I started dancing because of you

As they walked back into the classroom, an idea sparked in Jennie's mind. She turned to Leo with a playful grin. "You know, we should make a promise. Something to remind us that we'll always be there for each other."

Leo raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What kind of promise?"

"A pinky promise," she said, extending her pinky finger toward him. "It's a way of sealing it. We promise to never let each other go, no matter what happens."

Leo chuckled, but there was a sincerity in his eyes. "Alright, I'm in." He linked his pinky with hers, and they both leaned closer, their expressions serious.

"Promise?" Jennie asked, her voice soft but firm.

"Promise," Leo replied, sealing the moment with a nod.

They held their pinky connection for a few seconds longer, a simple gesture that felt monumental. It was more than just a promise; it was a vow of support, trust, and friendship.

"Now we can't break it," Jennie said, pulling her hand back with a smile. "No matter how tough things get, we have each other's backs."

"Exactly," Leo agreed, a grin spreading across his face. "And if anyone tries to come between us, they'll have to deal with both of us."

"Deal!" Jennie laughed, feeling a sense of joy swell within her. It was a new beginning, a bond forged through shared experiences and understanding.

As they took their seats, the classroom buzzed with chatter, but Jennie and Leo shared a knowing look, their hearts lightened by their promise. In that moment, they felt a sense of belonging—something they both had been missing for so long.

With their pinky promise in place, they knew they could face whatever challenges lay ahead, side by side.

The following day, as Jennie and Leo walked together through the school hallways, their laughter echoed, but it was abruptly cut short when they spotted Jennie's father waiting at the entrance. He had a stern expression, his arms crossed tightly over his chest.

"Jennie," he called, his voice deep and commanding.

She froze, glancing at Leo, who looked equally uncertain. "Dad, what are you doing here?"

"Can we talk?" he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Jennie nodded, feeling a wave of anxiety wash over her. "Sure. Just a minute." She turned to Leo, her heart racing. "I'll be right back."

As she approached her father, Leo stepped back, sensing the tension. He watched them, trying to gauge the situation from a distance.

"What's going on, Dad?" Jennie asked, keeping her voice steady despite her nerves.

Her father looked her straight in the eyes. "I've heard about you and that boy," he said, nodding toward Leo. "I don't approve."

"Why not? Leo's been really supportive," Jennie replied, feeling defensive. "He's a good person."

"Good person or not, he's not the kind of influence I want around you," her father stated, his voice firm. "You need to focus on your studies and your future, not get caught up in teenage drama."

Jennie felt frustration bubbling up. "Dad, I can take care of myself! I'm not a child anymore. Besides, Leo understands what I'm going through."

"Does he?" her father shot back. "How can you be sure? You barely know him. This is about your well-being."

Leo, overhearing the escalating conversation, stepped forward. "Sir, if I may—"

"Stay out of this!" her father interrupted, his gaze piercing. "This is between me and my daughter."

Jennie felt a mix of anger and embarrassment. "You can't just dismiss him like that! Leo has been there for me when I needed someone. You don't know him at all!"

"I don't need to know him to see that he's a distraction," her father insisted. "I care about your future, Jennie."

"By trying to control me?" she retorted, her voice rising. "That's not going to work! I'm old enough to make my own choices!"

For a moment, there was silence as the weight of their words hung in the air. Leo shifted awkwardly, unsure of how to intervene without escalating the situation further.

Her father's expression softened slightly, but he maintained his stance. "I just want what's best for you. I don't want to see you hurt."

"Neither do I, Dad," Jennie replied, her voice quivering. "But I need to figure things out on my own. I can't live my life based on your fears."

With that, she turned to Leo, her heart pounding. "Come on, let's go," she said, taking his hand and leading him away, determined to reclaim her independence.

As they walked down the hall, Jennie felt a mix of relief and apprehension. "I'm sorry about that," she said, glancing back at her father. "He can be really intense."

Leo squeezed her hand reassuringly. "It's okay. I get it. He just cares about you."

"Yeah, but sometimes it feels suffocating," Jennie admitted, exhaling deeply. "I just want to be myself without all the pressure."

"I'm here for you, no matter what," Leo said, meeting her gaze with warmth. "We'll figure it out together."

With their promise still fresh in her mind, Jennie felt a flicker of hope. She knew challenges lay ahead, but with Leo by her side, she was ready to face them head-on.

That evening, after the confrontation with her father, Jennie found herself curled up on her bed, tears streaming down her cheeks. She felt overwhelmed, the weight of her father's expectations pressing heavily on her heart. She had always wanted to make him proud, but at what cost?

Suddenly, a quiet tapping at her window broke her thoughts. Startled, she turned to see Leo climbing up, his expression a mix of mischief and concern. "Surprise!" he whispered, grinning as he hopped into her room.

Jennie wiped her eyes quickly, unable to suppress a smile at his unexpected entrance. "What are you doing here?" she asked, trying to sound annoyed but failing miserably.

"I thought you could use some company," Leo said, closing the window behind him. "You looked like you needed a distraction."

"You have no idea," she admitted, her voice still a bit shaky. "But how did you even get up here?"

He shrugged, a playful spark in his eyes. "Just some good climbing skills and a little luck."

Jennie laughed, feeling the tension of the day begin to melt away. "Well, my dad almost caught you," she said, recalling the moment when she had heard him stomping down the hallway.

"What? Seriously?" Leo's eyes widened in mock horror. "I could have been grounded for life!"

"More like you'd have to deal with my dad glaring at you," Jennie said, shaking her head. "He would have had a heart attack."

They both chuckled, the sound lightening the atmosphere. For the next few hours, they talked, shared stories, and even attempted to do some homework, but mostly they just enjoyed each other's company. Leo made her laugh, and his presence felt comforting, a balm for her wounded spirit.

At one point, Leo picked up a framed photo from her desk—a picture of Jennie at a dance competition, beaming with pride. "You look amazing here," he said, his tone sincere. "You really love dancing, don't you?"

"I do," she replied, her eyes brightening. "It's my escape, my way of expressing myself."

"Maybe you can teach me some moves sometime," he suggested, a teasing smile on his face. "I could use some help with my rhythm."

Jennie laughed. "You? Dance? That would be a sight to see!"

"Hey, don't underestimate me," he said, pretending to be offended. "I might surprise you."

As the night wore on, Jennie found herself feeling lighter, her worries fading into the background. It felt good to have Leo there, sharing moments of laughter and camaraderie. They talked about everything and nothing, building a connection that felt deeper with every passing second.

Suddenly, they heard a loud thud from downstairs—her dad was home. "Uh-oh," Leo whispered, eyes wide. "Time to hide!"

They scrambled to find a place to hide for him, laughing as he dove into the closet, their giggles muffled by the door. They pressed against each other, hearts racing from both fear and excitement.

"What if he finds you ?" Jennie whispered, barely able to contain her laughter.

"He'll never know," Leo said, trying to sound confident. "We're masters of stealth."

As her father's footsteps echoed in the hallway, Jennie and Leo exchanged glances, their faces lit up with laughter. In that moment, the world outside faded away, and all that mattered was the warmth of their connection, a promise of support amidst the chaos.

After their first training session, Leo was still buzzing with excitement as he stepped into the dance studio the next day. Jennie greeted him with a bright smile, already warmed up and ready to go.

"Are you ready to dive into some new moves?" she asked, her enthusiasm infectious.

"Absolutely!" Leo replied, feeling a mixture of nerves and eagerness. "I've been thinking about what we did yesterday, and I really enjoyed it."

Jennie clapped her hands together. "That's the spirit! Let's build on what you learned. We'll try some turns and maybe even a little partner work."

As they began, Jennie demonstrated a few spins and steps. Leo watched closely, trying to replicate her movements. With each practice, he felt himself growing more confident, letting the music guide him.

"You're really getting the hang of it!" Jennie cheered as he successfully executed a turn.

"I think I'm starting to like this more than I expected," Leo admitted, a grin spreading across his face. "It's so freeing."

Jennie's eyes lit up. "I'm glad! You know, I've always dreamed of dancing more seriously, but I never had someone to share it with."

"Really?" Leo raised an eyebrow. "I'd never have guessed you wanted to take it further."

"Yeah, I love dancing," she confessed. "It's a huge part of who I am. I want to explore different styles and maybe even perform someday."

Leo considered her words, feeling a new wave of determination. "If you're serious about it, I want to be a part of that. Maybe we can take some classes together, explore more styles."

Jennie's face broke into a radiant smile. "I'd love that! It would be amazing to share that journey with you."

As they practiced, Leo began to open up about his own interests. "I've always been interested in dance but never thought I could actually pursue it. It felt too far out of reach."

"Why not?" Jennie asked, genuinely curious. "You have the talent and the passion. It's never too late to start."

"I guess I've always been worried about what others would think," he admitted, his voice dropping slightly. "But with you, it feels like I can be myself without judgment."

Jennie nodded, her heart swelling at his words. "That's exactly how it should be. Dance is about expressing yourself, not conforming to anyone's expectations."

They continued practicing, and as Leo began to incorporate his own flair into the movements, Jennie felt a warmth spread through her. It was more than just dancing; it was a connection that was deepening with each step.

"Okay, let's try this together," Jennie said, taking his hand. "Just let go and follow my lead."

As they moved in sync, laughter filled the studio. Leo couldn't help but feel a thrill each time they connected, both in dance and in the unspoken bond growing between them.

After they finished their session, panting and grinning from ear to ear, Leo looked at Jennie, his expression earnest. "Thank you for helping me discover this part of myself. I never thought I'd enjoy it this much."

Jennie beamed back at him. "And thank you for being open to it. I can't wait to see how far we can go together."

In that moment, they both realized that this journey was just beginning—both in dance and in their relationship.