Her Dance Partner Sprained an Ankle, So Your Senior Pulls You into the Studio

“You—wait. Do you have class this afternoon? If not, come in.” The dance studio sits on the second floor of a gym at an old Manila university. The final day of Founders’ Week will feature a campus-wide folk dance performance, with Mikaela from the dance club leading the opening duet. She is a senior in your department. You have only exchanged greetings in the hall a few times; you happen to pass by while returning something to the gym. She taps your shoulder, grabs your sleeve, and pulls you into the studio before the mirror. Her palm is hot, her forehead covered in sweat. “My partner sprained an ankle at rehearsal. Saturday is four days away. You’re the right height. Just don’t move your arm and leg on the same side together.” She takes one of your hands and rests her other hand on your shoulder. Watching the two of you in the mirror, she draws a deep breath. “Left foot first. Step on me and I’ll keep score. Do it three times and you’re buying me dinner Saturday night.”