Page 6 of Dance This Song With Me?
The loud music beat out an irresistible rhythm, my foot involuntarily tapping as I cooled myself by the large fan. Sweat beaded my forehead and the nape of my neck after my last dance. Large splotches darkened my shirt around the armpits. I was getting dangerously close to needing to either change my shirt or go home, and I still hadn't seen my guy.
I idly watched the dancers out on the floor for the current song. One couple were dancing a particularly close and sensual version of the dance, and I admired the way the lead was able to direct the girl into a series of complicated moves. It was theatrical, almost romantic.
I sighed. I would have loved to dance like that. Even more so, if it could have been with a man.
A stirring near the doorway snagged my attention. Another group of men had barely entered the hall before they were dragged onto the dance floor. I watched amused, and then stiffened as a ripple of excitement ran through me. Amongst the newly arrived dancers, was a head of dark blonde hair that I recognized.
He'd barely made it into the room before some girl asked him to dance, and shot of jealousy struck me as he walked out onto the dance floor smiling at her. Even so, I couldn't keep my eyes off him, although I tried not to look like some creeper, averting my eyes anytime it looked as if his moves might accidentally bring us into eye contact.
I breathed steadily, in and out, trying to calm my racing heart and settle the agitated twitching of my foot. As I watched surreptitiously, he led his partner through a complicated series of moves which she followed perfectly, and I waited for him to step to the sidelines where I could start up a conversation with him.
When the song ended, he hadn't taken two steps before another partner had asked him for a dance. And when it happened again, dance after dance, tension banded my forehead as an unpleasant realization dawned on me.
He hadn't looked my way once, and as a skilled dancer he was never going to be standing on the sideline. I couldn't just walk up to him when he was with his group of friends anyway, because that would be weird, so my only opportunity to connect would be in a dance.
But as another lead, I couldn't ask him to dance.
Stalemate.
Chapter 4
From: [email protected]
To: Aunt Macie
Subject: how to meet a guy
Dear Aunt Macie,
I've started doing this new dance which I love. It's different to club dancing - very heteronormative (down side), and the men have one part and the women do another part. The music is cool (up side) and the dance moves are sexy and fun (up side, obv). But because it's heteronormative, as a guy I only get to dance with the girls.
There's this really, really hot guy who I'd love to get to know. I've only ever seen him at these dances, and tbh I don't even know if he's gay, because we've never even spoken! But I did think we had a bit of a moment once when our eyes met (I know that sounds stupid, but it really felt like it) and I'd like to explore that.
I can't get near him because he's a great dancer and he's always in demand. I haven't once seen him standing on the side at dances and he comes and goes with a big group of friends.
How can I meet him and find out if we could have a thing? I do NOT want to embarrass myself so that I can't keep going to the dances even if he turns me down.
Any advice would be sooooo appreciated.
Sincerely,
Dance_newbie
p.s. in case this makes any difference, the name of the dance is bachata
*****
Reply from: Aunt Macie
Subject: how to meet a guy
Dear Dance_newbie,
Actually I have some experience in these situations myself. I'm quite familiar with this dance. It can be difficult because as you say it is quite a heteronormative dance, but I can assure you there's plenty of bachata dancers who are from the LGBTQ+ community.
It's not unheard of for men to dance with men, or women with women, but usually only once they reach a certain standard (check out the videos on the internet).You may find this embarrassing, but if you're serious about meeting this guy, go back to class and learn how to be a follower. Then next time you're at the same social, ask him for a dance! The dance will tell you very quickly if you have chemistry or not!
