With a Partner

Gymnastics/Tae Kwon Do

    Nicole had spent the last eight years of her life training in the same Tae Kwon Do school. The floors felt soft and worn in beneath her feet, made that way for the sole purpose of cushioning the blow when a student would take a fall. She felt more at home there than she did in her own home. With one solid lift from the legs and the shoulders, Nicole picked up the punching bag and hung it on the chain dangling from the ceiling. She turned towards the back of the room and tied the long black belt around her waist tightly.

Music played softly in the background and Nicole tried to allow it to wash over her, and dismiss some of her anxiety. Outside of the glass wall separating the training room from the day camp, what seemed like over a hundred knee-high children running around and making all kinds of noise. She had gotten to the school a little under an hour before any classes were set to begin. She had been hoping to work out her aggressions before students arrived, but was having trouble settling into the correct headspace. With an eye-roll, and feeling utterly ridiculous for doing it alone; Nicole turned towards the front of the room and the flags/mirror hung there, settled to sit in a kneeling position with her hands and eyes closed, fists on top of her thighs and began to meditate in the relatively quiet and empty room.

Her breaths went deep and even as she finally began to settle down. It wasn't the world's most comfortable sitting position and had taken years to get adjusted to, but now it had become one of her favorite parts of the day. This was when Nicole took the time to ground herself and empty her mind of the stresses or burdens she carried before committing herself once more to her training.

"Oh, I uh, sorry I didn't realize anyone was in here. One of the campers said she left her lunch box. Do you mind if I get it? I didn't mean to interrupt your... whatever you were doing. I'm sorry." a voice broke through the silence and interrupted Nicole's peaceful reverie. Nicole's eyes snapped open to see the young woman peeking into the studio room.

Quickly, she stumbled to her feet, bowing quite suddenly to the front of the room, almost as though it were an afterthought. Nicole rushed up to the girl, shaking the meditation off.

"I, uhm sure, sorry." Nicole stuttered back. When she had decided to meditate, Nicole had not dared to dream she would have opened her eyes to a beautiful woman. She was stunned and found her tongue was completely tied.

She was shorter than Nicole in a Rock Gym t-shirt that had been cut off at the bottom to turn it into a crop-top. Long honey brown hair was loose down her back in waves, ending just above where her purple and black yoga pants began. Nicole found herself blown away by the charming smile and the barest hint of abs revealed between the shirt and pants. This counselor was truly gorgeous and Nicole was reminded of how very gay she was.

"I've seen you here before, but I haven't had a chance to introduce myself." the girl retrieved the lunchbox and turned to the redhead. "My name is Waverly Earp. I'm one of the camp counselors and a gymnastics coach."

Waverly grinned and put her hand out in an outstandingly charming gesture. Her eyes twinkled in a manner unseen in people who didn't already know the person they were speaking to. Nicole automatically liked her.

"Nicole, Nicole Haught." she shook Waverly's hand with a firm but gentle grip. "I feel like I ought to have a hat to tip to you or something."

Waverly laughed lightly and there was a musical, wonderful quality to it. "Yes, I could definitely see that. " Waverly grinned back and Nicole found she was totally taken by the other woman.

"I have decided to take that as a compliment." Nicole said with a definitive tone, taking a turn towards thoughtful. It only made Waverly laugh harder.

"Good, you really should." Waverly continued to smile and Nicole felt truly blessed. "I guess I had better get this back and get to my kids again."

"Sure, yeah, I get it." Nicole said immediately. She hated the idea of Waverly leaving, despite having just met her. Something about the girl made Nicole feel lighter and happier. "I have students coming soon. Feel free to pop by whenever, though."

Nicole straightened out her uniform, wanting to look as professional as possible, pulling her long red hair back up into a high ponytail. Waverly took a deep breath as she did so, taking a long look at the beautiful woman who seemed dedicated and in love with what she did. She didn't quite know what to do about how she was feeling or even how to put the words together inside of herself. There was something about this woman that resonated with Waverly and she hoped she could see that reflected in Nicole's eyes. Waverly hoped they might be very good friends one day.