Nerds Are Lovable

24: Nerds Are Elderly

"One and two and cha cha cha."

"Yes, Martha!"

"Dance like you never had your hips replaced, Rupert."

I'm standing frozen right outside the double doors that lead to the studio Jayden is teaching in. The old lady at the front desk remembered me from the last time I was here 'Disturbing the art' as she put it. After a little sweet talking though, I got her to let me through. But now, I think I wasted all that energy. I don't even know why I'm here. Yeah, Jayden told me to show up, but now I'm thinking he might have been kidding.

The door swings open before me and I somehow manage to freeze and tense up more than I already was. An old man with a sweet smile stands on the other side of the door. He looks shocked to see me as well but is quick to recompose himself.

"Woah, hello," He smiles, "Coming in?" He moves over to give me a passage.

"No, I," I look between him and the studio behind him.

Everyone is dancing in a circle with a partner. There's music playing and Jayden's voice is clear over it as he yells the steps.

"So?" My attention goes back to the man that's been holding the door open for me as I stand there like a statue.

"Haley?"

I catch Jayden running towards us, the music coming to a quiet end.

"Hi, Jam."

"Oh, you're Haley?" The old man looks at me with a knowing smile.

"Yeah," I answer him, "That's me," I raise my eyebrows and shift my view to Jayden.

There's a blush on his cheeks, obviously embarrassed at me realizing that all these seniors know who I am by name. I wink at him before making my way in through the door that the man was still holding open.

"Thanks, uh?"

"Gerald."

"Oh, you're my dance partner," I smile at him.

Gerald nods and walks out the door. It closes
quietly behind me and I try to relax. Step one is complete, I made it in the studio. Now, I just have to dance. Great.

"You came!" Jayden smiles to me.

"You told me to, remember?"

Jayden scratches the back of his neck, "Didn't think you'd actually show up."

I nudge his chest slightly, "I do as I'm told, sometimes."

Jayden smiles and turns back to the seniors that are all staring at us. He chuckles nervously under his breath. Grabbing my hand he leads me to the front of the studio.

"Everyone, let's salsa."

I lean towards Jayden slightly so that I can whisper to him, "What am I supposed to do?"

Jayden smiles down to me and grabs my hand and waist in one smooth movement. Settling us in what I assume to be proper salsa position. I try to remember some of the tips Jayden had told me the last time I'd been in here, but my memory is fuzzy. The only thing I do remember is that I can't look at my feet. Raising my head, I catch Jayden's gaze. He's smiling at me and as the salsa music starts to play he yells out the beginning counts, his eyes never leaving mine. Softly, Jayden guides me to where I need to go. Each step seems so natural on him, but I feel the complete opposite.

"Move those hips, ladies."

"I'm trying," I laugh basically to myself but Jayden is close enough to hear me.

Jayden leans forward so that his lips are close to my ear, his breath sending tingles across my neck, "Relax."

I nod and let out a breath I didn't even know I was holding. Jayden stands up straight again and smiles at me. He winks before turning to face everyone.