Warning: Profanity.

A/N: I have returned with great tidings of joy—a.k.a. a new 7teen story. I'm actively trying to not procrastinate and actually do productive things in my spare time, so this came out of it. I hope you enjoy!

Note: Some elements of this story are reminiscent of and mirror the episode "Role Reversal," but it's not a copy of that episode. It explores girl crushes and female friendships a little deeper.

By the way, this story is named after an insanely incredible Hayley Kiyoko song, which really deserves to be played on the radio. This story also contains hella references to "Hurricane" by your local blue-haired pixie Halsey.

7teen: Girls Like Girls (Like Boys Do)

The world moved in slow motion, or at least Sydni did as she skated. With every effortless push and turn, the past and present hit her.

It had been almost a month since she moved away from her heart and soul—from her friends and most of her family. What an interesting and excruciatingly long time it had been.

She pushed against the concrete ground, simply letting the force move her along, not involving her whole body and all her effort like she typically did.

Michaela and Danielle were only a call away, but cellphones and Skype weren't enough. Sydni knew what she had done when she'd helped her mom seal the deal on the decision to move—she knew she'd have to leave her old Baltimore life behind—but knowing it and feeling it were two different things. The heartache of leaving her girls and Marcus behind felt too real, often overtaking the heartache of losing Jake.

Skating with the gang, while a fun and entertaining experience, would never be like the skate-dates she, Michaela, Danielle, and sometimes Marcus planned.

"Hey, bra. You okay?" Jude asked after catching up with her.

She offered him a tiny smile and nodded, hoping it didn't seem forced. "I'm fine," she lied.

He hesitated before grinning. "That's good." He took her by the hand and led her towards Jen, Wyatt, and Caitlin. "Thought you could use some company," he told Sydni.

For once, she didn't doubt or refute anything, her innate stubbornness taking a break for one night.

With people like Jude around, maybe she would be better.

"Whoa, Jonesy, slow down!" Nikki yelled at her boyfriend, who'd been skating faster and faster each second. She'd gotten better at ice skating, but she was by no means an expert at roller skating.

"Sorry, babe. My natural need for speed kicked in," he said with a cheeky grin as he slowed down.

She rolled her eyes. "Of course it did."

He held her hand and helped her bob and weave through people in her way.

After lying to her about what he'd done at Sydni's party, he'd been trying his hardest to make amends with her—even though the day after the party she already told him that it was fine as long as he didn't lie like that again. But, knowing him, she quickly added, "Or don't lie to me anymore this week." Despite this, he promised he would take her on lunch dates all week long, starting today.

In addition to the dates, he figured helping her with her roller-skating wouldn't hurt, either. He smirked. Maybe impressing her with his roller-skating would be better.

He wanted to twirl her around like they were dancing before catching her in his arms, hoping it would earn him a kiss or two. When he attempted this trick, however, he threw off her balance and sent her hurling away, eventually braking by crashing into someone.

"Oh shit," Jonesy said as he quickly skated towards Nikki, hoping she wouldn't murder him for this.

Before he could apologize to Nikki, he saw her talking to the girl she'd accidentally taken down.

The girl gripped the barrier surrounding the rink for support before lending a hand to Nikki.

"Sorry about this," Nikki said as she got up. She crossed her arms. "It's mostly my lunkhead boyfriend's fault, but, then again, I tend to be uncoordinated on skates."

"It's no problem; I suck at skating, too. I'm only here because my twin sister dragged me," the girl said with a faint British accent. "Wait a sec, don't I know you from somewhere? You look familiar."

"So do you." Nikki squinted at her before it hit her, her eyes widening at the realization. "Oh, right—you go to Rockwood! You were in my chemistry class."

"Oh, yeah! That class was the absolute worst; Mr. Simpson would just go on and on and on forever." She rolled her eyes on the last word. "I don't think he's ever heard of a period, or, at the very least, a semicolon."

"No kidding." She snorted. "I think we skipped over the whole introduction thing, but I'm Nikki."

"Lovely name. My parents named me Tristan, as if I look like a Tristan."

"You're not the only one with name issues. My full name's really Nicole, but it doesn't suit me, you know?"

"I definitely get you." She smirked, running a hand through her scarlet-tipped black hair—or at least the side that wasn't completely shaved off.

"I like your hair. It's pretty edgy."

"Thanks. Got it done as soon as school let out."

"That's probably why it took me a minute to recognize you. Nice."

Moments later, the rest of the gang joined Jonesy as he watched the conversation taking place in his midst, ignoring the people who skated around him.

Nikki turned around and noticed them, saying, "Oh, Tristan, these are my friends. Jen, Jude, Wyatt, Caitlin, Sydni, and—the lunkhead himself—Jonesy. Guys, this is Tristan."

"Hello." She gave a small wave. "Nice to meet you guys."

The gang greeted her in return as Jen asked, "You were in our chemistry class, right?"

"Totally." Tristan's eyes lingered over Sydni, asking, "I've seen you before, too. Weren't you locked in the bathroom here?"

"Yep, that was me. I thought you looked familiar." She grinned sheepishly. "It's a small world, isn't it?"

"Very. So—"

"Tris!" A girl (who Nikki presumed to be Tristan's twin, due to their identical facial features) rushed towards Tristan and took her hand. "Tris, you have got to come with me. I've found the most amazing girl for you and I can't wait to show her to you! I am such a genius!"

With all that pep, Nikki found herself staring at the black-haired, grey-eyed version of Caitlin.

"Taylor, I'll be there in a moment. Just give me a sec, okay?"

"Sure. I'll be over there when you're done!" After pointing to a table situated just outside the rink itself, she skated away with grace and unbridled energy.

Maybe she's Caitlin's twin, Nikki thought.

"Sorry about that. My sister never stops."

"No kidding." She chuckled.

"I probably shouldn't keep her waiting, but I think we should hang out sometime. I'm at the Galleria almost everyday, but we can hang somewhere else if you'd like."

"So am I. I work at the Crappy Barn—I mean, the Khaki Barn."

"Oh, really? I work at Once Upon a Time."

"That new bookstore?"

"That's the one."

"Nice. Maybe I can drop by tomorrow. I'm off anyways."

"Sounds like a plan." Before stumbling in her sister's direction, she waved and said goodbye.

Nikki crossed her arms and half-grinned. "Hmm… I like her."