“So, where are we headed?”I asked, sensing that what he said might not be entirely true.
“I told you, we would meet some friends,” he smiled.
“You mean… V and…?”I hesitated, not wanting to voice my reluctance to spend time with them.
“They're not so bad, and it's important that my sister likes you.You wanted to know more about me, so I'm showing you.I'll show you how I spend my Saturday afternoons.Remember when you asked about the bruises on my forearm?I'm ready to show you how I got them.There was a little performance that day, and I'd love for you to come,” he said softly.
I was confused; I didn't understand what he meant or where we were going.I smiled, deciding not to ask further questions, and figured I would find out soon enough.
We arrived in the part of town where our school was located, and Zane drove a bit further out until we reached an old brick building that seemed abandoned, yet there were plenty of cars parked around.
“What's this place?”I asked, curiously examining the structure.
“It's my gym,” Zane replied.
“A gym?So, you get bruises from working out?”I laughed.
“Not exactly,” he chuckled, and my frustration grew.I had no clue what to expect beyond those doors, but curiosity propelled me forward as I walked toward the wooden door.My heart pounded as Zane took my hand, sending a rush of warmth through me.He smiled at me, then suddenly stopped right in front of the entrance.
He pulled me closer, gently holding my face, and without a moment's hesitation, he leaned in and brushed his lips against mine.I was caught off guard, trembling like a leaf.My knees weakened, the ground beneath me started to crumble, flowers bloomed inside me, and my mind focused solely on his mouth.That kiss was slow, soft, and sweet; his lips felt like silk against my skin.When he finally pulled away, my stomach tightened, yearning for more.More.
The door swung open, revealing a vast, empty corridor.We walked further inside; the sounds of voices grew louder, blending screams with cheers, clapping, and music.
We turned left at the end of the hallway and encountered another set of large double doors.Zane grasped the handle, allowing me to step inside first.My jaw dropped at the sight before me.
The expansive space resembled a gym, but at its center lay a wide, round sparring platform covered in a thin black mat.Surrounding it were men seated on the floor, their bare torsos glistening as they clapped and sang.I noticed two guys playing some instruments.
All around, groups of people sat on benches, their eyes fixed on two individuals on the mat.Were they dancing?No, wait—a fight?
“What are they doing?”I asked, perplexed by the scene.
“That's capoeira,” Zane replied, his gaze locked on the two men finishing their routine on the mat.The music and clapping gradually faded.“They're just practicing.We'll put on a little demonstration of what we've learned,” he added.
“I'm sorry, what exactly is capoeira?”I asked, genuinely clueless about the term.
“My uncle, who is the owner, and our teacher, spent over a decade in Brazil learning capoeira.It's a martial art that combines elements of dance, acrobatics, music, and ritual.It was developed by enslaved Africans and Afro-Brazilians as a means of resistance and self-defense.They practiced it under the cover of music and dance to avoid detection by their enslavers.What you just witnessed is called ginga—the foundational swaying movement that keeps capoeiristas balanced and prepared to attack or defend,” Zane explained, his passion evident in every word.
“I never thought of dance as something dangerous,” I chuckled.
“Well, it's not dangerous per se.It's an art form that focuses more on self-defense than actual striking,” he countered.
“So this is your form of exercise?”I inquired, intrigued.
“My uncle started this club a few years back, but it's private.We don't advertise; people come here solely through referrals, mostly friends and family,” he said, scanning the room until his gaze landed on someone.I followed his line of sight and saw V, breathing heavily, then glanced at Clous, who was smirking and nodding in approval, while Jake flicked his gaze between me and V.“Come on, you'll sit with them.I need to get ready,” Zane said, gently caressing my face.
“I don't want to go over there.I can stay here,” I protested, standing my ground.
“You won't see anything from here.Come on, they won't bite,” he said, his eyes pleading.But I was hesitant to sit alone with them.“I promise they won't say a word, please,” he insisted, stepping closer and cupping my face in his hands.How could I say no?We made our way over, my stomach churning uncomfortably.After exchanging greetings, I settled onto the bench, leaving a noticeable gap between myself and V.I was unsure how much she knew, but to my surprise, none of them spoke.
“I'll perform in about 20 minutes; I'm in the thirdjogo,” Zane said, preparing to leave.
“Jogo?”I asked, confused by the term.He smiled.
“Sparring, to put it simply, but 'jogo' means game.In capoeira, we don't use the term 'sparring.'Each game represents different styles, and I'll be showcasing Angola.You'll see it, and I'll explain later,” Zane said with a grin before rushing off.
I sat there, my legs crossed, feeling a warmth settle deep within me.I took off my coat and placed it beside me, deliberately avoiding any eye contact with theVipers.I couldn't recall a moment when I had felt so out of place.
Suddenly, music filled the air, and everyone began to clap.It felt like I was at a theatrical performance.I noticed two figures approaching, crouching by the instruments and exchanging nods with an older man whom I presumed was the master and Zane’s uncle.
