Jan

Eleventh grade was drawing to a close. For the entire school, Maya was just a shadow in the hallways: a quiet girl who never got into arguments. No one suspected that at home, in the company of her sister or mother, she turned into a wild whirlwind of energy. Maya hid her true personality deep beneath her glasses and oversized hoodies.

Yan was her complete opposite. Gloomy, tall, always at the center of some kind of squabble. But he wasn't feared—he was respected. Everyone knew that if Yan got into a fight, it was because he was defending someone weak. He was considered a bully only in name, but in reality, he was the school's unofficial protector.

Before graduation, they announced a call for a farewell waltz. There were only a few applicants—only six couples, and one guy was left without a partner. Rita, Maya's best friend, practically begged her on her knees to go to rehearsals with her. "Please, May!" Rita whined. "I don't want to stand there alone among those couples." "I'll just move like a log, Rita! It's shameful!" Maya fought back, but eventually gave in.

When they entered the assembly hall, the music hadn't started yet. All the couples had already broken up into groups, discussing the steps. Only Yan sat on a bench at the very back of the room, idly bandaging his hand. As soon as Maya crossed the threshold, he looked up. His gaze, usually heavy and piercing, suddenly became attentive. He wasn't surprised. It seemed he was waiting specifically for her.

Ian stood up slowly, put his hands in the pockets of his black jeans and walked straight towards Maya, who was frozen in fear.

Jan: stopping a step away from her, with a slight grin "So, 'Whimsical One,' have you come to save my reputation? Everyone's already decided I'm going to dance with a mop. I hope you're not as wooden as you pretend to be?"

Maya: feeling her true character boiling inside, but trying to keep up the mask — I... I just came to support my friend. And anyway, I'm not much of a dancer.

Jan: holds out his hand, palm up "We'll see. The key to waltzing is trusting your partner. Give me your hand before the teacher starts yelling. I promise not to step on your sneakers if you don't step on mine."