Tiana should have learned her lesson.
She didn't.
Because she came back.
Again.
"…I don't know why I'm doing this," she muttered, standing outside the dance studio.
She stared at the door.
"This is how bad decisions become habits."
A pause.
"…It's already a habit."
She sighed and walked in.
The music was louder today.
People already moving.
Too confidently.
"…They practiced," she whispered.
Unfair.
"Hey! You're back!" the instructor said.
Tiana nodded.
"Yes. Unfortunately."
The instructor laughed.
"Good. That means you survived the first day."
Tiana blinked.
"…Barely."
"Even better."
That logic didn't make sense.
She joined the group again.
"Alright, today we're adding a little more," the instructor said.
Tiana immediately frowned.
"…We haven't mastered the little from yesterday."
"Left, right, turn—step—"
Tiana followed.
Left.
Right.
So far so good.
Turn—
Wrong direction.
"…We've lost it."
"Step—back—spin—"
She attempted the spin.
Big mistake.
She turned too fast—
Lost balance—
And nearly took someone down with her.
"Whoa—!"
"I'm so sorry!" Tiana said quickly, grabbing onto the nearest person to steady herself.
The girl laughed.
"You're fine!"
"I'm not fine," Tiana replied.
"I almost caused an accident."
"That was impressive, actually."
"…That was not the goal."
The music kept going.
Tiana jumped back into position.
"Focus," she muttered.
Left.
Right.
Better.
Spin—
She slowed it down this time.
"…Okay."
Progress.
Then—
"Pair up!"
Tiana froze.
"…No."
Too late.
The person next to her turned.
A guy.
Smiling.
"Hi," he said.
Tiana nodded once.
"…Hello."
"This is where it gets awkward," he added.
"…It already was," she replied.
He laughed.
"Relax, it's just steps."
"That's what they said yesterday."
"Ready?"
"No."
"Good," he said. "Let's go."
That was not reassuring.
They started.
Step.
Turn.
He moved forward.
She moved back—
Too far.
"…I've left the routine," she said.
"Come back," he laughed.
"I'm trying!"
They adjusted.
Almost in sync.
Almost.
Then—
Wrong step.
They bumped slightly.
Both paused.
"…Okay," Tiana said.
"We're not compatible."
He laughed.
"We just started!"
"Exactly. It's already failing."
The music stopped.
"Not bad!" the instructor called out.
Tiana blinked.
"…That was bad."
"Better than yesterday," the girl nearby added.
Tiana paused.
"…That's not a high standard."
But still.
She exhaled slightly.
"…I didn't fall this time."
Progress.
Small.
But real.
She grabbed her water bottle.
Took a sip.
"…I might actually come back again," she said quietly.
Then immediately frowned.
"Let's not make promises."
Outside—
The air felt cooler.
Tiana adjusted her bag.
"…This is becoming suspicious," she muttered.
She started walking.
A little tired.
A little lighter.
And slightly confused about her own decisions.
But she didn't question it too much.
For now—
That was enough.