting his dance bag on his shoulder.

   Jinae let out a bitter laugh. "Like hell I'm acknowledging a crazy bat like her."

   They both let out a hearty, bitter laugh and stopped at the corner of the sidewalk. Ethan let her go and blew a kiss. "See you tomorrow, sweetness. We should get smoothies before class. Text me!" he waved and started off to his part of town.

   Jinae looked around at the other city folk ignoring her and going about their business. She sighed again and started to make her way to her home in the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Unfortunately, the dance studio was quite out of the way, and in a pretty sketchy location. It was located just outside of The Bronx. To be more specific, Mott Haven. 

   Mott Haven is notorious for their crimes and gang violence. Jinae didn't know why Mrs. Addey just didn't move locations, somewhere further into Manhattan. She rolled her eyes and made her way to the subway. This definitely wasn't her first time, but it still freaked her out every time.

   Once she got her ticket and got on, Jinae texted Nikki, trying to feel safe. But Nikki was probably still studying for her SAT test she'll be having to take soon, so the possibility of her responding was low.

   Jinae locked her phone and set it back in her dance bag. She looked around and took in her surroundings. There was a lot of graffiti inside, and she loved to try to figure out what it meant. It was kind of like a game to take her mind off of the thought of being mugged or shanked. She looked to her right, gasping slightly when she saw someone familiar. 

   Sitting there, earplugs in his ears, bobbing his head up and down and mouthing lyrics, was the boy she ran into just the other day. Jinae tried stretching her neck to get a better look at him. He just stared out the window across from him, letting the music consume him. Jinae thought he looked beautiful, just sitting there in this casual setting. She bit her lip, wondering whether or not she should introduce herself. Wha-?! Are you crazy, Legs? the voice of Nikki sprang up in her subconscious and made her rethink her actions. He's a gangster! Don't be so reckless. You're in The Bronx right now. Don't think you're invincible. 

   Jinae wringed her hands in her lap, biting her lower lip harder. She knew she couldn't keep listening to Nikki like this, even when she wasn't even there. She needed to learn how to think for herself and act on her own. Suddenly she was standing up. With frightened wide eyes, her legs carried her over to the bench he was sitting on, like they had a mind of their own. Before she knew it she was sitting there.

   On the inside she was screaming. He suddenly turned to her, raising an eyebrow. Jinae started to panic. "C-Can I sit here?" she stuttered.

   He pulled out his earphones and leaned closer. "What?"

   Jinae swallowed and repeated herself. "C-Can I sit here?"

   He paused for a moment then shrugged. "I guess. Not my bench. Do whatever."

   Jinae nodded and looked down. She wanted to talk to him more, but how would she do that?

   "Weren't you just sitting over there though?" he asked, pointing to her seat on the other side of the subway.

   Jinae blinked. "Ah...well, you see...it was...kinda sticky over there..." she lied through her teeth. But she knew it was believable. She was sure there could've been at least several places on the subway that were sticky.

   He chuckled and nodded. "Yeah, but you can't really expect much from this subway, can ya'?" he smirked at her in the most dashing way that made her want to melt.

   And melt she did, on the inside. "Y-Yeah, the subways in Manhattan are way cleaner. At least, as clean as a subway in New York can be."

   "So, you're a Manhattan girl?" he asked, a playful twinkle in his eye.

   Oh no, was I supposed to give out that information? she thought in panic."Y-Yeah, I am..."

   "So you were just playing in your own backyard when I bumped into you yesterday."

   Jinae's eyes widened. He remembered her. He remembered! She smiled a little and replied, "I was just hanging out with my friend..."

   "She's a little tightly wound, isn't she?" he said with amusement in his tone.

   Jinae chuckled lightly. "She's just worried about me. Sometimes a bit too much..." she knitted her brows, wondering why she was telling him this.

   "Maybe you should just tell her to back the hell off." his voice grew deeper, a little darker than earlier. Jinae was a little taken back, but then he smiled again and laughed. "Or you can just punch her. You look like a closet scrapper." he pretended to box, throwing his fists into empty air.

   Jinae raised her brow. "Are you kidding me? Do you see this body? I couldn't fight anyone."

   "Yeah, you're right. You look like someone's ." he teased.

   Her jaw dropped. "Hey! I'm no one's ."

   "Well once you grow a pair and stand up to your friend, maybe you won't be." He leaned in closer to her, his face only an inch away from her's. Jinae blushed fiercely. "Let me tell you a little secret -- no one is going to respect you if you don't respect yourself first."

   Jinae opened to say something, but no words seemed to come to mind. He was right, and she knew it. 

   He smirked and whispered, "When someone from The Streets gives you advice, take it. Alright, Manhattan?"

   She nodded and he backed away from her. By then, her cheeks were ablaze. She looked down at her hands in her lap. "So, if you're from 'The Streets', what are you doing on a subway to Manhattan?"

   "You're nosy," he stated bluntly. "But I'll tell you since you don't look like trouble." he smiled at her cheekily. He was teasing her again. "A few friends of mine told me to come and hang out."

   "Those friends you were with the other day that almost trampled my friend and me?" she asked.

   He rubbed the nape of his neck. "Heh, yeah those guys. Sorry about that, again."

   Jinae brushed it off. "Hey, it's fine. No one got hurt." They looked at each other and smiled before she turned away to hide her blush. She was blushing a lot today for some reason. She would have to get that checked out. "By the way," she added. "I never got your name..."

   "Oh, right. It's Jongup. What's yours, Manhattan?"

   "I-It's Jinae," she stuttered out. Oh no, have I just made a terrible mistake? I just gave him my name! What if he comes looking for me and kills me or something? Oh God...

   Jongup smirked at her shyness. "That's a pretty name." Jinae blushed again and again and again. It seemed like her cheeks were permenently rosy. "So now that you know my business, what are you doing on a Bronx subway to Manhattan? Did you have enough and decided it was time to go back home before something bad happened?" 

   Jinae shook her head. "No, my dance studio is over there." Stupid! You just gave him the location of where you're at most of your time!

Here's the new chapter! I hope you guys liked it. Sorry for such a slow update, I just moved into my dorm and I've just been trying to adjust to this huge change. I will definitely try to update as much as possible, but with classes starting next week I don't know how much time I will have. But please be patient with me and continue to read and comment on this story!