day four: Ivan and his dance partner

It's 4 am and I'm nervous. I wasn't able to tell Jaycee about today and now I was staring at my phone mustering  up the courage to call him. Last night before we went on our separate ways, I told him I had to tell him something but of course, I chickened out. 

I scrolled on my contacts until I found his name. My fingers were shaking when I hit the call button. He answered at the third ring. 

"Morning" he greeted groggily. 

The nervous thumping in my heart grew louder I could hardly hear myself. 

"Morning" I said as enthusiastic as I could. I heard him chuckle at the other end. 

"What's up so early?" 

"Hmm.. can you meet me this morning?" I stalled. "And wear gym clothes."

Silence.

I waited patiently. "Jaycee?"

He let out a yawn. 

"Yeah, I'm sorry. Yea I can"

"Great. I'll message you the address." 

"Kay, see you." Then I heard the beep on the other end. I still held the phone in my ear as I grinned like an idiot. This is going to be interesting. 

Jaycee was always prompt. At 5am sharp he arrived at the Motions dance studio wearing basketball shorts and a plain white shirt. He had coffee in one hand and a water bottle on the other. When he entered the premises, he gave me a piercing look but he didn't say anything. 

I greeted him as casually as possible, avoiding the look he was giving me. 

Gradually, people started coming in, mostly women in tights. My mother was one of them, she was the fitness instructor. She waved for everyone to find a position and played some music. 

"Ready?" She cheered. "Let's warm up."

I dragged Jaycee at the farthest corner of the studio so he wouldn't feel uncomfortable and walk out on me. Although I had a feeling he would love to do so. 

The dance routine started slow, with simple stretch and foot steps and after fifteen minutes of continuous dancing, the beat pumped up another notch. The tempo was faster and the steps were more complex and Jaycee's no longer smiling. He was seriously trying to catch up. Finally, I saw him struggle. I couldn't help but laugh knowing that he wasn't perfect. He can't do everything. But he was persistent, which was admirable. 

He caught me looking at him and gave a light nudge. 

"I'm gonna get you for this." He threatened.

I let out a snort which made him laugh. 

After an hour of dancing, the session ended. Jaycee and I gulped on Gatorade to rehydrate. Jaycee, who was soaked tot he bones, took off his shirt and leaned by the wall, his half naked body exposed to everyone at the studio. Of course he received some stares, I was one of those who stared, googly eyes, on his hot body. Or let's blame it once more on me being gay. But my mother took notice. She walked up to us with a huge smile in her face.

"Hi baby." Mom gave me a kiss on the cheek. 

"Ma, this is Jaycee." 

Jaycee smiled politely and was all charm. "Glad to meet you, Auntie."

Mom's eyes trailed down Jaycee's biceps and abs, then looked at me and gave me a wink. "You can call me mom." She laughed menacingly and walked away.

I didn't miss the look of content etched in Jaycee's face.