"Late again," Hansika cried, attempting to button her silk blouse as she sprinted full speed through the eastern annex. Students scattered to the sides of the hallway, fully willing to make room for the reckless girl as she raced passed them. Humility is usually the better option when compared to being tackled. Luckily not a student was blown over for once, though one particularly clumsy girl did trip of her own accord.
Thoomb, with a heavy kick the young dancer flung the stairwell doors open, leaping past the first set completely before turning on pointe, then skipping the rest of the way down to the first floor. Flared heels had been a poor choice in footwear, something Hansika was now regretting, feeling a throbbing pressure in her ankle from the previous leap. But where could she have left her boots? Seemed they disappeared sometime the night before while out with Lynn and the girls. Perhaps they disappeared sometime in between taking shots in the common room and her deciding it would be smart to run barefoot through the hedge maze. Perhaps that would also explain sleeping in so late, along with the slight hangover.
It didn't matter, Hansika had arrived at the rear entrance of the dressing room. If she were fast enough getting into her leotard, she could almost sneak in before the end of stretches. Mistress Lovetta never paid much attention during warmup, usually allowing the dancers to pair up and do their own thing. For an instructor she didn't pay much attention to most things, which was fortunate given Hansika's only available leotard had a large tear right above the thigh. Glaring at her exposed butt cheek in the changing room mirror, Hansika shrugged, slowly turning the handle to the studio door as she silently slipped in.
"Hanna," a familiar voice yelped loudly. Across the room, positioned in a forward split, Lynn waved her arms wildly trying to gain her friend's attention. Golden blond pigtails bounced as she rocked her head side to side, naive to how much unwanted attention she was calling.
Eyes rolled back in disbelief, Hansika hoped her hand gestures would get that point across. Sadly she only gained the attention of Lillian, who was more than eager to pester the poor girl.
"Someone wake up late?" Lillian was giddy with delight, more brighteyed than you'd expect considering she'd had an entire bottle of red to herself. This said a lot given the fact she was half the size of nearly everyone else in the entire program. "Either way it's a pleasure for you to finally join us," dipping low into a plie', Lillian sarcastically bowed, clearly trying to garner attention from the back office. "I've already partnered up, but Lynn could really use some help with her stretches, and she does seem quite eager."
"Right," Hansika coldly replied, "I'll get on that, thank you Lilly." With a fake smile and a nod, the dancer made her way towards the back of the studio. Being partnered up with Lynn didn't bother her, she had actually grown quite fond of her since joining the troupe. However What she couldn't stand were spoiled, smart mouthed brats. Although Lynn was also a little bit of a smart mouth, and also a little bit cute.
"So, guess we overdid it last night?" Lynn was just as vigorous as Lillian, but at least she had the sense to show some compassion for her clearly hungover friend. Switching into a butterfly position, she quickly adjusted her outfit to avoid anything peaking out. Deciding to go with the thicker black leotard had been a choice in comfort, though the drawback was how often it would ride up in the rear given that the cut fully exposed her thighs and hips. Hansika didn't mind the view at all, doing her best not to make it too obvious. "Sit on me?"
"What's that?" Hansika was completely thrown off, not sure how she should approach the proposal.
Giggling, Lynn shook her head, "To help me stretch. Trying to get my forehead to touch the floor, I almost had it last semester but got lazy."
Too embarrassed for words, Hansika moved behind Lynn, placing her hand upon the young girls bare shoulders. Sliding her fingers around to the collarbone, Hansika couldn't help but notice how tight her friend's neck was. In fact, Lynn was pretty muscular all around. It was to be expected given her floor game, however her thighs were especially large, which Hansika couldn't help but admire, once more catching herself staring.
"Anytime now," Lynn laughed.
"Oh, right." Pushing. Pressing all of her weight down onto Lynn, she got in tight. Close enough to smell the sweet honey lavender scent that her friend must have sprayed on earlier that morning. It contrasted strongly with the burnt tobacco in her hair. Apparently she hadn't been telling the truth when she told everyone she quit. It didn't matter, Hansika loved her scent regardless, perhaps moving a bit too close to the neck without realising it. It didn't matter, Lynn enjoyed the feeling of soft breathing behind her ear.
"Ladies," Mistress Lovetta stood at the door, arms folded with that deep scowl she always wore. "I expect you to at least try to pretend to be proper when in my presence, you can flirt with one another after class. Right now I need you to line up with everyone else." Brushing her long raven bangs away from her face, Lovetta moved towards the front of the studio, Lynn and Hansika quickly falling into line behind her.
Warm up would go by faster than usual, Mistress Lovetta was desperate to make up time before the upcoming performance. She was nervous, and had reason to be. The school was in need of more financing, a good performance could do the trick, but with these girls? Her dancers spent more time drinking than practicing, and it showed. Half of them couldn't remember the routine, the other half couldn't keep their balance due to being hung over, and Hansika clearly hadn't stretched on top of showing up late. It didn't matter, she'd probably lose her job anyway.
"Right then," Mistress Lovetta clapped her hands together in front of her breasts, "let's pair off."
Lynn immediately grabbed Hansika by the wrist, wanting to claim her partner before anyone else got the chance. Unnecessary, considering no one else in that class had any interest in being paired with the 'new girl'. Escorting her off to the side, the two began practicing their set as instructed. Despite the almost indistinguishable height advantage, as well as a much fuller body, Lynn didn't want to lead. Planting Hansika's hand firmly at her waist, she placed hers on her partner's shoulder, leaning into her collar.
Pulling. Not missing the beat, Hansika gripped lynn firmly above the waist, their bodies locking tight as the two rocked their hips along to the monotone rhythm coming from the record player. Dissonant and distorted, the notes leaving that dinosaur of a phonograph twisted eerily, dragging out slowly with an od off tempo swing. Lynn pushed in deeper, rocking side to side with the vibrating hum of the cellos, not worrying much about the actual choreography.
An abrupt silence. "Ladies," Mistress Lovetta scolded, "if it's not too much trouble, would you mind practicing the steps we'll actually be performing?" All eyes were on the pair, mostly looks of disappointment, though Lillian seemed to be absolutely gleeful. The entire time she watched, that stupid smile never left her face. "Right then, back to the top."
Needle landing in position, the music wailed once more, dancers soberly waltzing one two three.
"I really like your perfume," Lynn whispered into Hansika's ear, nearly throwing the dancer off balance. "Wanna say vanilla, but there's something like a faint coffee aroma." Pulling in tighter she nuzzled her nose into Hansika's copper brunette hair, breathing in her scent. Sure Lynn was drawing just a tiny bit of attention, but she also made doubly sure not to lose step, she was a professional after all.
