The time couldn’t possibly be passing slower. Grace was sitting anxiously in her motel room, waiting for Lia to arrive. She had texted her earlier today about getting off work at a decent hour and wanting to pick her up to go out. She was big, so it was like a date maybe? She wasn’t sure just yet, but she hoped it was. She liked Lia a lot. She smiled at her phone and replied with a smiley face when Lia texted that she was almost there. Grace wasn’t the biggest fan of surprises, at least the anticipation that lead up to them. But Lia had told her to dress casually.
The warehouse was too far to walk, but his apartment was only a few blocks over and Sid offered to drive. With Riley giving direction, it wasn’t difficult to find. It was about what they expected. The small lot beside it was fenced, but Sid pulled into the narrow alley alongside the warehouse and was fairly certain they wouldn’t be told to move. It didn’t seem like anyone was coming by much.
There were a couple places Sid was sure they could have broken in, but Riley had been right. The boards made the best target. Sliding out of the car, he grinned at her over the top of it, before jerking his head to get her to follow, weaving around to where someone was using two by fours to keep a broken door closed.
“I guess this is my demonstration,” they spoke just loud enough for Riley to hear, placing a fingertip over a nail in the top corner of the board. Then the one bellow it, and reaching up the two others on the opposite side. It came away when Sidney lifted it, just a hole in the wood where the nail had been. He turned to smile at Riley as he leaned the board against the side of the building.
“It’s a little tedious,” Sid shrugged, moving on to the second board and no matter what they’d said, it wasn’t long before they pulling that one off as well and leaning it against the wall. Systematically, Sid cleared the door enough that with an encouraging shove, it swung open, and beaming, they gestured to Riley to enter. “And viola.”
who: mostly Evan and Meredith but guest appearance by Henri
when: the weekend after para03 ... technically before Harold
where: the house and bowling alley/dance club called Lucky Strikes
Evan hadn't expected for them to decide to go dancing together, but when Meredith had combined Evan's idea of bowling with the idea of dancing, she hadn't been able to disagree. Evan finished off her black outfit by curling her hair and adding a touch of makeup to her skin. She then made her way downstairs, by the door to wait for Meredith. She double checked her purse to ensure that she had socks for bowling before pulling on one of her black coats.
Meredith was excited to go out, she used to go dancing all the time. By the time she was finished getting ready her make up was done to perfection and messy blonde waves were worn down. Bracelets were worn on each wrist and a thick collar like necklace adorned her neck. Since they were also going bowling she decided against the dress she’d picked out and instead wore black pants that almost looked painted onto her skin and a black top that dipped low in the front. There were heels on her feet and yet she was still shorter than Evan. She stuck black socks, mo Ryan’s a few necessities in her small purse and headed downstairs.
She glanced up when she heard Meredith walking down the stairs, feeling her breath catch. She was so gorgeous. She looked away for a moment to compose herself and then glanced back up, hoping the flush on her cheeks wasn't too noticeable. She cleared her throat and then smiled. “Ready to go?” Evan questioned, quirking an eyebrow slightly. She was definitely trying to play off the reaction she had just had but Meredith looked amazing. The clothes fit her curves incredibly and the makeup enhanced the beauty that was already there.
The younger woman felt those eyes on her but she didn’t mind, her own blue gaze took in the sight of the brunette. The curls were a beautiful touch. It was as if they’d read each other’s mind in their outfit choice at least with the color. The blonde noticed the flush but was convinced it wasn’t for her. Returning the smile, she gave a nod. “Definitely.” As she moved for the door she didn’t grab a jacket figuring they’d just be moving from car to club and back.
“Um what do you think you're doing?” She commented as Meredith moved for the door without grabbing a jacket. “It’s freezing out there. You need a jacket.” Without waiting for an argument, she slipped out of the black leather jacket that she was wearing and put it over Meredith's shoulders. She narrowed her eyes, waiting for a refusal before she turned to grab a different jacket for herself before walking out.
“Hmm?” Mere peaked over her shoulder at those words. Her brow scrunched up and she was about to talk back but then that warm leather jacket was being draped over her. The jacket was beautiful, stitched with a few flowers here and there but the best part was that it smelled like Evan. She was about to argue but that look stopped her. Instead she slipped her arms into the jacket and went about locking up that house before meeting her at the car.
She nodded her head, pleased when Meredith didn’t argue with her about the jacket. She wouldn't have left until Meredith stopped or grabbed her own jacket, so she was glad it hadn't been a problem. She moved to the car, having decided that they would take a vehicle there and leave it overnight. When they reached the vehicle, she slipped in and started the car, backing up once both of them were buckled in.
Meredith buckled up and was quick to jump into her role as navigator. She got them there quite easily, it took a little over ten minutes. Lucky Strikes had its usual Saturday crowd. They immediately put their name in for a lane, it might take a little while but eventually they’d get one. Checking the coats, the blonde then led them to the nearest bar. She ordered a hard cider and a shot of petron.
At the bar, Evan grabbed a shot of some concoction that the bartender had made as well as a glass of vodka, cranberry. She stood beside Meredith, ready to enjoy their night out. She had already found herself enjoying time spent with Meredith so she knew it would be the same that night, just with a little something extra added in.
By the time they got called for their lane Meredith was on her second cider. She was nursing it and feeling happily buzzed. They’d changed into their socks and bowling shoes and she picked a pink ball that seemed to glow in the black lit alley. The game had been fun, even if there was lots of teasing back and forth. This was her last turn and she had one pin to get down. She bent a little, she could feel many eyes on her ass…. the pants had clearly been a good choice. She took the shot and when the ball barely missed the pin she gave a small pout. “Too much pressure when it gets down to only one.” Another sip was taken of her cider.
Evan swallowed harshly and nodded her head slightly, biting down on her bottom lip. “You did great, Mere.” Evan said with a slight smile before pushing up to go and throw her last frame. She was more than a little distracted by the alcohol and how good looking Meredith really was. Her first ball managed to stay on the lane just barely, but her last slipped off and she chuckled. “Once upon a time I was good at bowling.” She slipped off her bowling shoes and her socks before finding her own shoes. “It was fun though.”
“You’re sweet.” She smiled. Meredith wasn’t amazing at bowling but it was definitely fun. Blue eyes watched the brunette as she played the last frame and once she was done she gave a small laugh at her words, “I was never good at bowling.” Putting her heels back on she gave a small nod, “It was definitely fun.” The blonde bit into her lower lip gently and gave a small tilt to her head. “Gonna come dance with me?”
Evan chuckled softly, shrugging her shoulders. Evan had been a bowler in a youth bowling league when she was younger, but she had stopped when she was fourteen. She was glad, however, that Meredith had had a good time. She narrowed her eyes slightly as Meredith bit down on her bottom lip, trying to ignore the way her stomach flipped. “Mm, I guess so.” She teased with a light wink before gently grasping Meredith's hand and leading her onto the dance floor.
Meredith grinned at the reply then took her last sip of that cider feeling tipsy and warm. She let Evan lead her out into the dance floor that was already crowded with bodies. Blue eyes were fixated on the woman who looked so much like her wife, but Evan was different… different but no less stunning. Meredith wanted to dance but she didn’t want to attract the wrong kind of attention, in her mind she’d already decided that her partner for the night was Evan.
As they reached a place on the dance floor that had a bit of an empty space, Evan stopped and turned her attention to Meredith; a small smile forming on her lips. She could see the flush of alcohol on the blonde's face and she let go of the other woman's hand. She was gorgeous. And Evan knew if Meredith hadn't been Henri's wife, she would definitely be making a move. But she had been and so she wouldn't.
A smile pulled at painted lips. Her body started to move, once upon a time she’d been a dancer and her system was wired to move sinfully. She could feel eyes on her and out of the corner of her own she could see someone trying to advance. To make it clear to anyone else that might get the wrong idea, she hooked a single finger onto Evan’s belt loop and tugged her in closer. Meredith was off limits.
Meredith was gorgeous and moved way too sexily for it to be ignored and she knew that others had their eyes on her...but if anyone made a move, she wouldn't be afraid to play the part. Though it seemed like Mere would make the move for her. Her breath caught in her throat once more as she was tugged closer to Meredith, letting out a shaky breath. However, she soon regained her confidence, looping her arms loosely around Meredith's neck with a slight smirk as they continued to move.
That smirk did wicked things to her and her cheeks flushed slightly in the dimly lit club. The alcohol was easily waking up a part of her that she thought might have died with Henri. Their relationship had been extremely sexual so the fact that she hadn’t felt turned on or in need in over three months made her think that perhaps she was broken. No, that part of her was working just fine. She started to wish those hands were on her body instead. They were dancing so close now that their bodies were pressed up against one another.
Her heart was racing as they seemed to move closer and closer to one another, their bodies moving with and against each others in a delicious way. Her fingers tangled just slightly in Meredith's hair and her lips parted with a slight huff. She knew that what she was feeling in the moment was wrong, but she simply reminded herself that as long as she did not act on it...it would be okay. That train of thought was so similar to the one she had in regards to Henri so many years ago that it caught her off guard.
Meredith bit back a moan when she felt those fingers tangle into her hair. She kept that one finger hooked in her belt loop while her other hand slid around to settle on her hip, fingers teasing the sliver of flesh she found. It all had her heart hammering in her chest. Her hips pushed forward a bit, grinding her front slowly against Evan’s. She leaned in and spoke against her ear, “They need to know I’m yours tonight.”
Evan had to hold her own gasps back as hips rolled towards her open, one of her hands cupping the back of Meredith's neck and rubbing her thumb into the skin. At Meredith's words, her nails scratched gently against her neck and she nodded just once. “There'll be no doubt.” She muttered, pressing a kiss to Meredith's temple before pulling back to press their foreheads together as they continued to move. Her heart was pounding and her breath escaped in tiny pants as her eyes met Meredith's.
Shivers danced along her spine as she felt Evan’s touch and when lips found her temple she felt her breath hitch at those words. This felt dangerous but far too good to deny. Those blue eyes gazed up through thick lashes into Evan’s as they danced like that, so very close, foreheads touching. She was happily surprised to find that the brunette could hold her own on the dance floor. Eventually she felt eyes shifting away from them and she settled into their closeness.
Her hands slipped down to rest on Meredith's lower back, nails scratching along her back. “You're pretty damn good at this, Mere.” Evan managed to say, a small smirk on her face. She hadn't gone dancing in so long and she hadn't been expecting to go with her sister's wife, but now that she was here, she certainly wasn't going to complain.
Meredith sucked in a breath at the feeling of nails against her heated skin. She flushed a little at that smirk again, unable to help herself. “I took dance when I was younger… was on the dance team through school… even considered exotic dancing at one point before I got my bartending job.” The blonde smiled some. Her own arms shifted up to go around the brunette’s neck keeping them close.
“Mmm, bet you could put on a damn good show.” Evan mused, nails digging lightly into her back as arms wound around her neck. She kept moving her hips, only focused on Meredith, ignoring absolutely everyone else in favor of the blonde. “Bet you everyone is jealous of me right now.”
She bit into her lower lip and tried not to blush furiously but it was really no use. “Oh, I can.” She husked. The blonde traced patterns on the back of Evan’s neck, whimpering ever so softly at the way those nails felt. A hum was given and a small smile. “I’m sure there are some just as jealous of me.”
She clenched her muscles at the sound of that whimper, trying to ignore the burn that it ignited within her. She winked slightly when Meredith tossed the comment toward her as well, rolling her hips in a particularly sly manner with a hum. “So much jealousy.” Evan teased, letting out a shaky breath of want that she was trying to deny.
The blonde gave a soft laugh. “Mm hmm. But they can all suck it.” She murmured. Afterall, they’d be going home together tonight. As those hips rolled in that way she bit her inner cheek to keep from moaning. She couldn’t help the feelings of want and need that coursed through her and she quietly wondered if Evan was feeling the same way.
“Damn right they can. None of them are taking you home tonight.” She stated, eyes flashing. Of course it wasn't like she was taking her home in a sexual manner, even if her body wanted otherwise. “Fuck.” She muttered at the sound of the moan and she moved her head to nuzzle against the blonde's neck.
“You are.” The smile that graced her features was beautiful but probably dangerous. A shiver rolled through her body at hearing that word. The blonde tipped her head slightly to give better access to her neck. Her hands flattened against the back of the woman’s neck and then moved around and down to rest on her collar bone, tracing that ridged like with both thumbs.
“Mhm. I am.” She agreed with a nod. She groaned softly as Meredith temptingly dropped her head back. She wanted to nip at her neck so badly but she knew that she couldn't. Instead, she simply let out a soft whimper as thumbs moved along her collarbone. She swallowed harshly and pressed the lightest of kisses to Meredith's neck before she pulled away, taking a slight step back.
She loved the sound of that even if she knew nothing was going to happen between them. Hearing her groan and whimper had her thighs clenching. A whimper of her own left pink lips as she felt that kiss to her neck. When Evan stepped back she bit her lower lip and turned, taking her hand to draw her back in close. She laced their fingers and placed the brunette’s hand on her hip, rolling them back against her.
“Mere...fuck.” She gasped as hips rolled against hers once more, biting down on her bottom lip. She had taken a step back to try and cool things down between them but it didn't seem like that was working. So she took a deep breath, settling her own emotions and trying to focus only on the fact that they were dancing. Not how they were dancing. She cleared her throat, easing back into an actual rhythm.
They danced like this for a full song. Her free hand dropped back to rest against Evan’s upper thigh while the other one remained laced with the brunette’s on her body. She wished those hands would travel but it felt good to grind back against her in such a heated way. When the song changed she leaned back. “I think I need another drink.”
At Meredith's words, she paused and furrowed her eyebrows. “No...I think you're done.” Evan stated in reply with a nod of her head. “Plus it’s time for us to head home.” Evan said with as she stretched her arms above her head.
Meredith gave a small pout, her brow scrunching some. “But why?” She practically whined. “The club doesn’t close for another couple of hours.” She wasn’t drunk or anything, she was completely coherent. The fact that Evan was ready to gocuttîheir night short was disappointing.
The reason for ending their night was kind of selfish. But she also thought that it was smart for them to leave now. “You're right...it doesn't close for another few hours but like...it’s bedtime.” Evan replied, dark eyes focused on blue orbs.
The blonde gave a huff. “Bedtime?” She rose a brow. “Since when?” Something fluttered in her chest any time Evan took control in any way and tonight was no different even if she was feeling just a bit defiant. Something told her that a bedtime would be imposed as a new rule.
She quirked an eyebrow and tilted her head to the side. “Since now. Are you going to argue with it?” Evan questioned, taking a step closer to the other woman. She felt comfortable in taking control right now and she appreciated that fact about herself.
Her cheeks flushed some as Evan slipped into dominance so easily. Those brilliant blues looked up through dark thick lashes. She bit into her lower lip and considered it a moment. “What happens if I do?” The alcohol induced buzz made her a little more daring, more like woman Henri fell in love with.
Her hand moved up to slip behind the woman's neck and gently gripped the woman's hair. “a punishment of some sort. But we’d have to discuss that.” Evan mused, furrowing her eyebrows slightly before taking a step back. “Lets go.”
As those fingers got a hold of her hair she sucked in a sharp breath, she felt it through her entire body. Her cheeks flushed again at mention of a punishment, submitting to Evan would probably be incredibly helpful but in this moment the thought also turned her on. With another little huff she made her way to the coat check to get their jackets. Handing Evan hers she slipped into the leather garment she’d been given earlier. It looked damn good on her, nearly as good as it felt.
“Good.” She murmured as Meredith fell into the order before following after her. As Meredith grabbed the jackets, Evan called for an uber before she gently took the jacket from the blonde, thanking her for it. She slipped on her own jacket before grabbing Meredith's hand and leading her out of the club. She leaned up against the building and crossed her arms over her chest.
She pulled her jacket closed and hugged it tight around herself, Evan’s scent only making her think about how close they’d just been. It had her heart feeling all sorts of ways. Leaning up against the wall beside her she stared up at the starry night sky as they waited. “You like Lucky Strikes?”
“It definitely has some perks for sure.” Evan replied, chewing on her bottom lip and glancing at Meredith. “Do you come here a lot?” The brunette questioned, tilting her head to the side slightly. She saw a guy walking towards them and slipped her arm around the blonde, drawing her close.
“Mhm,” She hummed in agreement. Giving a small shrug she shook her head. “We’ve been a few times a year since it opened but there are better dance clubs.” Meredith had noticed the man but when Evan drew her in close she hadn’t been expecting it. She stalled against her happy for the closeness and extra body heat.
“Got ya.” Evan said with a nod, wondering if Meredith would have preferred to go elsewhere for their night out. When Meredith rested against her, Evan held her a bit more tightly. She was much more comfortable in this type of closeness. It was the type of closeness they had every night when sleeping.
“I had a good time tonight. With you.” Feeling those arms tighten their hold she smiled some. Evan was protective and she loved that about her. Being held in her arms was a huge comfort and always felt perfect and safe. The blonde tilted her head to place a kiss on the older woman’s cheek.
“I had a good time with you tonight too.” Evan said, because she had. She didn't want Meredith to feel like she regretted the night at all. She smiled at the kiss to her cheek, feeling it flush slightly. She rubbed her back gently and then kissed her forehead gently. The guy had walked past them, giving them a look and Evan simply stared right back.
The kiss to her forehead earned a smile. She tucked herself in against the older woman and rested her cheek in the crook of her neck, arms looped around her waist until the Uber showed up. When they got into the Uber she sat beside Evan, her head dropping to her shoulder.
She let a content sigh fall from her lips, enjoying the closeness between them until the Uber arrived. She reluctantly parted from her before sliding in next to her in the back seat. As a head rested on her shoulder, Evan allowed her hand to rest on her thigh, squeezing it gently.
Meredith relaxed against her and nearly fell asleep on the way home. By the time they made it there she slipped off her jacket and hung it up, kicking off her heels at the door. “PJs,” She murmured. Heading upstairs she stripped along the way finding her room so that she could change. Henri stayed downstairs by her sister and looked at her amused. “Have fun?”
“M’kay.” She mused, slipping off her jacket and hanging it up before she kicked off her shoes. She knew she'd have to head upstairs and change herself, but she needed a moment alone. Not that she truly got one as Henri spoke to her. Evan glanced over at Henri with a sigh and then rubbed her face, not really knowing how to answer the question.
Henri simply smirked and leaned up against the banister.. “That good?” The older woman laughed, she could read her sister like a book. “I probably should have warned you about the way she is on the dance floor.” She knew what Evan looked like when she was turned on, she knew what she looked like when she liked someone.
“I probably wouldn’t have listened.” Evan replied, leaning against the wall and looking at her sister once more. She had never been able to hide anything from Henri and she was sure that this wasn't any different. But it was still hard to admit and it didn't stop the guilt from eating away at her. “I stopped…before it went too far but…” She groaned and closed her eyes.
Henri smirked again observing her little sister. “You like her.” She was amused. It was a statement not a question. She knew her own reality meant she could no longer have either of them so she didn’t have a negative thought about the two of them getting close. “I don’t blame you. She’s beautiful. And so are you.” She didn’t mean just physically.
Evan flinched at Henri's words about her liking Meredith and she let out a slow breath. She did like her and if she wasn't Henri's widow, she honestly would have made more of a move. But she was and it just wasn't right for her to take advantage of the blonde. “It...me liking her doesn’t matter.” Evan replied, biting down on her bottom lip.
“Sure it does…”. She pushed off the banister and walked closer to Evan. “What’s more is… she likes you.” The woman got closer and spoke against her ear. “You make her happy and…. I want her happy. So…. think about it.” She smiled that smile. “Ev?” The blonde called from the top of the steps and Henri was gone. The younger woman bit her lower lip gently. Standing there in a huge T-shirt and boyshort panties looking far too innocent now that her dark make up had been cleaned from her pretty face.
She swallowed harshly at Henri's words, having a difficult time understanding why the woman would tell her to go for something like this. Her heart lurched at the sight of the blonde at the top of the stairs and she offered a slight smile. “Coming.” She murmured, pushing off of the wall. She walked upstairs, turning off some lights and then moved to squeeze Meredith's hand. She led her to the bedroom and grabbed her PJs before making her way to the bathroom to brush her teeth and change.
Seeing that smile made her heart warm. The blonde waited there until Evan came and took her hand to lead her into the bedroom. She crawled into bed under the covers but didn’t lay down… she had to wait for the brunette or she knew she wouldn’t fall asleep. There were so many feelings, so many emotions swarming in her heart and mind but she couldn’t make sense of them right now.
After she was ready for bed, the brunette made her way into the bedroom, closing the light and then moving to her spot on the bed. She curled under the blankets and turned onto her side as she usually did, letting out a soft breath. There was lots going on in her head, especially with Henri telling her to think about the fact that they both liked one another. Her eyes scanned over Meredith’s face and she curled into herself and the blankets a bit more.
As Evan settled so did Meredith. She finally laid down and snuggled up under the covers. She turned towards Evan and watched the older woman observing her. Her freckled nose scrunched a little. “Hmm?” She wondered what was going on in that pretty head.
Evan shook her head slightly and offered her a bit of a smile. “Nothing.” Of course that wasn’t true, but she couldn’t really say what she was thinking and so she needed to shrug it off. “I think I’m going to sleep well tonight.” The brunette said with a slight chuckle. She hadn’t gone out in a long while and she could feel it catching up with her.
In her tipsy and sleepy state she wasn’t about to argue or question that reply even if she felt it wasn’t the honest answer. Mere brushed her nose with Evan’s and then turned over to her other side. Reaching back behind her she found the woman’s hand and pulled her arm around her body, drawing her close so that she could be the little spoon in Evan’s arms. She cuddled back against her with a soft hum.
She felt her heart skip a beat as a nose brushed against her own and she let out a soft breath before watching as Meredith turned away from her. Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion, wondering what she had done wrong until Meredith's motives became clear. She held her close and pressed a kiss to her shoulder before relaxing into the pillow. “Sleep well, Meredith.”
She was already half way to dreamland when Evan spoke. She hummed. “G’night, Evan…. I liked being yours tonight.” She murmured before drifting off.
Evan clenched her jaw at her words, letting out a shaky breath. “I liked you being mine tonight.” She replied, furrowing her eyebrows slightly before closing her eyes.
Vale had finally a night off from working all through out the holidays and then some extra shifts here and there from the other girls that needed some time off. Luckily, the people that went there to see the girls didn’t mind seeing Vale. And of course, he could always use the extra cash that he earned from tips those nights. But, alas, he just wanted to spend some time at home and maybe just watch some good old television.
He had rarely sat down to watch the TV, it was still kind of brand new to him, since he was always out and about he never got the time to sit and watch. It wasn’t like he grew up watching it like the other people around him, the only screen that Vale saw growing up was a Venni that told you his vital signs. So, there was much that he could catch up on. Vale grabbed his blanket from his bedroom and plopped down on the couch and began to flip through the channels one by one. Sitting there watching the food network made him realize that he was starving and hadn’t ate since that morning when he was coming back from his run.
Vale walked over to his fridge to check what he had there. A case of beer and a few fruits that had looked like they had gone bad. He gave a frown and closed the door. He looked over and the food network was teaching the viewer how to make a pesto sauce that would go great with some penne pasta. It looked easy enough, so he thought he might try it.
Determined to get his craving satisfied, he took a trip to the market that was nearby his place to get some of the ingredients he needed for the pesto and also some other essential groceries to last him the next few weeks. Vale had gotten most of the ingredients but needed some basil. He couldn’t seem to find it anywhere in the store, so he went up to the front to ask a cashier.
As soon as the cashier explained to him where it was, Vale walked over and grabbed some that looked a bit greener than the rest and gave it a whiff. The scent of freshly washed produce filled his nostrils. As he turned to move toward the registers, he couldn’t help but notice someone looking straight at him.
featuring: @audreyjeanrose 👑
location: twenty five lusk, san francisco 🐻
time/date: monday, ~7:45pm ⏰
summary: OKAY SO. speed dating in the dark? KIND OF WEIRD. but kind of cool? but mostly kind of weird. BUT REALLY KIND OF EXCITING. 😱
FREDDIE HAYWARD
ROUND TWO. HE COULD TOTALLY DO THIS!
I mean, of course he could totally do this! He’d already done this once before! He could do it again!
It was still weird being in the dark. It was weird having someone have to guide you through the dark restaurant and it was hard feeling like you were completely stripped of one of your senses while being totally heightened of the rest of them. Was this what bats felt like?
He should probably not ask his next date if he or she thought that this was what bats felt like.
Taking his seat, he got adjusted and cleared his throat, waiting for the time to start before he sat back a little and finally spoke.
“I feel like I have so much more respect for bats now.”
Oh, no.
Was that seriously how he started the conversation?
Did he not just internally tell himself to not bring up bats?
And he still? Brought up? The bats?
“I’m Freddie, by the way,” he added on after a second, reaching for a mozzarella stick but not really doing much to further the process of actually eating it. “I don’t normally talk about bats within the first five seconds of meeting someone, so I guess this is just a special occasion.”
Though she had been enjoying the commotion of the rodeo just moments before, the conversation with Alex suddenly left Clara feeling as though all of the air had been sucked out of the room. As she hurried away, tears stung her eyes and she shoved through the crowd more hurriedly than she had before. People cursed at her but she didn't slow to apologize or even to check on the one person she was sure she knocked over. All she could focus on was getting away from the refreshment tent, away from Alex and that stupid bull, away from Tess and all of the other idiots who thought that watching people get thrown off of bulls was a good day of entertainment. The idea of watching Alex climb up on that bull was nauseating. Clara would never be able to watch him get hurt.
When she got outside, Clara looked around the grounds of the rodeo until she spotted a grove of trees about a hundred yards away. That seemed like the best place to be because she could tuck herself against the trees so that she would no longer be able to see the bull pen. Clara hurried towards them and, hearing Alex's name being called as the next contestant, quickly folded herself down so that her forehead rested on her knees. Her breathing was shallow, the same way it had once been when she was still a child and a storm would shake their New York City apartment. Although she couldn't see what was happening, the announcer's words still rang loud and clear across the grounds and the crowd roared like they had lost all of their senses. Like they had gone wild. It was short, enough time for Clara to take two, deep shuddering breaths before the announcer was calling out, “Ouch. That was a nasty fall taken by Alex Roxton and the medics are rushing in to check on him, while the handlers wrangle Mudslide back into his pen. The official time is 4.3 seconds, folks.”
Clara remained in her upright fetal position and that was the way she still was when she felt someone slide down the tree to sit next to her. Without looking up, Clara knew who it was. She said nothing.
A few moments passed before Tess finally spoke up. “So, he survived.” Clara's immediate thought was “No thanks to you” but her silence continued. Tess pressed closer to her and tentatively put a hand on her back. “Hey,” she said softly. “What was all of that about back at the refreshment tent?'
“Alex could have died on that stupid bull and you don't even care.” Clara finally looked up at Tess accusingly, though the effect was probably dampened by her puffy, red rimmed eyes. “Why did you make him do something so stupid? You know he only did it so that you wouldn't get disappointed in him, right? He thinks the world of you and apparently your opinion on him is that he can get trampled or kicked in the back, as long as he fills your fantasies of being some knight in shining armor.”
Tess tilted her head at Clara, a motion that Clara knew all too well. It was what Tess did when she realized something that should have been obvious in the first place. “How long have you liked him?” she asked, bluntly.
Her automatic response was denial but she knew now that Tess had figured out her secret, her defenses weren't going to work. Tess was silly and naive, yes, but she was also intelligent and knew when she was being lied to. Clara shrugged halfheartedly and turned her face away to look at the trees. She wondered if she was ever going to stop crying that day.
“A while ago,” Tess said slowly, “You asked me if it was okay to try and get in my head for an exercise in your acting class.” Clara could feel Tess fidgeting beside her but only wrapped her arms more securely around her legs. Her chest and eyes hurt from crying and it kind of felt like her entire world was crumbling around her. “After you did that, I was feeling confused on how I felt about Alex and I asked you what you learned during your time as me. You wouldn't answer me. I guess I was confused about that at first but then I started thinking about it and I realized you would only not tell me if you were trying to protect me. You're always trying to protect me. And I don't think you would protect me from liking Alex so the only conclusion I could come to was that you realized that I didn't feel the way that I thought I did.” Fingers slipped under her chin and Tess pulled her face around softly so that Clara couldn't avoid looking at her. “How long?”
Clara sighed and looked past Tess. “About a year, I guess.”
Apparently that had not been the answer that Tess was looking for. She released Clara's face and sat back against the tree, staring wide eyed at the announcement. It was starting to make Clara uncomfortable and she shifted on the ground, averting her gaze to look into the trees. She'd felt like a bad friend for a long time now, both for keeping a secret and for allowing herself to fall for her best friend's unofficial boyfriend. This conversation was only increasing her anger at herself and she impatiently wiped another tear away from her cheek.
“Well,” Tess said at last. “I wish you had told me sooner because maybe I would have realized then that you were right.” Clara looked up at this, confused. “You're right,” Tess said again. “I love Alex as a friend. That's why I could never bring myself to do anything more about our relationship because deep down I knew that it wasn't what I wanted.”
“Tess...” Clara started but her friend held up a hand to stop her.
“You stepped back, Clara. And now I'm stepping back.” With that, Tess stood and walked back towards the refreshment tent, leaving Clara with a sense of dread and feeling more confused than ever.
Blaine raised the joint to his lips, taking a drag and letting his eyes flutter shut as he felt the smoke fill his lungs. Blaine wasn’t a smoke by any means, there had been a few parties at Dalton where he’d dabbled, but he knew how much Kurt hated it, so he steered clear, but it was so much like Sebastian to be the bad influence again. Not that he regretted this by any means. It felt good to do this with Sebastian, as he was probably one of the few people who Blaine trusted enough to do this with.
He exhaled slowly, leaning back against the bed, his eyes opening slowly as he glanced up at Sebastian, a cocky little grin tugging at his lips. “You were right, it’s so much better this way,” he told him, stretching out a little more and making himself more comfortable, sprawled out across the bed, reaching up and loosening the bow-tie around his neck.
