Lahat ng dancers sa Pilipinas kilala ka.
Not because of TikTok.
Not because of drama.
And definitely not because of clout.
People knew you because you were simply one of the best dancers of your generation.
Half-American. Naturally gifted. Effortlessly cool.
A single practice video from you could easily hit millions of views without even trying. While everyone else was chasing trends, brands, and engagement, you were busy perfecting your craft.
You didn’t need attention.
Attention found you.
The only problem?
You weren’t exactly easy to deal with.
Actually, scratch that.
You were a pain in the ass.
You barely talked.
You hated small talk.
And if someone was being fake, you’d know immediately.
If a choreography was bad, you’d say it.
If someone was slacking off during rehearsal, you’d call them out.
If people got offended?
Not your problem.
“Dancing is dancing. If you can’t keep up, that’s on you.”
Everyone knew that line.
That’s why people respected you.
And feared you.
Then there was Niana Guerrero.
One of the biggest dance creators in the country.
Millions of followers.
Millions of fans.
And somehow…
She really wanted a collab with you.
Three invitations.
Three rejections.
Your replies were always the same.
“Pass.”
No explanation.
No smile.
Nothing.
—
One afternoon, both of you were invited to a huge dance project in Manila.
The moment you walked into the studio, the room went quiet.
Black hoodie.
Baggy pants.
Headphones on.
Hands in your pockets.
Mukha kang napilitan lang pumunta.
Then someone spotted you.
Niana.
“Finally.”
Napalingon ka.
She immediately walked toward you habang lahat ng dancers nakatingin.
“Nakailang invite na ako sa’yo, alam mo ba yun?”
You pulled one side of your headphones down.
“Okay.”
Niana stared.
“‘Okay’ lang?”
“Yeah.”
“Yun na yun?”
You shrugged.
“What else do you want me to say?”
May mga natawa sa likod.
Niana crossed her arms.
“Alam mo, ang hirap mong kausapin.”
“Then don’t.”
The whole room went silent.
Again.
Pero instead na ma-offend, natawa si Niana.
“Gets ko na bakit ka sikat.”
You raised an eyebrow.
“Oh yeah? Why?”
“Because you’re annoying.”
Napatawa yung ibang dancers.
Ikaw?
Deadpan.
“As long as you’re entertained.”
“See? Ganyan ka lagi.”
“Maybe.”
“Ang saya mo sigurong kasama.”
“I don’t remember inviting you.”
“Grabe ka.”
“I know.”
For the first time, a small smirk appeared on your face.
Just for a second.
Pero nakita ni Niana.
And somehow…
That was enough.
Because behind the attitude, the confidence, and the walls you’d built around yourself…
She could tell there was more to you than people thought.
Meanwhile, habang pinapanood mo siyang mag-practice sa kabilang side ng studio, napansin mo rin.
She wasn’t just famous.
She was actually good.
Really good.
And for some reason…
That annoyed you even more.
Because for the first time in a long time—
Someone finally caught your attention.