Dark and light: The Shadows

Chapter 4

Anya's POV

It's not even the end of September, and chemistry is picking up. The class, my love life, is stagnant. God, I need to see him. My relief after this class till either of our schedules clears up is Dance. I find it criminal to have classes after 4 pm on a Friday, more so for those of us who have to do labs on Saturdays.

I ensured that protein bars were in my bag before going to the room assigned for the day. We've been working on a choreography for a show in mid-October. It would be the perfect treat for mom to witness, post-birthday. I smiled as I thought of her sitting in the crowd, moving along to the music. Half of our items - since were the main performers- contained Afrobeats. And I've noticed a few times outwardly and shyly, that I'd subconsciously swaying or hip movements from the songs I'd play while at home.

Home. I miss being there.

The clamour of the girls, guys and gays exploded once I opened the door, and got situated. Which was just to remove my sweater and sandals. We normally did our routines barefoot, which sucked the first few times with some people's hygiene. But they got the memo, and 6 weeks later, it smelled a lot better. Still needs improvement, but we take what good comes.

I took a seat on the ground, peering at a sign -wall hanging, really on the wall.

"Constantly, consistently, continually, you." This quote in class read.

I smiled. We all needed that in this environment. Too many of us folded to meet the standards of social media or just what the world feeds into as trendy.

Our instructor walked in on queue. She set her speaker down out of all of our ways, stared straight at us, and then the beat to 'Party Rock' came on. I smirked and looked at the rest of the class. They looked just as excited as we got up, clapping to the beat.

"Ok! Y'all know we're about to freestyle, so let's get it! In one! Two! One, two three, AND!"

The rest is history. We had our fun, THEN stretched, and then practised our last song choreography after reviewing the previous ones. Moments like these I live for. It makes everything else in life worth it. I could go on to anyone about the sport/art expression called dance. We had five more practices and one stage practice. It crammed my school schedule and free time together to make space for dance. I was perfectly fine with that.

I gathered my items and then walked back over to my instructor.

"I truly commend you for the marvellous work you do with dancing," I smiled and felt relief when she returned the smile with the same level.

"Oh, no. I'm glad that you all made the time to enjoy and express yourself! You're Anya, right?" she rubbed at her chin.

"In the flesh," I curtsied but reeled back up. "Unless there's been a report of me or something, then no, that's my roommate."

She laughed, doing that finger-pointing one does when the person or the joke is good.

"You're good!" see? "Would you be doing dance next semester as well?"

"Oh, I signed up for the entire school year. I wasn't sure of my pacing last year so I didn't but I'm positive this year is a go, it's an amazing outlet for literally anything, It keeps you cardio-healthy and we can connect. It's the best."

"I truly like you, Anya. Thank you so much for giving your time." she smiled approvingly. "See you next week! Keep up the great work, your flow is 'chef's kiss.'" She did the action to match.

I laughed and thanked her, bidding goodbye. If that wasn't approval from the universe itself, I don't know what is. I felt personally satisfied with the outlet it provided me with. I do hope that my cycle doesn't start on any of the rehearsal days, however. The pain doesn't really bother me, but the bitch that I can be does. God, do I get cranky and insecure.