"What?" Isa choked, confused.
Florence pulled her hair, embarrassed.
"Oh never mind. It's fine."
"But Flo, it's not fine", Isa said, walking over to the sofa, sitting next to her friend, and squeezing her arm.
"What is it, love?"
Love. Florence felt shivers in her spine as Isa rubbed her shoulders and stroked her hair.
"I've been…..uh, thinking about you a lot", Florence whispered to Isa.
"Awh, what about me, love?" Isa asked, yawning. Her breath on Florence's face was comforting. Isa was alive, right next to her, and touching her. She never wanted this to end. She wanted to stay next to Isa forever.
"I've been so...lonely. And I miss you, Isa. I always want to see you." Isa wrapped her arms around Flo's waist.
"But I don't want to bother you", Florence said softly, looking down, "So I just hold it all in…and then I want to explode."
Isa saw tears falling down her friends face. She reached up and softly kissed Flo's cheek, and then resting her head on her shoulder.
Flo tried to hold in her tears, but the warmth of Isa's body against her own was too much. She started to cry, and buried her face in her hands, embarrassed.
"You don't ever bother me Flo", Isa said, smiling at her beautiful friend, "I love you, Florence.
"I love you too, Izzy", Florence cried, looking into Isa's big eyes. She laid her head on Isa's legs.
Isa ran her fingers through Flo's long red hair.
"I'm sorry", Florence sighed, "I must seem so pathetic right now."
Isa wiped away the tears that had fallen down the sides of Florence's face.
"It's ok, love. You're so strong. All of this touring is so tiring, especially for you. You're allowed to fall apart sometimes. I completely support it."
Florence giggled, and squeezed Isa's hand, which she had been holding for a while. They sat in silence for a long time. Then, without thinking, Florence sat up, pulled Isa towards her, and kissed her. Isa put her hands on Florence's neck, and then pulled away.
"I…I have to go."
Isa grabbed her phone from the coffee table, and ran out the door.
Florence sat in shock. She had no idea how different everything was going to be from then on.