The climbing gym was close to closing time when Zara walked in. She pocketed her car keys and sat, cross-legged, on a chair by the reception desk. The last class of the day was starting to wrap up. Her twin sister, Mariana, was by the wall with a group of students, completely in her element. Ever since the show had aired, the place was almost always completely packed out. Catching her eye for a moment, Zara waved her hand in small gestures. Read a random article on her phone while she waited.
When the class started to disperse, Zara started to gather herself. Lingered back, for awhile, to give Mariana the space to say goodbye to her clients. Stared, long and hard, at the wallpaper on her phone. Traced her finger over a crack on the glass screen protector. Over and over and over. Anything to keep herself, or anybody else, from feeling uncomfortable. Distraction was easier than direct eye contact. When the door chimed for the final time, Zara set her phone down, with her keys, beside the safety mat. Moved to squeeze her twin into a tight hug. “Mari.” She exhaled all the anxiety she’d been holding in her chest. “How was class?” @marivcsquez
