My Little Dancer

three // adrenaline

"Anything that gets your blood
racing is probably worth doing."
Hunter S. Thompson

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Yein rolled about in bed, mumbling and grumbling. It was seven ten in the evening and she was supposed to be meeting Mijoo at seven twenty. For what? For her club's first practice of the semester, where they were welcoming the first years.

Other than hearing that Yein was at her club booth, Mijoo somehow found out that Yein used to dance. She had absolutely no idea who in the school would have known that fact about her because she was the only one from her hometown who enrolled here.

Not that she wanted to keep her dance background a secret, she just didn't want to be involuntarily tied to it. Dancing her whole life since four made it only natural to be involved in it. The biggest question she struggled with was – do I really enjoy it?

With a grunt, Yein raised her head from her bed (for she had been lying on her stomach) and began digging for clothes that were comfortable to dance in. She eventually settled on a pair of joggers and a baggy 3/4 sleeve top that was slightly cropped.

Stuffing her water bottle, an exercise towel and other small necessities into her bag, she slung it over her shoulders and headed downstairs to meet Mijoo at the lobby.

"Wow. The way you dress just gives the air that you're a dancer. Do you know that?"

"I'm sure non-dancers dress like that too," Yein rolled her eyes as she said sarcastically.

"Alright alright. Let's get going then," Mijoo playfully pushed Yein from behind, forcing her to walk at her friend's pace.

//

The time was now seven forty-five. Practice was scheduled to start at eight and most of the seniors were already present. Several freshmen streamed into the studio and only stayed near the wall. They gave the impression that they were scared of the seniors, seeing how they gathered in a corner and whispered amongst themselves.

Yein, on the other hand, was in a corner of her own, doing some light stretching. It had been a while since she danced, and she knew her body needed a good warm up or she'll risk an injury.

At eight on the dot, the seniors gathered everyone in the studio and they began warming up together. From stretching to a few sets of jumping jacks, Yein soon had sweat trickling down her forehead.

She quickly wipe the sweat off with her towel and gulped down water. She was used to taking quick, short breaks for she knew how much time mattered during practice. As she prepared to go back to the centre of the studio, Yein noticed how majority of the students were taking their own sweet time.

Right, I guess not everyone is like that.

At that moment, someone clapped his hands and Yein turned towards him. It was Jimin, the president of Revolution and a third year in contemporary dance. He had been leading the practice so far and it seemed like he would continue doing so.

"We'll be learning a simple choreography now and after that, we'll break into groups to perform while the others watch. Okay Jungkook, lead us."

When the guy who was called stepped to the centre, Yein realised who it was. It's that guy from before.

When the so-called class ended, they were split randomly and Yein took a seat. She was in the last group. She noticed how the freshmen were separated from the seniors and had a hunch that the seniors were 'grading' them.

The senior groups went first and man, were they good. The choreography was honestly not that simple. It required at least a certain level of basic experience to be executed well. And hence, it was obvious among the freshmen who didn't have that foundation and as a result, couldn't keep up with the others.

Finally, it was Yein's group's turn. She roughly recalled the freshmen in her group were not too bad during the class. But then again, the most important thing is to not get distracted by others. She reminded herself of her principles and focused on doing a good job instead.

The music came on and Yein danced what she had learned.

Even for Yein, it was a little difficult, considering how it wasn't a genre and particular technique she was used to. Ending with a pop and drop of her hands slowly, she was breathing heavily, having given her all.

Once everyone had seated down towards the walls of the studio, Jimin stood up to address them, "well done everyone. We will be sending you the videos that we have taken for you to scrutinise your movements but now, we just wanna have a time of individual dancing."

Yein was stunned. She wasn't prepared for such a thing. Was it not simply a practice? Briefly scanning the room, she saw how the freshmen looked nervous and yet fully aware of what was going on. That's when she knew, she was the only one who didn't know.

They must have known there was some sort of audition. They look prepared.

Yein wasn't wrong. Since Revolution was such a revolutionary club, they always conducted unannounced auditions for incoming freshmen. Those who joined, all knew about it and had prepared an item.

Glaring at Mijoo in her head, she wondered why she wasn't told about it.

//

As the auditions went on, Yein could jarringly tell the experienced ones from the amateurs. Snapping herself back to reality, she racked through her brain to choose a song to dance to.

Ah, okay. That song. She decided as she stood up for her turn. She saw in the corner of her eye Mijoo giving her silent cheer.

"Human by Christina Perri please."

Taking a deep breath to calm her nerves, Yein got into position, sitting down and curling up into a ball.

I can hold my breath
I can bite my tongue
I can stay awake for days
If that's what you want
Be your number one

I can fake a smile
I can force a laugh
I can dance and play the part
If that's what you ask
Give you all I am

I can do it
I can do it
I can do it

But I'm only human
And I bleed when I fall down
I'm only human
And I crash and I break down
Your words in my head, knives in my heart
You build up and then I fall apart
Cause I'm only human

- -

I can take so much
Until I've had enough

Yein ended sprawled sideways on the floor, eyes closed and panting from the exertion. It was evident to her that her fitness had decreased a little from not dancing for a year but all she could think of as she stood up and walked back to the side of the studio was the adrenaline and pure excitement she had while performing.

Dance huh. I guess I do love you.