SSS(SS) - Part 12

Dancing is fun. It would be more fun if Sal wasn’t well aware of how she’s using it to avoid facing reality. It helps to have a task, in this case trying to get these CCL girls to dance to at least a level that would be acceptable for Tiktok. It’s also good to work up a sweat, because something tells Sal that her usual routine is going to take a hit. Is she going to the gym today? Not a chance.

She’s a D1 athlete. It’s no surprise that she has more endurance than these girls, who throw in the towel quickly, although not without making some progress first. Doing a decent dance for the event is attainable. It will just take some effort.

Now Sal needs a shower. And she’s hungry. She almost cries out and drops her mug as she carries it out of the TV room. Athena is here, standing just away from the doorframe. She must have been lurking. Was she watching?

“Jesus. Creeper,” Sal says, taking a sip of her now lukewarm coffee.

“Good morning to you too,” Athena says, face unreadable. “You got plans this morning?”

Sal sighs, unsure how to answer. Is she supposed to be prideful here? Put up a façade? She doesn’t have the energy.

“I need a shower,” she says. “And I’m hungry. And then I guess I have to face reality.”

“Can you pencil me in?” Athena asks, making aggressive eye contact. “Can I make you breakfast?”

Sal stares at her. “I don’t know. Am I supposed to be suspicious?”

“It won’t be fancy.”

Sal rubs her face with her free hand. “Sure. Sure. Whatever you want.”

Athena gazes at her for another moment, then nods. “Great. Let’s meet in my room. Twenty minutes. For breakfast,” she adds, seeing the look on Sal’s face. “Get your mind out of the gutter.”

SAL

The gutter? Sal’s mind isn’t in the gutter. Sex and romance are literally, not figuratively, the last things on her mind. The bathrooms have emptied out, so she’s able to bathe. Her hair is still wet as she makes her way to Athena’s room in clean leggings and a CGH tee.

She pauses in front of the stately, heavy door at the end of the old-timey corridor. Sal isn’t stupid. Athena didn’t bring her to CCL House out of the goodness of her heart. Sal knew this was coming. It doesn’t offend her. It’s just that everything Athena does reminds her that if their roles were reversed, Sal wouldn’t have half that poise.

But poise doesn’t pay the bills. Sal has enemies now, and she’ll just have to swallow what she’s given and try to make the most of the friends she has. Is Athena a friend? No.

She’s just looking to cut a deal.