Chapter 1 - Just One Class
The steady sound of the keys on the keyboard being pressed and the constant beeping of the printer filled the air as I looked through one of the many files occupying my desktop. The distant sound of high heels click clacking on the linoleum floor brought me back to reality as I realized that my best friend Elisa was walking towards my office.
"Hey Cady, ready for lunch?" I heard her ask, eager to get out of the building like usual.
"Um... Sure, just let me finish looking through this file."
Elisa rolled her eyes at my response causing me to question what I had done wrong. She sighed and walked into the office, passing my flooded maple desk and grabbing the blue folder I was holding from my hands.
"Hey what was that-" she held out her palm for me to stop.
"You have to come with me, Cadence. You always stay in your office, surrounded by huge piles of folders; never wanting to leave. You need some fresh air."
I sighed defeatedly, noticing that she had said my full name; something she only did when she was serious. But she also had a point, I couldn't stay inside drowned in my work all day long. At some point, I would need to take a break.
"Okay, fine."
I got up from my seat and grabbed my brown purse off the counter to my left and walked towards the door. When I stepped out, I leaned back into the office and asked Elisa if she was coming. A victorious smile appeared on her lips as she dropped the folder on the desk and walked out with me. As Elisa passed her office, she ran in and grabbed her red clutch before joining me.
We walked towards the elevator, passing by Dan; the office flirt. He always found a reason to flirt with us even though he knew that Elisa was taken and I was just not interested.
"Hey beautiful, looking fine today," he said in our general direction, winking. We both rolled our eyes as we continued to walk towards the elevator replying "bye, Dan" in unison.
I pressed the down button when we were close enough and a loud ding rang in the air. The metal doors slid open and we walked inside, pressing the ground level button.
"How is Stan doing?" I casually asked Elisa about her husband.
"The usual."
I chuckled slightly at her simple response before searching through my purse when I heard a soft vibration. I pulled out my phone to see a text from our lunch buddy and best friend, Lexxie.
"Already at our usual spot. Where are you guys?!" I read out the text in what I thought sounded like her, gaining a laugh from Elisa, before replying to Lexxie that we were on our way. When the doors slid open again, we stepped out and walked towards the glass doors leading outside.
When we opened the doors, a rush of sound from passing cars and people talking animatedly on their phones surrounded us immediately. We stepped out and turned to start our short walk to the restaurant where we always met.
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As always, when we got there, the restaurant was buzzing with energy. From people ordering their lunches to people cooking behind the counter. And surprisingly, today, there was a woman trying to calm down her baby; whose loud cries echoed throughout the open space.
We walked towards the booth where we always sat, the delicious smell of food hanging in the air making my stomach growl.
"What took you so long? I'm starving," Lexxie said to us in mock anger. Elisa took her seat beside her as I took mine opposite of both of them. I then picked up the menu to escape the question that I already knew was about to be thrown at me. But I was too late.
"So... How is Nate doing?" Lexxie asked with an eyebrow raised after clearing her throat excessively loud.
"He's fine I guess," I replied without interest. My friends chuckled slightly, obviously finding this funny. For some reason, ever since Nate or Nathan Wells replaced my old boss, they had been saying that he had the hots for me. Obviously, I had failed to notice their observation. I slowly put the menu on the table and stood up on my feet.
"I'm going to the washroom. You know what I want." They nodded at my words as I started walking away.
When I finished, I walked to the sink and washed my hands. I looked at my reflection in the mirror, tucking in loose hairs hanging out of the bun on top of my head. I straightened my black skirt and matching blazer before walking out.
When I was about to take a step towards my booth, an unknown body crashed into me, causing me to fall onto the floor and food to splatter everywhere.
"Need a hand?" A strange voice asked me before putting their hand in front of me to grab it. I placed my hand in their hand and felt the person lift me up, wrapping their warm hand around mine. Once I was on my feet, I looked up to meet the most beautiful brown eyes I had ever seen. The man who had helped me cleared his throat, breaking me out of my staring.
"Um... Thanks," I blurted out. He chuckled slightly before saying "you're welcome" and leaving.
I walked towards my booth, straightening my skirt again. A smile stayed on my lips as I remembered his eyes, the rich chocolate brown which had reflected my face. When I got close enough, I saw a steaming plate of macaroni and cheese on the table where I had been sitting. I slid into my seat, grabbing my fork and piercing a piece of macaroni.
Lexxie and Elisa both looked up at me, eyebrows raised.
"What took so long?" They asked in unison. I shrugged, not wanting to tell them what had happened, and continued to eat my food, ignoring the curious glances I received from my friends as I remembered those eyes.
---
When we finished, we all leaned back into our seats, satisfied with our meals. I slowly rubbed circles on my stomach, feeling too full. I felt someone slide into the seat beside me and clasp their hands together on the table top.
"So what are we talking about ladies?" Alyce, a worker at the restaurant and a close friend of ours asked. We all shrugged before sitting upright and looking at her.
"You weren't at salsa last week. Is everything alright?" Elisa asked her with a look of concern masking her face.
"Yeah we're fine. Just a little busy."
Elisa and Lexxie both nodded at her reply. I tried to tune out their conversation since I felt that it had nothing to do with me but Elisa looked at me, dragging me in nonetheless.
"You should try it sometime, Cady. You'll probably enjoy it."
"I don't see someone as uncoordinated as me joining a dance class anytime soon," I replied with a chuckle. This time, it was Lexxie who spoke.
"You've been saying that ever since we first asked you. And that was six months ago."
I shrugged at her words and looked down at my fingers, twirling my thumbs. Alyce shifted in her seat to face me.
"If you try one class, just one class, we promise to stop asking you."
I looked at her with my are-you-serious look and she slowly nodded. I tried to think about it but one thing stuck out the most.
"How am I supposed to join when I don't have a partner?" I asked. Elisa waved her hand dismissively.
"If you call the place before you go, they will provide a partner for you."
I internally slapped myself for even considering this. Ever since I was a child, my parents had been bugging me to join a dance class. Now at twenty-three, I was finally going through with it. 735Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfB8n5ge2v
Funny how the world worked.
I slowly nodded my head trying to think of a way out of it but nothing came to mind.
"Okay, one class, just one class."
They all squealed happily, causing me cover my ears. When they finally finished, Alyce stood up and grabbed our plates.
"As much fun as it is hanging out, I have to get back to work."
We all nodded before saying our goodbyes to her as she left.
And as she walked away, the only thought in my head was,
I can't believe I just agreed to that...
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