PEARL DEW

" I'm afraid you'll have to redraw from the competition if it's the same day as your dad's death anniversary," Iris announced as she closed up on Pearl whose gaze clearly spelled out her displeasure.

" But mum... I've waited for this all my life." She stated. " Can't we have it a little earlier than before?" Pearl continued, looking up into her eyes as if she could read through for answers but then, Iris snapped– her brows drawn together as the mention of competition finally wrapped her thought.

" What competition are we talking about, anyway?" The words brought Pearl's wide eyes to a freeze–her dead gaze fixed on her mother without even batting an eye as realization hit her. She was in shock and realized she could not speak. Her tongue appeared stuck to the roof of her mouth and she could not release it.

" Oh...no, what did I just do?~ " Her thoughts echoed in confusion and for a moment, her face went blank. Joining a dance class wasn't her mother's choice at all; not even a topic to discuss when it comes to their family business. She'd advise her to take up Business Management to help with their business after graduating but then, Pearl's interest wasn't in such but rather dance.

For her, dance was another form of communication – a way to tell the world its wrongs, the pain, love, and prove humanity and nature in a glamorous order without fear or hypocrisy. " What do I do now? – such a mess!" She intoned.

" Pearl...?"

" Huh?" She flinched with a sharp edge to her voice, jerking back into the reality of her mum's presence. She intuitively went poker face– her eyes flickered.

" Are you alright?– " Iris asked, worried about her sudden lost attitude. " Was just asking about the competition you were talking about but you suddenly went blank, all lost. Is anything bothering you?"

" Um... yes " Her eyelid twitched and she instinctively glanced away, not to expose herself. She knew her mother too well, just another glance at her and she could tell her words were nothing but lies. Since she wasn't ready to be exposed, that could be the best way. She told herself as she buried herself in bed and pull over the sheets; covering herself up to her head.

" Got a long day ahead, mum– I'm off to bed now. Let's talk about this later, huh?" She announced under her covering when she eventually regained the use of her tongue. This got Iris stunned into silence but considering her daughter's study routine with the management of the company's affairs and all, she could tell how hectic a day she always endure.

With a sigh as she turned to leave, Pearl who took a secret check out of the sheet announced. " Kindly turn the lights out when going – Thank you...". Her words ended with her wrapping herself back in.

Iris glanced back at her and snickered. " You should have done that before jumping in there– " She said and added on an impulse as she glided out. " No worries, will get it done. Goodnight!"

With this, the room was soon swept into darkness. Pearl checked out again and sure Iris had left, she let out an inaudible sigh and blew out air through her lips to calm herself – dropping down the sheet to her chest level.

" That was so close." She cried. " Now, come to think of it– I must come up with a great plan if this competition must pull through. " She thought but then, she couldn't come up with any good idea as she pondered over the new development. For hours, she tossed and turned, undecided on what move to make.

" Kareen and Elvis can get me through if I hit them in. It's always said, two heads are better than one– Let's just rest now and see what tomorrow holds for itself later." Her thoughts verbalized.

Not knowing how long she laid there as the thoughts seized not, sleep soon drew her in, engulfing her in total darkness.

The night silently journeyed with a cold yet enchanting embodiment as the full moon shone over the dark skies and soon, the morning sun came visiting once again.

REGAN DANCE FRATERNITY

"5,6, 7... 8, legs– front, back... hand, twirl, and spin to the music" The instructor's voice echoed with each tap their feet made on the floor which sounded rhythmic, enhancing each hip move and how their body freely yet beautifully orchestrated the steps– It was the most amazing classic dance, LATIN, one of Pearl's favorite dance style.

This mainly got two styles which are the formal Latin or ballroom which is the cha-cha, jive, paso doble, rumba, and samba with the social Latin being the second type which is mostly done in clubs.

Pearl thrilled with each step as she did the cha-cha. It was already 1 pm when Elvis peaked in through the entrance, clutching on a brown paper bag.

" Hope they've not left already else Pearl's gonna kill me." He mumbled as he scanned through the dancers.

Just then, he spotted the two, Pearl and Kareen. With a smile, he muttered. " Great, there they are. Just gonna wait out here."

With a swift glance at his wristwatch, Elvis scampered over to a bench suited a few steps away from the door and settled in, placing the brown bag next to him along with his backpack.

Elvis Kim is half Korean and half American with his mother being American and his dad, a Korean. He's an Engineering student, unlike his two besties, Pearl and Kareen who are into dance. Although Pearl isn't only studying dance which she managed to keep in the dark. They became friends right on their first day at the campus and since he'd go every length just to protect her and make sure she was happy.

He isn't from the best of wealthy families like Pearl and Kareen but had his way of supporting himself by taking part-time jobs after school. They're mostly seen together unless one got issues to attend to.

Pearl had called him earlier to come meet them after his part-time job hours since his class had ended earlier than theirs. Although he didn't know the reason, the urgency in her voice made him close earlier than he usually does.

" What could the problem be?" He wondered as he admired her from the windows of the hall. " I guess it isn't anything so serious– she doesn't look alarmed or depressed." He thought to himself. " Let's get busy while we wait."

He said and soon, he was immersed in his phone– gaming with his headsets plugged in his ears.