The School of Flirting Read Free Page A

Melanie gently pushed my spine straighter and tipped my chin up, but again I found myself looking at the floor.
    “Ok. Um. Well, I can tell you are both putting a lot of energy into this and that’s great! But it is coming off a little bit too intense... It almost seems like you’re ready to get a divorce before your first date!” The class giggled and Sachi gave an exasperated huff. As for me, I was wishing the floor would swallow me up. “Don’t worry girls! It just takes practice. I understand you are both from Japan so maybe there are some cultural hurdles too. Okay. Have a seat for now and let’s get the next pair up here!”
    Class continued on and we moved from eye contact to initial conversations. Melanie playfully reminded us that once we had started that initial contact we were going to have to follow through! There were sample conversations and more partner practice. I was paired up with the incredibly shy Pauline and we practically read the examples from the whiteboard at each other. All the while I was thinking: should I quit ? I wanted to flirt but…did I want to avoid Sachi more than I wanted to flirt? I wanted a girlfriend or maybe just a hot fling for my semester abroad. Would it be worth it, knowing Sachi was the price?
    Clapping her hands, Melanie got our attention. “Alright my girls! This week you have another field assignment. You’ll be going out in pairs and putting your new found skills to the test! Each of you will use your nonverbal communication to get the attention of an attractive stranger, then follow up with an opening conversation.” All the students began to gasp and talk amongst themselves. Melanie held up her hand, “Yes. Yes. I know it sounds scary. But you can do this! You have all the tools you need. And your partner will be there to support you! We are not alone in this, ladies!” Smiling half-heartedly I looked over at Leann. At least we could have fun on this assignment together. Or at least that was what I was thinking until Melanie started assigning pairs.
    “…Mina and…Sachi. Let’s keep you two together. Lastly, Jane with Leann. Okay! Those are our partner pairs. I’ve left a few minutes in class so that you can swap phone numbers and start your planning. Good luck everyone!”
    Frozen in my seat, Melanie’s voice rang in my mind. Mina and Sachi. We were stuck together. Let’s keep you two together. It was like some sort of nightmare. Now I couldn’t even quit flirt school because Sachi would hunt me down and drag me back so that she would have a minion to do her bidding.
    “Hisashiburi, Yamadasan.”
    I bowed automatically and returned the greeting.

Chapter 7
    Doubts
    …
     
    After exchanging cell numbers and nailing down a time and meeting place, Sachi and I broke apart immediately. We didn’t do any elaborate planning, and we certainly didn’t hang around to chit chat. Sachi double checked that I had written down the date correctly, then slung her bag over her shoulder and walked out a backward glance. Everyone else was still busy talking with their partners. I could have gone home solo but that I wanted to wait for Leann, so I helped put the chairs away and pack up the snack table. I went down to the bathroom to tip out the hot water thermos and by the time I got back Jane had gone and Leann demolishing the last muffin while she waited for me. She was grinning from ear to ear.
    “What amazing luck!” She effervesced. “I cannot believe I got paired with Jane. She looks like ginger spice but without all the trashy eye shadow. And what was with you and her roommate? How did you meet her already?”
    “This is the worst day of my life.” I moaned while dragging my feet up the stairs.
    “Huh?”
    “Leann! That’s Sachiko. Don’t you recognize her?”
    Leann stopped in her tracks and blinked like a confused fruit bat. “From…middle school? No way…”
    I nodded despondently.
    “Oh, ugh, she was such a pain during the school play. And in