Now, I do

Anastasia James

The place John wanted to take me wasn't that far from Rachel's, but we drove in his car anyway. According to him, when it was time to leave, I would be deeply grateful that we didn't go on foot. When the blue pickup truck stopped, I opened the door and jumped out, taking a good look around. It was just a parking lot. There weren't many cars there, but it wasn't empty either.

I have no idea where we are, and I didn't realize there was a building there until John started walking towards it. I just followed him. The black-painted double doors opened, revealing a small reception area with reddish lights and a large brown leather sofa. The place was empty, so I glared at John with a frown.

“Is this where you wanted to bring me?” I raised an eyebrow.

“Hmm.” He nodded, smiling.

“And where's the noise you mentioned?” I narrowed my eyes and saw his smile widen.

“Do the honors.” He gave an extremely exaggerated bow and pointed to a wooden door, which I just now noticed.

“What's in here?” I frowned, but all I got was a smirk.

I huffed and pushed the door open all at once, to be greeted by a loud knock. There was a play of light through the dark environment and also many people dancing, eating and drinking. I looked at John, who smiled, grabbed my hand and dragged me inside. He started to walk and move his body to the music that was playing, making me laugh.

“What is here?” I said over the music. He stopped and turned to me.

“Welcome to the great dance club where the best battles take place.” He pointed to the stage beyond, where some people were dancing.

“Oh, dance!?” I raised an eyebrow.

“Dance?” John stared at me in disbelief. “Do you realize this isn't choreographed? It's freestyle!” He said with some excitement.

“Free style?” I frowned.

“Yes. It's like an impromptu dance. Almost what you did a few minutes ago at Rachel's.” He shrugged and smiled. “Those over there are Greg and Scott.” He pointed to the boys dancing on the stage. “They are part of our group.” He gave me the slightest smile. “You'll meet them later.”

“Why are they battling? Aren't they friends?” I asked, confused.

“We're all friends, but when we get together here for the freestyle battle, we forget about everything and give ourselves away. It's nothing personal, you know? It's pure fun. We even teased each other up there.” He grinned. “But, there are people who don't like it and leave irritated. Actually, last week, someone was shot.” He said naturally, making me widen my eyes and take a few steps back.

“God! And how do you bring me to such a place!?” I clapped my hands over my mouth in desperation. John started to laugh, so I frowned. “What are you…”

“You fall too easy.” He shook his head, making me roll my eyes.

“That's not funny.” I snorted.

“Sorry.” He chuckled. “Come on, I'll introduce you to the rest of the guys.” He said, and I barely had the opportunity to answer, because I was practically dragged.

We walked through the sea of people until we reached a table further back. Everyone looked at us curiously, and I ended up recognizing one of the girls who were sitting there, because I saw her dancing the other day. I looked like a frightened puppy next to John, so I pulled away from his touch and crossed my arms over my breasts.

“Hey guys. This is Ana.” He pointed at me. I looked at him and ended up smiling with the nickname. “She’s in our group now.”

Wait. Am I? Okay, a lot of information to take in.

“Year in, year out, and the number of women in this group only increases.” The boy with red and curly hair sighed. “Are we doomed to serve women?” He frowned and as soon as he looked at me, his expression softened. “I'm Kaleb.” He smiled and held the lefty out to me.

“Hi, Kaleb!” I squeezed his hand and laughed at his whining.

“Haven't you learned yet that we will rule the world?” Said the girl who had hair with a few strands dyed pink, commonly the one I recognized. “Come, sit here with us.” She patted the leather seat.

“I'm going.” John sighed.

“Not you.” The girl said through gritted teeth. “Her.” She looked at me and gave me a little smile. I pressed my lips together, trying not to laugh at John's face, and walked over, sitting next to him.

“You've loved me more, Steph.” He shook her head, sitting down next to me. The nervousness I was feeling before being alone with these strangers suddenly disappeared.

“What crazy dream was that?” She scoffed and turned to me. “My name is Steph and this is Molly.” She pointed to the blonde sitting behind her.

“Hey, there!” Molly waved. “Did you move here a long time ago?” She asked while picking up her beer bottle on the table.

“No.” I laugh nasally. “To be more exact, four days ago.”

“Wow.” They said in unison and looked at each other.

“Here.” I heard John's voice, and then I noticed his hand reaching out to me, holding a bottle of beer.

“You're not trying to get me drunk, are you?” I smiled and narrowed my eyes at him, taking the drink.

“For you to agree that coming with me by car was much more advantageous than walking?” He scoffed. “Bullshit.”

“I understand you're sedentary, John. Don’t worry. Your secret is well guarded.” I winked and saw him chuckle. When I turned back to the girls, both Steph and Molly were smiling suggestively at me.

“So, Ana.” Steph emphasized. “Tell us a little about yourself. Do you have hobbies, like to dance, have a boyfriend…?

“What is that? Job interview?” Said the man with shaved hair who was dancing on stage when I arrived.

“Shut up, Scott.” Molly squinted at the boy, who pursed his lips and nodded.

“Well…” I chuckled. “Yes, I have a hobby, which is dancing, so that already answers the second question. And no, I don't have a boyfriend.”

“You dance!?” Molly looked excited.

“A little bit.” I made a gesture with my thumb and forefinger.

“Stop being modest.” John gave me a little push. “She dances a lot! Do you believe she learned your new choreography just by looking?”

“Really!?” Steph raised her eyebrows.

I opened my mouth, not knowing what to say. Should I apologize? I have no idea if I offended them.

“It is a very difficult choreography. How did you get it?” Steph asks.

“Well, I dance…” I cleared my throat. “I danced classical ballet.” I corrected myself. “Many of the steps I learned were from watching others do them so much. I just copied and adapted them for myself.”

“Classical ballet!?” Molly's eyes widened, apprehensive. “What a small world…”

“Small world?” I frowned. She threatened to open her mouth, but was stopped by Steph.

“You know, now I'm curious to see.” She commented, looking at me intently. “Why don't you go by Rachel's tomorrow?”

“This idea is perfect, Steph!” John snapped and glared at me. “A room to dance what you like. Sounds good, doesn't it?”

“What?” I frowned in disbelief at what I heard.

“We can get along just fine. This way, everyone can use the room without disturbing each other.” Steph commented.

“Are you serious?” I arched my eyebrows at her. “Wait. How much…”

“Hey! Don’t say it.” John narrow his eyes for me. “Dance is not a business.”

“Exactly.” Steph nodded, raising her bottle of beer to her lips. “Now you're part of our group, right?” She winked.

I couldn't say anything. I was too shocked to formulate any comprehensible sentences. Will I now have the opportunity to dance in a room? Alone? And FREE? I'm dreaming, it's not possible. Okay, not all alone, but, come on! It’s free! I don’t have to pay anything to dance. Not anymore.

“Welcome.” John grinned at me.

“Excellent. Now, let's drink!” Steph raised her bottle to me for a toast.

I was still a little perplexed, but I grabbed my beer and toasted with them. The clinking of glasses spread a sense of nostalgia through my body. I've never had a moment like this with anyone other than Bethany.

But, apparently, now I do.