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Jack made his way to the basketball auditorium. He left his bag there, because of course he did, and now he was kicking himself for forgetting it. When he got to the doorway, he abruptly stopped, the sight before him giving him pause. He saw a light haired boy spinning in circles, words slowly coming out of his mouth. He used his heightened sense of hearing to make them out the best he could.
“Dancing on a cloud… I just can’t believe I found you… wait, that’s not the right order… love is on its way… ugh! ”
“Epel?”
He jumped before turning around. He sighed in relief.
“Oh! Jack! I’m sorry, did you need to do something here? I can leave if you need me to.”
“No. I was just coming to get my bag cause’ I forgot it. But… what were you doing just now? You were going in circles and mumbling to yourself.”
Epel looked away bashfully.
“I’m sorry you had to see that. I’m practicing ball dancing because Vil wants me to dance ‘properly’... whatever in tarnation that is.”
Jack couldn’t help but laugh. Epel was so feminine and gentle looking, it was always funny when he would randomly come out with his country boy slang.
“Okay. What was up with the mumbling, though? You said something about dancing on a cloud and love being on its way ?”
Epel looked away, his face becoming slightly redder.
“Ugh! I hate that you were able to hear that. Rook said that in order to remember the steps, I should sing so that I can dance along to the music. I’m still not getting it though…”
“I see…”
Jack walked to the end of the gymnasium and saw his bag just where he left it. Epel was starting to mumble again, this time in more of a whisper. He could still hear it loud and clear, however, due to his increased sense of hearing. He turned and the sight he saw was endearing, but concerning. Epel had one arm above and one in front, almost as if he was holding something. His feet were tapping quickly and recklessly, going front then diagonal then left just to quickly turn around once again. Jack couldn’t help but speak up.
“No…”
“What’s wrong?”
“I’m sorry, but I have to say it. If you were dancing with someone, you would be stepping all over their feet. I don’t agree with Vil demanding perfection, but…”
“Oh. Maybe I’m hopeless…”
“Don’t say that! Um… judging by your arms, you’re attempting to learn how to ‘waltz,’ right?”
“Right…”
“Well, in order to waltz properly, you need a partner. So…”
Jack left his bag behind and walked in front of Epel. Only now did he realize just how awkward this was, and that he should probably turn around immediately and act like he wasn’t going to suggest anything. But now, his hand was out, and Epel’s face began to get more flushed when he realized his mistake.
“Wait, are you saying you want to dance with me? Do you even know how to waltz?”
Now it was Jack’s turn to look away from embarrassment.
“I might have taught myself how to a couple years ago…”
Epel laughed, but still seemed hesitant. His smile slowly faded into a frown when he reached out and grabbed his hand. Now Jack realized his second error. He was more than a foot taller than him, and that was bound to make this more difficult. Regardless, he guided Epel’s hand to his waist. When he went to do the same, that was when he realized just how weird this was. Still, he stuck to his guns, grabbing Epel’s other hand and holding it.
Epel looked towards a nearby door, not wanting anyone to see this. And even more so, he didn’t want to look at Jack. Looking at him while doing this would be… weird.
“So, is there any specific choreography you have to do?”
“Chore… whatnow?”
“Like a routine. You know. Will everyone be dancing in sync with each other?”
“I don’t think so. We just need to dance ‘ properly .’” The last word was spoken in a mocking tone.
“I see. Then how about we start simple?”
Jack stepped back, guiding Epel with him. Epel stepped forward quickly, then stopped. Once he caught up with him, he took a step forward with his other foot, and Epel walked back in time, as he was better prepared. Jack took another step back, and Epel sped up to match with him, taking an extra step in a matter of seconds and stepping on his feet.
“I’m sorry!”
After Epel had gotten off his feet, Jack stepped to the side. Despite his calmness, Epel’s footsteps were still rapid. He almost let go of him, and when he realized he was straying far off course, he stepped back.
“I’m sorry!”
A couple more steps, and he was on Jack’s feet again.
“...I’m sorry.”
“I think you’re focusing too much on your arms and body. Just pay attention to my feet, and follow along.”
Jack took into account Epel’s smaller stature, and took a small step back, at least small for him. Epel followed. They took a few more steps, swaying back and forth.
“See, you’re doing good! Now, what was that song Rook was telling you to sing while you danced? That might actually be good advice.”
“Dancing on a cloud… but I hate it! It’s so romantic, it’s cringy! Can’t we sing something more upbeat and fun?”
“I don’t think so. You can’t really waltz in the middle of punk rock.”
“Alright. But I’m not that good of a singer…”
“Neither am I. But we’ll start slow. Follow my feet and we’ll only take a step or two every line, alright?”
Epel looked off to the side, not wanting to make eye contact.
“If it makes you feel better, I’ll start singing. Okay?”
“Okay…”
Jack cleared his throat, taking a deliberate step with every line. The two continued swaying side to side.
“Dancing on a cloud… I’m dancing on a cloud… When I’m in your arms the world is a heavenly place… ”
Epel pouted like a child who didn’t want to do what they were told. But he sighed, clearing his throat and singing along.
“Dancing in a dream… I’m dancing in a dream… For how can I help but dream when I see your face before me? ”
Jack smiled. He looked to see just how stiff Epel’s body was, and so he used the hand on his waist to help guide him into a more elegant posture. He used his arms to guide him from side to side along with his feet.
“Love is on its way… and as we gently sway… the moon and the stars appear bringing romance for two… ”
Epel nodded along, staring directly at his feet and not wanting to look anywhere else. He didn’t like thinking of these lyrics, let alone singing them.
“I just can’t believe that I found you. ”
Jack looked down and noticed Epel begin to close his eyes.
“I just can’t believe that it’s true. ”
Even still, they ended up singing the last line in unison.
“Yet here am I dancing high on a cloud with you… ”
“Good job! See? You’re getting the hang of it!”
“Ugh! I hate this! All this’ ol’ lovey dovey whatnot! How can you sing any o’ that with a straight face?”
Jack laughed. Epel’s face was redder than he’d ever seen. He wasn’t sure it could get any redder without losing blood flow to the rest of his body. He looked up into Jack’s eyes to see him looking back with a sincere smile on his face. He suddenly closed his eyes again.
“Stop looking at me! You’re making it weird!”
“I’m sorry, but I have to! That’s kinda par for the course…”
Epel turned away, hesitantly looking back up at his face. The eye contact suddenly got to Jack as well, and now it was his turn to look elsewhere.
“Well, you have the basics down. Let me show you a couple other things. Are you ready for that?”
“Oh… alright.”
Epel cleared his throat before singing again. As he did, Jack made a faint “ ooooh ” to make him feel a little less uncomfortable.
“Dancing on a cloud… I’m dancing on a cloud… ”
Jack now guided him so that instead of swaying, they were maneuvering in small circles around the room.
“When I’m in your arms this world is a heavenly place… ”
Epel’s palms started to feel sweaty, but he couldn’t tell if it was just from the other hand he was holding. He gulped, forcing the next words out.
“Dancing in a dream… ”
Jack started to sing another faint “ ooooh ” before singing together with him. Epel couldn’t help but wonder if that was part of the song or if his wolf instinct was beginning to come out. He also couldn’t help but get a quick glance at his face before bashfully looking away again. Jack seemed so at ease, confident, and happy. He couldn’t tell if that smile was because he genuinely enjoyed dancing or if it was for Epel himself.
“I’m dancing in a dream… For how can I help but dream when I see your face before me? ”
Jack abruptly stopped. Epel looked at him questioningly, and Jack began to pull away. They both stepped back, and once their hands were out straight, the larger teen held a tighter grip on his hands.
“Love is on its way… ”
He pulled him in under his arm, spinning him so that they would both be facing the same way for a moment.
“And as we gently sway… ”
After that, he guided him to spin back around so that they would be facing each other again. As they did this, they continued their duet throughout. They quickly regained the composure they had before, and started to sway simply once again.
“The moon and the stars appear bringing romance for two… ”
Jack’s confident smile slowly faded and his face began to turn red looking down at the teenager below him. There was something about him where he suddenly couldn’t look away. He always thought of his friend as more of a “pretty” boy, but didn’t fully realize what that thought meant until now, with him in his arms.
“For me and for you… I just can’t believe that I found you… ”
Epel looked at the eyes staring back at him and felt more self conscious. But something about them kept him looking.
“I just can’t believe that it’s true… ”
The two stared into each other’s eyes, barely thinking as they finished the song. Their bodies stopped moving without either of them realizing.
“Yet here am I, dancing, high on a cloud with you… ”
The two stared at each other for a couple moments. Epel couldn't stop looking at Jack's features, and Jack couldn't bring himself to look away from the light blue eyes staring at him. They were practically paralyzed by the amount of yearning there was in each other's gaze. When Epel snapped out of it, he looked at the door to make sure nobody walked in. His throat felt dry when he began to speak.
“Um, thanks…”
Jack quickly realized they were still holding each other, and he immediately took his hands away. Both of them quickly felt cold to the touch, Epel crossing his arms to maintain just a little bit of warmth.
“Oh! Um, no problem!”
He walked over and grabbed his bag. Both students still had their minds lingering on what in the world just happened, but both refused to acknowledge it for the better. Jack didn’t want to open his mouth, but he forced himself to in order to change the subject.
“Will you by any chance want more help? At any point later this week?”
Epel was still trembling, unsure how he wanted to answer.
“Maybe. I’m not really sure yet.”
Jack nodded, not wanting to make eye contact.
“Maybe we can hang out at lunch tomorrow, and you can tell me how you feel then!”
Epel quickly adorned his sweet smile.
“Okay. That sounds great!”
Jack quickly ran out of the room, purposefully looking away from Epel throughout.
“ Thank goodness nobody saw me… ” he thought to himself.
...
As Ace walked through the hallway, he had a quick peak in the open door. What he saw surprised him. Two students were holding each other and spinning in small circles.
“What in the world are they doing…” he whispered.
Deuce and Grim were beside him, and peered into the gymnasium. Deuce made a quick whisper.
“Is that Jack and… Epel?!”
Grim couldn’t help but laugh.
“Ha ha! Get a load of the lovebirds!”
“Do we say something,” Ace asked.
Deuce shook his head. He had a small smile on his face.
“No. Let’s just leave them be for now.”
And they quickly left.