If I Could Dance With You Again

IICDWYA: 69

Chapter 69

Aaliyah barely remembered locking her door that morning.

Her body moved on muscle memory alone—keys, bag, shoes, hallway—while her mind lagged somewhere behind, wrapped in fog and unfinished thoughts. She blinked against the cool morning air, the city still half-asleep, and wondered when exhaustion had started feeling like a permanent state rather than something temporary.

She wasn't a coffee person. Never had been.

The smell alone usually made her wrinkle her nose, but today, she gave in. She found herself in the drive‑thru line at Café Neda, resting her forehead briefly against the steering wheel while the car idled forward. When her turn came, she ordered something strong—something that would force her eyes open and her thoughts into order.

The first sip burned her tongue.

Good, she thought. I need that.

By the time she reached the studio, the caffeine had begun to work its way through her system, though it couldn't fully chase away the heaviness clinging to her shoulders. The day passed in a blur of mirrored walls, echoing music, and disciplined bodies in motion. She spent hours observing advanced classes—correcting posture, adjusting footwork, offering quiet praise where it was earned.

There was no time for the beginners today.

She noticed the irony as she stood at the back of the studio, arms folded, watching students execute difficult routines with focus and determination. She taught people how to move forward, how to trust their bodies, how not to freeze when something scared them.

And yet, here she was—stuck.

By the time she returned to her room that evening, exhaustion had settled deep into her bones. All she wanted was silence. A shower. Sleep.

Instead, she was greeted by voices.

She stopped short when she saw them.

Wonwoo stood first, polite as always, already bowing slightly. Woozi sat beside him, arms crossed, expression unreadable. Dino hovered near the couch like he wasn't sure whether to sit or stand. Jun smiled gently. Mingyu looked uncomfortable, hands shoved into his pockets. Dokyeom—sweet, earnest Dokyeom—looked like he'd been rehearsing what to say and forgotten everything the moment she walked in.

The room felt smaller all of a sudden.

"I'm sorry for showing up unannounced," Wonwoo said quickly. "We should've called."

Aaliyah forced a smile, even as her body screamed for rest. "Gwaenchana. It's fine. I'm sorry I kept you waiting."

"No, no—it's okay, ssaem," Dino said, shaking his head. "We actually... came because we have a favor to ask."

She already knew what it was.

Her chest tightened anyway.

Dokyeom leaned forward, hands clasped together. "We know it's been years since you and Soonyoung hyung broke up," he said carefully, "but... we really want you to come to his surprise birthday party."

The words landed heavier than she expected.

Meeting Soonyoung again—unexpected, unplanned. The triplets inviting her to their father's birthday. Running away once more when the conversation turned awkward. Lying awake last night, staring at the ceiling, heart pounding because of Ru's quiet words.

And now this.

"Is this a sign?" she wondered silently. Maybe the universe is tired of me running.