Rule No. 1: Don’t be too emotional : Chapter 3

We’ve just been introduced, do not know you well,

But when the music started Something drew me to your side.

So many men and girls, Are in each other’s arms

It made me think we might be Similarly occupied.

Shall we dance?

“Wait, are you going to your first Social Dance class too?” “Oh, hell yeah. Getting sick that one time made me feel like I started the semester later than everyone else. There are so many subjects I’m just starting for the first time.” I complained to Gap after tossing my empty Coke Zero can into the trash. I just added this course recently. Luckily, someone dropped it right at the last second, so I got a spot. (I heard that student got hit by a car behind the university and had to drop the whole semester. ) I wanted to hurry up and finish my P. E. credits before junior year because I heard the upperclassmen years are brutal. I’d rather spend my last two years focusing entirely on academics-but hey, to each their own.

“Let me know after class if it’s an easy A. I’m thinking of taking it with Khing next term.”

“Sure. Wait! Crap! I totally forgot Social Dance requires a partner. Dammit. I just saw there was one spot open and added it without thinking. Am I even going to have a partner?” I only realized this when Gap mentioned it. I swear.

“Don’t overthink it. The teacher will find a girl to pair you with. This class is meant to be taken in pairs anyway.”

“Yeah, whoever is fine. Just please don’t let me dance with the teacher. That’d be so stiff.” It’s true that Social Dance usually requires pairs, but some semesters, students drop or withdraw mid-way, forcing the leftover student to partner with the teacher for the whole term. I absolutely did not want to be in that situation. It makes grading harder, and during practice, you have to beg to join other pairs because the teacher won’t always be free to practice with you. So please, let it not be like that. I get stressed easily.

“Probably not. The guy who got hit behind the uni was Big, which means his partner must be a girl, right? You’ll probably just pair up with whoever his partner was.”

“Oh? It was Big who got hit? How did it happen? I just heard he got hit behind the uni.” Gap and I chatted as we walked.

“He was wasted. He went out to act a fool and was spinning around dancing in the middle of the road at 4: 00 AM. He probably thought it was safe. Turns out a motorcycle came flying out of nowhere. Boom! Done for.” Whoa…

“What time do you finish dance class? Six, right? Let’s play football after.”

“I can’t, man. My class is from 6: 00 to 8: 00 PM. No one dropped the 4: 00 PM slot. From now on, I can’t play on Mondays.” “Right, okay. I’ll tell the others. Just for one day, right?” “Yeah. Anyway, where’s Putt? I haven’t seen him.”

“He skipped today. Didn’t you see his message in the group? He asked us to grab the Stats sheet for him.”

“I haven’t checked Line since this morning. Did you get it for him?”” Sherry already grabbed it.” I nodded. This is the perk of having girls in the friend group. We walked back to the front of the restroom. I swear, throughout this whole conversation, Sherry and Namkhing still weren’t finished. Why do women take so long in the bathroom? Is there some hidden treasure in there? After that, we went to eat as usual before our noon class.” Wait, wait. Let me have a smoke first.”

“Ugh, again? Why do you smoke so much?” Sherry immediately complained to Gap. “Didn’t you just have one after we finished eating?”

“I’m craving it again.” Namkhing chimed in, “Look, we aren’t waiting. It’s noon in five minutes. We want to sit at the front; this subject is hard enough as it is.” “Yeah, yeah, go ahead then, you ugly girls!” “Slap your own mouth ten times right now!” “You jerk, Gap!” “Khing, Sherry, you guys go up first. I’ll stay with Gap. Save us a seat!”“ Okay.” I walked with Gap to the smoking room. Usually, I don’t come here. He usually comes with Putt, who also smokes. I tried it back in freshman year but found I didn’t really enjoy it. I’m not anti-smoker, though-your lungs, your business. Besides, I don’t think smoking defines whether someone is good or bad.

“Smoke fast, man. Eric only allows us to be five minutes late, you know.” “Yeah, yeah. I’ll just take two puffs and toss it.” “Damn, if you’re in that much of a hurry, don’t even smoke. It’s a waste.”

“You’re so high-maintenance, Jane. What do you want me to do? do? Fine, we’re here. Are you coming in?” Gap opened the door while asking. I nodded and was about to step in but froze when I saw a student smoking inside. Holy crap. That’s P’Jane.

“What the hell is wrong with you? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” “Gap, I have to pee. I’m going first! See you in class!” “Huh? What the-Hey, Shorty! Jane! Jane!!” I turned around and sprinted away immediately, ignoring my friend’s shouts. All I knew was I had to get out of there. Ever since I found out P’Jane saw that crazy message I typed in the Google Doc, I haven’t spoken to him. Just thinking about it made my face burn with embarrassment.

“So, what was that all about earlier?” Gap, who had just followed me into the classroom, whispered the question. I handed him the sign-in sheet and replied: “I just had to pee! I felt like I couldn’t hold it anymore, so I ran. Did you want me to pee right there?”

“You’re acting weird. Like you’re running away from someone. I thought you ran into Chassy.”

“Don’t even say that name,” I snarled. Chassy-real name Chat-is a trans-woman peer who is 190 cm tall and built like a tank. But that’s not the point. The point is she’s had a crush on me and has been stalking me for a year.

“Dude, Chassy loves you so much. She said if she could have you as a husband, she’d be the best slave-wife ever. You remember that. Why don’t you give it another thought?” “Shut up.”

“Remember Chassy’s Facebook status? ‘I love Jane because Jane is cuter than a marshmallow. Seeing Jane makes Chassy happy. Jane’s smile gives Chassy sweet dreams. Even if Jane doesn’t love Chassy, Chassy will love Jane forever.” “If you don’t stop saying that name, I’m going to kick your ‘little brother’ for real.”” You mean Gear?”

“I mean your junk!” Gap laughed until he choked on his water, satisfied with teasing me.

At first, I didn’t dislike Chassy at all. We were actually good friends. I’m not the type to discriminate based on gender or appearance. But after she started getting out of control-harassing Namkhing and Sherry, and even following me to offer food to the monks at the forest temple where I ordained during the break-l realized it was too much.

I didn’t tell anyone except my inner circle which temple I went to! I know she still likes me because whenever we cross paths, she gives me those pained, reproachful eyes. But since my family and I filed a police report, she hasn’t dared to follow me as closely.

“Where are you guys going next?” I asked after class finished at 4: 00 PM. Everyone except me was done for the day, and I didn’t want to wait until 6: 00 PM alone. “My dad’s picking me up today. He should be here,” Namkhing said

, checking her Line. “I’m going to the other building to help the freshman cheerleaders, but I’ll probably eat with the cheer squad first,” Sherry added .

“Oh… what about you, Gap? Going home?” “Nah, I’m going to the club room to wait for football. Want to come? You can head to Social Dance at six.” “Sure.” The four of us split up. I went to the music club room with Gap. I’m not a member, but I hang out there so often I mght as well sign up. I sang two songs while Gap played the keyboard. Believe it or not, despite how he looks, Gap’s side job is being a piano teacher. He’s been playing since he was a kid. When it was almost 6: 00 PM, I walked to the glass-walled room used for dance classes. I thought I was early, but I was shocked to find the room already full. I walked up to the instructor and gave a wai.

“Professor Raphee? I’m the student who just added the class.”

“Oh, the one from this morning?” The professor looked down at the roster.

“Jenalee, Sophomore?”

“Yes, sir… “”“ Jane!” I jumped at the sound of my name. When I turned around, my skin crawled. Chassy. Speak of the devil! Chassy rushed toward me but didn’t grab me like she used to.” Jane, you’re taking Social Dance too? Chassy has never seen you here before!” “Uh, yeah… I just added it this morning.” Damn it, is it too late to drop?!“ That’s great! Now we can study together!” Her eyes sparkled while I could only give a strained, awkward laugh. I had no idea what face to make.

“Since you’re new, you don’t have a partner yet. You can pair with Chassy! Chassy will teach you what we’ve learned.” “N-no, that’s okay. Don’t you already have a partner? You can’t just leave them. Besides, I’m a guy, and you’re dancing the ‘male’ part too. If we pair up, you’d have to learn all new steps. It’s too much trouble.”

“It’s fine! Chassy is a fast learner. As for Gib, she can just pair with someone else. If there’s no one, she can dance with the professor. So, it’s a deal, right?” No! Help me!! “Jenalee, come here for a moment.” Professor Raphee’s voice was like a message from heaven. I quickly peeled Chassy’s hand off my arm and ran to him.

“Yes, Professor?” “You’ll be pairing up with the student whose partner dropped out because of the accident. The numbers are even now, so don’t worry.”

“Understood!” Whew. What a relief.

“Wait, Chat, what are you doing here?” the professor asked Chassy, who had followed me.

“I was just offering to be Jane’s partner, sir,” Chassy said flirtatiously.

“But you’re already paired with Keerana. Don’t worry about your friend; I’ve already sorted it. Go back to your spot.” Chassy looked dejected as her dream plan crumbled, but she stomped back to her friend. I couldn’t even describe how happy I was.

“Professor, where is my partner?” I asked, scanning the room. All the girls seemed to have partners. No one was standing alone.

“Oh, they aren’t here yet. This student notified me they’d be a bit late because their previous class is in the new building. Oh, there! Just in time. Hey, you! Student, what was your name again… never mind. Come here first.” Professor Raphee nudged me-silent and frozen-to face the man who had just walked in. A tall man wearing a padlock pendant, with sharp black eyes and that signature cold aura radiating from him as always. “Senior, this is your new partner. He’s a guy too, but I’ll have the junior dance the ‘female’ part. It’s no problem; happens every semester. Women dancing as men, men as women… it depends on the class.” Professor Raphee seemed to be talking to himself.” Now, what was your name again? I forgot.”

“Jane,” the tall guy said.

“Right. Okay, you two are partners. Practice well, because the junior has a lot of catching up to do. Jane, teach the kid. Oh, and what was your name again, kid?” “J… Jenalee, sir… “” The professor frowned.

“Jane, Jenalee… Jane, Jenalee… Just Jane and Jenalee.” Professor Raphee repeated the names quickly.

“Your names are so similar. How am I going to remember? Whatever, never mind for now. Get to your positions!” The professor clapped loudly, and everyone moved. I put my bag against the wall, my heart racing as I stepped out to stand across from P’Jane. Oh god, I don’t dare look at his face! What do I do?!

“Today we’ll start with the Cha-Cha-Cha, and at the end of the hour, we’ll review the Begin. Okay, Cha-Cha-Cha starts like this. Men go first… ” Professor Raphee started teaching the basic male steps. One, two, three-four-five… men step with the left foot first. Then he taught the female steps. The female starts with the right. (And I had to dance the female part!) “Now, when you pair up, it looks like this. Everyone, watch me. Keerana, come help me.” Gib was pulled out to demonstrate. They looked elegant, making the dance look effortless. Then he sent her back to Chassy.

“Now you try. Men and women, pair up!” Shit. Does ‘pair up’ mean we have to hold each other? No way…

“What’s going on over there? Why aren’t you pairing up? Jane… Jane-whatever. Kids’ names are so hard these days. Uh, Nong Jane! Take P’Jane’s hand. Quickly. P’Jane has been waiting.” Nong Jane is me, right? I’m Nong Jane. AAAAAGH! With everyone-including the professor-staring at us, I had no choice but to place my trembling hand into P’Jane’s, who had been waiting in position for a while. Immediately, the tall man’s strong arm wrapped around me, pulling me into the correct ballroom frame.

“Everyone, begin!” The sound of rhythmic counting filled the room. I kept my head down, my feet fumbling as if they were going to tangle. Wait, what rhythm is this again?!

“Nong Jane! if you don’t look at P’Jane and just worry about your feet, you’ll lose the count. Look up. Keep your shoulders elegant. Dance with confidence!” Oh, for God’s sake…

“Still not looking up? Should I dock points from your pair?” I snapped my head up the moment I heard that. But I just stared at my partner’s padlock pendant for a long time before I dared to look at his face. I saw P’Jane was already looking at me. He began counting the rhythm clearly for me to hear.

“Left, two, three-four-five, six-seven, eight-nine-ten… ” It became much easier to dance. Finally, we were dancing normally like everyone else. By now, I was comfortable enough with the steps that I didn’t have to count out loud. But we still had to maintain eye contact. It felt so weird… if the students in this room were fighting fish, half of us would be pregnant by now.

“So… were you avoiding me?”

“What? I wasn’t avoiding you, P’Jane. Why would I? I wasn’t,” I said, my voice hitting a high note. I wanted to bite my tongue off. Not suspicious at all, Jane. Not at all…

“But you saw me in the smoking room and ran away. I was about to wave hello.”

“Nooo. When did I do that? Don’t make things up, P’Jane.”

“Fine. I thought you were just shy because you confessed your love to me.”” I did not confess!” “Ouch!” P’Jane gasped in pain and shook his foot after I misstepped and stomped right on him. Professor Raphee started to walk over, but P’Jane waved him off, signaling it was fine. We continued dancing.

“Can you do it?” the tall man asked.

“The woman starts with the right. Right foot, Nong Jane, not left. Step back, step left. That’s it. You’re getting it. Just follow my lead.”

“Dammit, why do I have to be the woman? I thought Big was the one who got hit. That means you were paired with Big before? Did he dance the woman’s part too?” P’Jane smiled.

“I was paired with Dek, Big’s girlfriend. They were both hit at the same time. Didn’t you know?” “Wait, what?!” “Big wasn’t even in this class to begin with.” So that’s how it was! I made a sour face. If I’d known, I wouldn’t have added this class. I didn’t want to dance the female part.

“Why? You want to dance the male part?”

“Well… yeah. I don’t like dancing as the woman.” Maybe it’s a short-guy complex. We like doing things that make us feel manly and tough so we seem taller. It’s psychology.

“Then I can dance the woman’s part for you.” “Really?” “Sure. How tall are you?”

“Huh?” “… 173 cm.” He gave a strange smile, like he was amused. Actually, it was that mocking smile I told him about, but with an added touch of genuine amusement.

“Hey, I’m serious!” I only added four centimeters to my actual height!

“I didn’t say anything. But I’m 192 cm. If you think you can handle my weight, I’ll dance the woman’s part.” I frowned. Wait, is there really a 23 cm difference between us?” Handle your weight how?”

“Like this.” “Whoa!!” I cried out when P’Jane suddenly released his hold on my back and used his strength to tilt me backward, catching my waist to support my weight. He leaned his face in so close our noses almost touched. My heart hammeredI from the shock and the proximity. P’Jane was still smiling.

“This move.” Thump-thump… thump-thump…

“As we keep learning, there will definitely be a move like this.” Thump-thump…

“So, do you still want to dance the male part?” The tall, black-haired man with the padlock pendant asked with a smile. I could feel the heat of his palms against my body. I cleared my throat and answered: “No… you keep being the man, P’Jane.”

“Hey, you two ‘Janes’ over there! I haven’t taught those figure moves yet! Don’t skip ahead. We’re still on the Cha-Cha-Cha. Stand back up!” P’Jane pulled me back up into a standard frame effortlessly. It made me realize he wasn’t a beginner at this. I waited for my heart to calm down before asking in my most ‘normal’ voice: “You already know how to dance, don’t you?” He didn’t answer but playfully wiggled his eyebrows at me.” Seriously? That’s so unfair.”

“Isn’t it good? Being paired with me?”

“I mean, being paired with someone who already knows what they’re doing… I guess it’s okay.” He kept smiling. “Don’t worry. Stay with me, and you’re guaranteed an A.” I nodded, not knowing what to say. It felt strangely good to hear that… or maybe I just felt strangely good seeing him smile.

“I’m just surprised you can do ballroom dance. With your face, you look like you’d do K-Pop or Hip-Hop.” “Face has nothing to do with it. I’ve just studied it since I was a kid.”” That’s cool. What school did you go to?”

“I learned it myself.”