Study Partners {LEVIHAN}

Chapter 16: Dancing the Night Away

Hanji's POV

We began to close down the science club stall as the dance would start in an hour. Surprisingly, a lot of people came to our stall and bought things. That was a first for our club. Usually, we would get one or two people- never more than 20. But we sold over 50 tie-dye objects, 100 candles, and 4 pies. The best thing about being in the club is that we can take home almost everything that wasn't sold.

Once everything was shut down, the girls and I ran to the locker room in the gym to change into our dresses. Surprisingly, there weren't many girls there. The bathrooms were packed with girls standing in line just to change into their party clothes. I guess we were smart enough to go to the one place where no one would think to go.

When we were done, the girls began to compliment the dress I was wearing... and began to wonder who I was dressed up for. Then they concluded: I had a secret boyfriend.

Being those types of people, we gathered at the snack table, munching down chocolate chip cookies and avoiding the raisins. We drank some of the fruit punch as some of us waited for our dates. Thankfully, Levi passed the test and he was going to be here. But half an hour into the dance, he never showed up. He never seemed to be the kind of person to break a promise... so I waited. I waited for him to show up...

"Hanji?"

I turned around, seeing him in the outfit we picked out... but surprisingly, he wore a cravat. He avoided looking at me as he shamefully lowered his head. 

"Listen, I'm sorry I'm late... my uncle held me back longer than expected. I'm sorry."

I smiled, chuckling it away. "It's okay. Although a text or something wouldn't have hurt. I know you're not the kind of person to break a promise... but you did make me worried. Please text me time?"

He nods, "Okay." He looks up towards the dance floor, and I could hear his heart drop. "Do we really have to dance?"

"We don't have to."

"Then what was the point to come here? I don't get it..."

I laugh softly to myself, holding up another cookie. "Usually, we come here and eat snacks. Hang out. Maybe even get a dance. You don't want to dance because you don't know how to?"

Levi shook his head. "No, I do... not the way you think."

"I would love to see your style of dancing."

His ears soon turned red, "No. It's... a little weird. Maybe from prom." He smiles towards me, "It's a little early, but do you want to go to prom with me?"

It is early, Levi. You're supposed to be like one of those guys who create those big boards to ask me out. Or do something dramatic! "Of course."

He smiled softly before scratching the back of his head. Well... what do we do now? I'm not dancing..."

"Hey, aren't you a junior?" Aliza points at Levi, almost smirking. 

"I am." He responded as I know exactly what she was going with.

"Lucky." Aliza turns to me with a fake pouty face. "Hanji, you're lucky."

Levi turns to me, whispering into my ear. "Why am I lucky?"

"There's an after-party that all juniors and seniors are invited to go to. And the only way a sophomore like me can go is if a junior or a senior took me to the dance. So... technically, I'm qualified." I smiled softly, catching a glimpse at Marie and... Erwin? "Huh, no way." I chuckled.

"What?" Levi turns around and we both saw the two. Then, they found us. "Oh no."

"Oh no, what?"

"Erwin doesn't know I took you to the dance."

"Oh... oh no." I chuckle to myself as they approached us. "Hey, Marie. I didn't know that Erwin took you to the dance."

"And I didn't know that Levi took you to the dance either." She replies, chuckling. "Erwin told me that Levi was going to the date. Never thought you would go with him... considering..." Of course... everyone knows about Moblit... "Well, at least you're smiling now."

Levi and Erwin began to chat, and I did want to dance. But if Levi said he can dance a certain style... it's not a casual dance that's usually at a dance... what if it's a formal style? Maybe for a slow dance, I'll lead the dance. And for prom... I want him to lead a dance.

"Did you get to dance yet?" I ask Marie, seeing Erwin and Levi still busy. 

"Yeah, we did. I'm guessing you want to, huh?"

"Levi said he couldn't dance." I lied to her, "But I'm hoping we can dance to a slow song. That way if he messes up, it's okay. It's a slow dance."

"I wouldn't think he would be a good partner to dance with. Ask Erwin to dance with you, okay?"

"Why did you say that?"

Marie glances at Levi, sighing softly. Probably judging how Levi looks. He told me about that a few times... how people would think certain things about him. Some say that he was a man that was going to fail school, drop out... do bad things that other people think he would do. Levi's true nature...? He's a kind-hearted man... a man who has a soft, and vulnerable heart.

"He doesn't seem like a person to dance."

"He'll dance. I promise." I smiled, hearing the tone of the music change. "Well, I'm going to convince him to dance with me. Is Erwin going to take you to the after-party?"

"Yeah, he is. Is Levi taking you?"

"I'll convince him to do that too." I smiled, "See you later, Marie!"

Levi glances at me, and I saw the horror in his eyes. "Hanji?"

"Dance with me, Levi."

"But I said-."

"It's just a small dance. A small, slow dance." I held out my arm, and Levi reluctantly takes it. "Just for one song."

"Okay." He smiles back as we stayed on the outskirts of the dance floor. That I didn't mind.

His arms wrapped around my waist as we slowly swayed to the music. I knew he could dance somewhat formally now. My proof? The way he swayed to the music, synchronizing me with him. We were together. The way he held my waist tightly... how he gently tugged and pushed me as our feet didn't collide with one another. 

I closed my eyes, wishing he was a little bit taller so I could lean my ear against his chest... just so I can hear his heartbeat. But I love him the way he is... I'm thinking of kissing him soon... but here... it's so public... Levi and I would hate it if someone snapped a picture of us kissing and posted it to social media. How it would destroy the two of us...

Can I ask for this night to never end?