Hoops & Harmonies

10.

Omniscient POV:
Monica sat on the couch, flipping through channels aimlessly. The thoughts in her head were louder than the TV, swirling around like a storm she couldn't escape. The age difference between her and Angel had always been a quiet worry, something she could push aside most days. But lately, it had started to weigh heavier on her mind. Every time they were out together, she couldn't help but notice the glances they received, the unspoken judgments in people's eyes.

She sighed, turning off the TV and tossing the remote aside. As much as she tried to brush it off, it was starting to affect how she saw herself—and, more importantly, how she saw their relationship.

Her phone buzzed on the coffee table, pulling her out of her thoughts. It was a text from Angel.

Hey baby, I've got a surprise for you today. Get dressed and be ready by 6. Casual but cute

Monica couldn't help but smile, Despite her worries, Angel always had a way of making her feel special. She glanced at the clock—4:30 p.m.—and decided she had just enough time to take a quick shower and freshen up.

By 6 p.m., Monica was ready, dressed in a simple yet cute outfit as Angel suggested.

As she stood in front of the mirror, she tried to push away the self-doubt that had been gnawing at her. Angel loved her for who she was, and she needed to trust in that.

Just as the clock struck six, there was a knock at the door. Monica opened it to find Angel standing there, a bouquet of sunflowers in her hand and a mischievous smile on her face.

"Hey, beautiful," Angel greeted, leaning in to kiss her softly. "You look amazing."
Monica blushed, accepting the flowers. "Thank you. You look pretty amazing yourself."

Angel was dressed casually but she wore it with the confidence and ease that Monica had always admired.

Angel took Monica's hand, intertwining their fingers. "Ready for your surprise?"
Monica nodded, her curiosity growing. "Where are we going?"
"You'll see," Angel replied with a wink, leading her to the car.

The drive was filled with light conversation and laughter, easing some of the tension that had been building up in Monica's chest. After about twenty minutes, they pulled up to a small, charming building on the outskirts of town. Monica squinted at the sign, trying to make out what it said.
"Is this...a dance studio?" she asked, a mix of surprise and confusion in her voice.

Angel grinned. "Not just any dance studio. This place offers private lessons for couples. I thought it might be fun for us to try something new together."
Monica raised an eyebrow. "You want to take a dance class?"
"Why not?" Angel shrugged, her smile never faltering. "I know you've always wanted to learn how to dance properly, and I figured it'd be a fun way to spend some time together."

Monica was touched by the thoughtfulness behind the gesture. "But...I've never danced before. What if I make a fool of myself?"
Angel squeezed her hand reassuringly. "That's the point—we're both going to learn something new, together. Besides, it doesn't matter if we're good or not. What matters is that we're doing it as a team."

Monica felt a warmth spread through her chest, melting away some of the insecurities that had been weighing her down. She smiled, feeling lighter than she had in days. "Okay," she said softly. "Let's do it."

The dance instructor, a lively woman named Isabella, welcomed them with open arms. She led them into the studio, where soft music played in the background. The room was dimly lit, creating an intimate and relaxed atmosphere.
Isabella started them off with simple steps, guiding them through the basics of a slow, romantic dance. At first, Monica was self-conscious, aware of every misstep she made, but Angel's steady hands and encouraging smile kept her going.

"You're doing great," Angel whispered as they swayed to the music. "Just relax and have fun."
Monica nodded, focusing on the rhythm and the feel of Angel's hands on her waist. Slowly but surely, she started to let go of her fears, allowing herself to get lost in the moment.

As they danced, something shifted inside Monica. She realized that it wasn't about the steps or the technique—it was about the connection she shared with Angel. The way Angel looked at her, with so much love and admiration, made her forget all about the age difference. In that moment, they were just two people deeply in love, sharing something beautiful together.

The lesson flew by, and by the end of it, Monica was laughing and twirling in Angel's arms, completely caught up in the joy of the moment.

"You were amazing," Angel said as they finished their last dance, pulling Monica close.
"I don't know about that," Monica replied, still catching her breath. "But I had a lot of fun."
"That's all that matters," Angel said, pressing a kiss to Monica's forehead. "I wanted you to see that it doesn't matter how old we are, or what people think. What matters is that we love each other, and that we're happy together."

Monica felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes, but this time, they were tears of happiness. "You're right," she said softly. "I'm so lucky to have you."
Angel smiled, brushing a stray lock of hair behind Monica's ear. "I'm the lucky one," she whispered, leaning in to kiss her deeply.

As their lips met, Monica felt a surge of love and gratitude for the woman standing in front of her. In that moment, she knew that nothing else mattered—no age difference, no judgments from others. All that mattered was the love they shared, a love that transcended time and age.
As they left the studio, hand in hand, Monica felt lighter than she had in weeks. The future felt bright and full of possibilities, and she knew that with Angel by her side, they could face anything together.