Twice Two

'What the fuck is that sound?' Nymphia heard through her sleep. Then came a stream of swearing in an unknown language, and Nymphia finally woke up. She stretched and felt her hand bump into something soft. She quickly turned her head and saw Plane sprawled helplessly beside her. Nymphia rolled onto her side, propped herself on her elbow, and admired her. Plane glanced at her and asked sadly, 'You awake too?' Nymphia smiled and answered sarcastically, 'Only the deaf wouldn't wake up from your yelling.' 'Well, sorry, baby,' Plane shrugged. 'I wasn't the one who set the alarm on a day off.' 'Because of you I forgot to turn it off yesterday,' Nymphia excused herself. 'Of course, Plane Jane's always the one to blame for everything,' Plane grumbled, rolling her eyes. 'There you go showing off again!' Nymphia exclaimed and attacked Plane with kisses. Plane tried to fend her off, but in the end she had to surrender under the onslaught of her stubborn girlfriend. That wasn't enough for Nymphia, so she slipped under the blanket, continuing to prove that she was always ready to keep her promise. 'So what pizza are we ordering today?' Plane heard from under the blanket. 'Who the hell cares?' Plane groaned. 'What do you mean who cares?' Nymphia's head appeared. 'I never got any of that mushroom one last time.' Plane growled discontentedly, and Nymphia giggled and went back to work. 'But still,' Nymphia said thoughtfully, resting her head on the pillow, 'what are we eating today?' Plane, breathing heavily, turned her head toward her and touched her messy hair with her fingers. 'Baby, how do you manage to think about food in the most inappropriate situations?' Nymphia got out of bed and strutted toward the table, swaying her bare ass. Dirty plates, spoons, cake scraps, and crumpled napkins lay scattered on the table, and Nymphia was about to sweep them to the floor with her usual gesture, but catching Plane's stare from the corner of her eye, she turned to her with a wide smile, grabbed the trash, and cheerfully carried it to the bin. Plane clapped ironically. 'Starting today, I'm gonna live clean!' Nymphia declared solemnly and kicked a slipper lying on the floor. 'Well, well,' Plane commented. 'And where are you planning to start?' Nymphia looked around the trashed room and screamed, staring at the bed. 'And what little pig smeared the blanket?' Plane looked at the blanket in confusion and sniffed. 'That, sister, is what you decided to smear yourself with yesterday so I'd gain a couple more extra pounds.' 'But at least it was tasty for you?' Nymphia asked hopefully and tossed the dirty blanket off the bed — along with Plane. 'It was the tastiest thing I've eaten in a long time,' Plane admitted and playfully bit her index finger. 'That's all because you love me,' Nymphia said smugly and, climbing back onto the bed, sat down on Plane's legs. 'Yeah, exactly because of that…' she sighed, pulling Nymphia toward her. Nymphia leaned forward, but drew back, giving Plane a quick peck, and returned to the piles of junk. 'We've gotten rid of the dishes,' she dragged out. 'It's time to sort through the clothes. You'll help me, won't you?' Nymphia looked into Plane's eyes pleadingly. Plane reluctantly got up from the bed, put her hands on her hips, and answered, 'Only if you get dressed and stop flashing your junk around here.' Nymphia playfully shrugged and pointed her toward the bathroom door. 'You first, clean yourself up, otherwise we'll have to throw you out along with the dirty stuff.' Plane had no intention of spending her day off cleaning someone else's room, but she didn't have the strength to refuse Nymphia. She fluttered around the room so naturally, giving out instructions, that Plane could only listen to her words and obey. 'Nymphia, why did you decide to clean this place today of all days?' Plane asked discontentedly, stuffing Nymphia's dirty things into a suitcase. 'We've only got two weeks left to live here.' Nymphia suddenly stopped cramming empty soda cans into a bag and looked at Plane with pain. 'Why are you reminding me how little time we've got left?' Plane realized she'd said too much, but it was already too late. Nymphia sank onto the couch and covered her face with her hands. Plane came over and hugged her gently. 'Baby, I'm sorry,' she said quietly, stroking Nymphia's head. 'I didn't expect you to take it that way.' 'No, you're the one who's sorry,' Nymphia sniffled. 'I started whining over nothing again.' Plane silently agreed but decided not to make the situation, which she herself had created, any worse. She sat down next to her on the still-cluttered couch and took her hands. 'These will be the best weeks of your life. We'll get to the finale together and spend the best weekend before its filming…' 'And then?' Nymphia interrupted her and raised her moist eyes to her. 'And then we'll go back home and watch how people enjoy admiring us.' 'To whose home?' Nymphia asked tensely. 'Well, I'll go to mine, and you…' 'I see how it is,' Nymphia cut her off sharply and jumped up from the couch. 'Why are you acting like this again?' 'Like what?' Plane asked, confused. 'First you say you love me, and now you're pushing me away again, like nothing ever happened!' 'Nymphia,' Plane said firmly and, stepping up to her, looked into her eyes, 'I don't deny my words. I still love you, but let's get back to reality. The filming will end, and we'll have to leave the hotel. Aren't you tired of sitting locked up here?' Looking around, Nymphia turned to Plane and admitted, 'For me, this place has become home, and I can't imagine us without it.' 'That's the problem,' Plane shook her head. 'It's time to start thinking about the future. They'll send us on our way, and we'll have to go back to our jobs. But that doesn't mean there won't be an "us" anymore. Things will just be a little different…' 'A little?' Nymphia protested. 'Here we see each other every day. And even though I can't always come up to you when I want, I still know we'll see each other at the end of the day.' She paused, and Plane realized she needed to let her speak. 'Maybe that's the point,' Nymphia continued. 'Here, all we've got is each other. And despite our rivalry, we've always supported one another. When we go back to our normal lives, maybe we won't even remember each other — because you and I are so different.' Plane felt the pain of those words, and she turned her head away, trying to hide her feelings. 'You don't agree with me?' Nymphia took Plane by the chin and saw tears on her face. Plane freed herself from her hand and, wiping her eyes, went back to cleaning. Nymphia froze in place, waiting for an answer, but Plane calmly kept stuffing clothes into the suitcase. Nymphia realized she had once again decided to slip away from the conversation and chose to follow her example. To Plane it felt like an eternity had passed by the time she finished with Nymphia's dirty things. Having never gotten a reply from Plane, Nymphia went back to her chores as if she didn't care. Plane felt how heavily that silence weighed on her, but she believed she had nothing to apologize for (at least that's what she thought), and she waited for Nymphia to finally break the silence. The room was already almost in perfect order, but during all that time not a single word had been spoken. Plane felt that just a little more of this, and she'd have a breakdown. Was it really her fault? Nymphia stood with her back to her, surveying the room. Finally, Plane understood she couldn't endure that silence anymore. 'Nymphia, what's going on?' She didn't turn around, and Plane, hesitating, walked up to her and forced the words out, 'I'm sorry.' Nymphia slowly turned and replied awkwardly, 'You've got nothing to apologize for. Looks like I got carried away.' After those words, she slowly stepped away from Plane and sat down on the bed. 'Nymphia, I should've said something,' Plane said regretfully. 'I just didn't know what to say…' 'Plane, you didn't have to say anything,' Nymphia interrupted her. 'It was me who threw out a bunch of nasty words without even thinking about the consequences.' 'What nasty words?' Plane exclaimed with genuine confusion. 'You said what I couldn't admit myself. That's why I kept quiet. You're not mad at me for that, are you?' 'Plane, I can't be mad at you,' Nymphia admitted. 'Haven't you figured that out yet?' 'Then you're the only person I can't manage to piss off,' Plane joked with relief. 'But still,' she added, 'I think you were wrong.' Nymphia raised her brow in surprise. 'You think I could ever forget the one who ruined my plans to win the crown this season?' 'I ruined it?' Nymphia asked slyly and pulled Plane onto the bed by her leg. 'Of course,' Plane laughed as she toppled onto Nymphia and pinned her arms above her head, holding her wrists tightly. 'How much blood you've sucked out of me, how much energy you drained from me over the weekends…' 'Really?' Nymphia squirmed under Plane's pressure. 'Yeah…' Plane murmured, pressing Nymphia's unruly legs down with her thighs. 'I could've recharged properly before the challenges and given it my all, but instead…' 'Instead you gave it your all here…' Nymphia cast a look around the room, 'and also in your room, in your bathroom, in the storage room, in Mirage's arms…' Plane made a face. 'And there's only one place left where we haven't fucked.' 'And what place is that?' Plane asked intrigued, leaning closer to Nymphia. 'Our film set,' Nymphia cooed. Plane suddenly got up and freed her hands. 'Nah, you're pushing it,' she grumbled and, after thinking for a moment, added, 'And how do you picture that?' Nymphia, pleased with Plane's unexpected interest, pulled her close again and laid her down on her chest. 'After the filming ends, everyone will start leaving. We'll also pack our stuff, but we'll do it last. I know a place near the werkroom where there are definitely no cameras…' 'Wait, you've been planning this for a while?' Plane asked in surprise. 'Well, I had some fleeting thoughts…' 'And what if we get caught?' Plane asked, excitement in her voice. 'So what? They won't kick the strongest contestants out right before the finale… And we're not doing anything criminal…' Nymphia pressed her lips against hers. 'Well yeah, except for breaking the contract…' Plane mumbled, pulling away. 'Who even cares about that contract? We're all breaking it anyway…' Nymphia lunged at her again. Plane didn't know what to say, and she had no reason to argue with Nymphia. They lay on the shabby bed for another half an hour, enjoying the rare moment without fights or misunderstandings. 'And what are you planning to do when you get back to Boston?' Nymphia asked carefully, rising from the bed. 'Are you going straight to performing?' Plane lifted her eyes thoughtfully and sighed. 'I'll have to take a break,' she answered sadly and sat up. 'Yeah, we all need to rest after what's happening here,' Nymphia nodded. 'I'm definitely not working for at least a month.' 'I think my break will last much longer than a month…' Plane paused, her voice strange. 'Andy needs to finish university.' 'Andy who?' Nymphia asked, puzzled. Plane reached out her hand and said, 'Hi. I'm Andy.' Nymphia looked at her nervously and, stepping closer, shook her hand. 'I'm Leo.' They stared into each other's eyes, as if trying to rediscover one another. But they were still the same Nymphia and Plane — they just realized there was so much left to uncover about each other. 'And what are you studying, Planey?' 'Do you really care?' Plane asked, not eager to keep talking about it. 'Of course,' Nymphia answered softly and sat beside her. 'Well, it might sound strange, but I'm studying marketing.' Nymphia's face turned puzzled, and she scratched the tip of her nose. 'And what's that supposed to be?' she asked in confusion. 'I wish I knew myself…' Plane muttered. Nymphia looked even more surprised, so Plane decided to explain right away. 'I told you about my mother. She insisted I go there, because 'without education I won't achieve anything in life.' And before I came here, I promised her I'd finish that damn university.' Plane jumped off the bed in frustration, pacing the room in search of water. 'And how much do you have left to study?' Nymphia kept asking. 'The last year,' Plane replied, gulping down a glass of water. 'Will you invite me to your graduation?' Nymphia asked playfully, stepping closer. 'Only if you remember my name and find time for me in your busy schedule, Miss Banana.' Nymphia ran her hand through Plane's hair and said, 'Come on, Planey. I'll visit you. You'll visit me. We'll always call each other. After the season airs we'll be together at gigs all the time, no more locked hotels and cold pizza.' 'You're such a dreamer,' Plane chuckled, pulling Nymphia close, 'that's what I love about you…' 'Only that?' Nymphia tilted her head up at her. 'Not only…' Plane said mysteriously, 'but you'll have to prove the rest at the end of the filming day in your dark corner.' The next challenge once again threatened to drive them apart, but Nymphia's sudden confidence and optimism didn't let that happen. All day Plane kept glancing at her and not once did she see Nymphia upset. She seemed focused and sometimes concerned, but not at all discouraged. When the day came to an end and they said goodbye in the hallway, as usual, Nymphia smiled and said, 'Looks like things are going well for you! Are you aiming to win the challenge?' Plane couldn't hold back a happy smile. 'Yeah, that's me,' she said, placing her hands on Nymphia's shoulders. 'And you?' 'Well, I obviously won't get in the top…' Nymphia began, not at all upset, 'but I'm not planning on landing in the bottom either. I don't think I'll be the worst tomorrow.' 'Nymphia…' Plane started admiringly, but was boldly interrupted. 'Yeah, I know there's no point always chasing the top only to be upset if I don't get there. I know I'm working hard enough to make it to the finale.' Plane couldn't find the words to express her respect for Nymphia, which only made Nymphia laugh. 'Relax, Planey. Tomorrow you'll have to work hard not only on set.' 'What do you mean?' Plane asked, bewildered. 'How could you forget?' Nymphia teased. 'Tomorrow evening we're staying after filming to have some fun.' Plane gave a tired smile and kissed her goodbye. 'Alright, Miss Banana. But don't you dare end up in the bottom tomorrow. Plane Jane doesn't hang out with losers. Remember?' Nymphia blew her a kiss with a smile and headed to bed. As Nymphia had predicted, Plane received positive critique and a win, while Nymphia, though scolded a little, was left safe. They were given an hour to clean up their stations, and that hour felt like an eternity for both of them. Every now and then they glanced at each other, trying to hide their impatience. And, of course, no one seemed to be in a hurry to leave the workroom early. Finally, the moment came when they were alone. Nymphia pretended she was about to leave, checked her pocket, and headed for the exit. Plane hurried after her, glancing around nervously in search of Nymphia, until she suddenly heard her whisper. 'Come here, baby.' Plane stepped toward the voice and found herself in the shadows. Nymphia's hand pulled her insistently. A click echoed, and light seeped in from the right. The girls slipped inside: Nymphia shut the door, while Plane curiously looked around. They were standing in the middle of a spacious hall — large windows barely let in the night light, and the only source of illumination was a weak lamp crooked in the corner next to a shabby couch. Across the opposite wall stretched a row of dusty mirrors reflecting piles of equipment. But what drew their attention was a massive table right by the door. Its bright colors and ornate shape stood out against the gray junk, as if it didn't belong anywhere at all. Even the giant trash can filled with plastic cups and cardboard scraps seemed to have run away from it, hiding by the pale lamp. Plane ran her hand across its smooth lacquered surface. 'What a strange place,' she said, glancing back at Nymphia, who was watching her from the door. 'How did you find it?' 'I saw assistants leaving from here after filming,' Nymphia replied thoughtfully, still studying Plane with her head slightly tilted. 'I wonder what they were doing in here,' Plane chuckled, looking at the dusty speakers. Nymphia said nothing. She finally stepped away from the door, took Plane by the hands, and led her to the far edge of the table. 'If someone catches us, they'll only see our twisted faces, not our bare asses,' Nymphia joked. Plane laughed at her unexpected wit, pulled her close, and gazed into her eyes. 'You keep surprising me with your wisdom, Miss Banana. Tell me, how long have you been planning this?' 'In critical moments I get really clever, Plane Jane,' Nymphia said proudly, lifting her nose. 'And we don't have much time, so…' 'Then let's not waste it,' Plane finished and kissed her. The thrill of danger and their long restraint only sharpened their feelings. Foreplay was unnecessary — just a few minutes of caresses were enough for both their bodies to be ready. Nymphia's pocket was already emptied, and while Plane worked her fingers eagerly, Nymphia admired their reflection in the dusty mirror. 'Look how beautiful we are,' she whispered. Plane turned her head, pausing for a moment. Through the haze of dust, their figures looked blurred, but still breathtaking. Nymphia lay on her stomach across the table, arching gracefully, offering her smooth body to Plane. Plane stood tall and slender, her straight posture showing inner strength. For the first time, she felt as though she was seeing Andy's body clearly — so ordinary, so imperfect, and yet flawless. Smiling, Plane shifted her gaze to Nymphia's back, ran her hand along it, and gave her a playful slap on the ass. Nymphia moaned and scratched her nails across the shiny wood. Plane leaned into her, holding her hips with one hand and touching her neck with the other. She licked Nymphia's ear and whispered softly, 'And I really love your screams too. But now we'll have to keep them down, baby. Agreed?' Nymphia nodded and clenched her teeth with determination, though she doubted she'd be able to hold back. Plane wasn't sure either, so she pressed herself tighter against Nymphia and entered quickly. She thrust into Nymphia with such heat that even the sturdy table seemed to lose its steadiness. Naturally, Nymphia broke into loud moans, and each time Plane silenced her with a hand over her mouth, biting into her neck to stifle her own cries. As she neared her peak, Plane slid her hand down to Nymphia's slick length and began stroking fast. Nymphia felt a hot wave flood through her from the inside, choked on her final cry, and bit into Plane's palm. Breathless, Plane collapsed onto Nymphia's back, showering her neck and shoulders with kisses. When they came back to their senses, the girls grabbed some wet wipes and started cleaning themselves up and wiping down the table. 'Still, I wonder what this place is,' Nymphia said, pulling on her pants. Plane stopped rubbing the tabletop and lifted her head. 'Probably Mama Ru's old dressing room,' she said simply, straightening up. 'Now it's just a storage room or a staff lounge.' 'I'm more interested in this character,' she nodded toward the table. 'I can't imagine a more out-of-place piece of furniture.' Nymphia hugged her from behind and rested her head on her shoulder. 'But it turned out perfect for us,' she purred and kissed Plane on the cheek. Plane didn't have time to answer before footsteps echoed down the far corridor. The girls quickly grabbed the evidence of their time together and hurried toward the door. The lively voices were getting closer, making a meeting seem inevitable. They slipped into the dim hall and immediately ran into a group of workers. The Spanish chatter stopped at once, leaving an awkward silence. It was broken by a burst of laughter, and in the next moment two figures, holding hands tightly, rushed joyfully past the astonished onlookers toward the exit.