Chapter Text
Kate rushed into the changing room of the local sports center, already out of breath but seemingly not breaking a sweat. Her hair was somehow still in perfect tact despite the slight breeze, but she was certainly not dressed for the occasion. Still wearing the navy pantsuit and white button-up shirt, she stuffed her books and laptop bag into the locker next to where her best friend stood before resting the duffel she had on her shoulder on the bench, unzipping it to reveal the more appropriate outfit - gym leggings, a grey tank top and a hoodie.
"You're late." Jane stated the obvious. It was 5:57pm; class started in 3 minutes.
"Stop." Kate simply sighed before finding one of the side cubicles to go get changed. When she came back out, only Jane was standing there and the other people - she didn't take notice of how many - were gone. Presumably, already in the studio. So, without another word, Kate slid on her trainers and grabbed her water bottle before entering the other room with Jane next to her.
The room was quite spacious, the double doors in the corner led to a room with laminate flooring and white painted walls that had a thick red stripe painted across the middle, following all the way round the room. There were some exercise mats and a ballet barre in the far corner, Kate guessing they were for other classes that took place in the studio. As they walked further in they saw the mirrors that covered the wall next to the double doors they had just entered. They didn't quite reach the ceilings, but were still tall. The small windows on the opposite wall were a foot or so away from the ceiling and were open. Kate did notice a small air conditioning fan in the centre of the ceiling, but it didn't feel like it was on just yet.
She and Jane walked to the far back corner, near to the mats and ballet barre. Kate took a moment to glance around at everyone, a mix of males and females (predominantly females) of a small age range - she'd say between 20 and 30. It was an adult class so that wasn't surprising. All of them had different builds, and she didn't fail to recognise that some of them looked rather athletic and like this wasn't their first dance class, unlike herself.
Well, that was a lie. She had taken dance classes before but that was only if you counted the 3 she took when she was 12. Her mother insisted on her joining as many extracurricular activities as possible, as a way of making friends and building hobbies. It didn't take Kate long to realise dance was really not her thing, and that field hockey was more suited to her. From that day on, after being extra persuasive with her mother but having Noah back her up, she never stepped back into a dance studio.
Until today, of course. Because her best friend of 4 years had the grand idea of attending the class to help blow off some steam after graduating. That was a month ago, and Kate started an internship the day after, which usually finished at 5pm, so she reluctantly agreed that she'd be available for the 6pm class. However, today didn't go as planned and she had to help one of the lawyers with a bunch of paperwork that they had already started, and then she had an issue with filling her water bottle to help get her through the class. So, she was a little later than the 5:45pm time they agreed on.
"How'd your date go last night?" Jane asked, at a respective volume but knew that everyone else was having their own conversations between them.
"The date? Yeah, great. Super." Kate said convincingly, although the tight lipped smile and thumbs up didn't do the job.
"You didn't go, did you?" Jane saw right through it, and Kate knew there was no way out of this one.
"Before you come at me, I didn't stand her up. I had the decency to message her a few hours before to cancel. Said I would reschedule."
"And will you?" Jane quirked an eyebrow. She could take a confident guess at the answer, but there was no harm in getting confirmation. Although she didn't receive a verbal one, the aversion of Kate's eyes and the twisted pout of her lips did enough.
"Kate..." Jane began, but the blonde managed to interrupt.
"Look, you know how busy I am and after what happened with her, I'm not really up to being with someone or even dating for that matter. I just-"
"Hello y'all!" A loud voice came from the doorway as the doors swung open and a small brunette made her way in. Kate turned to find the owner of it, guessing that it was the dance instructor and that the class was about to start.
She did not expect what she saw and had to put all her energy into stopping her jaw from dropping all the way to the floor. The woman must have been 5'3 at the most, at least not near Kate’s height, but the small stature was nothing short of athletic. The black ribbed tank top she wore was only loosely fitted, leaving not much to the imagination. Her arms were defined and Kate could only imagine her legs were just as good. Those, unfortunately for Kate, were covered in black and grey tie dye sweatpants. Wrapped around her waist was a red and dark blue flannel shirt. Kate couldn't help but stare. Especially when her eyes reached the mane of hair on her head. Dark brown curls that reached just below armpit length, but her eyes mainly fixed on the cap that covered the top of them. Worn backwards. There was some sort of logo on the front of the cap, but Kate couldn't make it out. She didn't really care, and her eyes slowly roamed back down the petite body.
A short sting to her arm brought her out of her not so PG thoughts, and her head snapped round to her friend. The pinching hand was still near her arm and a single eyebrow was curled up. She knew Kate enough, and had been a wing woman for Kate (to her detest), to know when Kate was checking someone out. And she was checking their new dance instructor out. Kate just gave her a glare in return, and turned her head back to the rather eye-pleasing instructor.
"My name is Lucy and I'm gonna be teaching y'all some hip hop today. Just two things before we start - don't hold back and don't be embarrassed. No one is perfect." Kate couldn't help but smile slightly at Lucy's words, both because of the reassurance and her Texan drawl.
The small woman turned into a ball of energy as she started jumping slightly from foot to foot in her black trainers. She began the warm up then, Kate finding it easy to follow along seeing as she had spent some time in the gym on the rare occasion during college - a way to relieve the stress of Law school.
But then, the technical stuff started. Kate began to regret only attending 3 dance sessions, not that she'd remember something 11 years ago. She looked to her right and found that Jane was actually getting on quite well. Herself, on the other hand, practically had two left feet. She alternated looking at Lucy from behind and her reflection in the mirror in an attempt to copy the steps and pick up the routine. She caught a glimpse of one of the dudes in the class in the mirror and saw him mainly eyeing up Lucy, and some sort of jealousy arose in Kate. Also, it didn't help that this dude was some next MJ wannabe and seemed to perfect every step. She concentrated some more and thought she was finally getting it. Until, of course, she tripped over her own foot, and stumbled a little. Luckily, she didn’t end up on the floor, but it was enough to draw attention and, specifically, the attention of Lucy.
The smaller woman told everyone to carry on practising the choreography they had already been taught, and Kate had to mentally prepare herself when Lucy made her way over to the pair. She heard Jane laugh slightly before Lucy then arrived and stood in front of them.
“Y’all alright?” She asked, placing her hands on her hips as she looked at them both. There was no judgement or annoyance in her eyes, just concern and genuine interest. Her stance also had an attractive amount of confidence to it. She had been teaching a few years and knew that everyone’s abilities were different.
“Uh, y- yeah.” Kate found herself becoming nervous, itching her neck as she looked over to Jane who just shrugged - noticing the choreographer was checking out the completely oblivious blonde for a moment. Kate turned back to Lucy, whose eyes stopped roaming, and smiled, “I just fell- Just… Just a little stumble is all.”
“Okay, well just shout if you need anything.” Lucy smiled before bouncing her way back to the front of the class and checking on her other attendees.
“Yeah, your number.” Jane muttered, earning her own pinch to the arm, but no verbal opposition.
They both continued the class, which got both easier and harder as Kate went on. Once she perfected one step, there was a whole new combo added that just made her head hurt. She’d have left sooner if it wasn’t for the gorgeous choreographer she was fully aware she was practically drooling over, and so her and Jane made it to the end of the class, both sweaty, tired and already aching.
“Good job today! Y’all did great. Same time next week for those who want to return.” Lucy shouted before the group dispersed and got their belongings before leaving. Kate was tempted to stay, talk to Lucy more, but the confidence disappeared when she had grabbed her bag, and herself and Jane made their way out the door and to a nearby food place. Plus, a couple of the more trained dancers were already talking to the brunette.
Jane teased her the whole night over it, and laughed when Kate turned more red than she had after an hour of dancing. The blonde was very self aware of her dating habits - or lack thereof. Before college, it was mainly with girls experimenting or relationships that didn’t have much seriousness. During college, it was practically non-existent - except for one. The odd date here and there - that, most of the time, Jane helped set up - and the odd night with a woman too, but nothing serious. She was far too tied to her studies to prioritise a relationship at the same time. That was until she met Cara. She went on at least six dates with the woman, and had spent the night with her, and found herself opening up more and believing that she could have this relationship. But then she found out that the other woman had a girlfriend back in her hometown, and that was enough of Cara, and enough of dating in general. Jane would reassure Kate that the blonde was attractive and had a personality that someone would love, and that she was worth the time and attention, not wanting her best friend to feel inadequate. She also wanted to see her best friend happy with someone, and not have her whole life be the job. So, Kate made a promise at their graduation that she would date more and see more people, and she did - when she didn’t cancel. It was nothing against the other women and it wasn’t a way of her getting out of it, it was genuinely life getting in the way. And after Cara, Kate found more security in her studies and work than dating.
“You gonna go back next week?” Jane asked after eating the bite of the burger she had in her mouth.
“Did you not see how bad we were?” Kate tilted her head.
“We? I was fine. You’re the one who looked like Bambi on ice.” Jane laughed at her friend’s offended face.
“I was fine… At least near the end.” Jane hummed in response as she continued to eat her burger, leaving Kate to wonder about the possibility of returning. She could ask Jane to go with her so she wasn’t embarrassed - well at least not embarrassed on her own. It would give another chance for her to see Lucy, even if she couldn’t form coherent sentences around the woman. Plus, who knows, she may actually get some better dance skills in the meantime. “You thinking of going back?”
“Maybe,” Jane casually shrugged, “It would depend on Daniel’s schedule and childcare for Alex, but I’m sure I could make some classes if you need a wingwoman.” Jane winked and Kate just rolled her eyes in response.
Jane was a couple years older than her and had a kid in her sophomore year of college, so she took a year out and joined Kate’s classes when she returned. Kate admired the woman’s strength and ability to juggle college and a baby. The blonde had met Alex on both good and bad days, and although he was adorable, he was a lot, and that’s without the endless textbook reading and assignment writing. After graduation, Jane managed to get an internship that had flexible hours and also allowed her to sometimes work at home. Her fiance, Daniel, however, didn’t have flexible hours at all. So, childcare, as traditional stereotypes suggest, fell onto the mother, and Jane would struggle finding a sitter most times. But luckily, the friends always managed to make time for one another, even if Alex had to tag along sometimes or Kate would have to visit them.
“Not a wingwoman, I just think it’s good exercise.” Kate shrugged before eating some fries.
“Hmm, sure you do.” Jane laughed, “I’ll let you know before next week, as long as you arrive on time.”
“I was technically not late today.” Jane’s brow quirked at the statement, “But I will be even earlier next week.”
“Good.” Jane smiled as the pair finished their food and then left and made their ways home.
—
“You not got your buddy today?” Lucy asked as she caught Kate on her way out, using her small towel to wipe the sweat off her neck that Kate couldn't help but glance at.
“She has other adult responsibilities.” Kate explained, laughing slightly.
“Ah, so you're riding solo.”
“Indeed I am.” Kate nodded, adjusting the duffel strap on her shoulder. It was her fourth week attending Lucy’s class, and Jane had been there at the other three, but had to bail on tonight. She sent Kate an explanation, as well as a very firm instruction to still go to the class and try not to embarrass herself. After some very heavy self debate in the mirror, Kate got herself changed and made her way to class. She was more nervous this week, not having her best friend to laugh with when they messed up and praise each other when they actually got the choreography right. Plus, last week her gay panic went even further when Lucy came over and held her hands as she guided her through the footwork of the dance they were learning. She’s pretty sure she held her breath the entire time and has never concentrated more on the dance, having Lucy’s reassuring eyes watch her and smile confidently when the blonde aced the steps. Kate still remembers the feeling of Lucy’s hand in hers, and the drop in her gut that happened when Lucy let go and returned to the front of the studio, her best friend immediately making an amused comment. One thing she didn’t miss this week though, was Jane’s teasing - because god knows when the blonde stared at Lucy’s hips swaying at one point in the dance she would've had the perfect thing to say.
“Your fourth week here, you're improving.” Lucy threw the towel into her bag on the bench in the middle of the locker room.
“Really?” Kate rose her brows, “You been spying on me?” She attempted to flirt, mentally kicking herself as she knew what Lucy’s answer was going to be - a reasonable and obvious one.
“I wouldn't be much of a good teacher if I didn't pay attention to all my students.” Lucy tilted her head with a pensive look that the blonde tried to decipher.
Kate just hummed in response, wanting to flirt more but also hesitating too much.
“You’re still a Bambi though.” Lucy joked.
“Excuse me?” Kate didn't take offense - at least she tried not to. Hearing it from her best friend was different to hearing it from her dance teacher who she had a rather big lesbian crush on that had only gotten worse the past few weeks.
“No offense, every class I teach has one. A person with two left feet. Also your hips are too stiff.” Lucy pointed to the blonde, smirking ever so slightly.
Many flirty lines came to her mind, and she had to restrain herself from crossing any boundaries. Also, she was still cautious about flirting and making any assumptions about Lucy. She didn't even know if the smaller woman was gay - although the fact she was a hip hop teacher and wore flannels and a cap to practically every class was rather supporting evidence if she said so herself (not to be stereotypical).
“Well, maybe I just need to come to more classes.” Kate shrugged.
“So, I’ll see you same time next week?” Lucy picked up her own bag and made her way towards the door, closer to Kate.
The blonde swallowed thickly, “You will indeed.”
“See you then.” Lucy nodded, which Kate returned before they made their way out the building and went their separate ways.
Kate did not expect when she got dragged to the first class that she would still be attending any other weeks, let alone going alone. Both because of how bad she was, and the bad first impression, plus her legal internship was rather demanding and she didn't really expect that she would be able to actually get to the classes. But here she was, class had been over for all of ten minutes and she was already excited for next week.
Lord, Lucy Tara really had a hold on her.