AFTERSCHOOL - DAY 6

Theo sat at the room as the rest of the students practiced their moves. He watched as the girls gracefully spun around and their sparkling fans moved like water though the air. He smiled as they moved past him.

“So your, Theo right?” Theo looked up, a tall dark haired guy in sweats nodded to him.

“Yeah” The guy nodded.

“I am Shizo. I am the president of the club. So you want to join?” Theo nodded eagerly and stood up.

“Yes, please.” Shizo nodded and gestured to Theo to follow him.

“We aren’t official, mind you, but we know a thing or two about it. How long have you studied?” Theo followed Shizo to a closet where he handed Theo a blue and green uniform.

“Oh, about a year now. But, I still feel as if I started only yesterday.” Theo laughed nervously.

“Don’t worry about it. Go ahead and change into that and you can show us what you know, ok?” Theo nodded and slipped behind the curtains.

A few minutes later he emerged in his uniform; a blue yukata with white patterns, and green samurai like pants that fanned out around his legs, plus he carried his own black bamboo, bright green and white fan with gold leaf in his hand. Shizo nodded in approval. The rest of the club sits at the side.

“We were just talking about you, please, show us a dance, Theo.” Shizo stood off to the side as the girls in the club giggled to each other.

Theo nodded and moved to the center of the mat. Taking a breath he closed his eyes and slowly bent down into a half kneel, his fan in his right hand, rested against his right knee. Softly he started to chant the song. His voice slowly becoming louder and deeper as he looked up. Gracefully he stood without even a twinge in his leg. Shuffling forward he continued to sing as he pointed his fan out and back as he shuffled back. He paused for a moment before stepping to the left and lifting the fan above his head, shuffling forward he dropped and pointed the fan again. Bring it back to his chin he sang slower as his other hand came up and opened the fan. He sang softly as he moved the fan to hover over his face then swooped it back as he shuffled backwards on the mat. The fan resting at his side he kneeled and bowed to Shizo.

Everyone clapped and praised him. But when Theo looked up he couldn’t hear any of it. Standing in the doorway was Gill and the whole student council. Theo turned bright red as Gill grinned evilly at him. Shizo tried to convince Theo to show them another dance but Theo shook his head.

“I, don’t feel very well. I, really didn’t eat lunch. Maybe I can come back later?” Theo stuttered as he tried to cover up his embarrassment as the student council whispered to each other.

“Sure. I will see you tomorrow during lunch to talk about times.” Shizo nodded. The girls tugged at Theo’s sleeves, begging him for another dance.

“Does, that mean I am in?” Theo smiled kindly at the girls but was too nervous to really say anything to them at the moment.

“Of course!” Shizo laughed and patted Theo on the shoulder. It would be great to have another guy in the club.

“Thanks” Theo smiled uncertainly at Shizo before scooting away from the clamoring girls.

“Alright girls, your turn to dance for him now.” The girls begged Theo to stay and watch them dance. Since he couldn’t refuse he agreed reluctantly. Glancing over his shoulder he saw the student council pull Shizo aside.

“Please, show me your dance.” Theo bowed kindly and the girls squealed eagerly as they shuffled around the mats to their positions.

As the girls danced for Theo, he couldn’t help but glance over at the others. Wondering what they were talking about. Theo struggled to shove it out of his mind and focus on the graceful dancing of the girls in front of him. But he just couldn’t get that evil look of Gill’s out of his head.