Hikianalia's downsides

 I wasn't the one who has been experiencing them: it turns out Despina is. And apparently so are Muriel and Gaia. 

A couple days ago, Hikianalia took Despina off the Whatsapp group. I was a bit puzzled since Despina is a long time student of hers. She's been here for four damn years. I thought that something had happened to her, that perhaps she was injured or sick in a way that would make her unable to keep dancing, so I reached out to her.

"Hey Despina, it's Hi'iaka. Saw that you were no longer in the Whatsapp group, is everything alright?"

"Hi! Well, normally, I am still in here."

Sent her the screenshot.

"Okay, maybe my Whatsapp is acting up then", I texted. 

"...Actually, am not in it anymore."

"Hikianalia must've made a mistake, seems weird to me."

"I'll come Thursday to ask her about it, also because I wanted to ask her about something else but she ignored me."

Ignored her? That's weird. 

I'm not going to show the entirety of our logs, obviously, but it appears that Hikianalia and Despina have quite the history. Four years ago, Despina, who was 15 at the time, was going through some shitty business (that said it might've been self-harm or drugs?) and Hikianalia greatly helped her kick some "bad habits". And that recently, Hikianalia said something to her that made her feel betrayed. I didn't ask what exactly, but there's also some deeper layer to this onion.

Hikianalia has apparently said that some in the group are "jealous". But according to Despina's account, she's always picking the same four girls to put on the spot or show in representations. And she (Despina), as well as Muriel and Gaia, have been in the beginners' group for four whole ass years.

I thought it was about class times and availabilities but nope. Hikianalia somehow keeps them there when they are obviously quite experienced. And refused that Hikianalia and her friend (who is not Tara... I might've misheard who Despina's friend actually is because Tara actually has a very close-sounding name to said friend. Just takes a slightly noisy room and it could be totally off) do a Hawaiian mele duo, claiming that "there is no time for duos". 

I mean, I asked Hikianalia about solos and while I had Covid, she replied that the program was already set and shit. She even got a bit on the defensive, but immediately softened up after I reassured her that I wasn't planning on asking for alone time on stage. Solos are purely for my own expression and enjoyment, and I will do my own choreographies regardless, on my side. I may just show them to her for feedback. If she happens to like them enough to use them one day, then why not. But those are going to be purely my individual exploration of 'ori tahiti.

Also, it appears Hikianalia has literally blocked Despina. My guess is that she doesn't know how to handle the situation. I can't imagine Hikianalia would be mean to a student of hers, especially one she very obviously loves, otherwise she just wouldn't allow her to be here all the time... (If so, holy shit, I better stay on her good side) Despina's sister said that she gave her a "dirty look". Wow. 

The hell is going on. I just comforted Despina, telling her that it was totally a human thing to feel envious when the same four are always picked, but that ultimately it's Hikianalia's choices. She did say it in the rules, after all. 

Plus, Despina is young. She's just nineteen. There's a lot she doesn't get yet, and I think she's getting very worked up about this.

Told her that what happened in this chatroom would stay there anyway. And if by any means she spills the info that I am aware of it and Hikianalia asks me about it, I will tell her the truth and say that I wanted to check on Despina but that I wasn't quite feeling like asking in front of everyone if she was okay. And if she isn't happy with it, I'll just let her be mad for however long she has to, but I'm certainly not getting pulled into some drama. 

Hikianalia is pregnant, possibly a bit immature with how she handles conflict, would rather keep good vibes, but she certainly isn't mean. She's also got not just her pregnancy, but a marriage, two sons, a whole ass dance school, and a missionary activity. She's got a whole ass lot on her plate. Would I blame her for getting worked up or perhaps awkwardly handling certain situations?

This isn't fucking Hokulea for God's sake. Hokulea, I would've gone to the clash with her. Hikianalia? Nah. Plus it doesn't appear she's the type to overtly wage war. 

If anything, I'd be very happy hearing about her side, and listening to anything she has to say. I would not repeat it to Despina. I would just... keep it here.

But I also trust Hikianalia to be an adult and handle things however she wants them to. It's her dance school after all. And minus what's going on here, she's doing a good job at it. 

Anyway. We'll see tomorrow how things go. I do hope to be well-rested enough to go to dance class tomorrow night. But I do also hope to not accidentally be pulled into some drama or that Hikianalia thinks I'm betraying her... when all I wanted was to check on someone who is now a friend.

Btw. Despina and I follow each other on the gram now lol. And I learned she's pan! So here's to more sorority, I guess lol.

But she'd be a bit young for me, to be fair. 

EDIT: it might actually be Kore, not Gaia, who is also stuck in the beginners' class. 
They just happen to have the exact same nickname... Jesus Christ the quiproquos are going to be huge this year.