Chapter 1: One of these days it will kill you

Heather sat on a bench just around the corner of the parking lot. Her legs were still sore from the day's practice. And over the sound of her blaring ipod she could still make out Zach's indistinct voice directing her moves. With her legs stretched out, she let eye-lids close behind white shades, dozing off in the heat of the afternoon sun.

It always took her a while to completely unwind. Her tight muscles began to relax as Foster The People zoned out the street noises. Her wandering mind gathered random moments of the day - like Kevin's excitement over the YouTube video of sea-turtles having sex - bringing a lazy smile to her lips. As the memory of a throaty laughter invaded her thoughts, her eyes shot open creasing at the blasting sun that faced her. She closed them again, clearing her throat for no particular reason, trying to relax again. It was already too late. The owner of the contagious laughter was already drowning her brain. She smiled, despite herself, letting her head fall back as the image of her best friend took over her mind.

Shiny waves of black hair fell on slim shoulders framing her gorgeous, pensive face. Brown eyes were lost, staring aimlessly at the ground, as she taped distracted fingers on her knee. The girl was sitting on Artie's wheelchair, in the middle of the choir room, oblivious to everyone around her. As her eyes gained focus she took notice of the blonde standing on the doorway, watching her. With the saddest smile ever to grace those otherwise perfect lips, she held out a hand motioning for the dancer to come closer. Heather did, silently. She sat on the floor, resting her arm against the left wheel, letting Naya's fingers trace soft patterns against her forehead. Her eyes closed at the touch, holding back tears she couldn't understand.

That was the day she told her he was moving in.

The pang in her chest made her open her eyes again, her nose already burning under the sun. She took long breaths to calm her heavy heart. She needed to get a grip. She had no idea where these mood swings were coming from. Whatever it was, it needed to stop. She swore that if she had time to spare she would go to a therapist. Especially now, that her walking diary - Ashley – had moved out.

To be honest, she never dwelled on it. She wouldn't let herself do so. She tried not to over think things and, even now, as images popped in her head without warning she wouldn't try to figure out why. She just wanted a happy, peaceful existence. That's all she wanted. But she could never really ignore the associations, could she?

No, she wouldn't go to any therapists. No one would know exactly when to stop pushing like Ashley did. It was better to just ignore it.

"Think happy thoughts, Heather. Happy thoughts."

Naya was squirming underneath her, her wrists trapped by Heather's firm grip against the couch.

"Come on, Hemo! You've had your fun. Now let me go."

"Oh really, should I let go?"

"I've said I'm sorry…"

Naya bargained, her voice already bubbling with laughter.

"And you think sorry will do, you sneaky minx? You scared me to death and you're still laughing."

"I told you I would! Who would even warn beforehand? You should consider yourself lucky."

"You told me last week. Last week! How was I supposed to know I would come home and have Jason jump out of my closet and attack me?"

"The closet will kill you. Don't say I never warned you."

The glint in brown eyes made Heather agitated. She gripped her friend's wrists tighter, moving impossibly closer to her face.

"Not before I kill you."

With that she let go of her wrists moving to Naya's waist, tickling her weakest spot just above her hips.

Naya screamed in anticipation, laughing in tears as she tried to get a hold of Heather's hands.

"Truce! Truce!"

Heather stopped her tickling spree, but her hands remained on Naya's stomach, under the firm pressure of the other girl's palms.

"That will teach you."

Naya smiled lazily, her eyes fixed on blue ones.

"I still love you, though."

It came out. They weren't shy about expressing their friendship, still it made the blonde blush, looking away while laughing lightly at herself.

"I love you too. More than I probably should…"

Heather met her eyes, hesitating as she hovered above her. There was a pause. None moved or spoke during that time, as their eyes scanned every inch of skin of each other's features. When their eyes met again, both girls seemed clueless. Their smiles grew bigger as they both cracked up easing the tension between their bodies. Heather rested her head on Naya's chest, feeling her speeding heartbeat against her ear.

"We're silly." She said, ignoring the butterflies in her stomach.

"It will kill you, one of these days."

Heather looked up to find Dianna standing in front of her. Sharp eyes and an understanding smile adorning her face.

"The sun?"

"That head of yours."

"You think?" Heather asked honestly, her voice weaker than she anticipated.

"Go home, Hemo." With gentle fingers, the shorter blonde moved a strand of hair from anxious blue eyes, "Your prince charming is waiting for you."

Heather smiled lightly, playing with the hem of her shirt, a weird clench of guilt weighting down her limbs. Sighing tiredly, the dancer stood up, following Dianna's lead to the parking lot.

As she started the engine, she caught a glimpse of brown hair from the corner of her eye. She exhaled slowly, a breath she didn't know she was holding, as her co-star came into view. The petite brunette was talking animatedly on the phone, waving Heather goodbye. The blonde waved back at Lea, before driving off to the exit. Time to go home, she thought.