Love is as Easy as Dancing

The Class

“Gabe, can you put the next CD in?” I said, putting on my pair of pink ballet flats that sat in the corner of the second floor dance studio. The walls were painted a light blue, the floor was a light tan hardwood, coated in gloss. Gabe walked over to me, clipboard in hand, “The next couple coming in want to learn a dance for their upcoming wedding.” Quickly, I tied my curly blond hair into a messy bun before standing up.

            “Why do you always insist on wearing a long dress when we practice?” Gabe asked, using the remote to change the song on the radio.

            I brushed off my black maxi dress and stated, “Because it makes it easier for the men I teach to dance. Take the couple coming in for example; he will have to dance with his partner in a wedding dress. It’s one of my teaching habits, don’t judge me.” I laughed as I stretched.

            After a while of warm ups, Gabe and I prepared for our last lesson of the night. Quickly, I walked downstairs to the first floor to get the couple. The man sat a chair away from the woman, seeming as if he wanted to converse with her, but she just stared at her phone.

            “hello, I’m Lucy, I’ll be one of your dance instructors for the evening. My partner is waiting up stairs for us, so if you’ll follow me-“ I was interrupted.

            “Don’t think we are paying extra because there’s two teachers” the women’s tone was so snarky, I almost wanted to tell her to leave at that exact moment.

            “Scarlett, no need to be rude” the man said, obviously feeling the need to step in between us. “Shall we get started?” he asked, gesturing towards the stairs.

           

            The door to the studio creaked as I walked in with the couple. “Gabe, here’s the couple I was telling you about”

            “Hi, I’m Gabe, and you are?” he asked, shaking both of their hands.

            “Sebastian”

            “Scarlett” She seemed more than unhappy to be here.

            Sensing the awkwardness, I said, “So we learn the basics separately, then after an hour we get back together and you guys can dance together so we can see what needs improvement. Sebastian, you’re with me and Scarlett, unfortunately, you’re stuck with Gabe” I teased.

            She was not amused, but Sebastian laughed before receiving a death glare from his fiancé. After her and Gabe left the room, I turned to Sebastian and said, “You need to take your shoes off. No Street shoes on the hardwood.”

            “yes ma’am” he laughed, taking off his shoes and placing them next to the door.

            It wasn’t until now that I realized how handsome he was. His deep navy blue t-shirt clung to his torso, his dark jeans were snug around the waist.

            “So we are learning a traditional ballroom styled waltz, and it’s a very intimate dance, so you’re going to have to get comfortable with me” I laughed, placing his hands on my waist. They were loose as if he was uncomfortable. “Are you ok?” I asked, looking up into his ocean blue eyes.

            “Yeah- i- I just am not normal this close to people when I’m engaged. Not that I’ve been engaged before, it’s just that, im not usually this close to anyone other than Scarlett.” He continued to awkwardly chatter on.

            “It’s fine, im beyond used to this” I laughed, lacing my fingers through his as I began to teach him how to dance