cosima arrived to the studio at one o'clock—very early—on that monday afternoon. she always liked to show up early and leave late. fortunately for the plan, josh knew this and had everyone show up early as well. "well, look who decided to show up," josh said jokingly. cosima rolled her eyes.
"it's so nice to see you too," she replied sarcastically, "my mom made me come."
"momma diaz always to the rescue," josh said, grateful. he started to walk up stairs and cosi followed. "finally got you dancing in a studio again."
"my mom's married. it's morino now. why you always gotta call her by her maiden name?" she asked and received a shrug in return.
"hey, check this out," kenneth said, motioning to jake kodish who had a guitar. he would be the choreographer for their class.
when cosima's eyes saw everyone she quickly turned around, but josh stopped her. most of the group looked at her in shock. some of them knew her personally, but most were just normal friends. "just take a seat," josh patted her back and nodded. so she did.
jake plucked at the guitar strings, not in any attempt to play music rather than just to create sounds.
sean sat on the floor, talking to jade and the others watched cosima. they all admired her as she didn't often come to studio classes. the asian boy with the deep dimples was clueless as to who was on the other side of him as the group talked amongst each other.
suddenly, sean eyes ran around the room and hit a double take when he saw the girl from the bay area studio next to him, watching jake fiddle with guitar strings. he turned back to josh and josh pursed his lips, mouthing a 'you're welcome.'
sean's heart fluttered and when the girl caught his gaze he felt embarrassed, thinking of something quick to say. "you curled your hair?" he asked in barely a whisper, instantly regretting the words that just escaped his lips. of all things? cosima furrowed her eyebrows and gave him an awkward smile. it was a weird question asked so suddenly that it made her even question if he remembered seeing her. sean noticed and spoke up quickly, "it looks good."
again, he cringed at his own words. cosi chuckled and leaned toward him. "my hair is naturally curly," she smiled and went along with the randomness. it made sean feel better.
"ahh, effortless," sean nodded, "i like it."
josh shook his head in disappointment after watching sean, but before the asian boy could attempt to speak to her anymore he stepped in, "so, cosi i know you haven't danced with us in a while," josh said, trying to create small talk. trying to arouse a conversation that could possibly help sean remember cosima.
"oh yeah," jake said as he stopped plucking at the guitar, "how've you been? how's your mom? i haven't seen her in a while."
"heard she's been traveling a lot," jade said, leaning back far enough past sean to get view of cosi.
cosi smiled. "yeah, she has. she's really enjoying it though and i've been good too," she said.
"we'd love to have her choreograph here sometime again soon," jade said and cosima nodded, "but you have to be there too."
"agreed," kenneth and josh said at the same time.
"oh, i haven't danced with my mom let alone in a studio for years," cosima scratched the back of her neck.
"really?" sean asked.
"yeah, but i'm sure it's not important," cosima shook her head and turned to look at bailey, "i mean you must be busy all the time, right?"
"actually no," bailey giggled, "and even if i was i'd make time for you."
"well, you're busy a lot," cosima turned back to sean and he nodded slowly.
"unfortunately," he stared at her intently.
before he could ask any questions bailey jumped in. "it's been a long time." she said and cosima smiled.
"yeah." she kind of hoped sean didn't start to remember her.
josh came and sat down beside the girl. "why are they acting like this?" she asked him, only loud enough for him to hear.
"dancers geek over other dancers and they haven't seen you in a long time. you're also good," josh shrugged.
cosima nodded her head as to say thank you and looked around. "and i'm kenneth. i mean, i know you already but i'm just letting you know my name is still kenneth," kenneth said and cosi laughed.
"you guys are amazing." cosima said. "i've seen all your guys stuff and it's mind blowing."
"so mind blowing that i'm gonna start class early," jake said, standing up.
everyone stood up and formed behind him, facing the mirror. "today, i'm gonna be teaching a routine to 'add' by dwilly so let's get started," he smiled.
cosima lit up and thought to herself how much she loved that song. maybe this wouldn't be so bad for her. it made the studio feel more like home.
when the choreography was done being taught everyone huddled together and jake stood in the middle. "okay, so today there will be partners and singles," jake said and starting listing off which way people would be performing. it wasn't until it was cosima's turn that it got a little weird, "cosi, i want you to dance w—"
"no," josh screamed and everyone turned to him. he face palmed and went over to jake, whispering something in his ear.
jake nodded. "cosi, you'll be going last as a solo," he said and her eyes went wide.
"what?" she asked.
"she'll be fine," josh said, putting a hand on her shoulder, "i'm sure we'd—" he glanced at sean "—would like to see her work her magic."
with some hesitation cosima nodded. "well then, let's get to it," jake smiled and the performing began.
everyone took their place on the sides of the room as the dances started. kaycee snuck up behind cosima, placing her arm on her shoulder, "look who's back," she said, trying to play cool.
cosima looked and became happy at the sight of kaycee. "oh my god!" cosima said.
she smiled and gave josh a nod, who was on the other side of the room with sean. the plan had just begun. "so," kaycee said, looking back at the girl in front of her, "it's been so long since you've danced in a studio."
"definitely," cosima huffed.
"see any cute boys?" kaycee asked, looking around.
cosima was focused on the dancers that were doing the routine. she watched them and took in what she could. she shrugged at kaycee's question. "i don't know, guess there's a few," she said.
"how about sean?" kaycee asked.
a light smile formed on cosima's face. "he's lot more awkward than he used to be," she shrugged again. kaycee then went off to josh to tell him.
~
it wasn't until sean, ayden and kaycee stepped up for their turn that cosima eased up. she had moved to the back as it would be her turn soon, but she wanted to see this.
she loved kaycee. the girl was like her sister and cosima thought she was insanely talented. she realized how long it had been since she had seen sean dance in person, but she always knew he was talented. as the music began she followed both of them intently. in her eyes, they were perfect together.
at the end of the routine a big smile spread across her face. kaycee had come back to cosima and she clapped. "that was so good," she said. "you guys are the cutest together."
"what? me and sean? we're not together," kaycee giggled. "no actually i think he's interested in someone and i so ship it."
"she must be just as good as he is," cosi said.
"she is," kaycee smiled, talking about her best friend in front of her, "she's the best."
