Pirouettes&Flips

>>eighteen<<

The start of the new week didn't bring anything new other than the competition rehearsals that would be starting on its second day.

Renjun and Jeno went to studio just like on their usual Monday schedule, in order to attend their hip-hop class. The light-headedness of the post-win was left behind with the first week coming to an end and now they were starting to focus on the bigger step; Nationals.

"I think this time we will work more with Mr. Sicheng alongside Mr. Ten. They were planning on going for a new style for the group dances"

"More contemporary?" Jeno confirmed Renjun with a slight nod of his head. So far, their group routines were mainly hip-hop based and for the competition Mr. Taeyong has told him that they were planning on adding more contemporary, at least to one of their routines. It wasn't going to be easy, but it was nationals, they had to bring in all they had no matter how hard.

As they reached the gates of the studio building, they saw Jaemin and Haechan sitting by the entry, probably waiting for them. The weather has taken a break from raining for a few days, so it wasn't much of a struggle to stay outside, although they were all still wearing their studio jumpers.

"You guys take much longer when you're walking together than when you're alone, you know that?" Haechan nagged at the newcomers as they approached closer to them.

Jeno ignored the obvious statement and sent a question back at him. It was normal for two people to be slower when they walk together after all, right?

"Why are you guys out here? The class is about to start"

"We didn't want to waste this beautiful weather staying inside, waiting for our friends to come until the class starts" Jaemin expressed himself with unnecessarily big hand gestures, showing first the sky then his other two friends. This time Renjun stepped in, dismissing the implication directed at them.

"Shouldn't we be heading inside? We don't want to be late now, do we?"

The duo who has been already there took their bags from the floor and followed Jeno and Renjun into the building.

Usual dancers of the class were slowly warming up in their own paces when Mr. Ten walked inside with an unfamiliar face following behind him. The boy was taller than not just Mr. Ten but most of the dancers in the studio which seemed quite scary for Renjun who was already in the shorter part of his friends.

"Everyone, eyes here for a moment! Some of you might know Jisung from the younger troupes. He still has a year to be counted as a senior dancer however, he'll be taking the hip-hop classes with you guys from now on so please welcome him" Jaemin suddenly run up to squish Jisung's cheeks leaving Renjun in a startled state. Was Jisung seriously taller than Jaemin or Renjun's eyes were playing games to him?

Jaemin dragged Jisung to where they were standing when Mr. Ten turned his back to adjust the speakers.

"Hey Jisung" Jeno greeted the younger boy, ruffling his hair while doing so. Jisung's body was almost hiding behind Jaemin, although he was clearly taller than the older.

"Oh, our baby Jisung is shy" Haechan teased the younger. When Renjun realised that he is the stranger for the boy and probably the main reason of his shyness he took a step front.

"Hey Jisung, I'm Renjun"

Renjun's ears could barely catch the younger's response "Hi"

Before anyone else had a chance to talk Mr. Ten clapped his hands to get all the dancers attention, signalling the class to start.

Amazed was an understatement for the first impression Jisung has left on Renjun. The boy had one of the best pop-lock abilities that Renjun has ever seen in his over a decade dance life. He made sure to express it as they were headed to their usual cafe with the hopes of opening the kid up more towards himself.