Learning~Ali Cummings

Learning


When I walked into the dance studio, Matt was standing by the counter. He rushed over and hugged me, kissing me on the cheek as he did. He put his arm around me and led me on to the dance floor. No one else was there yet, so he took me out in the middle and spun me around to face him. I spun easily, letting the sole of my shoe turn on the grey floor.
“Are you ready to learn a little bit more of the Swing?” He asked, smiling. I smiled and nodded quickly. He laughed.
“All right then. Just follow my lead.” We started on the basic Swing step, when all of the sudden he spun me under his arm. I continued with the beat in my head. One, two, rock step. He pulled me and I spun back under his arm until I was in position to continue the basic step. “And that’s how you do the complicated turn.” He said. I laughed.
“Is there a name for this ‘complicated turn’ of yours?” I asked. He shook his head.
“Nope.” He paused. “Well, there is, but I don’t know what it is.” He looked down and pretended to look guilty. I laughed at his acting. “Now, there is one more move I could teach you.” He paused and tried to act as though he wasn’t excited by pretending to examine his fingernails. “That is, if you think you can handle it.” He looked at me and smiled, then looked back at his hand.
“Do I smell a challenge?” I said. We both laughed.
“Depends, does it sound challenging?” Again we both laughed.
“Depends, what is it called?” I asked, mocking him. He smiled, like he was trying to keeps a secret.
“The Pretzel.” He said, still smiling evilly. I thought for a second.
“Sounds painful, but I’ll try anything once.” He smiled, and my ankle twisted for just a second.
“Okay then. Just follow my lead.” We did the basic step only once before he slung me under his arm, around his back and back in front of him. He did a complicated twist that involved him ducking under both of his own arms, then he twirled me around she that I had my arms crossed in front of me and his arm was pulled tight in front of my chest. We rocked back and he swung me to his other side. We rocked back one more time and walked in a circle. Without warning, he let go of one of my arms, flinging me out to the sied. He pulled he back to face him, putting me back in my original position.
“Well, that wasn’t so hard.” I said. In truth, it had actually been pretty fun. It was nothing like the waltz, but at the same time, twirling around with him like that made me feel quick and light on my feet. And that was a feeling I could get used to.
“I told you it wouldn’t be that much of a challenge.” He said, smiling. I let go of his left hand and spun out, falling back on my left foot in the process. I started to fall back, but before I could even try to catch myself, I felt his hand on the small of my back, pulling me back on my feet. He laughed. “Too caught up in the moment?” He said, holding me. I could not yet get my mind to focus on standing up just yet.
Suddenly I realized I was still leaning on his arm. I stepped back with the foot that wasn’t holding my weight. Once I was upright, his nose was almost touching my forehead. I could feel it coming, but I was in no way ready for it. He placed his hands awkwardly on my neck and lifted my chin with his thumb.
My mind was racing with questions. Should I kiss him? Do I want to kiss him? Of course I want to kiss him, but do I?
My thoughts must have showed in my face, because he let his hands drop to his side.
“What is it?” I asked.
“I don’t want to hurt you.” He said. “I don’t want to move to fast.” He sighed. “I want you to feel safe.” I thought about this. Safe was something I had not felt with him. Carefree, perhaps, but there was always a sort of awkwardness between us. It didn’t scare me, but it wasn’t safe. I felt like I was falling, but at the same time, I knew he was there to catch me. Was that safe?
A noise from the front door turn and I realized I was still holding his hand. I liked that feeling. “Hey Sky!” He said, addressing the tall man in the doorway with familiarity.
“Hi Matt.” He said cheerfully. “Are you gonna introduce me?” He said, nodding toward me. I turned pink and I had to remind myself that it would not be acceptable to hide behind Matt. At this point, hiding behind him would be safe. I needed him as my familiarity point.
“Skylar, this is my girlfriend, Ali.” He said. I looked up just in time to see him smile as he said it. He squeezed my hand and I squeezed his back, silently transferring our message; we were okay. There was no tension.
“Well, Ali, we’re so glad you could join us. We’re just waiting for everyone to come in.” He glanced toward the front door behind him. “Tonight we’re learning the Cha-Cha.” He said, grinning broadly.
“The Cha-Cha?” I repeated, definitely considering hiding behind Matt. “Like they do on ‘Dancing With the Stars?’” I asked.
“Not as complicated, but…yes.” He said, his smiled widening.
I turned to Matt, resting my chin on his chest. “Do you know how to do the Cha-Cha?” I asked, praying he would say yes.
“We’ll learn.” I think this reply was even better than a yes.