Author's Note: After over a month, I give you the eighth installment of Red Lights! I'm so sorry for the wait loves. I have been out of the country for a while and lost track of time once I came back. I love you all for being so patient! Make sure to tell me if you still like it! XOXO
Chapter Eight
"Alright ladies, circle up! Time to assign tonight's dances," Musa announced, immediately spurring movement in the small crowd to migrate towards the main stage. Flora had never really bothered to count how many girls Miss F had on her pay roll, but looking around her at the young, fresh faces just like hers, she realized that there really weren't many at all. No more than a dozen girls surrounded her, and, not for the first time, she counted her lucky stars that Miss F had chosen to hire her instead of someone else.
Flora stood near the back, leaning up against one of the leather booths, waiting patiently for Musa to being roll call. She was used to being last, and this time would be no exception. Of course, Aisha and Baby got the first duet, but Flora was surprised that Sunny was not included in it. They usually danced as a team. The rest of the list was called, and finally Musa called Flora's name.
"Lastly, Rosie and Sunny will be performing 'SexyBack' to wrap the night up."
Flora barely had time to ask what that even meant before she was silenced by Sunny's gasp of absolute frustration.
"Excuse me? No. I do not perform that song with amateurs."
Sunny's words were clipped and livid, like the idea of dancing with Flora repulsed her.
"You'll dance what you're told to dance. If you don't want to, you know where the door is."
Musa gave a thin-lipped smile, and Sunny's eyes widened larger than dishes as she realized that Musa was dead serious about the dance, and the offer.
"This is bull shit! You know that is my song! I have my reputation to think of!" Sunny shouted, practically slapping Musa in the face with her flailing arms. Flora had never seen anyone so worked up outside of reality television, and she couldn't take her eyes off of the spectacle. It was like watching a train wreck in slow motion. The other girls didn't really pay the scene much mind, and Flora had a sinking feeling that this kind of thing happened often.
"Yes, and you're very good at it. Which is why Rosie will benefit from performing with such a skilled teacher," Musa reasoned in her no-nonsense voice, the kind that gave a person no choice but to obey.
"Go to hell," Sunny spat, but there was a resignation in her voice that Flora picked up on. Sunny would perform the song, and Musa smiled smugly down into the blonde's brooding face. Sunny let out a huff and stormed backstage without a glance in Flora's direction.
"Perfect," Musa leaned back and jotted something down on her clipboard. "Aisha, would you mind going over the steps with Rosie while Sunny cools down a bit?"
"No problem," Aisha replied, stretching her arms a bit before nodding Flora over.
"So, what is SexyBack?"
"The Justin Timberlake song? Or the dance?"
"The dance," Flora laughed, noticing that Aisha was just messing with her. "I do happen to live in this century."
"Just making sure," Aisha teased for good measure.
"So, the dance?" Flora started again, ready for whatever punch was thrown at her today.
"It's a duet, clearly, between you and Sunny. But it's different than the others."
"How so?"
"Well, how comfortable are you with your sexuality?"
"Excuse me?"
Flora was thrown by the sudden shift in the conversation. She had no clue how one had to do with the other, but the fact that they were paired together made her a little nervous. It was easy to tell that Sunny scared Flora, intimidated her like no one else in the club did, and she knew that she wasn't the only one who felt that way.
Aisha caught on to Flora's shock and discomfort, and tried to calm her down. "I'm only asking because if you aren't a hundred percent comfortable, this isn't gonna fly."
"What the hell is this dance?" Flora asked, her voice rising a bit with skepticism.
"You know when you're up in a club and you meet a cute guy and all the sudden you're doing the bump and grind on the dance floor and the only thing keeping you from fucking right then and there is the clothes on your bodies, public decency be damned?"
"Sure…" Flora agreed, even though she had no experience like the one Aisha was describing.
"Well, it's a lot like that, except that cute guy is Sunny."
"Hold up," Flora stopped, her mind finally putting the pieces together. "Are you saying you want me to, what?"
Flora's mind was short-circuiting. There was no way Aisha was asking what she thought she was asking. Absolutely not. She was straight. A hundred percent straight. There was no way that she was ever going to get up that close and personal with another woman when she was too afraid to that with a guy. Well, there was only one guy she wanted to do that with…but he wouldn't give her the time of day.
"I know it's a lot to ask of you, being new and all. Honestly I'm a bit surprised at all of what Musa's making you do, but I think she's just trying to test your limits."
Like that makes it any better, Flora thought bitterly to herself. This day was beginning to turn into a nightmare, one that she desperately wanted to end.
"I don't…I don't think I can do this. Dancing with the girls on the same stage is one thing, but dancing…like that…I don't think I have that in me," Flora stammered, trying to force the words out of her mouth. It was like her body was having some sort of violent reaction the news, and she knew that there was no way that this could end well. She did not want to get to know Sunny in any more detail than she already did, and the thought of having to practically molest her on stage made her want to pass out.
"Hey, don't think of it like that. Just think of it like you're grinding up against one of your girlfriends at a party," Aisha tried, attempting to lighten the situation.
"Except for the fact that Sunny hates my guts," Flora pointed out bitterly.
"Yeah…maybe not that then."
"So there is no way to get out of it?"
"Afraid not," Aisha sighed sympathetically, "not this time at least. It's in your contract that you have to try all the dances once to see where you fit best"
"My fault for not reading the fine print I guess."
"Happens to the best of us."
Aisha placed her hand gently on Flora's shoulder, trying to comfort her when she was clearly freaking out.
"Hey, just breathe. You know who you are, and what you're comfortable with. You won't damage your fragile sense of sexuality by dancing with a girl one time, I promise you."
"It's a little bit more than dancing," Flora laughed tightly, her mind running into hyper drive about how she was going to pull this dance off. She knew next to nothing about seducing another person; how was she supposed to pull that off in front of an entire crowd, and with a woman no less?
"So what?" Aisha shrugged, as if the dance wasn't worth wasting time worrying over. "If anything, it'll give you one hell of a story."
Aisha stepped away and went to the tiny CD player near the edge of the stage that she usually used for practice.
"Let's run through the steps. You ready?" Aisha called over to Flora.
Flora nodded a little and swallowed down all her remaining fears and apprehensions. For the moment. She let herself be carried away by the starting beat of SexyBack, blissfully ignorant to the partner aspect of the dance, and followed Aisha as she moved across the stage.
Flora was nervous. Actually, nervous wasn't even enough to cover what she was feeling at the moment. She felt like throwing up and running away. Her stomach was trying to crawl up and out of her throat and her head was pounding so hard she thought it was going to split her skull open. She was a mass of frayed nerves and senses. She felt like she was boiling in her skin-tight black leather under the stage lighting and heavy make-up caked on in layers on her face.
She had gotten to her mark a whole dance early and was counting the steps to the one going on right now. She watched the lithe brunette twirl around the pole with ease, doing a trick that involved a whole bunch of flipping and bending that blew her mind. Looking further out into the crowd from behind the curtain, Flora could spot Bloom serving the crowded bar, her smile easy as she leaned across the polished wood. Other girls were weaving through the crowd; it wasn't very crowded tonight, but there was a fair turn out. It wouldn't be killer on tips, but it wouldn't be the score she was used to gathering in her garter. At least there would be less people to boo her if she fucked up the dance.
And like magic, the nerves returned in full force. Oh God, she couldn't do this. She didn't even like girls! How could she pull off getting off on being ground against one? This was going to be such a nightmare! Miss F would never forgive her; she would fire her before she could exit stage left.
Soon enough the dance was ending, and the girls were setting up for the final count. Flora could hear her pulse in her ears and wished the whole situation away. Was it too late to fake an injury? Become suddenly ill?
She was so caught up in her worries that she barely registered the fact that Sunny was headed her way, marching to her mark with purpose. She always looked like such a mega bitch that Flora wondered how she could portray any emotion on stage other than dissatisfaction.
"You ready?" She asked Flora shortly, barely giving her a look over, like she wasn't worth her time. She was still clearly bitter about sharing the dance with Flora.
"Sunny, don't take this the wrong way, but I can't do this. This isn't who I am. I'm not cut out for-for this."
"Oh my god, get the fuck over yourself," Sunny snapped at Flora, fed up with all her worrying. "You will go out there and you will dance for both our sakes, do you understand me? End of story."
Flora nodded, but sickness hit her like a wrecking ball. She swore she was going to pass out, her breath coming in short, shallow puffs. Sunny was watching the scene with disgust and incredulity.
"Jesus fucking-"
Flora didn't catch the tail end of Sunny's statement. Instead, she caught a whiff of strong cinnamon perfume and sweat crowding in on her, pinning her to the wall and smothering her with more heat and sticky sweet lips.
Lips. Lips that were both soft and sticky with freshly applied lipstick. Lips that tasted like cherries and chemical goo. Lips that were soft and insistent against her own, fueled by an aggression that she would recognize anywhere.
Sunny was kissing her. Sunny was kissing Flora. Kissing Flora full on, on the lips, tongue and teeth and all.
At first, Flora didn't know how to respond, her arms waving around helplessly as Sunny grabbed her by the lapels of her leather vest and pulled her up an extra inch so that their faces matched. It was hard to react when Sunny was clearly in control, pushing and shoving Flora to where she liked her.
Eventually all sense of time and restraint fled Flora's mind, and she relaxed into the kiss, actually reciprocating. Flora couldn't stop her body from reacting certain ways, like pushing up into Sunny's touch, which – damn her – actually felt good, or gasping when Sunny decided to fist a handful of curls and yank back so that Flora's neck was exposed.
The things that that woman could do with her tongue amazed Flora. She was breathing hard, her heard pounding against her ribcage as Sunny licked a stripe up Flora's neck and blew on it, earning her a shiver that went all the way down her spine. Sunny tucked herself up under Flora's jawline and bit lightly, sucking a bite there before letting go. She repeated this all the way down Flora's neck, pinning her hands above her head to limit Flora's restless squirming. Flora let in a sharp breath and a tiny yelp as Sunny bit down and sucked hard at the junction of her neck and shoulder, her tongue coming out to lave at the spot until it was a bright, angry red.
Flora was the one to bring Sunny's focus back to her lips this time. Her mind was so jumbled and aroused that she could hardly think straight. All she could manage to think about was when had Sunny been so damn good at this. She didn't even mind when she felt a hand reach down and around to cup her ass, the lean fingers digging into her flesh, making her moan in surprise. Another hand reached up to cup a leather-clad breast, the squishy flesh molding to Sunny's touch. Flora leaned back and looked Sunny in the eyes, her golden irises glowing in the dim lighting of the club.
It was then that Flora realized that they were still backstage. They were still backstage, people were still milling about around them, and they still had to go and perform a dance for a bunch of horny middle-aged men.
The spell shattered, and Flora dropped her hands from where they had grasped the hem of Sunny's bustier. Sunny took the hint and released Flora from her grip, taking a step back to fix herself. Flora took a deep breath and tried to steady her breathing.
What the fuck Flora? Did that really just happen? Did I really just make out with Sunny? Did I actually just like making out with Sunny?
Flora didn't have much time to ponder those thoughts before she saw the lights go down. Whatever the answer was, Flora decided right then and there, she would sort through it later. Right now, she had a job to do, a job that she found suddenly easier to perform.
"Are you ready?" Sunny asked her again, the usual maliciousness gone and replaced with something else entirely. Whatever it was, it excited Flora in more ways than one.
"Yes," Flora replied, and for the first time that night, she completely meant it.
After the dance, Flora was clear on two things. One: she was definitely still straight, and thankfully not attracted to Sunny. It took a bit of figuring out after the haze of the kiss wore off, but while she may have enjoyed making out with the girl on stage, it was definitely more of the adrenaline's fault than her own libido. And two: while she made a killing in tips, she was never going to dance that dance again. The men were too creepy, the music didn't feel right to her, and she felt too much pressure to be sexy, like more than the usual. She'd rather close her eyes and dance solo than have to watch the moves of someone else and make the both of them look good. It was just too much, and surprisingly the lesbian factor was not the stressful part.
Flora slid the keys into her apartment door and opened it with a solid click. She was exhausted, and it was nearly two am. When she got off stage she still had a whole night's worth of lap dances and private shows to perform, and she thought the line of men outside her private room would never end. She needed a hot shower and bed before class in the morning. Oh God, class…she groaned and pushed her way into the space.
"Welcome home stranger," Krystal greeted her from the sofa, looking up at her best friend with tight amusement.
"Hey, what are you still doing up?" Flora asked. It wasn't like Krystal to stay up late, and the fact that the rest of the roommates had gone to sleep only made it weirder.
"I could ask you the same thing."
"I was studying in the library."
"Hmmm," Krystal hummed, "I was waiting for your sorry butt to come back. You know, there is this wonderful thing called texting that you can do to let people know you won't be coming home until the crack of dawn so they don't spend all hours worrying about you."
"I know, I know, I'm a jerk. I'm sorry," Flora apologized, feeling genuinely bad about making her friend worry like that. She really had to write a reminder or something the next time.
"You owe me after this."
"You got it."
"Like, double portions of chicken stir fry from that place down on Gervais street."
"Your wish is my command," Flora mock bowed to her before moving to the kitchen to get a glass of water. She drank it down in greedy gulps, not realizing how dehydrated she really was. Krystal gave her a funny look and picked a book up from off of the coffee table and started reading.
A thought suddenly popped into Flora's head. She didn't really know where it came from, maybe it was due to the exhaustion and events of the day, but the urge to ask her best friend this pressing question became unbearable.
"Hey Krystal?"
"Yeah Flo?"
"Do you find me attractive?"
Krystal stilled at the question and gave Flora a 'really, you're going to ask me this?' type look.
"You're beautiful Flora. Always have been," she answered honestly, and turned her attention back towards the textbook in her lap.
"That's…not what I mean," Flora sighed, rubbing her face in slight embarrassment. "Do you find me attractive? Like sexually."
This had to be the most awkward situation. Not that Krystal would mind or judge Flora for asking; they were as close as two friends could be. Flora would tell Krystal anything…well almost anything. Flora knew that Krystal was in a relationship with her long time boyfriend Mike. He was a nice guy, and they had a good thing going. If Flora were being honest, they'd probably end up getting married. But it was also no secret that Krystal was decidedly bisexual. Flora was there through the tears and coming out to her parents and supported her the entire way. Never once did Flora care about her friend's sexuality or how she looked at her, until now.
For the first time in their entire friendship, Flora felt Krystal's eyes turn on her in a completely different way. She could feel her best friend's gaze rake up and down her body, taking her in and analyzing her like a piece of meat. It make Flora's heart race in both fear and desire. Finally Krystal met Flora's eyes and walked over to her until the two were nose to nose. Flora sucked in a breath as Krystal's lips pressed down softly on her own.
The kiss was so much different than Sunny's. With Sunny, it was all about power and adrenaline, while now Flora didn't feel rushed at all. She felt safe, warm, welcomed as Krystal's lips gently slid against Flora's. It was a closed kiss, but not lacking intimacy, the trust and love a long time sisterhood. Flora had never been sexually attracted to Krystal, but the kiss didn't scare her, not like it would've a day or two ago. Instead of freaking out, she rolled with it, reciprocated it.
When they parted, Krystal peered up at Flora knowingly. The kiss didn't damage their friendship. They were far too important to one another to be scared off so easily.
"Does that answer your question?" Krystal asked teasingly, and Flora smiled and swatted at Krystal.
"If I hadn't known you since we were both in diapers, I probably would've tried something with you," Krystal answered honestly, "but we were always better off as besties."
The admission didn't startle Flora. They both had spoken often about how if Flora was interested in girls or if Krystal was a man then they would totally get married. Somehow, the notion was a comfort for Flora, knowing that she was wanted like that.
"Thanks Krys," Flora smiled and gave her friend a hug.
"Wanna tell me what this is all about?" Krystal asked after they parted, her mom face now in action.
"Nothing really. Just a quarter-life identity crisis is all."
"Ah, those are the best, aren't they?" Krystal teased, knowing that her best friend was avoiding the question.
"Completely," Flora agreed, playing along.
"Well, when you want to tell me the whole story, you know where I live," Krystal said as she gathered her book from the sofa. "I'm gonna go to bed. Oh, and don't tell Mike I kissed you. He'll get jealous," Krystal told her as she made her way to her room, smiling over her shoulder.
"I won't," Flora replied honestly, not having any interest in starting a fight between lovers over something inconsequential. "Good night."
"Night babe," she replied, waving a hand over her shoulder and shutting her door with a click.
Flora sighed and headed into her own room. She didn't even have time to take off her jacket before she collapsed into bed and fell into a deep sleep.
