Friends With Benefits

Chapter 1 - The Club

"Okay everyone, let's take it from the top!"

I took one last sip of water before throwing the bottle back into my bag and running over to my spot. We had been at rehearsals all day and I was praying that this was the last take. I love dance, I really do. But after doing the same routine for five hours, you start to need a break.

"On my count," Mia, one of my good friends and our choreographer, said as she started the music. "5...6...5, 6, 7, 8." And just like that we all started moving to the beat.

There were only six of us in the studio today. We were in the advanced class which is only for dancers who were serious about pursing dance as a professional career. We all poured our heart and soul into every performance.

I've been dancing for my entire life. It seemed like as soon as I learned to walk my mom enrolled me in ballet class. I seemed to be good enough because my mom enrolled me the year after that. I fell in love and begged her to let me go back every year. I've taken classes focusing on all types of dance: ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, contemporary, lyrical. You name it, I've done it. Hip hop was probably my favorite style of dance.

I guess I should introduce myself. My name is Katrina Miller, but everyone calls me Kat. Dance is my absolute passion in life and its my career. My parents couldn't afford to send me to university, so I've been finding any dance gig I can to support myself. I'm currently living in an apartment with my best friend in the entire world, Emily Gaden. We meet in grade school and have been inseparable ever since. Spending so much time together we often get confused for as sisters, although it doesn't help that we look so much a like. We both have long blonde hair and bright blue eyes. Honestly, Emily is like a sister to me, and I wouldn't want it any other way.

"Okay, great job everyone," Mia said as the music came to a stop. "Class is dismissed. See you all Monday," she smiled.

Everyone walked over to the cubicles to grab their belongings. "Good job today, Kat," Russel, one of my dance friends, said.

"Thanks, you too," I grinned before grabbing my bag.

I said my goodbyes to everyone before leaving the studio. I walked outside and was immediately blinded by the bright sun. I guess that's what happens when you've been stuck inside a studio all day. When my eyes finally adjusted to the light I looked across the parking lot to see a petite blonde sitting on top of a blue Chevy truck.

When Emily spotted me she hopped off her car and met me half way. "Finally," she sighed. "I thought you would never get out," she teased.

I bumped into her with my hip. "Wow, because it must be so difficult getting a tan while you wait two extra minutes for me."

Emily shot me a knowing grin before getting in the car. I threw my bag in the backseat before climbing in the passenger seat. "So how was class?" She started up the car as I buckled up.

"Intense, as always," I laughed. Same old, same old. "How were your classes?"

She shrugged before making a turn out of the parking lot and onto the highway. "Boring, as always," she said. Emily was studying marketing at university. Even though she knew she wanted in a job in business she always claimed how boring her classes were. "So, what are your plans for the night?" The car began picking up speed as we accelerated down the highway.

I shrugged my shoulders. "The usual. Dinner and Netflix." I turned to look at Emily and I saw her frowning. I couldn't but laugh. "What?"

"You do that every night," she pointed out.

"Yeah, because I look forward to relaxing after a long day of classes." It was true. The past two weeks as soon as I get home from dance I take up residence on the couch. I eat dinner and watch a few shows on Netflix before calling it an early night. It may be boring and dull but after spending long hours at a dance studio its exactly what I need to unwind and relax.