chapter 8

The dance studio was big and beautiful; the mirrors made it bright, and the glass walls just summed up the beauty. The speakers were installed at the top corner of the studio. The director, producer, and choreographer discussed how they wanted things to work out. Our producer told us that we had to come up with our own choreographing, and they would see if it goes well with what she had in mind. It was exciting but also scary... what if we didn't get it right? What if we never come up with a choreography??

"This is the studio we will be using for practise ,i got it from a close friend of mine and as you could see it's connected to a bigger building but that is not for our use as we are strictly bound in this dance studio.We will work on our choreographing alongside our script reading so be informed that we will do some script reading while in this studio and for the next few months this will be your home,"our director said while smiling in a mischievous way .

That's his way of telling us that we will be working harder and for longer hours.

We changed outfits; I wore tights and a sports bra with Converse All-Stars, while Anurak wore sweatpants and a vest with All-Star Converse. We first listened to the soundtrack we were supposed to dance to, we replayed it 2 times and tried to listen to the beat, but it wasn't getting in; we then stretched our bodies while trying to find a suitable dance move to start with.

While having a song listening session we would talk about the song and what emotions arise when we listen to the song ,what do we feel?

We stood facing each other, and the music played again; we tried to dance, but we always ended up falling on each other or tripping each other, or just getting entangled. "This is harder than I thought!!" I said, frustrated, as the drive to dance was not even in me. "It's easier to learn a choreography already made than making your own," Anurak added as he sat on the floor.

Our director and producer paid no attention to us considering that they were talking to other side characters and discussing the script and the music with our music supevisor.According to what i heard from Ayesha they were waiting for the set out office they would be using while in South Korea in order to hold more professional discussions and work,we were on a strict budget but with the help of our director's secret friend we were able to have some things without chucking out money... Ayesha and our choreographer were busy on Ayesha's phone, probably watching some movie while we struggled. "Let's try and do dance moves we know and combine them, and let's see what we get," I suggested. "Right now, I would do anything," Anurak said as he stood up. We went and changed the song and played "Zum feat., Shenseea - Rebel."

Note: This ("Zum feat., Shenseea - Rebel") is not the song intended to be used in the movie; they changed the song so that they could remember some dance moves and maybe think of ideas.

I danced the dance moves I learned from Jake Taylor while we practiced for TRIM; Anurak joined and freestyled, but again, we ended up tripping each other, and he hit me on the forehead by mistake, "Aaahh! This is frustrating," I said, sitting on the floor. Anurak paused the song, and we just sat there on the floor, and when we looked at each other, we laughed our lungs out as we remembered the funny situation we found ourselves in. "I am not a professional dancer, and trying to think of a choreography is hard. I don't think I will ever choreograph for my wedding; we would probably do banana dances and monkey dances," I said to Anurak. "Count me in on that one... I will hire a professional to teach me because this ain't working," he said, chuckling.

We continued talking and decided to try for the last time, but this time we were taking our sweet time, chatting and laughing. I also taught him some few dance moves, and we just played around because we really had nothing to do or anything in mind, and no one seemed to care what we did. We later took a break when food arrived, and we ate. After eating, I was tired, so I urged them to take us to the hotel to rest. "I might even think of some dance moves while taking a bath," I said, trying to convince them.

"Okay, but tomorrow it will be you, Anurak, and Ayesha only... so practice hard, we have some work to take care of tomorrow and don't think that's how it will be like in south korea for the rest of the months...wait until we are settled," our director said and he was looking at me specifically,the director and me always had this love-hate relationship but i now deep down he adores me or at least i think he does .

I got to my room and first took a hot shower and then wore my pajamas as I wasn't planning to go anywhere. I got into my blankets and decided to read my emails. I had packages waiting to be delivered, and I also had to make time to go and check on the project in Poland which my friends and I were working on. I still had to decide on whether to collaborate with Adidas or not as I weighed my benefits. They were planning on releasing a new shoe, and they wanted to collaborate with me; I would consult with Ayesha because I am sure they spoke to my manager, and my manager probably wants me to decide on this one.

I also studied and finished off my assignment and submitted it. By the time I was finished, it was late around 23:30. I finalized everything and checked my messages and replied to my friends' messages.

Dallin, are you with your boss again tonight? Cynthia asked.

Guys... y'all don't understand, we were working late, that's why he mentioned last night, Dallin explained.

Dallin, we are not your kids; you can't expect us to believe that, Fathima said.

I didn't say that... you guys don't understand, He said.

Well, we don't need to understand anything... I will make sure Mr. Park hears about this :) I added, laughing.

She finally wakes up from the dead, Cynthia added.

Y'all know I work, right? I texted.

Yeah, so? Fathima said.

Well, this working lady doesn't have spare time, so don't expect me to be lazing around like a real housewife of For-never-land I added.

(rolling eyes emoji) Nobody: 1. Asked 2. Cares, and 3. Gives 2 Fs about it Cynthia said.

Well, you probably should anyways; how's the project going, is it working out? I asked.

Yes, it's going well so far. Cynthia said.

I still don't understand why Anashe and Dallin want us to do the work... we also have jobs, you know Fathima said.

Well, I still don't understand why you volunteered to go and start the project when you have work to do (Rolling eyes emoji) I texted.

She acts as if we forced her; Fathima, nobody forced you... you used both your legs and hands and mouth to go there, so leave us the hell alone Dallin said.

Thank you, friend; that's why I love you I said.

Anyways, guys, did you see what happened in The Real Housewives-Durban Dallin added.

Oh HELL to the no... bye-bye; I am not staying for this data is very expensive Cynthia said and she logged out.

I just remembered I need to go and flush my toilet; I forgot to flush, see you Fathima said.

Guys c'mon... you always do this Dallin said.

Uhh, yeah, I remembered I also need to go flush my eyes... what you typed blinded me for life I texted.

Mxm Dallin said.

(Laughing emojis) And she doesn't even lie... what a friend you have, Mr. Brown Cynthia texted.

Even dogs are better; they are loyal

Even dogs are better; they are loyal

Even dogs are better; they are loyal

Even dogs are better; they are loyal

We all typed and sent at the same time; I smiled and chuckled.

Good night, guys; it's already 00:15 here, and today is Workday I texted . I charged my phone and turned off the lights, then went to sleep.

Grrr Grrr Grrr Grrrr! The alarm rang; I was so annoyed. I switched it off, and the time was 7:30 am. I woke up and said a short prayer, then checked my emails and got ready for the day. Checking emails is essential for me ,i know that i have Ayesha to do that for me and my manager but i also want to know what's going on around me even though when i do get busy busy i barely touch them.

I ordered breakfast, and it was delivered; I ate while watching episode 13 of Ghost Doctor on Netflix. When I was done, I got a call from Anurak telling me that they were waiting for me. I took my things and then went to meet them. "Morning," I said as I entered the van. "Morning, Anashe," they all said, wearing their masks too. I sat at the back alone and just cruised through Tik Tok. I loved the fact that I learned a lot of things from it and also some life hacks, which some of them probably never really worked. "So Anashe, did you come up with a dance move?" Ayesha asked me.

"Uhh, about that, I almost did, but I had a headache and forgot the dance move, but it surely did have something to do with moving my legs and arms," I said without looking at her. All of a sudden, I felt a smack on my forehead, "What is that for?" I said, rubbing my forehead, "That's for thinking I am your child... what kind of excuse is that? You didn't even think before talking... sometimes you frustrate me, honestly!" she said dramatically.

"You should actually praise me for saying an excuse without thinking; that should be in a Guinness World Record book because wow, I really said that without thinking," I said while looking at her sarcastically.

"Try comedy; sarcasm really wasn't meant for you," Anurak said.

"You couldn't have said what I said, and you are trying to act smart," I said, sitting up straight. I removed my mask since these windows were not transparent. Meaning they were opaque, I think.

We got to the studio and spent the first afternoon trying to come up with a single flowing dance move, but either he didn't like it or I didn't feel it. Ayesha spent most of her time on the phone. "I really don't understand why we came to Korea just to practice a dance move or film a scene. We could have just filmed in New York and pretended it was in Korea because honestly, the only thing I toured in SK (South Korea) is the shop we bought our food supplies from... I haven't explored enough of this country... I need a tour," I said, sitting on the floor.

"Well, obviously, we haven't been here for a week, and already you are complaining. You are actually half busy than you actually were in New York... such an ungrateful punk," Ayesha said, not even looking away from her phone.

"Ungrateful punk... me? Wow, oh wow... you know, Ayesha, you should watch your tone when speaking to me; I am literally older than you," I said to her.

"With what... 2 hours? Well, congrats," she said sarcastically.

I stood up and chased her around the studio while Anurak just watched us laying on the floor, "Anurak, don't just lay there; catch her for me; seems like she has forgotten who is older," I said, trying to catch her. Anurak stood up and started chasing her, but she told him to chase me; he was literally following our orders until he finally started chasing both of us… We ended up laying on the floor, the 3 of us looking at the ceiling while laughing and trying to catch our breaths. "If the director hears that we spent our entire afternoon chasing each other, we are dead," I said, trying to catch my breath.

"Well, what he doesn't know won't kill us, right?" Anurak said.

"True, who will talk... definitely not me," Ayesha said.

"Well, I am hungry; let's go and get something to eat and catch some fresh air," I said, standing up. We were driven to some place on the roadside where they were selling Walnut snacks (Korean street food). We made sure to wear our masks for privacy sake even though i highly think 99% of the population would know who i am lol maybe Anurak but not me .We ordered all the dishes in our minds. We took our food and ate in the studio together. After eating, we continued analyzing and trying dance moves. We were nowhere near the start, but we promised to spend our night watching YouTube videos of choreography done on the same song and other songs similar to it by genre. We spent the rest of our day talking about anything and everything that came into our minds until we finally decided to go home and rest.

As promised, I watched some amazing choreography made or performed by other people, and I fell in love with them that I spent my whole night watching people's dances. It was very tiresome as I would also try the dance moves too, and I fell asleep while watching the videos; thank God for the fast internet speed in Korea.