Exiled (AmBw)

Chapter 2

After successfully hailing a cab, I packed my things in the trunk and was off to see the city. My first stop was a cute cafe I researched before my phone ascended to phone heaven. R.I.P Sammy (Samsung). I'll miss you.

Three desserts and a cup of coffee later, my soul was at peace. I reached into my bag for my phone and was thoroughly disappointed and slightly embarrassed that I was looking for a phone that was no longer there. 'My God, what's wrong with me? It's like I'm addicted to my phone," I thought, concerned. Brushing off the absence of my phone, I remembered that I had seen some shops on the way here before the driver dropped me off. The Shinjuku Grandbell Hotel wasn't too far from where I was. I figured I would do some shop hopping from here to the hotel. A nice walk would do me well right now,' I thought to myself, leaving a tip in the tip jar before I left.

I wandered through a couple of shops before I came across a boutique. I loved Japanese fashion, so needless to say. I left skid marks on the sidewalk from how fast I flew into the store. A few outfits later, a sad realization set in. My body wasn't exactly the typical body type needed for these clothes. Everything I tried on hit either one of two-speed bumps, my hips, or my breasts. Unfortunately, without a stick of butter and some prayers, I would never be able to squeeze myself into these clothes. I left the store with all my hopes and dreams crushed. That and a Hello Kitty shirt, it was the only thing that fit.

'At least it's super cute,' I thought, making my way down the sidewalk, looking at the shirt I bought. While walking, I heard music coming from the alley I was passing. The music wasn't what caught my attention though it was the group of people in a circle grooving to the music. 'What's going on over there,' I thought, moving closer to the group with my luggage. 'Wow! It's a dance cypher. It's been years since I've seen a cypher,' I thought, remembering the last time I saw one was in high school. The music was good, and the positive vibes from the group were infectious. Without realizing it, I was bopping to the beat with them. All around me were smiling and supportive people of all ages. In the middle of the cypher, there was a little girl 'killing it.' She was popping, locking, dropping, and everything else in between, then, next came an older gentleman who started c-walking. He was so light on his feet. A tutter, tapper, and twerker later, a B-boy with the word 'Smokey' written across his shirt stepped out. After getting the most love from the crowd for his incredibly well-timed moves, he took my hand to lead me into the middle of the circle. I immediately protested his offer and tried to return to my peaceful spot in the cypher, but it was gone. Then the group started to chant "DANCE! DANCE! DANCE!"

"It's okay! No one here is going to judge you. Just a simple two-step will suffice, then they will let you out of the middle." The man who pulled me into the center said, clapping his hands to the beat while backing away, giving me some space to dance: 'Oh God, what did I get myself into?' I panicked. Instead of harping on the fact that I was in the middle, I decided to let it go. I took my bag off my shoulder and asked one of the dancers near me to put it on a set of steps behind him. 'Alright, here we go!' I thought, pumping myself up to dance. As soon as the tempo hit me, I let my body do the rest. As I danced, I could hear the group's cheers grow louder. The excitement only made me dance more, using a few moves I hadn't done in a long time. I was shocked that I still remembered how to dance, seeing as I hadn't in a while. I guess I didn't really need to remember because my body never forgot. I couldn't believe I forgot how great it felt to dance like no one was watching. After I finished dancing, I took a bow, and at that exact moment, the rain decided to fall. The whole group scattered. Quickly grabbed my stuff and found shelter outside of a shop with some of the dancers from the cypher.

'REALLY, RAIN?' I thought, brushing the raindrops off my clothes.

"Hey, those were some nice moves you had out there. You a dancer?" The guy with the "Smokey" t-shirt said, referring to my dancing.