• “Devoted Affection”


    “How did you persuade me to take these lessons again?”

    A brunette scowled at her best friend who forcibly brought her there. The studio, decorated with Greek columns, showed that only the high society kids went there to study dance. She followed after her best friend who naturally walked in with her five inch high heels. At first, she wanted to tell her friend that no way in hell was she going to the studio but was ignored anyway.

    “You’ll love it here, Katherine,” her friend cross her heart. “Promise – you’ll have so much fun here!”

    Katherine, rolling her eyes, continued scowling while observing the people around. “Beatriz, I don’t fit here.”

    “Alright,” Beatriz placed her hands on her hips. “Give me ten good reasons why.”

    “One,” Katherine retorted with her voice rising. “I don’t dance, Two: I’m not rich, Three: I’m the clumsiest idiot alive, Four: What kind of man would want a girl who does weapon exhibitions as a dance partner? Five: Do you think I really want to be here? Six: this was your idea, not mine. Seven, passion for dance is something I don’t have. Eight – didn’t you want to do this because a friend of yours asked you to his prom? Nine: I don’t have much to do here and Ten: There’s nothing here that involves sports and getting rough!”

    Rolling her eyes, Beatriz went on to open her locker to take out her dance shoes. What Katherine said was true but the point of this trip was to make Katherine a least bit girly. The said girl had threatened to cut off her long hair which she had considered a last piece of Katherine’s femininity; Beatriz then decided to see if dancing would get Katherine to shift a bit.

    Apparently, it wasn’t working.

    I didn’t know she would break into a huge fit. I even offered to pay for the lessons, Beatriz pouted at Katherine who begrudgingly pulled out her dancing shoes. I didn’t know that she hated dancing so much. Then again, she’s making such a fallacy of herself. Katherine’s graceful enough since she’s a tennis player and not only that – a martial artist student! For Pete’s sake, why can’t that girl know that?

    “By the way,” Katherine put on her Jazz pants. “Every when are these dance sessions?”

    Beatriz tied her hair up. “It’s every Saturday, Monday and Wednesday, why are you asking?”

    “So, I know when to avoid the stupid lessons,” Katherine smirked while heading towards the dance room.

    Hearing the echo of Katherine’s bangles, Beatriz went inside where a friend of theirs was waiting for them. Their friend happened to be someone they met in an interaction last year. The two didn’t understand why they had to have a boy sit in between them and Katherine stared in horror. Beatriz couldn’t forget that day; Katherine’s face scrunched up with a mixture of twitching and a complete hacking and choking.

    “Thanks for coming,” he smiled sheepishly at the shorter girl. “I didn’t know Katherine would come.”

    “Well,” Beatriz looked at the lanky girl who scowled every time she was referred to. “I forced her to come. Basically, this is Operation: Make Katherine Girly before Prom. That way – any guy would be more than happy to talk to her. She’s always so quiet and a bookworm. Someone ought to tell her to talk to men more. Thanks for inviting us though, Donovan.”

    “That’s true,” Donovan brushed back his reddish brown hair, revealing his soft blue eyes. “I never understood why though she became a tomboy.”

    Beatriz shrugged while watching Katherine retreat to a corner. “I don’t know much about her family life but I know many of her cousins are boys.”

    Katherine swam through the crowd, finding a wall to lean against and wait. Mingling with others wasn’t her thing but often times, her mother would push the issue and it annoyed her to no end. Watching girls swoon at the boys that entered, Katherine rolled her eyes glancing a few moments at Beatriz and Donovan.

    They’re getting along with each other. That’s a good sign, Katherine smirked inwardly. I thought I had to nail the guy’s dignity to the wall first before anything else. Other than that – I don’t see what I’m going to get out of this stupid dance class. Having two left feet is the only thing being worth recognized here; people will just spit on you after that.

    “That’s true,” a baritone voice responded on one side. “But you shouldn’t underestimate yourself, Nieve Blanca.”

    Swivelling at one side, Katherine stood away to face the man who taunted her. Bespectacled, the boy was tall and lean, basically – broad shouldered with grayish blue eyes that could knock a girl dead while his dark brown hair glinted with a mute glow. Gazing at her for a moment, the young man raked his hair back while smirking arrogantly at Katherine and further, pissing her off.

    “Excuse me?” Katherine raised her eye at the young man.

    “A person can tell what another is thinking through the eyes,” he gazed into her dark brown eyes. “But, you’re just that easy to read, Nieve Blanca.”

    “What the hell is wrong with you? Do you live to annoy people,” Katherine scowled.

    He shrugged while walking away. “Well, I just state the obvious.”

    Quit calling me that, Katherine shuddered at his voice. I didn’t know such an arrogant little jerk existed. Wait a minute, I’m in a school for the rich and famous – why should I be surprised?

    Watching him take the front, she headed towards the side where no one could see any mistakes. However, there was one thing Katherine forgot about the place: everyone could see what you’re doing. The dance instructor came out while clapping his hands.

    “Alright,” his deep voice resonated through the room. “Take your positions, dancers. I take it we have a new student, Ms. Costa-Ricca?”

    Beatriz nodded before turning to where Katherine was standing. “Everyone, she’s new here today! This is my friend, Katherine Nieve-Blanca and please be nice to her.”

    Katherine, disguising her twitching a bit, smiled shyly. “Ah, hey everyone,” –she cast a sideward glare at Beatriz. “I’m just here to try so, I’m sorry if I ask too many questions.”

    “Nonsense,” the teacher plugged in the radio. “Asking is not a crime but make sure you have a passion for what you’ve gotten into. Dancing is a pretty complex affair.”

    Katherine, tying her dark reddish brown hair, stretched her legs a bit before taking her position. Though this wasn’t like any sport she had gotten into, Katherine knew that everything strenuous required a warm-up. Moving her leg a bit, Katherine realized how stiff her body felt every time she tried to relax. Swinging her leg to one side, Katherine managed to swing her body a bit despite being a bit under average but was an accomplishment to her nonetheless. Trying to bring her leg over, Katherine nearly slipped until someone managed to catch her with ease.

    No way…rewind… why him???

    Katherine stared in horror when the one who caught her was none other than the same boy who told her that she shouldn’t underestimate herself. The awkward position they were in gained the attention of everyone in the room and where his hand was – Katherine would rather not say.

    “LET GO OF MY BUTT,” Katherine shoved him while recovering her stance. “Geez, this is why men are so unbearable!”

    All the students stared at her and the boy just stood up while fixing his glasses. “Don’t you at least say thank you to someone who helped you?”

    “I’d rather fall than get touched,” Katherine winced at the moment that had passed five minutes ago. “But, thank you for catching me.”

    What a weirdo, the guy twitched a bit before resuming to his normal position.

    “Alright,” The instructor turned on the music. “Don’t hold back your emotions when you do this alright? Bring it on.”

    Katherine began following the beat of “For Your Entertainment” by Adam Lambert until Bea whispered to her. “You idiot, do you know who that is?”

    “That gives him no right to talk to people with a holier-than-thou voice,” Katherine continued to dance. “So, who was he?”

    “That’s Ira Alexanders,” Beatriz glanced at the dark brown haired boy again. “He’s the heir to the Alexanders Group and his father is my father’s best friend!”

    “Your point,” Katherine raised an eyebrow.

    “You get it,” Beatriz shook her head again. “This guy is famous and rich! You know how rumors spread!”

    Katherine sighed while looking at him. “But, I did say thank you.”

    “Knowing him,” Beatriz snorted. “He’d rather have you lick his shoes.”

    “Not in a million years,” Katherine shook her head disdainfully before continuing the dance.

    Let's go
    It's my show
    Baby, do what I say
    Don't trip off the glitz
    That I'm gonna display
    I told ya
    I'm a hold ya down until you're amazed
    Give it to ya 'til your screaming my name

    Katherine imagined a heated dance between two arrogant rivals. Soon, her body began moving in that same way with her eyes closed. Without knowing, Katherine began dancing like that in front of everyone and even gaining the attention of Ira Alexanders who stared ajar. With a small smile forming, Ira soon joined her and the two danced in perfect synchronization without realizing what they were doing. All the girls dropped their jaws while the guys could only watch her graceful movements.

    What’s she saying about being a penguin? Is she blind, Beatriz gaped at how graceful and well-patterned her movements were.

    Katherine and Ira danced adroitly around while showing amazing grace and synchronization. Everyone gaped while the teacher made the students follow after them. But no matter what happened, the students were too deeply entranced by their movement. As soon as the song ended, Ira and Katherine were five inches apart with his hazel eyes boring into her soul. Blushing madly, Katherine pulled herself back while turning away.

    “I’m s-sorry,” she meekly apologized. “I didn’t know…”

    “It’s alright,” Ira leaned towards her, whispering. “Because, you just gave me one of the best dances in my life.”

    Before she could say anything, the teacher clapped his hands. “Alright, as you’ve all seen – I want to see passion like that and Alexanders, Nieve-Blanca, I want you two to be partners.”

    “Huh,” Katherine’s head swivelled towards the teacher. “But, I won’t…”

    Ira nodded, interrupting her smoothly. “Yes, we understand. We’ll be here tomorrow at eight sharp.”

    When the students began leaving, Katherine pointed her finger accusingly at him. “I don’t what that was for but I didn’t want to dance that…!”

    “You were releasing your emotions,” Ira pointed out flatly. “You weren’t as stiff and as stolid as you were awhile ago. Your movements were flowing…”

    “So? That’s what dance is supposed to do,” Katherine sighed before packing her things. “I’m going.”

    Before she could head out the door, Ira played music on the radio again. He dashed after her; grabbing her hand tightly and making her face him instead. Ira couldn’t understand what made him do such a thing especially to a girl he had recently met but there was something about her that he wanted to know but what was it?

    “Please,” his baritone voice echoed in the dance room. “Please dance with me one more time.”

    Katherine raised an eyebrow before taking his hand. “I’m sorry if I crush your foot.”

    00000000000000000000000

    “So,” Beatriz leaned over to Katherine. “How was the dance so far?”

    “Ah,” Katherine sipped her green hazelnut tea. “It was okay I guess.”

    “Come on,” Beatriz slammed the table. “You danced with the hottest man in the room! What is wrong with you!?”

    “Nothing,” Katherine placidly continued drinking her tea. “I just don’t overreact when it comes to things like this.”

    Beatriz, pouting like a small child, pulled out the phone. “I’m calling Donovan.”

    “Yes,” Katherine rolled her eyes. “Call your crazy boyfriend.”

    “He’s not crazy,” Beatriz snorted back until she saw the two boys come over. “Hey, you wanna join us?”

    “Actually,” Donovan glanced at a scowling Ira. “We were planning to,” –he nudged his partner with a warning glance.

    “Che,” Ira fixed his glasses. “I’m just going with him.”

    Beatriz clapped her hands. “Say, why don’t we do this every time class ends? A good cup of coffee never hurts!”

    “Coffee whore,” Katherine smirked at her friend. “You take eight cups of coffee a day.”

    “I do not!” Beatriz protested vehemently.

    “Remind me why you’re only 4’8 when you’re already I don’t know – 16,” Katherine folded her arms, smirking.

    Soon, it didn’t just focus on the coffee shop. The classes repeated the same way again and again. Beatriz now dragged Katherine everywhere with Donovan and sometimes, would grab Ira to come along. Though he hated her loud obnoxious voice, Ira only went because Katherine to him became decent company. She didn’t speak as loud; Katherine spoke with her eyes and facial expressions. Not many people can translate messages like that easy but Ira felt comfortable despite the silence between them. Sometimes, Donovan would try and push them together but the two ignored their attempts and even backed away from one another. Ira would simply roll his eyes at the other boy’s attempt and began imagining how he should poison the boy’s coffee.

    After a long day of practice, Ira had gone home while thinking about the brown haired girl he had recently met and danced with. There were many girls in his class but this one stood out like a sore thumb. A tomboy, a practical person who is easily annoyed by whimsical things and most of all…

    She was someone who could keep up with him.

    Though he saw her eyes shut, Ira recalled how graceful and adroit her movements were. He felt his heart flutter every time she moved closer, as if he had met her from somewhere but didn’t know. Standing up, Ira went towards his shelves full of photos and began ransacking them one by one. Papers floated on to the floor while his room became a sudden mess.

    Where have I seen her, Ira nearly pulled his hair out in frustration. I know I saw her somewhere but why can’t I recall where? She made me feel normal; not some rich kid. This Nieve-Blanca had the nerve to even insult me and smirk at me too! Where did she get that…?

    His trail of thoughts stopped when he saw an old photo of him and a girl. The little girl was in a silver dress while Ira recalled the little tuxedo that his mother forced on him. The two figures were dancing happily in that photo and Ira couldn’t stop the small smile that graced his lips. However, the moment he recalled that event – he remembered the name of that little girl…

    Oh God, Ira felt his heart drop when he realized that his Snow White was right there and then.

    His Snow White was that very same tomboy he danced with today.

    That can’t be it, Ira flipped through the pages until he found a dried up boutonniere in the midst of all the papers. The flower was a white honeysuckle which his “Snow White” had given to him out of pure innocence and her reason? So that the both of them could match.

    Laughing to himself, Ira fell back on his bed while recalling the dance. “Now I know why…”

    I just hope she remembers.

    00000000000000000000

    For Katherine however couldn’t keep her mind at ease. She practically tore through her room, her books scattered on the floor, tissues practically decorated her computer and her computer chair was upside down. Yanking her hair, Katherine lay against her lazy boy until she recalled the dance with Ira. No matter how much she detested it, deep inside her – something began contradicting her.

    Somehow, dancing with him made me feel – alive, Katherine looked at her right hand before closing her eyes. I can still feel his breath against my neck, his larger hand holding mine. God, why do I sound like a fan girl on TV? No, that can’t be it. Why is it…? Why is it that I feel different? It’s this fuzzy feeling that makes you so happy…

    “Ira Alexanders,” she mumbled before opening her drawer and finding a dried up corsage. White honeysuckles hadn’t crumbled into dust yet but they were dried up. “Why do I feel like I know you?”

    “Sis,” a voice called from downstairs. “Dinner’s served!”

    “Alright,” Katherine swung the door open. “I’ll be down in a minute!”

    Cleaning up her room, Katherine took one glance at the corsage before closing the door behind her. She felt her heart get tugged by those little flowers and somehow, Katherine tried to recall something but could not. Going back inside, Katherine took a look at it again, re-examining it in every angle.

    To think I had confidence for my photographic memory, Katherine snorted inwardly. I can’t even remember who gave this stupid thing to me.

    It was him – the one you gave your heart to…

    That’s a lie, Katherine slammed the corsage back on the table. He moved to another country…

    Yet, he’s still here, her conscience cruelly mocked. Again, you’re blind to your own emotions. Don’t you understand what those flowers mean?

    Katherine smirked to herself. “They’re just flowers, nothing more.”

    You two made a promise to one another – to see each other again. Both of you waited for the opportunity and yet you two never realized it. You’re doing the same thing again – dancing around one another in circles just like when you were children. Pull yourself together and discover what your heart wants…

    Katherine slammed her head on the table. “My God, I think I’m going crazy.”

    00000000000000000000000000000000

    The next day proved to be different. This time, it would be more on ballroom dancing. Ira and Katherine were put together again and this time, their minds weren’t on the dance but on something else. The moment the music started, Ira began leading Katherine across the dance floor. He slid gracefully while they gently swayed to the music. Beatriz gaped while she saw a different look on Katherine’s face. It wasn’t the normal tomboy smirk but a softened smile. The said girl had turned away a few times to mask her expression but Ira’s arrogance faded as well when he cupped her chin gently. His hazel eyes gazed into hers when he revealed the boutonniere in one hand.

    “You,” Katherine’s eyes widened when he smiled gently at her.

    Almost every girl glared at her while Beatriz couldn’t believe that Katherine gained that much attention. Ira ignored the fan girls’ glares and pulled Katherine closer into an almost crushing embrace – though he was half afraid that Katherine might not be able to withstand his strength. However, Ira could hear his heart singing when Katherine’s hands were now placed against his chest. Subconsciously, he ran his fingers through her hair and realization kicked him hard in the butt.

    It’s her. The one you’ve spent all your time waiting for… she’s here and now, will you give your heart to her?

    Ira smiled faintly while Katherine shivered slightly. “You were always so shy…”

    Katherine on the other hand could feel the heat rushing up to her cheeks. Her pessimism seemed to go down the drain when his fingers ran through her hair. She could definitely hear his heartbeat and despite not remembering properly, Katherine couldn’t believe he was right here.

    “Ira, you,” Katherine shyly pulled out the corsage. “You gave this to me before right?”

    Ira smiled thinly before taking out a new one. “I’m surprised you kept it. I think we should renew that one.”

    Tying it around her wrist, Ira danced with her again and everyone couldn’t help but feel they were in prom already.

    However, it didn’t matter anymore because prom was the next day. Ira had brought Katherine to the prom while Donovan went with Beatriz. The girl stuck to her no matter what which is why sometimes; Ira brought her on escapades to get away. However, the moment the slow dance started – this time, Katherine and Ira ignored everything else. He kept his eyes on her while pulling Katherine closer to him. He thought that seeing his Snow White would be impossible but then again…

    All it took was a little “Devoted Affection”.

    *Nieve-Blanca – Snow White in Spanish
    *I do not own the song! It belongs to Adam Lambert.