After my work was done for the day I was able to relax. I found I was bored though by ten and what I really wanted to do mean I had to hang in there for a bit longer.

“How come you haven’t gone to practice?” Monique asked as she saw me in a black singlet and red shorts with leggings underneath them.

“It’s not midnight yet,” I told her continuing to stretch against the couch, “so I’m warming up.”

“Gosh no wonder you’re tall,” Bunny stated taking out her earrings and placing them in a large black velvet box, “it’s from all that stretching you do.” I laughed.

“Come on Bunny you know it’s because my mum…” I stopped. formed an O shape.

“Oh right of course,” she quickly ended the discussion, “sorry Sam.”

“It’s ok Monique,” I told her changing from my legs to do my arms.

“Yeah but still,” she was quiet for a moment, “I know how you… Well… Don’t like to talk about it.” I stood up straight and looked at her.

“I may not like it now, but someday I will have to talk about it,” I said to her. She looked at me carefully.

“Aw Sam, you’re one of the bravest people I know.” She came over to hug me. I accepted the hug.

“You are one of the most considerate people I know,” was my reply.

***
Thankfully time seemed to pass by and I was able to go practice. I crept down the halls to the dining room and stood in front of the door into the area. Peering around in case someone was watching I took out my spare key and opened it.

I slowly walked into the room and placed my water bottle and other belongings next to the stereo. I turned the stereo on and placed my CD in it and waited for it to load. I walked to the middle of the dance floor and stood there rigid. The music slowly began to get louder and I made my movements to match the beats.
 

I was getting into the song when I heard a chair hit the floor. Stopping what I was doing I peered around, anxious as to who was watching me. I saw someone appear from behind one of the pillars. My heart skipped a beat.

Rain… I mean Ji Hoon … What is he doing here?

I dared not ask questions. He would most likely get me into trouble for using the space without permission. I dashed to grab my stuff while I heard him walk briskly towards where I was. I pressed eject on the stereo but fumbled with opening the case.

“Whoa, wait,” he said as I reached to grab the CD. My finger that was in the middle of the disc slipped and it fell on the floor, sliding a few feet. I watched in horror as it stopped at his feet. He crouched down and picked it up before walking over to me with it. He held it out, I shyly took it.

“Thanks,” I said checking it for scratches before placing it back where it belonged. I forced myself to look at his face.

“You dance?” He asked. I nodded.

“Yeah, I guess I do,” was my answer as I glanced away for a moment.

“You’re good,” he said. I looked at him, feeling warmth in my face.

“I- uh… Thank you,” oh gee what was I suppose to do now? JiHoon peered over his shoulder at the closest table and chair.

“Want to sit?” He asked. I thought for a moment. I nodded. I followed him to the table and took a seat opposite him. He was in deep thought for a while.

Oh great, he’s probably figuring out how to tell Mr. Francisco.

“Why do you dance?” He asked. I stared at him. Ah ok?

“Why?” His question caught me off guard and I didn’t know what to do. Should I have lied or been honest? I wasn’t much of a liar and it’s not like he would make fun of me.

“Well,” I stared at my water bottle, “I guess it’s because my mum used to dance as a hobby of hers and I used to love watching her spin and leap across the place and then she got me taking lessons and the rest is history.”

“Does your mum know about you being here?” I found it hard to look at him. I swallowed a lump in my throat and taking a deep breath before forcing myself to make eye contact.

“She…Umm… She died ten years ago,” I bit my quivering lip. I watched him; he seemed to soften at this. I’d never seen him with sad eyes before; they seemed to twinkle. He nodded before scratching the back of his neck.

“My mum’s gone too,” his bottom lip disappeared under his top one for a moment. I could imagine that I was now doing the same thing as he did just then.

“I uh… I am sorry.”

“I am sorry too,” his eyes moved back to look at me. His arm extended out to me; a hand touches the top of my free one. He held it and then squeezed it gently. 

“Let’s do our best,” he paused, “for them.” My eyes went from our hands back to his face. I didn’t know what to say. I was dumbstruck. I wet my lips and nodded.

“Mm,” I managed a small smile, “I think we can,” he returned the smile and then remembered his hand was holding mine. He quickly released it before turning his head away shyly. I placed my hands in my lap as we sat in the silence for a moment. I lifted my phone up to see the time.

“It’s late, we should probably go.” He murmured and we both stood up. Our eyes met again but I didn’t look away and neither did he. We both blinked.

“Ah did I space out?” He tilted his head at me in puzzlement.

“I mean, it’s when you think of something different for a moment.”

“Ah, I think I see.” We both pushed the chairs and walked out of the area. I locked the door behind us after turning the lights off.

“You don’t have to wait,” I told him as I saw him leaning against the wall.

“Ah, well… Goodnight,” he said bowing to me a few degrees and then walking off. I watched him leave unsure of what I’d just encountered. Were they both the same person or was I in a parallel universe?