As soon as Nicole slips into her shower stall she begins putting her bathing suit on. It was a blue racing suit left from the summers she swam competitively. She twisted the handle for hot water as far as it would go, despite the copious amounts of sweat and the heat that was rushing all over her after practices she preferred scalding hot showers to the cold ones her teammates took.
Eva looked over from her stall where she had begun showering with lukewarm water and noted the large amounts of steam exiting over the top of Nicole's stall. She was tempted to ask why Nicole's shower looked like a steam sauna, but instead opted to apologize for her behavior and stubbornness at practice. "Hey Nicole, I'm really sorry for slowing you down and cutting into your practice time. If I'd known how hard track was going to be I might not have switched." Nicole looked over to Eva's stall.
"It's fine, I'd be stuck helping the freshmen anyway so really it's like helping a big baby."
"Geez, thanks. Way to make me feel welcome Nicky." Nicole flinched at the nickname, something about the way Eva said it felt familiar and unsafe. "I mean I know I suck but I wouldn't call myself a 'big baby'."
"Really, you wouldn't? Not even after the way you pouted about that cut on your palm?" Though Nicole could not see her, Eva was smiling. How long had it been since the two got along this well? Far too long. Thought Nicole. "Or after you bit into that rag because it stung so much."
"You're the one who gave me the rag! You said it would hurt, was I just not supposed to listen to you. Cause that went really well the first time."
"I gave you the rag because I remember how low your pain tolerance is, you big baby." Nicole's skin was hot under the shower, to the point where her shoulders were blossoming in pink bursts. She quickly turned the cold nozzle, yelping as a burst of freezing water hit her and almost slipping.
"Are you okay Nicky?" That damned nickname again, why did it almost feel painful to hear it from Eva's voice?
"Yeah, the water just got a bit cold, I'm fine." Goosebumps broke out on her skin as she thought about the nickname. It was bothering her more than she'd like to admit. It's just a nickname Nicole, don't give it too much thought. Trying to convince herself that she was being ridiculous. "I'm done with my shower, need any products?" She asked, wrapping her towel around her and reaching for her clothes.
"No, I'm good. Brought all my own stuff, besides your hair and mine are way off in texture. Your stuff would probably ruin my beautiful thick hair." Nicole heard Eva's shower turning off and peeked through the curtains as Eva threw her own open. Her skin was darker than Nicoles and freckled along her shoulders. She had a mole on the back of her neck, which Nicole only noticed because Eva was putting her hair in a bun. Eva turned, feeling Nicole's eyes glazing over her figure, it made her shoulders flush almost immediately. She turned, hoping to catch Nicole in the act of admiring her. But Nicole's interest had been switched when she noticed the blush spreading across Eva's shoulders.
After that Nicole closed her stalls curtain completely, not wanting to be tempted to stare again. She toweled off her body and slipped on a grey sweatshirt over her sports bra. She opened her curtain as quietly as possible, hoping to avoid catching the attention of Eva. Unfortunately for her Nicole Eva was waiting by the door for her to exit her shower. "You didn't have to wait for me, you know." Eva shrugged.
"It's the least I could do after taking up all your practice time. Want a ride today, it's a bit windy out and your hair is wet." Nicole nodded and followed Eva out to the parking lot.
Her car was older, definitely not bought new. It was black and sleek, with leather interiors. Eva caught Nicole eyeing the car. "It was a gift from my bios." She said. That makes more sense, no way Christina could afford something like this. Nicole thought of Eva's adoptive mothers small plant shop. "It was a birthday present, you know how they are." Nicole did, Eva's biological parents had her when they were older and didn't want to raise another kid. So they put her up for adoption with the promise of helping provide for whoever took her. They were wealthy and owned a small chain of specialty stores. The only catch of the adoption was that Eva would have to keep her parents name in case she ever wanted to take over the business.
When Nicole was done admiring the car Eva unlocked it and they both entered. Despite the wind it had been sunny all day which made the leather seats feel nice and warm as the two sat in them. Nicole was conscious of her damp hair, not wanting to ruin any of the interior with it. Only when she noticed how carelessly Eva let hers drape on the car seat did she allow herself to let go a bit.
The car ride was smooth and calming. Eva turned on the radio, letting a calming indie artist sweep away both of their worries. Nicole hummed along with the song, recognizing it from one of her playlists. She let herself become swept up with the angelic voice that was surrounding herself. Eva turned every now and then watching how Nicole swayed with the music. Her eyes were closed and she was whispering the lyrics under her breath, not wanting to distract Eva. But Eva was entranced with Nicole's cute and calming behaviors.
Finally the song ended and Nicole opened her eyes only to see Eva staring back at her. They were parked in front of her house. "Oh, I'm sorry, have you been parked long?" Eva pursed her lips and shook her head, whispering a 'no' along with it. She didn't feel like ruining the good mood Nicole had been put in. "Thanks for the ride, see you tomorrow." Nicole smiled at Eva, who was still very mesmerized by Nicole's soft singing.
"Yeah, tomorrow. Bye." Nicole opened the door letting a gust of wind in, finally breaking Eva's trance-like state. Nicole waved as she approached her front door. The blush that Nicole had caused Eva in the bathroom appeared once again on her face. She laid her head on her wheel, avoiding the horn and just let the euphoric feeling wash over her. Moments later she shook the feeling and turned to look towards Nicole's house, before focusing on the road and beginning her drive home.