✧ la loba ✧

Noa felt her chest tighten a little at the praise, warmth blooming under her skin in a way she wasn’t entirely used to. Compliments still caught her off guard, but she didn’t shrink from it this time. Instead, she let it sit there, soft and steady, like something she was trying to learn how to hold onto. She ducked her head slightly, a shy smile tugging at her lips before she looked back up at her. “That means a lot,” she said quietly, her voice gentle but sincere. “I think I forget that sometimes. That it can just look nice without all the pressure behind it.” Her fingers fidgeted for a second at her sides, but she forced herself to still them, taking a small breath like she was stepping over an invisible line in her own mind. At the mention of not overthinking, Noa let out a soft, almost nervous laugh, her eyes flicking to the pole and then back again. “I’m really good at overthinking,” she admitted, a little sheepish, but there was a hint of determination underneath it now. “So this might be, um, a challenge.” Still, she stepped forward when guided, her movements careful but not hesitant enough to stop her. When her hand was adjusted on the pole, she focused, really focused, on the way her fingers wrapped around it, the pressure, the balance. “Like this?” she asked, glancing back briefly for reassurance before looking at her grip again. Her shoulders relaxed just a fraction as she adjusted, trying not to tense like she usually would. “Okay, trust my body,” she murmured softly to herself, almost like she was repeating it as a rule she wanted to believe. Then, with a small exhale, she let herself lean into it, just a little, testing the movement instead of analysing it. A tiny smile appeared, more to herself this time. Noa hesitated for a second once her hand felt somewhat steady, her gaze dropping to the rest of her body like she’d suddenly become very aware of all her limbs at once. She shifted her weight awkwardly, one leg bending slightly before straightening again, unsure where anything was supposed to go. “Um, ” she started softly, glancing back at her with a small, almost bashful smile. “What do I do with the rest of me?” She let out a quiet, self-conscious laugh, her long legs shifting again as if trying to figure it out on instinct and failing. “My legs feel like they’re just in the way,” she admitted, a little sheepish but still trying, still staying. “Do I keep them straight, or like hook them around this or do something else with them?”

"you look perfect, no matter what, trust me on that," she assured, a soft smile on her lips. she just wanted noa to relax, this was a safe space, no one was there to judge, they were all just trying to let go and feel good in their own skin. "you just need to switch your brain off," she chuckled gently, "i know it’s hard, but try not to overthink it." she stepped aside as noa reached for the pole. "yeah, that grip looks good," she nodded, "now just walk around it, or try something on your own, there’s no one right way to do it." she could see it, though, the way noa was overthinking, the tension in her body, the way she seemed hyper-aware of every movement, unsure where anything should go. betsa moved closer. "bring your inside leg in first, let your knee connect here," she said, lightly tapping the side of the pole. "you don’t need to squeeze as hard as you can, just enough to stay in contact." she waited for noa to follow, then adjusted her knee slightly. "here, closer, you’ll feel more stable," she smiled. for a moment, her attention drifted to a couple of girls whispering in the back. "someone has all her attention tonight," they murmured, quiet but not quiet enough. betsa heard it, every word, and she knew she was the only one who did. her heart started pounding, everything feeling sharper, louder, closer to the surface. she tried to keep it together. "see?" betsa said, forcing a small smile. "your hands guide you, but your legs are what hold you. once you get that, everything else becomes easier." she stepped back, swallowing hard. "i’ll be right back, girls, you’re doing great." she turned and walked out of the room, down the stairs toward the rink, heading for the bathroom but stopping just outside. she needed a moment, needed to breathe, to calm herself down. she knew what happened when she lost control, and tonight wasn’t helping, not with the brightness creeping in through the windows. the full moon. she covered her face with her hands and slowly slid down the wall until she was sitting on the floor. the door opened upstairs. "i’ll be back… just give me a minute," she said quietly.

Noa let out a soft laugh at Betsa’s confession about never taking ballet. There was something refreshing about the way she said it, no insecurity, just fact. She shook her head lightly. “Honestly? Ballet isn’t as posh as people think,” she said, her tone warm but relaxed. “It can be brutal. Beautiful, yeah, but also brutal.” There was a knowing smile there, the kind that only came from years of blistered toes and early mornings. “And for what it’s worth, hip-hop takes a different kind of strength. Softness isn’t the only thing that makes a dancer good.” When Betsa teased her about already being ahead, Noa’s lips curved, but she ducked her head slightly. Compliments still made her a little shy. “I don’t know about ahead,” she replied. “Ballet gives you control, sure. But I’m very aware it also locks you into certain habits.” She rolled her shoulders subtly, as if already preparing to unlearn them. “That’s kind of why I’m here. I’ve been in that world since I was three. I don’t want it to be the only way I know how to move.” As they stretched side by side, Noa maintained her precision, but there was intention behind it now, she was trying not to look rigid. When Betsa said she must be really good, Noa exhaled a quiet laugh. “I’ve just done it for a long time,” she corrected gently. “Time doesn’t always equal talent. It just means I’ve fallen a lot.” There was humility in the way she said it, but also quiet confidence. Ballet had shaped her discipline, her posture, even the way she carried herself into a room. When Betsa told her she didn’t have to choose, that it could be both, Noa’s expression softened. That landed somewhere deeper than she expected. “I think I needed to hear that,” she admitted. “Sometimes ballet feels all-consuming. Like if you step outside it, you’re betraying it.” She paused, then smiled. “But I want more." At the comment about her legs, Noa laughed again, more freely this time. “Trust me, long legs are only glamorous until you’re trying to control them,” she said. “They have a mind of their own sometimes.” She glanced down playfully. “And five-foot dancers are terrifying, by the way. All power, no wasted space.” When Betsa asked if she did anything besides ballet, Noa tilted her head slightly, considering. “Not seriously,” she admitted. “Ballet’s always been the priority. But lately I’ve been trying to get out of my comfort zone. That’s why I’m here tonight. I don’t want to be what everyone wants me to be anymore. I've been that my whole life." Her gaze met Betsa’s, steady but open. “I want to see who I am without ballet." And then she noticed. Her foot. Still pointed. Even though there was absolutely no reason for it to be. A faint flush crept up her neck as she glanced down at her extended leg, toes elongated like she was waiting for a piano cue that wasn’t coming. Of course. Muscle memory. Years of being told that even resting feet should be alive. She let out a quiet breath through her nose, pretending she hadn’t just caught herself, and deliberately softened the ankle. The foot relaxed against the floor, well, mostly relaxed. It took a second try. She shifted her weight as she rose fully to standing, subtly rolling through the sole instead of lifting onto demi-pointe out of habit. It felt almost wrong which was exactly the point. She gave her shoulders a small shrug, cracked her neck too, physically shaking off some of that ingrained rigidity. Then she looked at Betsa, one brow lifting slightly, curiosity overtaking self-consciousness. “Alright,” she said, tone light but determined, “what’s the first rule of pole dancing?”

noa was someone interesting, she could tell as much by the way she spoke and carried herself around, so perfect, like a feather blown by the breeze. "i think i don't need to see you dance to know you're really talented," she nodded, a warm smile on her lips. "it's probably harder than i imagine, of course it is, but it's graceful and delicate on the outside, and that's what i see when i look at you," she said softly, "as a compliment, of course," she added with a playful hint of flirtation. as she told her how stepping outside meant betraying it, she shrugged, "you're not married to ballet, you can step out and have a little fun," she winked at her. "it's fair to want more, and that's what you're going to try tonight," she smiled, stretching her legs out in front of her. "all power, no space?" she chuckled, "i can't feel offended by that," she joked, a smile on her lips. then her attention moved back to her, listening to every single word she said about ballet, how it was always the priority for her. "tonight you can be whoever you want," she assured, a warm smile on her lips. "don't feel pressured, don't feel nervous, we have all started like this," she added gently. she noticed how noa's cheeks burned red as she pointed her foot perfectly. "you don't have to be worried," she assured, her hand moving to the other's ankle, giving it a gentle squeeze, reassuring, grounding without pushing. "what's the first rule of pole dancing, huh?" she smiled, standing back on her two feet and walking over to the pole. "you trust your body and you let yourself have fun," she said, resting a hand against the pole as she looked back at her, "no overthinking, no judging, just feeling the movement and going with it." she adjusted her grip on the pole, fingers wrapping firmly around it. "here," she added gently, guiding noa closer, "place your hand like this, thumb wrapped around, grip it like you mean it, but don't tense up too much," she encouraged, her tone soft. "give it a try, come on," she smiled, taking a small step back to give her space while still watching her closely, welcoming her to follow along.

Noa’s shoulders loosened a fraction when Betsa laughed, the tension easing out of her spine like a slow exhale. She gave a small, almost sheepish smile, eyes flicking down before lifting again. “Ballet is intense," Noa said softly, voice light but careful. “It looks calm, but it hurts in very quiet ways.” At the comment about grace, a faint flush crept up her cheeks. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, clearly not used to being talked up like that. “That’s kind of you,” she murmured. “I’m not sure how graceful I’ll be tonight, but I’ll try.” The word try landed with intention, like she was reminding herself as much as anyone else. When Betsa stepped away, Noa stayed where she was, hands clasped loosely in front of her, gaze drifting around the room. She looked a little out of place, like she was waiting for permission to exist there, but when Betsa returned, mic in hand, Noa straightened, grounding herself. As the introduction wrapped around her and the attention briefly settled in her direction, Noa gave a tiny nod, lips curving into a restrained smile. Once they were on the floor stretching, Noa folded forward smoothly, movement instinctive, familiar. That part really was muscle memory. “Yeah,” she said quietly, almost amused. “This part feels like home.” At the question, she paused, thinking, then answered honestly. “I danced from when I was three until… last year,” Noa said. “It was my whole world for a long time.” She shrugged lightly, still stretching. “I began to hate it. I just needed to see who I was without it." Her eyes flicked to Betsa, a little nervous but steady. “So this,” she added, gesturing vaguely at the pole, the room, the moment, “is me being brave. Or reckless. I haven’t decided yet.” Noa adjusted her position on the floor, then slowly extended one leg out in front of her. Her foot slid along the mat before lifting, ankle lengthening as she pointed through it with instinctive precision, arch rising, toes unfurling last, the movement clean and deliberate like she’d done it a thousand times before.

betsa had always been unapologetically transparent—what you saw was exactly what you got, minus the whole not-human-anymore detail she conveniently kept to herself. “i’ve never taken a ballet class,” she admitted with a small shrug. “too posh for my mom. she threw me into hip-hop when i was ten instead.” she smiled warmly. “so i don’t really have that softness you ballerinas carry… even when you’re destroying your feet.” her tone was teasing but fond. “don’t worry about being graceful on your first night here though. if you’ve trained in ballet, you’ll already be ahead of most—but don’t tell anyone i said that,” she added playfully, pressing her fingers to her lips like it was a secret. after briefly introducing noa to the class without making a big deal out of it, betsa outlined the plan for the session and naturally drifted back to her side, partly because it was her first day—but mostly because it just felt right standing there. she noticed immediately how noa stretched with precise control. “i can tell,” betsa murmured, switching off her mic and setting it on the floor before reaching for her own foot, mirroring the stretch beside her. when noa said she’d been dancing since she was three, betsa’s eyes widened. “that’s a long time, joder,” she laughed softly. “you must be really good.” she meant it. “and hey—you’re more than just a ballerina. this can be both. you don’t have to choose.” her gaze lifted from noa’s extended leg to her face, and she spoke without thinking, “i wish my legs were that long. tall girls have all my respect.” she chuckled at herself. “my five-foot-self could never.” she tilted her head slightly. “do you do anything besides ballet?”

Noa wasn’t used to being in places like this, and the dim lights and unfamiliar energy made her hyperaware of herself. Still, she forced herself to breathe and offered a small, shy smile, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “That sounds intense,” she said softly, then quickly added, almost as if to reassure herself, “but kind of exciting too.” Her fingers fidgeted at her side, betraying her nervousness, though her eyes flicked around the studio with clear curiosity. When Betsa mentioned saving her a spot, Noa’s shoulders relaxed a little. “Oh—thank you,” she said sincerely, following her toward the pole. “I was worried I’d get in the way or something.” She paused, then added, more honestly, “I’ve never done anything like this before. Ballet feels very far away from this.” Still, there was a hint of excitement beneath her nerves. She nodded as Betsa explained the class, swallowing before speaking again. “I’m nervous,” she admitted, meeting her eyes briefly, “but I wanted to try something new. Even if I’m terrible at it.” A faint smile appeared. “So I’m glad I came.” Noa slipped her jacket off her shoulders, her movements a little stiff with self-consciousness. She folded it carefully and set it to the side near the pole Betsa had saved for her, as if keeping it neat might help her feel more grounded. As she straightened up, her gaze drifted around the room. The other girls moved with an ease that made her chest tighten—stretching, chatting, laughing softly, completely at home in their bodies. They looked confident, comfortable, like they belonged here. She shifted her weight from one foot to the other, arms hovering awkwardly before she crossed them loosely, then let them fall again. Part of her wanted to shrink back, to disappear into the wall—but another part, quieter and more stubborn, stayed rooted in place. “I’m glad it’s dark in here,” she admitted, glancing around at the other girls before looking back at Betsa, “so the other girls don’t see me make a fool of myself.”

betsa laughed when the other girl called her class planning intense. “oh, trust me, it’s not,” she assured her. “it’s all chill,” she promised. “if it makes you feel any better, i’d die if i had to be in a ballet class, that sounds intense,” she added with a warm smile. she could hear her own heart thundering in her chest, almost convinced she could smell the nerves coming off the girl, but at this point betsa figured she was overthinking it and her wolf senses were just playing a sick joke on her. “ballet is super far from this, but you have the grace of a ballet dancer, so you’ll make everything look pretty,” she reassured her. “and you’re flexible, you’ll be great. you’re definitely going to surprise yourself,” she smiled, trying to ease the girl’s nerves. “i’ll be right back,” she promised, giving her arm a soft, reassuring touch before moving off to greet a couple of other girls. she noticed how noa looked around, nervous, like she didn’t quite fit in, and betsa grabbed her microphone and walked back to her. “the other girls are busy doing their own thing, they won’t care if you mess up or anything,” she promised. she slipped the mic on around her head. “welcome, girls, to another pole class. i’m betsa, and i’ll try to make you feel sexy by the end of it,” she said with a smile, looking around. “tonight is going to be a lighter night—we have a new girl, and if you don’t mind, i’ll be teaching her the basics,” she added, smiling at noa. “so tonight’s the night you try things out and show me what you can do,” she said, hearing a few people clap. “let’s start with a warm-up, stretches and all that, you know the deal,” she continued, turning on the music, switching off the mic, and sitting down on the floor in front of noa. “stretching is probably your thing,” she smiled. “ballet dancers have that part memorized,” she added as she leaned forward to stretch one leg. “how long did you dance before you decided you wanted to do something else?”

Noa stood just outside the studio for a moment, feeling the cool night air on her skin as she hesitated. Her heart was racing, a mix of nerves and excitement. She tugged the jacket tighter around her, even though she knew she’d have to take it off once she was inside. Her sports bra and shorts felt a little too revealing, especially compared to the more confident energy she could sense just beyond the door. When she finally pushed it open, the low hum of music greeted her, and she immediately felt the difference in the atmosphere. The lights were dimmer now, casting everything in a sultry glow. The studio was full of women, all moving with that kind of fluid grace Noa had seen in videos but never thought she’d experience firsthand. Some of them were already warming up, stretching, while others stood in groups, chatting and laughing like they owned the room. Noa felt like she was intruding, like she wasn’t quite sure where she fit in yet. She tugged at the hem of her jacket, feeling a little out of place, but she didn’t want to back out now. As she stepped fully inside, her gaze caught Betsa at the front of the room. “Hey,” Noa greeted, her voice a little softer than she intended but full of quiet determination. “I made it… I, uh, didn’t know what to expect. But… I’m here.”

after her little chat with noa, betsa wondered if the girl would actually come to class or not; as far as she knew, it was completely out of her comfort zone, and she wouldn’t judge her if she didn’t show up—it was totally fair. after the dance class, she’d gone to grab some takeout and had dinner in the studio, something she did often because she liked the emptiness of the place. then came getting the class ready: thin mattresses under each pole, because while some people had been coming for a while, others—like noa—were just starting, and the last thing she wanted was someone slipping and landing on their head or butt. once everything was set, it didn’t take long for the girls to start coming in, greeting her warmly, and it made betsa happy—this group was always nice. she kept checking her phone, hoping noa would show up, and she was just about to lose hope when the girl walked through the door; the corners of her lips lifted into a smile, and she made her way over to her, her heartbeat thundering in her ears as nerves kicked in. “you can expect women in little clothes, low music, and dim lights,” she smiled, “i don’t bite—at least not unless you ask me to,” she joked with a chuckle. “i saved you a spot,” she added, leading her to one of the poles she’d marked with her things so no one else would use it. “it’s weird, it’s nothing like ballet, but we’ll take it easy—there’s a bit of warm-up, then some technique practice, you’ll love that,” she winked playfully, “and then we just try things out; i put music on, you practice what you’ve learned, and i give tips and stuff.” she shrugged lightly. “classes usually change, it’s not always like this, but… i hope you enjoy today’s one.”

Noa blinked, a small, startled smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. She hadn’t expected that — not the compliment, not the warmth in Betsa’s voice, not the way her words made something flutter in Noa’s chest. She looked down for a second, smoothing an invisible crease in her sleeve, then looked back up, her gaze steady if a little shy. “I, um… thanks,” she said quietly, but with a sincerity that landed softly between them. Her voice wasn’t loud, but it didn’t waver. “That means a lot.” She paused, thoughtful, then added with a quiet kind of curiosity, “I’ve never really thought of dancing like that. Like something you can let go in. It’s usually more about… holding everything in place. Getting it right.” There was a hint of amusement in her voice now — self-aware, even a little self-deprecating. “It’s weird, I guess. I love the control. The discipline. But the idea of messing up and laughing about it? That sounds … kinda nice.” She hesitated again, then, more softly, “You make it sound… fun. And free.” She let the words linger between them, eyes flicking to Betsa with a mixture of uncertainty and intrigue. “I think I want to try it. If that’s okay?” Noa didn’t quite know how to respond to the “pretty” part — her cheeks had already turned a soft shade of pink — but she didn’t look away. Instead, she smiled, small and real. Not used to being seen like that. “And I’ll bring the shorts and sports bra,” she added, a little bolder now. She let out a soft giggle, the sound light and surprised, as if it had slipped out before she could catch it. She glanced down at her legs, one foot nudging at the floor shyly, and shook her head with a quiet laugh. “These legs in heels are going to look like I go on for days,” she said, a little wide-eyed at the thought. There was a pause — her gaze lingering on Betsa now, more curious than before. “You really think I could pull it off?”

it was clear that the idea of dancing they had in mind wasn't the same at all; she’d grown up thinking dance was about expressing herself, letting everything go and moving in ways that said more than words ever could, while noa seemed to have been taught that dance was supposed to be perfect. “i’m pretty sure the people who showed you that would find what i do scandalous,” she chuckled, because nothing in her classes was perfect— it was all about enjoying yourself, no discipline, just a group of people dancing, embracing themselves and vibing to music betsa honestly loved. “you’ll learn to laugh about it, i messed up once, started a part of the choreo when everyone else was doing something else, they cheered like i’d meant it, i laughed and kept going,” she shrugged, confident and knowing her group was there to have fun, no space for feeling bad or less than anyone just for making a mistake. “of course, free trial,” she smiled, happy to see confidence sparking in noa. pole dancing wasn’t easy, and some people only saw it as a job, but betsa actually loved it. “safe option, it’ll be great,” she nodded, smiling. “i’d die for those legs, of course you can pull heels off, girl, of course,” she assured with another grin. “i don’t think we’re the same size but i have contacts, i can get you a pair to try tonight if you want,” she added, thinking of texting bailey or deena, knowing they’d have those tall heels— not that she’d tell noa they were part of a striptease outfit, she didn’t want to scare her. “it’ll be fun, i promise,” she said as she slipped on her sweatshirt and grabbed her bag. “i’ll see you tonight?” she smiled.

Noa’s posture was as straight as ever, shoulders drawn back the way years of ballet had drilled into her, but her eyes betrayed her—bright with curiosity, flicking from Betsa to the poles and back again. She let out a small, nervous laugh, almost too prim for the wild energy Betsa carried so effortlessly. “Fun isn’t the word I'd usually use after a ballet class, but this was fun” she admitted honestly. “Normally it’s… correction, repetition, and silence.” Her lips curved into a faint smile, a little self-deprecating as she shook her head. “Watching you all laugh, get into the song, and still somehow make it work—it’s so different. I want to be more like that. Less rigid. More… free.” When Betsa mentioned the pole dancing, Noa’s brows shot up, her cheeks warming despite herself. “Less clothes, more heels?” she repeated, sounding scandalised at first, though there was no mistaking the intrigue in her voice. “That sounds—” she paused, lips pressing together before letting out another laugh, softer this time. “Terrifying. But maybe that’s exactly why I should try.” Her gaze softened as she studied Betsa, the mischief in her words making something tug in Noa’s chest. “You said seven, right?” Noa hesitated, her fingers tugging lightly at the hem of her top, betraying the uncertainty that her otherwise perfect posture tried to hide. “If I do come tonight…” she began slowly, eyes flicking back toward the poles, then to Betsa, “…what exactly am I supposed to wear?” Her voice carried that same careful precision she’d learned in ballet, but there was a thread of vulnerability woven through it. “Like—should I bring my usual workout things? Leggings, sports bra, that sort of thing?” She paused, her brow furrowing slightly as her mouth quirked in a wry, nervous smile. “Or is it more like… mini skirt, bralette, heels?” The way she said it made it clear she wasn’t sure if she was joking or not. She gave a small laugh, shaking her head. “I’m used to tights and leotards and being completely covered, so I have no idea what’s normal in your class. I don’t want to… show up looking like I’m in the wrong decade.”

betsa couldn’t stop watching her — the way she moved, like every step was intentional, every breath controlled. she was all poise and elegance, the kind of girl who looked like she belonged on a stage, not in a dusty old studio with flickering lights and squeaky floors. “okay, saying you dance ballet sounds fun,” betsa said with a grin, “but the whole silence and correction thing? yeah, that’s not my kind of party.” she laughed softly, her voice carrying warmth and mischief. “in my class, you get to mess up, sing along, and shake your ass — which, personally, i think makes it a lot better.” betsa always said what she thought; it was easier than pretending. she wasn’t going to tell anyone about the darker, wilder parts of herself — the things she was still trying to understand — but this part of her, the fun, honest part, that was safe to share. “it looks terrifying, i know,” she added, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “pole dance gets a bad rep, but it’s not for freaks or anything. it’s about control, and strength, and letting go. it’s… different, but freeing.” when the other girl asked what to wear, betsa’s smile widened. “shorts and a sports bra work great,” she said, eyes flicking up playfully. “but if you feel like going full glam, heels and all — trust me, no one’s gonna stop you. i say, do what makes you feel hot.” the girl’s vulnerability didn’t go unnoticed; it softened something in betsa. “think of it like this — the less you wear, the easier it is to grip the pole,” she teased gently. “it’s practical, not scandalous. but really, it’s all about feeling free. you don’t have to prove anything to anyone.” she paused, her gaze softening. “and for what it’s worth, i bet you’ll look amazing in whatever you choose. you’re really pretty, you know that?”

Noa’s eyes flicked up, catching Betsa’s grin with a soft smile that held a quiet confidence. She shifted her weight lightly, the grace of years in ballet still evident in the way she carried herself—controlled, poised, but ready to move at any moment. “That's the one - the poster with the hot pink set,” she said thoughtfully, a small laugh escaping her lips. When Betsa joked about the gorilla downstairs, Noa’s smile widened, amusement sparkling in her eyes. "Zeus, right? He seems a little scary." Hearing Betsa talk about making dancing sexy, Noa nodded, the faintest flicker of a challenge in her gaze. “Sexy’s a good choice, it suits you ” she agreed, voice steady. “I’ve always been taught about precision—every step, every move having it's own purpose.” Her expression softened as Betsa encouraged her to let go and feel the rhythm. “I used to dance,” Noa admitted, voice quiet but sure. “Ballet was my everything for years. Discipline, control, all that shit they drill into you." She glanced away briefly, a shadow flickering behind her eyes. “But this—this is different. It's out of my comfort zone, for sure." She gave a small shrug, fingers brushing lightly against her own arm as if grounding herself. “I’ve got the moves, yeah. Just figuring out how to loosen up a bit. Any ideas?"

betsa felt every second stretch out, every flicker of movement from the girl in front of her pulling her attention in like gravity. she could hear the shuffle of bags, the chatter of people leaving, but it was all background noise compared to the thrum of her own heartbeat. “that was really fun,” she admitted, still a little breathless, her lips curling into a grin. “zeus is scary, i’ll give you that—he’s all muscle and testosterone… and like, at least half protein powder,” she joked, shaking her head. the way the other girl spoke about ballet had her smiling softer, imagining the stark contrast between rigid control and the messy joy of her own class. “yeah, it’s really different,” she agreed with a laugh, “your teacher would’ve fainted with all the squeaky shoes, everyone smacking themselves, and me screaming lyrics like a maniac.” her grin widened as she leaned in conspiratorially. “and you see those poles? not just for keeping the ceiling from collapsing. twice a week i run the pole dance class.” she let the words hang for a beat before adding, “less clothes, more heels. maybe you should come and try it.” her eyes sparkled with mischief as she teased, “i swear i’m not a stripper—at least not anymore.” a laugh slipped out of her before she tipped her head, inviting. “class is later tonight at seven. come give it a try, first session’s on me.”

Noa had kept to herself for most of the class—not out of shyness, just calculation. She was new, and stepping into a room that pulsed with high energy and sweat, led by someone like Betsa, was… a lot. The instructor was magnetic, all effortless drama and confident control, commanding attention with every move. Noa had seen people like that before—people who could lead a crowd like it was nothing. She admired it, quietly. Now, with the session over, Noa was collecting her things at the edge of the room, toweling off her neck when she felt the shift. Noa straightened slightly, sliding one strap of her gym bag onto her shoulder, her expression calm, but her gaze steady. Not cold, not distant—just observant. She stood tall. Noa returned the smile, smaller but genuine. “Yeah,” she said, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “I saw one of your posters plastered around the city last week. Thought I’d check it out.” Her eyes lingered on Betsa’s face for half a second longer than normal. “You don’t make it easy to keep up.” A soft grin. Almost teasing. Instead, she shifted her weight and gave a quiet chuckle. “I’m used to being poised and not having the freedom to move all of my limbs however I see fit,” she admitted, gesturing vaguely with her hands. “I feel stiff right now. I'm a work in progress. I need to get myself out of what I have been taught my whole up until this point." There was a self-aware shrug at the end, and something about the way she said it made it clear she wasn’t fishing for reassurance. Just being honest.

being the life of the party was something betsa had loved ever since she was little. she’d been the popular girl in school, learned to live under the spotlight and… she bathed in it. ever since the bite, she had more energy, more stamina—she could run for hours without breaking a sweat. every single class she taught now was powerful. she remembered back when she used to take little breaks between songs because she was too busy looking fierce and hot to remember to breathe. now, she still took breaks—but for the others, not for her. it felt amazing, even if today was… different. as the other woman stood straight, betsa couldn’t help checking her height. seriously, where had those missing centimeters gone? when she mentioned the posters, betsa grinned. “which one? my solo poster? i love that hot pink set. or the one with my boss—you know, the hot gorilla downstairs. if you hear someone growling, that’s him,” she joked. when the woman said she didn’t make it easy to keep up, betsa just smiled. “if you make it easy, you don’t sweat,” she shrugged. “that’s the good thing about zumba—you dance however you want, as long as you follow the choreo. you’ll pick them up quick. you can make it more sporty, sexy… whatever you like.” she nodded. “i go for sexy, but that’s just me.” at her words, betsa’s expression softened. “you’re free to be whoever you want—let yourself go, feel the rhythm,” she said with a shrug. though, if she was honest, it was getting harder to focus by the second, and she had no idea how she was going to get out of this one. “but you used to dance, right? you’ve got the moves.”

❀ BECKY G via tiktok ( iambeckyg )