#GIRLBOSS

MILENA TORRES 29. Fiction Editor. Downtown. "...i'm not saying that i'm perfect, but i'm pretty damn close."

[milena-torres]

dakota lloyd.

After such a long hiatus from work, it was strange to be back behind the counter at Blank Space. Dakota had fastened her little apron around her waist about an hour ago and was now slumped against the register, nursing an iced coffee that she’d concocted for herself. A cup sat on the corner of the cafe counter and she’d been watching it for the better part of twenty minutes before she finally shifted up, taking it to look at the label. “Hey,” the brunette called towards the person sitting at the table closest to her, “Did you want another latte? I’ve got a mobile order that never came by and I think it’s still warm.”

Looking up from her laptop, Milena eyed the coffee sitting on the counter in front of Dakota and curtly shook her head. “Never been a latte person, Kota,” Mila looked back to her laptop, rolling her eyes and quickly typing back a response before looking back at Dakota. “Though, do you think it’ll stay hot long enough for me to drive to my office and pour it on this idiot intern’s head?” As someone who had started from the bottom, Milena had a huge amount of respect for everyone who worked underneath her. However, having to explain the same thing time and time again was beginning to become a bit draining, to say the least.

[milena-torres]

ashley haupt.

“Let me prove myself, yeah?” Ash low into her ear as he lead her. The music blared and he had no problem matching the fast rhythm. Hands on her, Ash was being the right amount of intimate for a club-like scene, but was malleable enough that if she didn’t seem into where he was touching her, he moved. Even a little drunk, he had the state of mind to not make her uncomfortable, only testing the boundaries of what she liked. The song changed, but Ash didn’t think he really had to ask if she was down for another. If she wasn’t into it, she’d move on. “You got a boyfriend I should be worried about?” He grinned down at her, teasingly, but also checking in on that.

Milena didn’t typically allow her partner to lead, especially when it came to the dance floor. Her personality, in general, was a strong one, something most people either loved or hated. Still, he’d asked to prove himself, and so far, Milena wasn’t too disappointed. He wasn’t drunk and stumbling or stepping on her toes, which wasn’t exactly a high bar, but his rhythm and ability to keep with the beat were also pros. “Yeah, I do. He’s on his way here now actually,” Mila attempted to keep a straight face, though was fighting off a smile. “He’s 6′1′, built like a truck and is a professional MMA fighter.” This time, Mila did smile. “I assume that girl I pulled you away from isn’t your girlfriend?”

[milena-torres]

sidney james.

Was Sid a dancer? No, not necessarily, however a handful of drinks and the invitation of a pretty lady shook the shackles of left-footedness. She had been having a couple of after-work beverages, trying to destress from a particularly long day but the ambiance of a quiet bar hadn’t suited the mood she’d been in. Instead, she wanted music, loud music that would pulse through her and allow her to get lost in a night scene she’d happily revel in if she was let. Sid moved close to the woman, the music making all conversation more intimate than it had to be. “You get one dance. After that, I start charging.” A throwaway, but foundations were just as necessary as the beautiful home built on top of them. Sid let herself fall prey to the beat, following the other’s rhythm, eyes ever watchful.

“Everyone I’ve danced with tonight has three left feet,” Milena laughed, attempting to shout over the music. “If you’re any good, I may take you up on that offer.” Admittedly, Mila should have given people a bit of slack, most people had a difficult time keeping up with her when she really found herself getting into the groove. It wasn’t something that she could really help, more so, like an involuntary movement. Fortunately, it seemed like this time around, Milena had managed to land herself someone who could at least keep a beat. “Do you think we can work out some sort of deal for that second dance charge?” Mila joked, pointing over towards the bar. “I could buy the next round?” 

[ssweeneys]

[beyonces]

[milena-torres]

landon volta.

Landon was already feeling the drinks he had been slamming back that night but dancing wasn’t really in his wheelhouse. Although, if drunk enough he probably would jump around like a complete idiot and find a way to injure himself. He’d definitely become that guy that’d be headbanging to whatever pop track blasted through the club speakers. Luckily for everyone, he wasn’t that drunk. Shaking his head in the direction of the blonde, he raised his hand up, taking a small sip of the beverage in his hand before dropping his hand back down. “I think I’ll pass, broken — broken foot!” He yelled over the loud music despite him obviously having no broken limbs.

It didn’t exactly take a rocket scientist to pick up on the fact that the man was lying. Mila’s gaze dropped towards the man’s foot, which was really all the proof she needed that his excuse was bullshit. Rolling her eyes, Milena walked over and plucked the drink out of the man’s hand and placed it back onto the bar. “Look, I might have let you off the hook if you excuse had at least been creative, but now, I kind of feel like you owe me at least once dance,” she held her hand out, palm up with an only mildly convincing look of seriousness on her face. “Afterwards you can go back to staring at everyone else while they have fun.”

[milena-torres]

ashley haupt.

After playing a gig, Ash and his band weren’t ready to call it a night, so they went out for drinks. If he thought he’d get less sweaty after the show, he was wrong because the bar was lit as fuck, which wasn’t really a bad thing. Hammering drinks back, Ash was decently tipsy and was malleable to the groupie who’d come with them and wanted him to dance with her. She was pretty, but Ash knew he was just with her because of the drinks. But in a short moment, another girl gestured to him, hand out, and fuck Ash if she wasn’t one of the hottest girls he’d seen in awhile. “Sure just one?” Ash called over the music as he took her hand and towing her in close. “You might be begging for a second one after, babe.”

He had confidence, that much Milena could give him. It wasn’t exactly out of her nature to immediately smack down that sort of comment, but slightly tipsy Milena just wanted to dance and enjoy the few hours of free time she had before having to return back to real life. “I’m not sure you can handle more than one dance,” Mila’s eyes playfully narrowed, allowing him to pull her towards him. “But I guess since you’re the only one who took me up on my offer, it’s only fair I give you shot.” Milena’s hand moved to rest on his shoulder, grateful in the moment that she had decided to put on heels.

[milena-torres]

novella adisa.

“I do. At the Turning Pointe and at Belleuve College. I teach heels classes, hip hop, contemporary and lyrical to name a few if you’re interested in coming by..” She understood what the other girl was talking about. She’d endured her fair share of boring and predictable classes. “Nova.” She reached out to shake her hand and gave her a small smile in return.

“Really?” Milena’s interest was definitely piqued. While she’d never actually ever taken an organized dance class before, her mother always joking that Mila had been born with rhythm that couldn’t be taught, she had never completely pushed the idea out of her head. “I think I might be. Do you have a few minutes to talk? I was just on my way to grab myself a cup of tea from this place around the corner.”

[milena-torres]

cooper ward. 

“Cooper,” he yelled back with a toothless smile. There were people all around and Cooper moved his body closer to hers, loosening up a bit as the music progressed on. His hands slid slowly up her abdomen, feeling the soft fabric of her outfit against his toughened skin. He barely made out her compliment before he leaned down toward her ear and said, “I’m tryin’ my best,” with a small laugh. “Let me know if I can get you anything, Milena.”

Cooper. Easy enough to remember. “Well, you’re doing better than most of the people out here,” Milena insisted with a smile, her head swiveling to either side, noting the people in the crowd who were either stood back against the wall or barely managing to hold themselves up because of the amount of alcohol they’d consumed. Admittedly, the music made it a bit difficult to hold much of a conversation, so instead, Mila continued to dance, a few more songs before she paused. “Does the offer to get me anything include a water?”

[milena-torres]

paul matthews.

Now Paul had to laugh at that, a roll of his eyes accompanying it. “Touché,” he said in response, shaking his head. Once her hand wound its way around his wrist, he felt he had to stand up, there was absolutely no getting out of it. “Don’t know what you’re trying to suggest,” he murmured, reluctantly following her towards the dance floor.

“That going to a bar with music as good as this and spending the entire time sitting on a bar stool is the textbook definition of tragic?” Milena teased, though was grateful that it appeared his objections has ceased. As the pair finally reached the middle of the floor, Mila looked up at her reluctant dance partner and smiled. “Do you want me to teach you a few steps? Or is your plan to awkwardly shuffle back and forth?”

[ecstasyformyears]

[milena-torres]

cooper ward.

Who would Cooper be if he refused a dance from someone that looked like her? He blushed a bit, happy about how dim the lights were at that moment, then stood up and followed her out onto the dance floor. “Don’t laugh at me!” He grinned and reached for her hand, turning her so that he couldn’t see her face. Coop moved his hands down her sides, resting them on her hips as he tried to find the beat.

“No one’s laughing,” Milena insisted as she pulled the unsuspecting male further into the crowd. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d done something this impulsive, though she suspected a bit of liquid courage was to blame. As the song continued, Mila laughed as the pair began to move with the rest of people dancing. “I’m Milena,” she shouted over the music. “And you’re not half bad at keeping a beat.”

[milena-torres]

paul matthews.

Another long day, another night perched at the bar and attempting to unwind before he headed home again. Paul was completely worn out, yet couldn’t bring himself to take the short walk back to his apartment. He was just reaching out for his third drink, sinking back into his seat when he noticed the actions of the younger woman, a bemused expression crossing his features. “You know, I don’t really dance…” was his response, a gentle laugh escaping him.

Milena paused her movements, looking between Paul and the dance floor and then back again. “Who cares if you can’t dance? Nobody can dance,” Mila insisted, her hand wrapping around his wrist once again as she urged him forward. “I promise, the bar isn’t going to run out of liquor in the time frame of a few songs.” And while Mila mostly meant the comment in jest, there was a slightly serious undertone to her words. “Come on, please?”

[milena-torres]

It wasn’t often that Milena gave herself the night off. In fact, it was almost unheard of. But after landing an author that everyone had told her would be an impossible feat, Mila felt she deserved a little bit of fun. A few drinks at the bar to loosen her up the dirty blonde began to make her way towards the dance floor, waving towards another patron as she passed by. “Come on, one dance!” she shouted happily, holding her arm out while continuing to dance backwards into the crowd.

[milena-torres]

moira rensselaer.

“I know how to decline politely; in fact, that was the first thing I did, but the lady over at the bakery was so persistent that I just had to take the flyers to make her stop, and now the others are just jumping in the bandwagon to be just equally persistent,” Moira tried to explain her current predicament. She laughed a little at her joke as she let Mila take a few brochures and flyers off her hand. “I know, right? Why waste more paper when you also blabber everything in it to the customer as you are handing these out and being rejected at the same time?” She said, trying to avoid eye contact with the next salesperson down the road. “That’s one good way to look at it; maybe I just have to be a little bit more persistent as well. But I wonder if these people are competing with each other over who manages to give out more flyers in a day.”

"See, when declining politely doesn’t work, you unfortunately just have to be a bit mean,” Milena shrugged her shoulder, tossing more the flyers away. “Granted, it can be a bit difficult, but it usually pays off in the end. That or the fake cell phone trick.” Reaching into her purse, Milena quickly pulled out her iPhone and immediately brought it up to her ear. “Sorry, just give me one second- hello?” Mila spoke in the phone, a mock look of horror quickly passing over her face. “They did what?” She quickly looked back to Moira, her expression changing to one of disappointment, before pointing behind her and mouthing ‘I have to take this, so sorry’ and turning to walk away before quickly turning back around, smile on her face. “See? And it’s basically foolproof because no one is going to tell you to get off the phone, especially when they think it’s urgent.”

[milena-torres]

novella adisa.

“It’s water, I think you’ll live.” all the other women had to do was take a look at Novella’s face and hear the tone of her voice before she hurried off. Novella shook her head as she was about to reach for her belongings. Her head shot up when she noticed someone else approaching her. she rolled up her mat before placing it under her arm. she couldn’t help but chuckle at the other girl. The hard expression that was once on her face was now gone, replaced with a light smirk. “Well lets just hope she doesn’t turn up at my studio any time soon.” after the altercation she just had with that women and realizing she had to carry her things all the way to the studio, humor was something she needed. “Thanks.”

“You teach your own class? At which studio?” Milena questioned, genuinely curious. “Unlike Instagram groupie over there, I come here for the classes and I’ve been looking to switch up which ones I attend. I think I come here too much and the classes and routines become so predictable and monotonous.” Routine wasn’t something Mila had ever found herself comfortable with, in her exercise routine or otherwise. Her mind was the type that constantly needed to be challenged and if something became too comfortable, she grew bored. “I’m Milena, by the way,” she quickly extended her hand out for a shake, offering the woman a smile.

[ssweeneys]