Twice Two

Nymphia opened her eyes and smiled broadly. At last, the long-awaited day had come — after so much time she would see her Planey. After filming ended, she had already imagined how hard the long separation would be. And the first month really did feel like an eternity. But gradually, Nymphia returned to regular performances, and there was hardly any time left for daily calls and messages. Each was busy with her own matters: Plane returned to her studies and tried to be a diligent student, while Nymphia herself worked a lot — performing and sewing to order.   Everything changed when Nymphia learned about the awful rumors of Plane’s possible disqualification. At first, she just ignored the silly tweets from the show’s fans, but there were more and more of them, and she could no longer calmly watch those gossips multiply.   ‘Interesting, has Plane seen them?’ Nymphia thought and checked the time.   In Boston it was three in the morning. Plane was probably peacefully snuggled in her bed, resting before a hard school day after a wild performance.   If she called, it might ruin their relationship. After all, what happens to the messenger who brings bad news? No, it would still be better if Plane found out from her and immediately received support, rather than in the morning making a horrible discovery and having no one nearby to comfort and reassure her.   Nymphia clicked on Plane’s icon. She really wanted to see Plane’s cute sleepy face, but the news she was going to share was unlikely to bring positive emotions. So Nymphia took a deep breath and pressed the audio call.   Plane was angry. And how else could she react to such news? Nymphia herself didn’t know how she would behave in her place. Plane nearly started snapping at her, and Nymphia prepared to endure her impulsive attacks, but to her great surprise, Plane stopped herself in time.   After the call, she thought for a long time about whether she had done the right thing, or if she shouldn’t have called in the middle of the night, and it would’ve been better to wait until morning — but what’s done is done. It was hard to predict Plane’s further behavior, but Nymphia hoped she wouldn’t shut herself off and start ignoring her.   Apparently, Plane needed a shake after boring everyday life — thanks to the incident, she began actively talking with Nymphia, just like in the first month of separation. When the nasty rumors faded, there was no tension left in their conversations. They simply discussed their daily lives and shared memories and fantasies, bringing each other joy.   Nymphia reached for her phone to check the time — it was only seven in the morning. She could’ve stayed in bed for a couple more hours, but realizing she wouldn’t fall asleep again, she jumped up cheerfully and grabbed the box with a gift for Plane.   They were supposed to meet at the hotel booked for them for the premiere. Nymphia lived nearby, but as a participant she also had her own room, and she wanted to come there and spend time with Plane at the hotel, just like before. According to Plane’s calculations, after her flight they’d have enough time for a private meeting. Then they’d have to rush to the Hammerstein Ballroom to get ready and head to the red carpet.   Plane called when Nymphia was throwing the last pair of shoes into her small suitcase. ‘Right, don’t forget to toss in the purse,’ she thought as the phone rang. Plane was ready to depart — the airport hall was visible behind her.   ‘Baby, I’m taking off soon. So wait for me!’ A wide smile spread across her face.   ‘Hurry up already,’ Nymphia sighed dreamily and flopped onto the bed. ‘Call me as soon as you arrive. I’ll be waiting at the hotel.’   ‘I’ll fly on the wings of the wind,’ Plane whispered, and suddenly her face froze.   ‘Planey!’ Nymphia called, but the image didn’t change. ‘Planey! What’s wrong with your phone, damn it?’   The image switched to an angry face.   ‘This ugly phone’s acting up again,’ Plane grumbled. ‘I’m sick of it. Alright, baby. I gotta go. See you soon!’   Nymphia waved her hand and looked at Plane’s photo on the screen. Today their first joint photos would appear. They had a couple of selfies taken the day before their farewell, when filming ended and their phones were returned, but today everything would be completely different.   Nymphia checked the time — there were still five hours left before the event. Of course, she could’ve stayed home longer, but impatience pushed her to grab her things right away and head to the hotel.   The taxi driver gave her suitcase an important look as he lifted it and asked, ‘Going on vacation?’   Nymphia snapped out of her fantasies and quickly replied, ‘Almost.’   The ride turned out exhausting — as luck would have it, there were terrible traffic jams everywhere, and cars as far as the eye could see. Nymphia anxiously checked her phone screen. It would be awful if she were late to meet Plane. When the hotel building finally appeared ahead, Nymphia sighed in relief and confidently headed inside, dragging behind her a yellow suitcase full of things and a lovely purse.   When Nymphia stepped into the room, an image suddenly came to her mind of the room where they had spent so much time together. It looked nothing like this one: smaller, darker, and always messy. Nymphia would’ve given anything to be transported there even for a moment, to sit on that cluttered sofa, push pizza boxes off the table, or collapse onto the stained bed.   She sat down on a chair and sadly looked at her reflection. She hadn’t changed over the year — at least she thought so — but what if it only seemed that way to her? And how would their meeting go after not seeing each other for a whole year? Would it feel awkward, or would it be as if no time had passed at all?   Nymphia looked around the room again. They had agreed to call once Plane arrived in the city and to find each other at the hotel. Nymphia didn’t know how their meeting would go — whether they’d have sex, or just hug for a very, very long time and talk.   Time passed, but Plane still hadn’t called. Nymphia began fidgeting on the couch, flipping channels without paying attention to what was on. Finally, she couldn’t take it and started calling her herself, but the call didn’t go through. She tried to reassure herself that maybe Plane was delayed and couldn’t get in touch.   But an hour passed, and there was still no news from Plane. Nymphia decided to step into the corridor and wander, hoping for a miracle. Instead of Plane, she met other girls and, glancing at her phone, joined their conversation. They were surprised by her gloomy mood and tried to find out what had happened, but Nymphia only kept tragically silent. In the end, they glanced at the clock and noticed it was time to head to the hall, urging Nymphia to come along.   She realized there was no point in staying here, and if something had happened to Plane, it would be better to contact Ru’s team. Waiting in the hotel wouldn’t change anything. With anxious thoughts, she returned for her suitcase and hurried to join the others.   No one from the management knew where Plane was. At Nymphia’s insistence they went to look for her, not failing to point out that it was their task, not hers, and that she should go get ready for the red carpet. But how could she just go and get ready? Dozens of nightmarish thoughts about what could’ve happened to her flashed in her mind. And what if their phone conversation had been the last? With a trembling hand she put on makeup and tried to focus on the task.   They were already called to the photoshoot, but Nymphia still hadn’t seen Plane. Whoever she asked, everyone sent her off to mind her own business. Shaking, she joined the others and tried to follow their conversation, but her head was filled only with bad premonitions.   Their appearance was announced, and Nymphia, squeezing her eyes shut, took a deep breath, already about to follow everyone, when suddenly, opening her eyes, she saw Plane in a beige studded suit. She was intently scanning those around her. Without thinking of anything else, Nymphia rushed toward her and pulled her into a tight embrace. She was still shaking and couldn’t utter a word. Plane stayed silent too, understanding that words were unnecessary.   They were called and hurried to the exit. With difficulty Nymphia tore herself away from Plane and looked into her eyes questioningly.   ‘We’ll talk later, sister,’ she whispered and stroked her cheek.   Nymphia nodded and returned to the other contestants, feeling incredible relief and happiness. Now she could smile confidently in the photos and truly enjoy what was happening. From time to time she glanced at Plane, calmly walking the red carpet and striking silly poses for the shots. One carpet wasn’t enough — they still had much more ahead. During all that time they didn’t manage to exchange a word, but nothing could stop them from exchanging tender glances.   The whole process fascinated Nymphia — she felt like a star surrounded by fans. None of them knew yet that she’d end up in the finale, and that maybe now they were seeing the winner of the season. Nymphia imagined — how would future events go if she were the winner? She’d get the most attention, most eyes would be on her. Could Nymphia have imagined this when she first crossed the threshold of the Werk Room? Hardly. But Plane — yes. What would she feel in four months, when the finale aired? Plane would always be by her side, would sit in the seat next to her, would take photos with her, and would definitely perform with her. Maybe someday she’d even dedicate a song to her… ‘I hope there won’t be bananas in the lyrics,’ Nymphia thought.   It all ended late in the evening, when everyone was already exhausted. They headed to the dressing rooms, yawning wide. Nymphia tried to keep up with Plane, who was among the first to rush toward the destination. Finally, Nymphia stumbled into the room and hurried to Plane, who had already pulled off her wig and was wiping her face with a napkin.   ‘Planey, why are you rushing so much?’ Nymphia asked, panting.   ‘I can’t wait to get out of here,’ she answered in a low voice and winked. ‘So don’t just stand there, get changed.’   Plane’s words spurred Nymphia on, and she began pulling off the complicated construction from her head.   ‘Will you tell me what happened?’ she asked, moving on to her face.   ‘Baby, let’s talk about it later,’ Plane again answered quietly, glancing around. ‘This isn’t the place for chitchat.’   Amanda and Dawn’s loud laughter rang out, and Plane’s face twisted. Nymphia smirked and hurried. When would Plane finally start talking normally with everyone? During filming she had grown closer with Q and Sapphira and had even managed to open up to them. But now she behaved the same way as in the first days.   They didn’t wait for the others, who were having an exciting chat, and instead ordered a taxi to the hotel themselves. Plane stayed silent, only admiring Nymphia and not taking her eyes off her. In the taxi, Nymphia again wanted to start a conversation, but Plane shut her up with her lips, and that’s how they spent the whole ride to the hotel.   ‘Planey, explain to me what happened!’ Nymphia exclaimed, parking her yellow suitcase in the corner of the room. ‘I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I didn’t even know what to think anymore. You scared me so much!’   Plane, looking guilty, pulled her close and whispered, ‘I’m sorry.’   Nymphia felt Plane’s hands trembling, and how she herself was trying to hold back sobs.   ‘Planey, don’t hide your emotions,’ Nymphia said tenderly, herself barely holding back tears and pressing tightly against Plane. ‘There’s no one here but us.’   ‘Fuck! I hate crying,’ she exclaimed, and Nymphia heard quiet sobs.   Reluctantly, she pulled away from Plane and began wiping her tears, not noticing that she was drowning in her own. Plane gently smeared the tears across Nymphia’s face and felt incredible relief. They had once stood just like this before, in a hotel room, both crying and trying to wipe away each other’s tears brought on by tension. That was the day they had confessed their love to each other.   ‘I didn’t want to scare you,’ Plane began calmly, wiping the rest of her tears with her palm, ‘but whenever I thought about you, I imagined how frightened you must be. And it drove me to despair.’   ‘So what happened?’ Nymphia had also calmed down, and they fell onto the clean bed.   ‘I told you there was something wrong with my phone,’ Plane reminded her, and Nymphia nodded. ‘At the airport there was some kind of problem, and I got stuck there for a long time. I tried to reach you, but that idiot wouldn’t turn on at all.’   Plane pulled the useless device from her pants pocket and threw it aside.   ‘But why didn’t you call me from another phone?’ Nymphia asked in confusion.   She blushed. Nymphia looked at her questioningly.   ‘Baby, I’m ashamed.’   ‘Of what?’ Nymphia asked suspiciously.   ‘I don’t know your number,’ Plane replied shyly and laughed nervously.   Nymphia indignantly sat up and, putting her hands on her hips, scolded, ‘How dare you not bother to learn my number? You had a whole year for that.’   Plane shrugged and smiled awkwardly. Nymphia grabbed a pillow and began beating Plane with it. She accepted the punishment and, closing her eyes, endured with laughter the light blows that became less and less energetic as Nymphia kept hitting her. Finally, breathing heavily, she threw the pillow aside, and Plane pulled her close.   ‘I promise that as soon as I buy a new phone, I’ll learn your number and repeat it to you every day.’   ‘Well yeah… Maybe I’ll finally learn it too,’ Nymphia said jokingly and reached for her favorite pencil case. ‘Modern technology, of course, saved us, and I had a wonderful time admiring what you were doing, but nothing can replace you in person.’   She handed Plane her purse and pulled off her T-shirt.   ‘Especially today you scared the hell out of me, and I already thought I’d never see you again.’   ‘Just don’t start crying again,’ Plane quickly said and squeezed her hand, ‘otherwise I won’t hold it in either, and we’ll flood the neighbors downstairs.’   ‘Promise me this will never happen again,’ Nymphia said firmly. ‘I can’t lose you.’   ‘Enough!’ Plane objected. ‘Stop with the tears! Everything’s fine — I’m here, you’re here. We finally met, and I don’t understand why we’re still wearing pants!’   With these words she jumped at Nymphia and attacked her zipper. Both of their pants quickly fell under the stormy onslaught, and the girls plunged into the intoxicating night of their long-awaited reunion.

✶ ✭ ✶ ✭ ✶

They extended the room for another day to spend as much time together as possible before Plane returned to her studies. They were together in a hotel again, only this time they weren’t drinking soda but champagne.   ‘Today the first episode comes out,’ Nymphia reminded, walking naked around the room. ‘Shall we watch it together?’   Plane waved dismissively.   ‘We won’t be there anyway. What’s the point of watching?’   At first Nymphia was surprised, but then, as if remembering who she was talking to, she reproached her, ‘Sometimes it’s not only about admiring yourself.’   Plane snorted and replied, ‘Why did you decide I was going to watch the season only for myself? I actually wanted to admire you. You’re our future winner.’   Nymphia beamed and climbed onto the bed, grabbing Plane by the neck, but an unexpected memory made her jump up on the spot.   ‘I’ve got a gift for you!’   ‘A gift?’ Plane repeated in confusion. She hadn’t even thought about a gift.   ‘Here,’ Nymphia handed Plane a small box.   Plane looked at Nymphia touched and accepted the present. Nymphia watched in fascination as Plane took the box and timidly began to open it, but suddenly Nymphia was struck like by lightning and quickly snatched the still unopened box back.   ‘No!’ she shouted. ‘Not like this. Come with me.’   Nymphia grabbed Plane by the hand and pulled her into the bathroom. She placed Plane by the mirror and ordered her to close her eyes. Intrigued, Plane obeyed and felt gentle fingers touch her earlobe. She realized what Nymphia had planned and, opening her eyes, saw the very earring she had taken from the room and hadn’t dared to return, as if it had stuck to her pocket.   ‘There,’ Nymphia said with satisfaction, ‘now it’s yours.’   Plane looked at Nymphia through the mirror, deeply moved, trying to find the words, but nothing came out.   ‘Alright, Planey. I’ll take your silence as immense joy. Let’s go watch the episode.’   The whole hour Plane kept getting distracted from watching by Nymphia, who was laughing and dodging her embraces, fully absorbed in the process. By the end, she too became curious to see what their competitors were showing while they weren’t there, so Plane’s impressions of what she saw turned out quite good.   ‘Will you walk me to the airport tomorrow?’ she asked sadly when Nymphia turned off the TV.   Nymphia sighed discontentedly and looked at her with hurt.   ‘Why these silly questions? Of course I’ll walk you. Why did you decide to ruin my mood again?’   ‘Because I can’t keep this sadness inside,’ Plane admitted. ‘I knew our meeting would be short, but I didn’t expect it to fly by so quickly. When will I see you next?’   ‘You know I’m always ready,’ Nymphia replied. ‘When do you finish university?’   ‘In a month.’   ‘A month?’ Nymphia exclaimed. ‘And you didn’t tell me anything?’   ‘I wanted to boast with my diploma,’ Plane tried to justify herself.   ‘Alright, never mind. In a month we’re flying to Taiwan!’