The day had been long—too long. The whispers, the giggles, the snide remarks thrown your way like daggers. Being the school nerd wasn’t easy, and today had been particularly brutal. You kept your head down, pushing through classes, keeping to yourself. But now, finally, you were in your safe space.

The empty dance studio.

You dropped your backpack by the door, exhaling as you stepped onto the smooth wooden floor. The mirror reflected back someone who had spent too much time hiding, but here, you didn’t have to. You pressed play on your phone, letting the music fill the silence, and let your body move.

Dancing had always been your escape. Every sharp turn, every fluid motion, every controlled breath—it all drowned out the echoes of cruel words. You lost yourself in it, your feet gliding across the floor as if they belonged to someone fearless, someone untouchable.

You didn’t hear the door creak open.

Didn’t notice the pair of eyes watching from the entrance.

It wasn’t until you spun, heart pounding from exertion, that you caught a glimpse of him in the mirror.

Him.

The most popular guy in school. The one who everyone adored, who walked through the halls like he owned them—not with arrogance, but with effortless charm. The one who, despite being everything you weren’t, had never said a cruel word to you.

You stumbled to a stop, breath hitching. “I—what are you doing here?”

He smiled, stepping into the room, his movements graceful in a way you hadn’t expected. “I was walking by and saw someone in here. Didn’t expect it to be you.”

You swallowed, suddenly feeling exposed. “I’ll leave—”

“Don’t.” He cut you off smoothly, his gaze steady. “You’re good.”

Heat crawled up your neck. No one had ever said that to you before. Not about this.

Then, to your utter shock, he held out a hand. “Wanna make it a duet?”

Your lips parted, searching for a reason to say no, but none came. So you took his hand, and he pulled you back into motion.

Dancing with him was different—effortless in a way you hadn’t expected.