TO HEAVEN WITH YOU

Leo emerged from the restroom, looking refreshed and casually dressed for the evening. His presence immediately brought a sense of calm to the changing room, and he took a seat next to Ari, his easy going demeanor contrasting with the earlier tension. They fell into a light conversation, discussing their day and random topics, which made Ari feel more at ease.

As they chatted, the door to the changing room opened, and a male and female dancer entered, their laughter and chatter filling the space. The pair was clearly in high spirits, discussing their upcoming performance for Rhythm Night. Since the main studio was occupied, they decided to practice in the changing room, turning it into a makeshift rehearsal space.

Leo and Ari watched as the dancers began their routine. The performance was strikingly similar to the Magic Mike video Leo had shown Ari earlier. The way the male and female dancers moved together—sensual, fluid, and filled with unspoken chemistry—captured Ari’s attention. Leo, noticing Ari’s fascination, couldn’t resist teasing her.

“Looks like you’re really enjoying this,” Leo said with a playful smirk. “Maybe you want me to dance with you like that?”

Ari’s cheeks flushed crimson at his suggestion. She looked away, trying to hide her embarrassment, but the teasing glint in Leo’s eyes made her heart race. “I-I don’t know about that,” she stammered.

The dancers finished their routine, and the changing room fell quiet. A new figure walked in—a guy Ari didn’t recognize but who seemed familiar to Leo. The guy greeted Ari with a friendly nod before turning to Leo.

“Hey, Leo,” the guy said, settling into a chair nearby. “I heard your performance this morning was amazing.”

Leo grinned and exchanged a few casual words with him. Ari, feeling a bit out of place, decided to lay her head on Leo’s lap, trying to listen in on their conversation. She felt comforted by his warmth, even as her thoughts were clouded by the earlier teasing.

The conversation shifted to personal matters, and the guy mentioned that his ex had messaged him the previous day, even sending him money. Leo’s dramatic reaction was immediate. “Eyy!” he exclaimed, playfully shoving Ari off his lap. “Maybe you should come send me money too!”

Ari felt a pang of hurt at the playful shove. Though Leo’s action was meant as a joke, it stung. She watched, feeling a growing heaviness in her chest as Leo and the guy continued their conversation. The room seemed to close in around her, and her earlier excitement was overshadowed by a sense of disappointment.

Leo’s instructor called him over, and he left the room to address the matter. The guy, sensing the awkwardness, also took his leave, leaving Ari alone in the changing room. She sat in silence, her mind replaying the incident with a mix of sadness and confusion.

Leo returned with a pair of sneakers, which his instructor had asked him to wash. He headed to the sink, scrubbing away the dirt with a focused expression. His attempts to engage Ari in conversation were met with curt, one-word answers. He noticed the change in her mood and was clearly concerned.

“What’s wrong, Ari?” Leo asked, trying to catch her eye. “You’ve been distant since I came back.”

Ari avoided his gaze, her frustration bubbling under the surface. “Nothing,” she replied tersely, though her voice betrayed her feelings.

Leo, persistent and genuinely concerned, reached out to her. “Come here,” he said gently. When Ari didn’t immediately respond, he called her name repeatedly, his tone softening with each utterance. Eventually, Ari got up and walked over to him.

Leo rinsed his soapy hands and pulled Ari close by the waist, their bodies touching. The proximity made Ari feel both shy and exhilarated. She struggled to maintain eye contact, her head bowed slightly.

“What happened?” Leo asked again, his voice filled with a mix of concern and curiosity.

Ari took a deep breath and finally voiced her feelings. “It’s just... earlier, when you pushed me off your lap. It hurt, even if you were joking.”

Leo’s eyes widened in understanding. “Oh, Ari, I’m sorry. I was just kidding around. I didn’t mean to hurt you.” His tone was gentle, and he looked genuinely apologetic.

He pulled her face up to meet his gaze, his own filled with warmth and regret. “So, that’s why you’ve been upset. I didn’t realize it would affect you like that. I’m sorry, you’ve started stressing me out, acting like my small witch,” he added, trying to lighten the mood with a playful tone.

Ari couldn’t help but smile, despite the lingering embarrassment. Leo’s closeness and his soft words gave her butterflies in her stomach. He leaned in and gave her a tender forehead kiss, which only intensified her blush.

As he returned to washing the sneakers, Ari sat back down, her heart still fluttering from the intimate moment they shared. The earlier tension had been replaced by a sense of reconciliation, but the undercurrent of unresolved emotions remained.

Leo finished his task and looked at Ari, who had returned to her seat, her cheeks still flushed. They exchanged a few more words, but the atmosphere was now more relaxed, the previous misunderstanding beginning to fade as he left to hang the sneakers.