Dance with Me

In a crowded auditorium, one pair of dancers were performing live at the center stage. The crowd roared with excitement and was thrilled with their performance. Everyone clapped their hands when the pair of dancers ended their performance very well.

" Everyone, the Synchronized Dancers! Let's give them another round of applause. Thank you, Synchronized Dancers!" The emcee of the program gladly announced to the audience after their performance.

Jade and Mark bowed their heads to show their humbleness and respect to the audiences. They were smiling contentedly as they walked out, leaving the center stage and went to the back stage.

They were both sweating hard yet their hearts were filled with satisfaction about their performance. They hugged each other. They sat down on the bench where the other contestants were sitting.

" Hey! You did great back there! Congrats!" A guy near them said to both of them with a wide smile on his face. He was Anthony. The main leader of the group named Jack Ass Dancers.

" Thank you!" Mark replied humbly towards Anthony.

Jade gave Anthony a pleasing smile and nodded to show her appreciation. The other contestants gave their congratulatory applause to both of them. Mark held Jade's hand feeling comfortable with each other.

After all the contestants had finished performing on the stage, the emcee announced the winners.

Jade and Mark were confident that they have done their best performance and they felt a little nervous though because there were contestants that showed their extraordinary movements in the stage.

" Ladies and gentlemen, I have the honour to announce to you our top three winners. The 3rd spot goes to .....The Slashers! The prize will be awarded by our sponsors of this competition. "

The crowd gave a round of applause to the Slashers. Then, the dancers from the Slashers jumped with joy and received their prize merrily.

" Congratulations to the Slashers! And now, I will call on the name of the second winner!" The emcee spoke once more. A loud drumming was heard to make a suspense over the audiences.

A few seconds later, the emcee announced the second winner. " Congratulations to the....Warrior Dancers! Our vice president of CBN enterprise will please give the award."

The Warrior Dancers jumped with joy and hugged each other while the other remaining contestants gave them a round of applause. They took their trophy and the prize money worth 300, 000 pesos.

After taking their prizes happily, the Warrior Dancers gave their thanks to the audiences by waving their hands and bowing several times infront of the crowd.

" Lastly...who among our remaining contestants will be our champion for this year as the Best Dancer 2019? Well....let's all find out....Garnering an average of 99 %...Our champion is the....Synchronized Dancers!" The emcee announced with full of energy and suspense. "Our Champions will be given 2 million pesos and will be competing on London, USA to represent our country. May we ask the president of CBN enterprise to give the trophy and prize money to our Champions."

Hearing the result of the competition, the crowd roared and gave a standing ovation when the emcee announced the champion.

Jade and Mark was so happy when they were announced as the champion. They went near the president of CBN enterprise and made a shake hand to him while receiving gladly their awards.

With teary eyes, Jade and Mark took the microphone of the emcee and spoke to the audiences.

" We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all who have supported us. Thank you so much everyone!" Mark said as he looked at the crowd.

" Thank you everyone! Please continue supporting us!" Jade said when she took the microphone from Mark.

A round of applause was heard all over the auditorium. The other contestants win or lose gave their warm congratulatory handshake to Jade and Mark. They took a picture on all of them as they ended the program.

Jade and Mark went home after the program. They drove Mark's private car when they left the auditorium.

As they reached Jade's house, Mark assisted her with her things.

" See you tomorrow, Mark! Thanks for driving me home!" Jade gazed at him with a sweet smile on her face.

" I wish we could celebrate our victory tonight but I know that you needed some rest too because of the pressure in the competition. Good work for both of us!" Mark smiled while gazing at her too.

Knowing how Mark behaved like a true gentleman, Jade always felt secure and comfortable with him. They were like a perfect pair of couples but they maintained their relationship as good friendship. Everyone thought they would end up being a couple since they were so close and intimate with each other.

Suddenly, the main door of Jade's house opened. A manly figure appeared from the door.

" Mark...Jade...why don't you both come inside? It's cold out here. " Simon said to both of them. He was the father of Jade and also a doctor in a government hospital.

Jade and Mark turned their heads from where the voice was coming from.

" Good evening, sir! Thanks for the offer, sir but I won't take long. I have to go home now too. Good night, Jade!" Mark said humbly.

" Good nights! Take care and drive safely! Call me when you got home." Jade said as she stepped away from the car.

" Goodbye, Jade!" Mark went inside his car and started switching the engine on. Then, he left. Jade entered their house followed by her father who looked so proud and autocratic.

As they walked in, the whole family gave Jade a warm welcome hug. Jade was a little surprise though.

" Congratulations for winning again, sweetie! I'm so proud of you!" Agatha said happily to her daughter.

" Thanks, mom!" Jade embraced her mother tightly.

" Congratulations, little sis!" Hector said to her sister and brushed her hair like a puppy.

" Thank you, brother!" Jade said with a smile.

They all gathered themselves in the dining room where there was food and drinks already prepared for the celebration. The maids took Jade's things and brought them into her room. The other maids were standing at the corridor waiting for commands from their masters.

After sitting on the chairs, they took their glasses of wine and made a toss.

" For the victory of Synchronized Dancers! Congratulations to Jade!" Hector said it out loudly infront out the whole family.

Everyone was happy on Jade's house which was the opposite of Mark's place.

In Mark's house, the house was silent. Only the maids were there. He lived alone because his parents were living separately and he was like an abandoned son. He lived for himself and his parents never showed concern on what's happening to him. They only send money to support his financial needs.

Mark went straight to his room and took off his clothes. He went to the bathroom and cleaned himself. After taking a bath, he puts on his clean towel and dried himself. He took out a sando and a boxer short from his cabinet. He wore it and laid down his body on the soft cottony bed. He was disappointed of his parents. He reached out his telephone and dialled Jade's number. While calling, his lips had a sweet enchanting smile. The phone rang and someone answered it.

" Hello! Can I speak to Jade Henares please?" Mark said to the maid who picked up his call." This is Mark. Jade's friend."

Not long after, the maid went to Jade who was having a happy meal with her family.

" Excuse me, Miss! Sir Mark wants to speak with you on the phone." The maid handed the phone to Jade.

As she took the call, she excused herself from the presence of her family. The whole family understood and nodded to allow her to go out of the dining room. Jade went at the other side of the dining room.

" Hey, Mark! What's up? Did you arrive safely in your place?" Jade said with a happy tone.

" Yeah! I have arrived already. Did I interrupt you?" Mark was relieved when he heard Jade's sweet voice.

" Of course not! You are always welcome to call me or talk to me whenever you like as long as I'm available though." Jade felt her heart skipped a beat when she heard Mark's manly voice. A tingling sensation was overflowing in her senses. She just doesn't like to admit that there was something going on with her heart when it comes to Mark.

Mark was very pleased when he heard Jade's typical expressions.

" Congrats for winning!" Mark said with a slight sadness in his voice. He felt a little down because he had no one to share his success in all his achievements in dancing.

" Hey! We both won so...congratulation to you, too! Without you, I may not have achieve my dreams. Thank you, Mark." Jade had known Mark since their childhood and she knew what he was feeling right now.

" No! Thank you for being such a good partner!" Mark reciprocated.

" Take a good rest now, Mark! Don't think too much! Remember....I'm always here for you, Mark." Jade tried to comforted him. " We're friends forever!"

Hearing Jade's promise, Mark had an impression that he can't take another step to upgrade their relationship. He really wanted to court Jade and tell her what he felt for her. Unfortunately, Jade always emphasized that they were only good friends.

" Yes! We're friends! Have a good rest too, my dearest partner." Mark said to end his call to her. He hang up the phone afterward while Jade went back in the dining room to continue her meal.

After having a little celebration, Jade went straight to her room and laid down on her own bed. Her mind was busy thinking of Mark. She felt sympathy for him. She remembered how they first met and became playmates when they were kids.

Flashback of the past.......

In a park, a little boy was playing alone with his ball while there were also other group of children playing there too. Among the group of children playing there was Jade. She saw the little boy who looked so lonely.

" Who is that?" Jade pointed his index finger to Mark's direction.

One of Jade's playmate, Clarissa, answered faintly. " Who cares who he is! We heard that his parents abandoned him after they have divorced. "

"That's so sad!" a girl playmate of Jade answered with a disappointed look on her face.

Jade felt bad when she heard about the boy's life story. She thought that she is lucky enough because she is loved by her family and they are complete. She went near the boy whom they were talking about.

" Hi there! I'm Jade! Would you like to play with me?" Jade bravely approached the kid.

Mark leaned on to face her and he was delighted when he heard that there was still someone willing to take him as a playmate. " Aren't you afraid that they will teased you?" He said looking back at the other children who was with Jade.

Jade smiled and shook her head." They are good friends of mine. I'm confident that they won't do that to me."

" Are you sure?" He said with a doubt on his mind.

" Yes!" Jade said firmly to him.

Mark smiled and happily went with Jade to play. As expected, Jade's playmate avoided them and they distanced themselves from the two kids. It didn't matter to Jade that her old friends disregarded her just because she wanted to make friends with Mark. She was happy that Mark was happy being with her and that was the most important thing for her right now.

In her mind, nobody's perfect and everyone should not be judged by how they were raised or from whatever their family background might be.

From then on, they became good friends. They entered the same school and they were together almost everyday.

One day, Mark played a jazz music on his phone and he dance without hesitation infront of her.

Jade's eyes widened with amazement on her face. This was the first time she saw Mark dance infront of her. They were already on their 9th grade.

" Wow! You're so good at dancing, Mark. I couldn't believe my eyes. You're a total performer. You are energetic and very graceful. Where did you learn to dance?" Jade asked.

Upon hearing complimentary statements from Jade, Mark stopped dancing for a while and faced his dear friend.

" I watched dancing on my phone and play dance revolution inside my room when I'm at home. In this way, I can divert my attention to other things so that I won't bother myself thinking of my situation regarding my family. " He said with a glimpse of sadness in his eyes.

Mark is really keeping himself like a invulnerable person. He never wanted to show his true feelings. But in his eyes, you can tell what he really felt. Jade thought to herself.

" Can you teach me how to dance too?" Jade said with enthusiasm.

With a furrowed brows, Mark looked at her intensely. " I'm not good at teaching. Why don't you just hire a dance instructor instead of me." He said.

" I don't like a dance instructor. I want you to personally train me. Please?" Jade said in a pleading tone of voice. Her eyes were begging for him to agree.

Looking at the pleading little girl, Mark was persuaded. " Okay! I'll teach you. But... be attentive and patient. As I told you, I'm not good at teaching others. "

Jade smiled joyfully and nodded promptly.

They started their first step by positioning Jade's arms levelled to her shoulder and Marked helped her out. "That's right! Hold on to that position. Stand still for a while. "

Jade nodded and willingly waited for Mark's next instruction. Mark went to Jade's side and then he gave the simple or basic steps one by one with patience. It took them a lot of time and effort until finally Jade began to dance on her own. Following the steps that Mark had taught her.

" Amazing! You're movement are quite good already.... as a beginner." Mark praised Jade.

Big droplets of sweat was flowing into their bodies as they were done practicing.

" It feels great! Can we dance again next on our free time? Please!" Jade made a puppy eyed looked on Mark to persuade him to agree on her request.

" I guess it's fine! I don't have anything to do anyway." Mark said scratching her head with a shy look on his face.

Upon hearing Mark's affirmation to her request, her heart jumped with joy. She was so thrilled that she ran towards Mark and gave him a warm hug.

Shocked by her earnest behaviour, Mark didn't refuse her warm gesture. He just allowed her to do what she was doing.

This girl is so beautiful and innocent. Maybe being with her will make me somehow feel better. Maybe having someone by your side and someone who cares is what I really needed to distract myself from my miseries in life. Maybe she help me feel that I do exist in this world. Mark thought and slightly moved to reciprocate her simple affection.

" Thank you so much, Mark!" Jade said in soft sweet voice.

" You're more than welcome!" Mark replied plainly."

"From now on and onwards, you can count on me as a friend. Friends?" Jade moved a distance from him and raised a vow to her. She was smiling cheerfully.

"Friends!" Mark made a pinkie swear with her.

Not long after their warm conversation, Mark excused himself. " Your sweating a lot. Let me get a clean face towel for you."

He went near a bag which was his possession and unzipped it. He took a clean face towel and gave it to her. " Here! Take it!" He said as he handed her the towel.

" Thank you so much!" She reached out for the towel and wiped her sweat with it. Then, she suddenly realized something as she looked at the boy gazing at her." Pardon me but is it true that you don't have parents?"

" I do have parents but they don't care about me at all. They separated and left me all alone." There was a glimpse of anger and sorrow as he spoke about his parents.

"Don't worry. I'm here as your friend. You can always count on me. If you needed someone, I'll be always here for you!" Jade said firmly.

Hearing her proclamation, he was glad to have met her. Then, he turned his back on her and walked away.

" Hey, where are you going?" Jade shouted.

Mark smiled and never looked back at her." I know your thirsty just like me. I'll just go get some water for both of us. I don't have enough water for both of us in my bag."

Jade ran towards him qnd clang into his one arm." I'm coming with you!"

" Whatever!" Mark exclaimed but deep inside he hope that Jade will forever be with his side.

Together, they walked toward the canteen.

Inside the canteen, everyone was surprised to see Jade and Mark so close with each other. Everyone was murmuring and gossiping around the two of them. Mark sensed that everyone was looking at them and he gave an evil glare to all of them. They continued walking towards the food counter when suddenly....

" Look whose here! The bad boy is with the little princess!" A little boy named Wayne, rich yet naughty, spoke out loud in the canteen. " Why do a princess like to be with the bad boy?"

Hearing the unexpected announcement, Jade bit her lower lips and bowed her head before firmly answering his question. " Don't misjudge someone without knowing him first! Aren't you ashamed of yourself! Who do you think you are?"

Wayne frowned upon hearing her words. " I guess the princess was influenced already by this bad person! What do you think everyone?"

Everyone nodded in agreement to what he just said.

" All of you! Don't you all have weaknesses and problems too in your own family? Why do you think ill mannered to Mark? Stop talking nonsense about him! He's better of a person than all of you!" Jade looked at them fiercely.

Astonished by how Jade defended him, Mark held her hand firmly and looked at her seriously. " Don't bother yourself with them. I'm sorry if I dragged you into this mess."

" What do you mean, Mark?" Jade was confused.

" It's better for you if you just leave me alone." Mark undeniably said to her.

Shaking her head in disagreement, Jade looked at Mark seriously. " I made a promise to you just a while ago and I'm not backing out on my words. You must show them what you are capable of, Mark. Stop running away!"

Mark forcibly took off her hand on his arm." I'm not running away! I just don't want you to be involved in my troubles. "

"NO!" Jade shouted and held his both arms, facing him. "A promise is a promise! I want to be your friend. "

Is she really a kid? Why does she spoke like an elderly. All her words are like coming from a wise man. Is it possible that she was given to me by God? She has a willed spirit. Mark thought and he looked again on the crowd.

" Yeah! Go on! Leave Jade alone! She's too good to be influenced only by a bad person like you!" Another boy shouted which was Zed, an intelligent boy but also a naughty one.

Then a little chubby yet cute girl stood up from her sit as well and spoke. Her name was Aira. " I believe that he isn't bad at all. He once save me from a dog who was chasing me before. I believe he is a good person too!"

Looking towards the little girl, Jade smiled at Aira graciously.

" I believe his a good person too because he helped me once when I was bullied by other students from other school." Stefanie, a girl slim but has many pimples on her face stood up and stated it to everyone.

The other students felt confused on whom to believe and then another boy spoke. " I believe he is a good person because he once helped me when I was about to be hit by a motorbike along my way to school. I'm not here today if I wasn't saved by him." He testified.

"Wow! Is he a super hero now! Come on, guys! Don't be fooled so easily by what they said. Who knows if they are his puppets." Wayne insisted and looked on all of the people inside the place.

" Yeah! He came from a rich family and can buy some alibis just for him to be safe." Clark demanded too.

The crowd was now subdivided into two. But then Jade pull off Mark's sleeves and said haistily.

" I'm so thirsty! Can we just ignore them and buy some water now!"

Mark was dumbfounded for a while and he smiled and went to the counter. He bought one slice strawberry cake and burger with two large bottles of water. After paying it, they left without finishing the arguments inside the canteen.

Finally, they were sitting beside each other under the mango tree.

" Here!" Mark gave her the strawberry cake and a bottle of water.

Looking satisfied and thirsty, Jade hurriedly took it from him and drank first some water.

She drank almost half of the bottle to quench her thirst and dry throat. " Thank you!"

" No! I should be the one saying thank you! I thought that you will leave me back there but you didn't. Thanks a lot!" Mark glanced at her side after he drank water too.

" I told you that I won't leave you, right? We're friends!" Jade gladly announced.

Mark simply nodded.

From time to time, Jade would go to Mark's place to learn more steps in how to dance in different types of music. More often they would dance as a pair.

In a Sunday morning, they went to the park near to the town. They were wandering around, seeking for a private place to where they could practice by themselves without being noticed by anyone.

Finally, they came into a part of the park near a lake. There was large bushes around it with a clear space for them to occupy.

" Wow! These place is so peaceful and very calming. What do you think of it, Mark?" Jade was looking around the place which has a magnificent scenery indeed.

Mark was captivated by the place as well and he nodded. He placed his backpack on the ground and took out his portable dvd player. " We can practice here. Is it okay if we dance on a KPop song for today?"

" It's okay! I don't mind!" Jade answered energetically. She stretched her arms upward and made a little body exercise before practicing their dance.

Mark find it cute when he saw her eagerness to do some dance steps. He prepared the cd and put it on the dcd player. He started playing the song and jade felt that she somehow knew the dance steps. She swayed her arms like the song was touching her body and she began to dance to the rhythm of it.

Again, Mark was astonished by what he had not expected from her. He smiled and his eyes sparkled like he was so mesmerized by what he was watching.

" Wow! You're doing great! You're a natural dancer now, Jade!" He said while clapping his two hands.

Suddenly, Jade stopped dancing. " Don't just stand there! Come on and join me!"