2.
Delta's head was reeling as she stalked down the brightly colored hallway with Rocket at her heels. Her sister was there, among them, and Rocket's guess was that she had been sent over to Madam Gorski after being readmitted to the facility. Delta paused to look in a mirror placed on the wall to her left. She let her hair down and gathered it up again to tie it back into a ponytail once more. "Are you sure they let her out?" The newer girl asked, smoothing out her olive colored spaghetti strap tank top which had little pieces of fuzz at the bottom.
"Don't quote me on that. It's just what I heard." Rocket replied, eyes dolled up with mascara and eyeshadow. The blonde wore a dark leotard and comfortable flats on her feet. "C'mon D, let's go." She tugged at Delta's elbow, calling her by the nickname she had created for her. They needed to be in the studio and soon. Though Madam Gorski was not as strict about things as Blue, Rocket had no intentions of getting on the woman's bad side.
A handful of girls were already in the studio, stretching and warming up for practice that day. Shortly after arriving at the club, Delta had gathered up her courage to tell Madam Gorski about her "issue" and the instructor was able to pull a few strings to make a special job for the girl instead. Delta was the assistant manager under Gorski.
As Rocket bounded over to where her sister and friends were warming up near the mirrors, Delta retrieved the clipboard from Gorski's office and began taking attendance. "Layla," She read off the sheet. A blonde girl on the other side of the room nodded in her direction. Delta made a mark on the paper. "Candy," A darker skinned girl acknowledged her. "Sweet Pea," Rocket's older sister paused her stretching and pulled a long strand of golden brown hair behind her ear. She then gave a small wave. "Amber,' The kind hearted girl smiled, almond shaped chocolate colored eyes sparkling. Delta liked the girl from the moment she met her. Amber was very sweet and caring.
"Hi Delta." The Asian girl beamed. She wore a light magenta top which matched her warm and bubbly personality. "I like your hair today." The shy brunet stroked her long, chestnut colored hair which was pulled to the side, on her left to be exact.
"Thanks, Amber." Delta grinned, continuing the roll call. "Angel Face," A girl clad in white to fit her name locked eyes with Delta, letting her know that she was present. The list went on, finally concluding with Buttercup and Rocket, who grinned at her from her splits position on the wooden floorboards of the studio. She did not see her sister's name on the sheet. Perhaps she still needed to be added. Delta sighed, wondering if her twin really there as well. "That everyone?" She asked, green eyes glancing up from the clipboard, making sure she hadn't left anyone out. The sound of stilettos tapping against the wooden floor came from behind Delta. The brunet turned abruptly, and soon wished she hadn't.
Standing in front of her was the heartthrob of them all, in Delta's opinion. With a black bustier and matching bottoms which looked more like lingerie, the girl had easily worked her way into Delta's mind before. Her dark hair was down in long, wavy curls which complimented her lightly tan skin. Delta's heart raced as she realized she'd been staring for a tad bit too long. She gripped the edges of the clipboard with white knuckles.
"Miss me?" Blondie grinned seductively, her tone sassy. Delta felt as if all her insides had frozen over. A tingling sensation flooded her body in an instant, and the shy girl wished she was anywhere but there at that moment. Delta raised her pencil to put another check mark on the slip of paper, eyes never leaving the gorgeous girl in front of her.
"Perfect timing, Blondie." she managed to retort, thanking her lucky stars that there had been no voice cracks in her sentence. The dark haired beauty waltzed past her, looking pleased with herself and took her place by the mirrors next to Amber.
Just then, a sudden commotion was heard right outside of the studio. The girls inside stopped their conversations and turned their heads towards the door as Madam Gorski hurriedly entered the room followed by another girl whom none had ever seen. The unknown girl had long, dark hair-almost black, which was straight. She wore a dark gray skirt and a black and gray corset which had a certain Victorian Gothic feel to it. Her deep green eyes seethed with anger as she stepped a few feet inside the threshold. "No, no, no. This wasn't part of the agreement. I'm not doing this-over my dead body." The red headed woman whirled around to sharply face the girl's challenge.
"You will dance." The instructor demanded in a hushed tone that was still audible, irritation level flying off the radar. "Because if you do not dance, you have no purpose." The long haired girl glared at the older woman mere inches from her face without blinking. A moment later, she shifted her weight onto her back foot and let out a dry laugh.
"Dancing? Is that what we're calling it now?" Madam Gorski said nothing, simply burning her gaze into the defiant girl's face. "I have no intentions of throwing my decade of ballet out the window, whoring it around, scantily clad in a malformed burlesque house." Gorski's nostrils flared as the two stared each other down. The uncooperative girl angled her head left to face the girls in the back of the dance room, eyes falling to Delta, who stood center in the room; the clipboard was still clutched tightly in the brunet's hands. Could it really be? Could it really be her? Sunshine recognized her sister almost immediately, whose jaw was dropped slightly. Instantly, the dark haired girl turned away from Madam Gorski and began to approach her sister. There was a fake grin plastered to her face. It was then that Delta knew she was not in the least bit pleased.
"I told you to leave. I told you to get away. It was for your own good." Her tone suddenly changed to one Delta wasn't familiar with. "Now we're both stuck in this shit-hole!" The volume of her voice raised significantly. Why was her sister here? Sunshine had tried to save her from having to go through what she had. Delta's stomach churned and her face fell. A clear streak rolled down her cheek from her left eye. Sunshine shook her head and stared at the floor. "You know it would be this way. After everything, we'd end up in a place like this." Delta's voice was small and lacked confidence.
"I never meant for this to happen, honestly." The girl's sister spun around quickly to confront her again. Her eyes burned with anger, an emotion she once never displayed.
"Then why the hell are you here?" The words seemed to cut through the air like a knife, stabbing Delta in the process. "If you never meant for anything to happen, how come I see you here now?" Sunshine was livid. "You were always careless, and you never listened to me. Look where that's got you." Couldn't her sister see that she had been protecting her for a reason? Couldn't the brunet see that Sunshine wanted her safe and as far away from this place as possible? "It was bad enough I took the fall." Delta had rarely seen her sister act out like this, and it saddened her how much things had changed in the last few years.
"Don't do this," Delta found her confidence and reinforced it behind her words. "You know you're not the only one who's been scarred." She called her sister out, feeling self conscious that all the girls present were witnessing their argument. "You speak as if I knew this was going to happen-like I knew this is where we'd end up."
"Yeah, that sounds about right." Sunshine replied nonchalantly. Delta blinked, not being able to believe how her sister was responding to her. Frustration and anger stirred inside Delta as well.
"Don't you dare try to blame me for this." She warned, pointing a finer at her sister. "I never told you to accept fault for that, it was your choice to take the rap for it. And don't try to guilt trip me either. I never had it easy. We both know that." They had both gone through the same hardships and tragedies; saying anything different would be unfair. Why is she doing this? Delta's emotional components were overwhelmed. What happened? Her sister was not the same person she had once been and Delta hated the change.
Sunshine began to inspect her nails. Not looking up from them, she remarked with, "Well you've certainly been easy." Moments after her comment, several girls inhaled in shock at Sunshine's bold statement. Delta's head was under so much pressure. Her body began to shake, but she hadn't even realized. She wanted to keep her cool in front of the other girls, but her sister had pushed her to the edge.
"That's a goddamned lie!" She shouted, heating up the argument. Everyone in the room watched anxiously. Madam Gorski finally intervened, bringing her walking stick down on the floor for effect.
"Girls, enough!" She ordered. But the twins ignored the choreographer. Sunshine's mouth twisted into a sickly-sweet smirk, which made things even more uncomfortable.
"That so?" The dark haired girl placed her hands on her hips, pretending to appear worried. "Well, I'd ask Mr. Warburton his opinion but seeing as how he's departed at the moment I don't think he could vouch for you."
Delta's blood boiled underneath her skin. Sunshine had crossed the line. The brunet raised her arm suddenly and chucked the clipboard at Sunshine's head. The girl in the corset sidestepped, just missing the projectile. Seconds later, it hit the threshold with a snap. Delta charged at her sister, drawing her right hand back, which was odd because she was a lefty. Sunshine caught the hook-punch way before it got to her and rammed her own fist into her sister's stomach. Delta sank to her knees as the blow completely knocked the wind out of her. Sunshine towered above her, taunting the poor girl deprived of oxygen.
"Get up." Her voice was lined with annoyance. "I'm tired of your bullshit." The other girls in the studio gathered around in a large oval to watch the fight; both eager and worried faces could be seen. A gush of air rushed down her throat as the brunet gathered her wind back. Not letting it be known that her air supply was replenished, Delta waited with her head down until her sister leaned over her. As quick as her joints would allow her, Delta sprang up and struck her sister across the face; a loud smack echoed in the room. Sunshine let her head turn in the direction of the hit, but then with fast hands she wrapped her arm around her sister's neck and twisted her around to face outward. The dark haired girl held her sister in a headlock. Sunshine pushed her down and soon the other girl was on her knees again. Delta tried to stand up against the hold her sister had on her but every time she did, Sunshine tightened the grip; it was to the point where the brunet's face was almost as red as a tomato, and her airway tightened. "Is that it? Is that it?" Sunshine demanded over and over. "You didn't learn a damned thing!" Sonofabitch! Delta cursed repeatedly in her mind. Her sister was much too strong and was humiliating her in front of everyone; including Blondie.
In the oval of girls observing the tumult, Rocket began to advance towards the center, shouting, "Leave her alone!" at Sunshine. The grip around Delta's neck did not let up, as Sunshine glared at the outspoken blonde girl. Rocket kept moving towards them and Sunshine prepared herself to take on both of them at once.
A loud thud against the wooden floor caused all three to freeze. Madam Gorski's hands were placed firmly over the top of her staff. "ENOUGH!" The Polish woman bellowed, her eagle eyes burning holes into each one of them. Sunshine's arm was still locked around her sister's neck, but the hold had now loosened. The dance instructor was not in the least bit amused at how the events were going that day. She approached the pair. "I do not know that behaviors you two were allowed to partake in out there," The woman seemed to point out of the brothel. "But while in here, this will not be tolerated." Sunshine let her chest rise and fall as she and her sibling were reprimanded. The red haired woman continued her rioting act and addressed Sunshine. "You demand respect, no?" The dark haired girl nodded her head curtly. "Earn it." The choreographer looked down at Delta, who was still kneeling on the ground. The older woman leaned in so that only the brunet could hear her. "If you are so concerned to not appear weak, focus on what will make you strong." Delta relaxed and felt her muscles breathe, as she listened to the instructor's words. After reevaluating herself, she grabbed hold of her sister's arm and pushed it upwards, while sliding back up to her feet. Sunshine didn't fight her twin for control at that point and Delta backed away a good distance from her.
"What the hell happened to you?" The brunet spat at her sister. The girl had once been so kind and gentle. But Delta knew very well what had caused the change in her sibling.
"What didn't happen to me?" Sunshine threw out a question of her own, only it was rhetorical. But it was the honest-to-god truth and both girls knew that. Sunshine looked down at her feet, seeming to be contemplating. When she gazed up again, her expression softened. "What didn't happen to us?" She finally asked. Delta sensed a hint of remorse in her twin's speech. Had her sister come to grips on reality? Had she at last acknowledged the fact that the two had struggled together instead of separately? A faded, red hand print was still visible on the right of Sunshine's face, and the brunet suddenly felt ashamed of her actions. Over time, Delta had become the calm one, and the thought of losing control like she just had was frightening to her. It almost seemed like she became a different person.
Madame Gorski paced around the room, weaving in and out of the clusters of girls. "Though Sunshine has been here for quite some time, she is not familiar with the...establishment. I would like one of you," She gazed at all the eyes which were on her. "To help guide her around-show her the ropes." The woman explained. The studio remained silent. No one even dared to breathe. Sunshine fought the urge to grin like an alligator. Of course they were quiet; it was clear that none wanted to be near another so violent. It made the dark haired girl feel superior for once in her life. They were afraid of her and she was surprisingly pleased with that fact.
The redheaded woman scanned the group for possible candidates for the task. A few shifted nervously and others stared directly at the floor. Sweet Pea fidgeted her feet and for a minute it seemed as though she were about to volunteer herself for the job. Sunshine studied the strong girl, wondering what could possibly compel her to help someone as dark and misunderstood as herself. The facts were all there though. Sweet Pea looked the leader type; someone who would take initiative and be proactive. Sunshine still couldn't fully understand.
The girl with the golden blonde hair shrunk back down to her regular stature once Gorski had passed her up. The dance instructor proceeded, barely moments more and paused a few girls later. Blondie was one of the few who avoided eye-contact much too late, and soon she was staring at the Polish woman right in front of her. For seconds, it appeared as if the girl had forgotten how to breathe. "Blondie," Madam Gorski began, drawing out the moment. "I've been noticing inconsistent behavior of yours these past few weeks. That needs to be corrected, so here is what you will do; you will help Sunshine ease into everyday life and activity here until she is comfortable on her own." The girl in black did not seem the least bit thrilled about her new assignment. "Hopefully you will learn more about responsibility this way." The redheaded woman added in a lower pitch. Blondie glanced from Madam Gorski to Sunshine, and then back, looking like a puppy that had just been kicked.
Something festered in the pit of Delta's stomach. Unlike the queasiness from earlier, it burned like a fire. The brunet shifted her gaze over to her sister. The dark haired girl returned her twin's stare but noticed something in her eyes. Within seconds, Sunshine's brilliant mind was already beginning to piece together information as she looked at Blondie and then Delta. The darker twin knew something was up and had a hunch. She grinned broadly. Delta felt her cheeks grow hot after receiving certain looks from her sister. Did she know? If so, how much?
Madam Gorski motioned towards the door with her walking stick, and Blondie knew what she needed to do. Her heels clicked against the floorboards as she cautiously approached Sunshine, only that time they lacked pride. "This way." Blondie directed in a quieter voice, leading the way. Delta painfully watched the two exit. Why? Her mind raced. Why did it have to be her? Why did it have to be her sister and why did it have to be Blondie? Jealously covered the girl head-to-toe even though in the back of her mind she was sure her sister was not like her in this way. The brunet cursed at her twin at least one-hundred times internally.
Gorski's voice snapper her out of her trance. "The clipboard, Delta. You dropped it."
