"No, I got it," says Sawyer as she follows Natasha up the stairs. The studio smells of new paint. They've got ages before anyone arrives and Sawyer wants a kiss. Natasha gives her one swift peck and then Natasha pulls Sawyer's elbows out and spreads her arms out. She stands behind Sawyer, plants her hand on Sawyer's spine until it clicks.
"Right, you. Do your shoulder stretches. I know your muscles will have seized up a bit from the drive."
Sawyer pouts at her, but obediently tries a laughing cow pose. She knows it's not really called that, but it makes her smile to think of that night in Natasha's bedroom; kneeling and feeling so turned on and frustrated that she wanted just to rub her head on the carpet, stick her ass up and keen for Natasha.
The other members trickle in. They wave to Sawyer and Natasha. One woman, Linda, grabs Sawyer in a half-hug and an air kiss. Sawyer can't remember whether she's the one that wanted advice on her daughter joining a theatre club, or the one with a holiday cabin in Northwoods.
Natasha watches them unroll their mats and settle down. Sawyer watches for the tells of Natasha's anxiety; the slight bounce on the ball of her feet, her fingers twisting together. She seems unsure whether to break into people's conversations. Eventually she does, and she calls people together to her stupid welcome circle.
"Hi, I'm Natasha! Glad to see so many people have been able to make it this week! I've had a couple of days off in Philadelphia being all cultural and shit!"
The group make a satisfying 'ooh' noise.
Natasha points to Sawyer, sitting at her right, "You next!"
"Hi, I'm the step mother from The Parent Trap in a Korean remake where I kill both children and marry the lizard, Sawyer Martinez. I've also been in Philly taking in some culture."
She sees the eyes of some of the women switch from her to Natasha and back again. She catches one furrow her brow.
Sawyer hopes that at least one of them is one of the ones Lucia was talking about. The ten-year old Sawyer she holds inside her chest is making gleefully rude gestures at their jealous faces.
Lucia's right, Natasha works them all the way out. Sawyer is sweaty and aching by the end. She feels strong. Now her limbs are loose and stretched, she can stand taller, spread her shoulders wider. Her thighs feel stronger and more grounded in the way they support her. Natasha talks a lot about feeling grounded, feeling the bit of floor you're standing on and imagining the unbroken line to the centre of the Earth. Sawyer imagines it, she feels solid and immovable. The sensation reminds her of the adrenaline she feels after a good show, a good fuck.
She helps Natasha roll up the spare mats, waves people off with a cheery, "We'll meet you downstairs in a bit!"
When the last woman is gone, Sawyer walks to Natasha with purpose and intent. She digs her thumbs under Natasha's cheekbones, can feel Natasha's teeth as she pulls her face in closer by the grip of her thumbs. She pushes her tongue in Natasha's mouth almost immediately, swallows Natasha's hum of surprise. She slides her hands down to Natasha's slim hips, pulls them up and into her own. She feels Natasha's heels leave the floor. Sawyer groans into Natasha's mouth, her hands feel shaky as they cup Natasha's ass. Sawyer slows the frenetic movements of their mouths, twists their hands together. The pads of their fingers rub together. They're so soft and so sensitive, little jolts run up Sawyer's arms.
"I want to fuck you up," Sawyer rasps into her mouth.
Natasha's green eyes are wide and blank beneath her. She moves her mouth but nothing comes out.
Sawyer wheedles, "You give up that easy, huh?" She grins and waggles her shoulders, loving being obnoxious.
Natasha buries her head in Sawyer's neck. She bites down hard, and Sawyer throbs.
"Come on, let's say goodbye to Lucia and everyone else, and we'll go."
Natasha recovers quite quickly as they walk down the stairs. They give the cafe at large a quick wave as they head out.
"What the fuck was with the lizard marrying?" Natasha asks as she flings open the door of Sawyer's car. She used to open it cautiously, taking care not to scrape its corner on the pavement. Now, she casts it open and throws herself inside in one smooth movement.
"Oh, Lucia accused me of being like the step-mother in The Parent Trap,"
"Hrm," Natasha says, "You're more like the Baroness in the Sound of Music."
"Can I have Lucia's phone number?" Sawyer asks.
"Why?" Natasha sounds wary.
Sawyer speaks in a rush, "I'll be honest. I want it in case you are feeling bad and I need some support in knowing what to do."
Sawyer takes a deep breath and continues, "Also, I signed for another four months in my lease today and I'm thinking of having a house warming party now I know more people here, other than my scary boss and Pete the set builder who smells of Doritos and pulls the padge every lunchtime."
Natasha looks thoughtful, "That's a good idea. Her only friends are art school poseurs on their way to unhealthy drug habits, and one pathetic thirty-something former art school poseur with an unhealthy drug habit. It'll do her good to get to know you better."
