Elena's POV
It has been quite a while ever since Yoongi and I hung out one to one and truth to be told, I missed his company. Ever since the exam period was over, Yoongi spent most of his time either working in the studio or studying and he dedicated his leisure time to Joy which is something I'm happy about. He even started going to the gym to stretch those thin muscles of his. He won't admit to me that he has feelings for her, even though she's the reason why he finally started actually taking care of himself.
There are times when I feel left out though, because both of my best friends are dating each other and we haven't gotten a chance to hang out, the three of us just yet. I missed having game night with Yoongi in my living room where we would play Overwatch for hours on the PS4 we bought together and the loser paid for takeout.
After classes I would typically finish my assignments in the library and then head back home or at Joy's before going to work. Joy even let me study at her place for as long as I needed and of course there was no chance for me to turn that offer down, because of the free food and her homemade kimchi that made me take a quick and long lasting trip to the bathroom.
Things were a little shaky between us ever since we talked about the 'library' situation and after some deep thought, I concluded that it was wrong of me to flat out lie to Yoongi about her job. Because of my insecurities, Joy was forced to lie with me and this relationship they have going on is one of the best things that has happened to them. I don't want to ruin that by breaking their trust from the very first moment.
I have to tell Yoongi the truth about Joy.
My plan is to call him and tell him to meet me for dinner outside campus. Fortunately, I have enough money to get food for both of us. Perhaps, me treating him out will help ease the situation of having his girlfriend lie to him about her profession the very moment they met.
I dial Yoongi's number as soon as I exit the library after three hours of writing a damn paper that is due for next week and he picks up right away.
"Hey babe," he says, "what's up?"
"Hi Yoongs, are you free right now?" I ask him while descending the stairs. "I was thinking we could go grab something to eat. My treat!" I add a little too enthusiastic.
"I would love to grab dinner with you, but I can't right now." He replies and I sigh disappointed. But then he says, "How about we hang in the evening?"
"Sounds like a plan."
"I'll give you a call later babe."
When I hang up, I receive a text from Jimin.
P. Jimin: are you busy right now?
I type my response in and send it to him.
Me: not really, just got out of the library
I put my phone in my pocket but it rings with another incoming message from him.
P. Jimin: I'll pick you up in 10.
I'm not sure how I feel about how he leaves me no space to argue with him with those direct responses of his. Even though I don't quite know Jimin very well, his persuasive nature and straightforward attitude are the most intense highlights of his character. Those traits are admirable, but they could potentially bring him into a difficult position. I'm sure there are more sides to Park Jimin that I haven't quite ventured yet and honestly at this point I don't really know what to expect.
I wait for him at the steps and when his car finally appears in the driveway, I can see him through the windshield and he waves at me with a cheeky smile.
"Hi," I say as I enter the car. "You seem to enjoy bossing me around."
Jimin's dark brown eyes twinkle with interest. "Bossing you around?"
I laugh. "Yeah, don't get me wrong, I enjoy hanging out with you but you also don't really leave me any space to decline."
"If you like being with me, why would you even want to decline?" He asks, his eyes fixated on the road ahead of him. "Besides, you're gonna be glad you came with me today."
"Oh? What is the plan?" I pipe.
He reaches for a bag in the backseat and hands it to me.
"You're gonna help me practice today." He grins and I open the bag. A pink crop top with cream colored leggings are nearly folded inside.
"You didn't have to," I start and gesture at the bag. A pang of guilt strikes at me because he spent money for these clothes.
"Oh don't worry about it. I didn't buy the practice outfit." He says. "I figured you'd appreciate it if I simply borrowed some clothes from a colleague."
I look at him shocked. "Either way, thank you." Then, I try to press the fabric of the shirt against my nose attempting to be discreet as I sniff on it.
"Relax, they're clean." He assures me and I put the shirt back in the bag in a flash. In about ten minutes, Jimin pulls over a few blocks away from Carats and we get out of the car, then walk to the dance studio. As soon as we enter, the receptionist eyes us and she seems surprised to see me here again. The blonde woman looks like she's in her late twenties or early thirties and judging from the way her crocodile eyes are focused on him and the judgemental expression that takes place once her gaze falls on me, I'd say that she's interested in Jimin. But I can't say the same about him.
When we reach the elevator, he presses the button and as soon as the doors glide open, we go inside along with some other dance students. We get off first on the second floor and he leads me to the same rehearsal studio as last time.
"There's a bathroom at the back." Jimin suddenly says, kicking off his trainers. "You can change in there."
"Okay," I nod and walk to the very back of the studio and lock myself in the bathroom. I take off my clothes and trade them for the outfit that Jimin gave me. The crop top looks good on me, it's loose fitting compliments my figure while the leggings accentuate my legs.
I walk outside where I find Jimin in a corner connecting his cell phone to the laptop that controls the speakers of the room. His face is wearing an expression of total concentration, his blonde hair falling over his eyes delicately.
"What are you doing?" I ask.
"I'm trying to find a song for tango, but I can't." He mutters.
"Tango?" I echo and he looks at me with a slight smirk.
"What's wrong? You don't know how to tango?" For some reason, when he says that I think there's a hidden meaning but I chose to ignore it.
"Actually, I don't." I admit lamely.
His eyes return to the computer. "That's okay, I'll teach you."
My cheeks flush and I bite my lip tentatively. "I thought that the purpose here is for you to train, not to teach some amateur how to dance."
"There is no better way to sharpen my skills." Jimin reciprocates. "Becides, if I manage to successfully teach you how to dance, that can only mean one thing."
"And what's that?"
He runs a hand through his hair and looks at me. "It means, that I've mastered the art."
I look down trying to avoiding his gaze wondering if he's even specializing in tango dance. From what he's told me, he emphasizes on contemporary, modern and some ballet dance. Besides, even if he needs a partner he can't possibly make any progress with me considering that I've stopped dancing the traditional way years now.
"You know what?" He suddenly beams. "Let's start you off with the basics first."
"Okay," I nod.
Jimin starts showing me simple things like fixing my posture and my stance. His hands find my shoulders as he helps me straighten my back. He tips my head so that I look up and our gazes meet for a moment, before he shows me how to keep my neck aligned with my spine. I'm not really struggling to maintain that posture, but it does strain my back from having to remain that way for as long as we train. Jimin tells me that the better the posture, the more confident I'll look as I dance. He doesn't play any music just yet and at first it was a little awkward but I get used to it sooner than expected.
The next thing he shows me is how to make my movements look fluid, by slightly bending my knees in order to create this bouncy effect in my step. My back crouches, but he immediately puts his hand on my waist and helps me straighten my spine, goosebumps spreading all over my skin from the contact. Dancing is about fluidity and without it your movements are wooden when you attempt to dance. He praises me along the way, telling me that I'm doing very well and I find myself appreciating his approval.
Once I learn how to stand and how to move without looking stiff, we move into the dance steps. Since he's the leading partner, I have to coordinate my opposite foot to his movements and to my surprise, I catch up pretty quickly. Jimin leads the dance and I follow him. When he goes forward with his left foot, I move backwards with my right and then he forwards with his left foot and I retreat with my right. After that, both of his feet are moving from left to meet right and I mirror his movements with the opposite side. Soon enough, he teaches me both leading and following movements and then he shows me how to switch and forth. That can prove to be useful with new partners. I move my feet in the way he shows me and he smiles encouragingly when I execute the steps correctly. My speed is in sync with Jimin's as my first two steps are slow, the next two are quick and the last steps are slow. I messed it up in the beginning when I first tried it, but I learned it either way with my 'teacher's' assistance. Even though, there's no music in the background I'm having so much fun dancing with Jimin. Our hands intertwined, as he leads. The hours go by like minutes and the sky is dark outside. All the memories of how much I loved dancing back in the day rise to the surface and for a moment there everything is perfect. It's almost refreshing.
Until, I remember certain events that forced me to quit dancing.
I still enjoy filming and editing, but this extraordinary feeling of using my body to express my inner world is just addicting.
And sometimes I regret giving it up.
"You're doing so good," Jimin says for the hundredth time and I grin from ear to ear. "I'm being serious. I'm not telling you empty words." He lets go of my hand and stretches a little. "Next time I'll show you some other steps and then we'll try practicing with music. How does that sound?"
"Great," I beam.
"Wow we've here for hours," Jimin grabs his bag-pack and slings it over his shoulder. "I promised you a dinner. My treat. You still up for it?"
"You don't have to treat me," I say.
"You helped me practice." He returns. "It's the least I can do." After we kick in our shoes, he opens the door for me and I pace outside.
"Well in that case, I'm not gonna deny your offer." I grin and together we head towards the elevator with our bags in hand. My cell suddenly rings and I pick it up.
"Hey babe," Yoongi's voice says. "I managed to clear my schedule so that you can buy me dinner. Where do you want to meet?"
"Oh, hi Yoongs,"I mutter and Jimin glances at me mouthing 'what's wrong'? "Can you hold on for just a little?" I ask and cover the speaker. "I kind of promised Yoongi I'd buy him dinner earlier. I'm thinking of asking him to join us because I don't want to cancel on either of you."
"Of course he can come." He smiles. "You're such a people-pleaser."
"No, I'm not." The elevator chimes and we get out.
"Was that a man's voice I hear? Slut." I can hear Yoongi say mockingly through the phone.
"Shut up," I laugh and stop walking. "Okay, here's the deal. I'm with Jimin now so can you meet us somewhere?"
"Oh how scandalous!" I can practically hear him grin as he speaks. "So you're back to Option 1, you know since Option 2 flew out of town."
"It's not like that." I snap.
"Yeah, yeah sure it's not. How about Amantes Amentes?" Yoongi suggests.
"We'll see you there." I hang up.
"What is Amantes Amentes?" Jimin asks wide eyed as we walk through the reception area.
"It's a pub that is located downtown." I say. "You'll love it."
The blonde girl is still working from earlier and I notice some dance students walk inside with a tall muscular man in his early forties dressed in a charcoal coat and dark pants. He's wearing a hat that practically conceals his face, yet I recognize that elegant stride of his. His strong built, his broad muscular shoulders. He looks naturally weighty but the way this man carries himself is as if his feet never touch the ground. I see him and it's like I see my entire past collectively in one overwhelming flash.
I never thought I'd see this man again.
He removes his hat and greets the receptionist. His voice is deep, authoritative, direct yet it exudes kindness.
If only they knew.
"Hi, Mr Harrison!" Jimin smiles and heads towards him.
Harrison returns the smile, but then his eyes fall on me and his face darkens. The corner of his lips twitch for a slight second and I can see right through his facade.
"Hello Jimin," Harrison greets, his eyes never leaving mine. "I would love to stay and chat, but I have a class right now and I'm running late."
How does Jimin know my old dance teacher?
thank you for reading🖤