Ballroom Rivals – Part 2: The Last Turn

The practice hall was empty on the night before the final, lit only by a single row of ceiling lamps and the reflection of the sea lights through the high windows. Elena had come back to rehearse alone. She found Maya already there, standing in the middle of the floor in socks and a loose black shirt, doing slow, careful steps to nobody.

"You're practising," said Elena, from the doorway.

"So are you," said Maya, without looking up. "You always come back when you're nervous."

"I'm not nervous."

"You're gripping your bag like it owes you money."

Elena dropped the bag by the wall and walked out onto the floor. The boards creaked under her shoes. The music in her head was slow and sweet, a waltz from a film she had loved as a child.

"Shall we?" asked Maya.

"Yes," said Elena. "But slowly. And if I step on you, you're allowed to tell me."

"I'll tell you in very rude words."

They danced without music, their footsteps soft and rhythmic on the wood, Maya's hand firm at Elena's waist and Elena's fingers resting lightly on Maya's shoulder. The reflections in the mirror showed two women close together, not quite smiling, not quite serious.

"I've been jealous of you for years," said Maya suddenly. "Of how calm you look on the floor. Of how everyone wants to dance with you."

Elena missed a step. Maya steadied her without a word.

"I've been jealous of you too," said Elena. "Of how you never seem to need anyone. I thought if I beat you once, I'd feel better."

"Did you?"

"No," said Elena honestly. "I felt lonely every time. And I didn't know why."

Maya stopped, and turned, so that they faced each other in the middle of the empty hall.

"Can I ask you something?" she said.

"Yes."

"Would you like to dance with me tomorrow, and then, when it's over, go somewhere quiet and talk about what this is? Not as rivals. As whatever we are now?"

"Yes," said Elena at once. "And can I ask you the same?"

"Yes."

"Would you let me lead, on the last turn? Just once. And trust that you'll be there when I finish?"

Maya's breath caught. She didn't answer right away. Then she nodded, slowly.

"Yes," she said. "And if you fall, I'll catch you. But only if you ask."

"Then ask me to fall," said Elena, with a small, wicked smile.

"Are you falling now?"

"Yes," said Elena. "Right now."

Maya laughed softly and stepped closer, closing the last of the distance. "Can I kiss you, Elena? In the middle of the floor, with the mirrors watching?"

"Yes," said Elena. "And if I say stop, we stop, and then you have to dance with me until I'm not nervous any more."

"That's a very good deal," said Maya, and kissed her.

It was slow, and sure, and a little bit competitive, as if each of them wanted to win the kiss and was happy to lose it. Elena's hand slid to the back of Maya's neck, and Maya's arm tightened around her waist, and the mirrors showed two women dancing, finally, in the same direction.

When they parted, both of them were laughing breathlessly.

"Green?" Maya asked.

"Green," said Elena. "Very green."

"Then tomorrow," said Maya, "you lead the last turn, and I'll trust you."

"Tomorrow," said Elena, and took her hand, and they danced on through the empty night.