"Hey chizu, where are you buddy?" I enchant cheerfully, summoning my small, lovely and white saluki who always welcomes me whenever I'm home.

His bark doesn't take long to take up the atmosphere of my house and he instantly jumped upon me when I was in it's range.

"Oh dear, I was just out for a while, you missed me a lot didn't you?" Chizuki licks my face, his style of loving.

I settle down on my couch, placing the bags on the coffee table. This isn't probably where a normal day starts but going to convenience store for noodles is quite normal too.

I'm supposed to enjoy my weekend and my way of enjoying is sleeping and slacking off, until I return back to my week days, my sincere self, who's working hard just to get out of this high school. The bunch of teenagers I have to face daily is actually sickening.

I pick up the remote control which would come up with the same boring channels and same drama, navigate to news channel, munching on some newly brought snacks. Politics, accidents, murders, all is the same.. wait, something's new.

'A group of youngsters found in the brianza district, storing finger-like structures in refrigerators which were confirmed as thumbs of humans by the forensic team and tons of gunpowder in strange containers, guessed to be snake-shaped by the investigators, legal claims were registered by locals against the teenagers for breaking into houses and attempting robbery, people claimed that they would only take up material made of iron and would injure the kids if faced by any, researchers spotted a suspicious sign on the walls of their room, case has been filed, correct and just outcome is appealed. Our upcoming breaking news is...'

The sign... It seems familiar, but I haven't even seen it in my life before. Although, the injuring kids thing is suspicious and cruel.

"Whoo, who!", "Oh yeah, Chizuki, I'm definitely not thinking about digging into this case." I smiled, and pull my small upgraded tablet out.

_

The bells resonated throughout the campus, I entered the school even though I didn't really want to. Climbing up the beautiful stairs, leading towards the ugly class I wished I was never in.

"Yo shayna!" Oh! Estelle, there she was.

"Yeah?" I asked with a bright face and my usual voice.

"Nothing~" She tried to tease me as she always does whenever we meet after long. Yes, a two day weekend is long for her.

"You annoying b*tch." I cursed casually, because I have her word that she won't mind any of the cuss words that I use to address her. And Estelle knew that I am always rude in morning.

"Your morning mood is cute somehow." She complimented out of blue, she knows where to aim for. She knows of all my weaknesses to well, to the extent that I doubted if she was my mom reborn.

I hit her shoulder hard and flashed a lovely smile at her. Estelle has been my person and I've liked her ever since the start, Proved by me befriending her being the one and only other than Finley, my old buddy.

The time flew like the upward waves of the sea and all the Teachers and students were now gathered up in the front lawn of the school for morning assembly, all the students were standing in lanes as they were allotted by their home teachers.

Echoes of speech could be heard, spoken by a female figure who is the coordinator of 9th to 12th grade.

"Good morning from the New Horizons Academy and staff to my dear students. This is Victoria Edwards, the chief advisor of the students. I would like to share the contentment of having a new student in our one of the best putative education institutes, Your good name?" The female spoke to the guy standing beside her with his hands in his pockets, cliché rich guys behaviour.

"Taehyung Kim."

"What a pretty name you got! All of the students and Taehyung Kim, I hope you all get along well. You are hereby welcome yo become a part of our Horizons family!"

The 'necessary' speech she just gave was successfully ignored by each and every person, may it be some lazy people (like me) who are still yawning, and may it be the girls- sorry.  They can't be called girls. Actually, the ladies checking out their nails and touching up their oh so beautiful 10 km long makeup.

After a few minutes, a stinging noise striked everyone's ears. The lady gossips said that the school's got a new bell, to avoid noise pollution in order to get their reputation up in the social matters. But, it was still sounds annoying, So it's all in vain for them to play duck and drakes.

All the students are lead into the building for their class in their respective queues. Not long after entering the building, everyone scattered around, to their own ways, Estelle was on the sharp end of the pathway while me and Finley were walking to our accountancy class.

'Istituto tecnico economico' read the board hung in the air on the support of the iron rod, horizontally fixed. I and Finley were to enter in that specific department to attend a collective class of economics while Estelle's department was specifically of dance and music.

Me and Finley signed up for the economy class because I've always wanted to know the tactics of business market while he was forced to do so due to his bloodline.

On entering the cluster of several rooms, the first thing we encountered was a guy running hurriedly in the opposite direction. He hit my shoulder which made me lose the balance. I cursed out of pain loudly while that male just waved his hand in the air and shouted a sorry. He never even spared a glance at me but just ran forward.

This school thing honestly sickens me.

...【Ｗｏｒｄ　ｃｏｕｎｔ：𝟷𝟶𝟷𝟷  】...

Ps: the sign Shayna saw on the news:-

I just ruined my own mood due to repeatedly thinking about how rude he was. But at the back of my head, unintentionally sympathised that guy as he may've some sort of emergency. My brain would manage to adore his veiny forearm and hands erratically. And throwing him out of my brain seemed nearly inevitable for me.

After 6 long hours of school, finally the bell rang for the last time. Today was a really exhausting one. I left out an audible and heavy sigh and started to pack up things.

Estelle approached me from the opposite corner of the class and said, "Hey Shayna! How was your day?" She said, her sunshine vibes enough to draw out all the tiredness off my physique.

"Hey Estelle. Today was a tiring day!" I asserted. This is a speciality of mine, getting tired very easily.

"Did you see the guy who came to the class today! I swear on my sloth plushie, he's topped the hottest-men-I've-seen list! I wanted to ask him out right away!" She blurts out being the ultimate fangirl of the said guy.

"Estelle, don't be a fan like others! Be the one if you want to or just don't be anything!" I said, annoyed of her behaviour.

"Aww come on! I was just expressing my thoughts! I'm not like those silly girls who just know how to pester men!" Estelle said to clear her stand.

"Yeah, I know. let's go." I said, really wanting to leave the campus so soon.

"Hey dumbkin! won't you wait for me!" Finley out of nowhere came to me and gave a bear hug. I smiled and hit his head, as a signal for him to get off me.

We all head to my home for a hangout but I had to stop because of someone addressing me. The person was here as a messenger of her home teacher. I followed wherever he was going. I stalked him head to toe, my all-time favourite hobby.

I observed him precisely, the way he lifted up his oh so drool worthy hands to see the time and how swiftly he moved his eyes to keep a watch at me, and how he walked like a swan swaying in a pond, how he raked his hand through his velvety glossy lustrous locks. How he licked his lips every now and then, definitely feels like a thirst trap.

I've never felt so observant in myself before but I couldn't help at that specific time. I'm always able to tackle every unwanted feeling briskly, but that seemed like a limit to my powers, and I even could't clarify wether I wanted to feel that or not. This guy really seemed interesting.

Only through a short period, I made notes in my brain about his habits. One, He likes to rake hands in his hair. Two, He may love wearing brown. and The last and my favourite, He licks his lips very frequently.

Somehow, his presence is dangerously known to my eye. Do I probably know him?

~flash~ ~flash~

"Ameki, I really want to be yours"

"Amara, You are mine but I can never be yours!"

"You can't say this! how could you do this to me!"

"You're my playdoll, honey"

~flash~

What the hell was that?  I thought, with the same headache. The hurt I would usually face in my skull whenever I shower for a long time, at the borders of the hemisphere. I couldn't tell if it was some specific syndrom.

It was first time I ever got flash of scenes. And those too, from old times of Japan. But why did I see those small kids? Why does all this feel familiar to me? Why didn't my strength work? How couldn't I tackle the feeling of my heart collapsing while seeing those flashes?

"It's something new." I told myself. Instead of being worried, I'm kind of fascinated that I've got another mystery to solve.

I knocked on the wide open door and let the lady know our presence, Greeted her and bowed to her. Miss Martin gestured us to take a seat infront of her large bohemian table. We both sat down, awkwardness lurked around the room. Miss. Martin sparked the conversation.

"Hi, dear Shayna." Miss. Martin addressed me in her usual polite tone.

"Hi, Miss. How come you needed me?" I interrogated, reverting her politeness.

"I have a favour to ask of you." Miss. Martin seriously puts up, throwing a sac full of confusion into my brain.

"Yes, Miss?" I indicated her to continue with what she was speaking. Droplets of cold sweat had started to form on my forehead, I started fidgeting with the hem of my skirt as a temporary refuge from nervousness.

"I need you to participate in an activity. "

...【Ｗｏｒｄ　ｃｏｕｎｔ　： 𝟽𝟿𝟼  】...

...When marimba rhythms start to play...

...Dance with me, make me sway....

...Like the lazy ocean hugs the shore,...

...Hold me close, sway me more....

...Like a flower bending in the breeze,...

...Bend with me, sway with ease....

...When we dance, you've a way with me...

...Stay with me, sway with me-...

"Why are you being so uncomfortable, little girl?" His masculine voice addressed me after stopping the music to play further. The process's been going on since afternoon, yet I can't bring myself to my 'black swan' self.

I can't elucidate the pure techniques of my dances like I have achieved in previous competitions. But couldn't I ever think that I would be this lame, like I was creeped out of myself getting so uncomfortable only due to a guy cooperating to dance with me. But maybe, it was because it's him who I'm dancing with, this guy was a whole new concept, I swore.

"I just- I don't know what's wrong with me." I replied nervously. I absolutely don't wanna sound like those 'sweet' little girls who are fragile and weak.

Just so I could get back to normal, I excused myself and took my time at the restroom to regain the Julius-Reisinger form of mine.

"Look, you can quit it if you can't do this. You don't have to pressurise just because Miss offered you 'full marks in assessment'. Though the dance steps are those of ice skating ballet, We're performing it basically. So it maybe hard. Tell me if you're not capable. I'll humbly let Miss. Martin know about it and it'll not effect your academics. " Shade assured me, and he oh so gracefully hurt my ego.

"No, it's absolutely fine. I do want to do it with my full heart and I'm more than enough for it. Although, Don't call me 'that' again." I proclaimed my omnipotence. I don't want anyone to identify me as a weak girl who's capable of nothing. But as it's never been in my hands what to feel since he's came, I unknowingly liked that, But won't I absolutely accept it easily. I'm still trying to convince myself to stop feeling like this.

"Specifically, what?" The most innocent tone one can ever bear, still an evil smirk on his face. As is noticeable, he's teasing me.

"The words you used to address me! don't make me say it, you!" I was totally flushed and a blushing mess. Coming back to my senses, I just realised that I used high pitch infront of my senior and the person I met not so long ago.

"Extremely sorry, Senior." I bowed 90 degree and apologised for my behaviour. What I got in reply will surely amaze everyone. a chuckle. a big chuckle. and giggles.

"You don't have to be so formal around me! You're so hilarious for god's sake." He laughed and patted my head.

This extremely soft moment successfully prints the blush on my face. I thumped one of my foot on floor and dared him to look down on me again. He giggled in response on purpose, to tease me further, I'm sure about it. I somehow ignored it and got ready to go with the flow of choreography.

"Just see in my eyes, be comfortable. Try to image the one you love in me." Shade instructed, once we got back to the practice studio. I looked into his eyes, and tried to imagine a lover in him.

Though I've never imagined stuff like this, my inner instincts forced me to contemplate a lover in him. I saw through his dark oakwood shader iris, trying to explicate those little galaxies.

"Doing great." I complimented. He smiled back. No conversation ahead. Just seeing into each other's eyes, Construing each other's moves.

Air isn't just filled with particles. Music, feelings, unawareness, strange heat, and many various things to make a person wonder if they're on the earth.

"Jump." Shade commanded whilst placing his hands on my waist to perform a straight line lift. I did as he demanded and we both succeeded in doing our first lift.

Break time. We both sat down facing each other, catching breath and sipping on our water bottles. Our eyes still denying to break the contact. As if we're conversing through them. I decided to break the contact and asked him to continue the next half.

"Okay, we'll first practice the previous half for the last time." Shade commanded. I nodded because these steps need to be taken care of the most and not even a single detail can't be neglected if we want to be perfect. And being the competitive dudes we both are, perfection is necessity.

He goes upto the music player, I wore my heels and signalled him to start. We both start with the first half over again, and he likes the fact that I've gotten flexible and comfortable since long ago. Now, we both are synchronising and performing like professionals. truly nailing it!

...Other dancers may be on the floor...

...Dear, but my eyes will see only you...

...Only you have that magic technique...

...When we sway, I go weak....

...I can hear the sounds of violins....

...Long before it begins Make me thrill as only you know how,...

...Sway me smooth, sway me now. ...

Shade passed me through a hand to hand loop lift making me feel like the most superior dancers in the world.

But honestly speaking, I've got a much more long way ahead, Even though I've had a long way here. The song starts taking it's shape in the high notes.

"You learn so fast, Shayna." Shade praised once again. We've got to practice it for a specific time period in order to make it appear perfect.

"It's just because of how you tell me what and how to do." I returned a compliment smoothly and pink tint on my face must be apparent again.

We progress ahead to the minor steps and to the last 'Dirty Dancing lift'.

"Phew! All done. You're a heavy piece, little Shayna." Shade remarked due to the quanked feeling he's got right now. But truth to be told, He enjoyed it all along, I'm guessing.

"I'm just burned-out as well. I guess I should start working out in order to not feel like an asthmatic." I admitted, not attending a gym or doing any muscle exercise sure is a curse.

"Okay, so we've gotta pack up. That music player belongs to Miss. Martin. You go and give that to her." Shade instructs, but I don't plan on being obedient at all, after all the commands he've been giving me.

"Who are you ordering, Mister. You're the one who's going to her and handing that to her." I spoke in a very deceiving tone.

"And what makes you think I'm gonna do that?" He replied with a 'Try-me-if-you-can' look.

"Aww, dear Shade. It was you who came first, who initiated the dance, who recieved that music player from Miss. Martin." I voiced out in a confident way, nearing him with every statement spoke. He's astonished but still managed to form a smug smirk.

"Well, well, little girl, you've got guts to deny me." He teased with that word again but I forged to be not effected by that. A sexy giggle comes out to be the reply to his threatened remark.

"You can't even guess what more I've got, baby boy." I proclaimed proudly in a deep pitch.

Within a swift second, He knocked me on the wall and sniggered so evilly, I could sell my tablet to slap that smirk off his face.

"Oh, show me what you got, princess." He challenged, which invited a hot fight between us.

I scoffed while sneering, I instantaneously took over the lead and locked him inside the closure of the wall and my two arms. Hands crossed and entwined with his.

"Sup, baby boy. Pretty damn quick, right." I snickered over my victory. We really have got a long way ahead.

"Well, you've got more than enough to be my woman." Shade whispers in my ear and just like whirlwind, He promptly exited the studio leaving behind me and my messy brain animated with joy.

Eventually, I woke myself up from her intuition and softly slapped myself for getting defeated in such a way. While regretting on losing, I'm still smiling. Maybe, losing from him was a joyous charm, afterall.

...【Ｗｏｒｄ　ｃｏｕｎｔ：𝟷𝟺𝟸𝟿  】...