*Warning: Strong Language*

*This is a collaborative project! BlackIndiaInk and I will be writing this story together! Show her some love 'cause she's awesome!*

The Danger of Rushing

Chapter One

College was supposed to be different. A new place, new people, life changing experiences, that is what Amy was promised. Yet, here she was feeling the same feelings that tortured her during high school. Change was a constant but this love was a fixed point of her existence that resisted the laws of nature. She looked over at Karma, who sat on the other side of the back seat.

She was smiling, animated as usual, chatting with Amy's mom about their new dorm and all the classes that she was excited to take. Irritation flickered inside Amy and she clamped down on the words that she wanted to say, biting them off before she could snap at the two most important people in her life. It wasn't their fault that she was in a foul mood.

She was just stressed. This was the weekend after the first week of classes and though she wanted nothing more than to slink into the back of the library on campus and avoid all the living, breathing blights of humanity that surrounded her; she was here pretending to have fun after a lunch date with Karma, Lauren and her Mom.

She rolled her eyes and looked out the window, thankful that they were on their way back to campus. She tried to think about classes and what she had to do to get ready to dive into the world of higher learning but it seemed impossible with the chattering going on next to her. Every word that Karma said alerted her finely tuned senses to pay attention because despite a ridiculous amount of soul searching and denial she was still hopelessly in love with her best friend.

Not that Karma knew that. She seemed content to ignore the signs and symptoms, choosing the status quo over the danger of an exploration of their relationship. Amy let her, knowing that she couldn't run away because she tried. Just being Karma's friend and the occasional object of her flirting was better than having no Karma at all.

As they drove through the school grounds it was impossible not to be buoyed by the spark of energy that a large college campus emanated. Amy glanced over one last time before promising herself to commit to the new life she could have. Perhaps, leaving high school behind would be the turning point. Something was going to break eventually, this much she knew.

Angsty thoughts fled as she stepped out of the SUV and onto the curb in front of their dorm. Lauren, Karma, and her mom came round the car to join her on the sidewalk still chatting.

"Well, girls, this is where I leave you," Farrah chirped.

Amy raised an eyebrow. "Well, it's been fun or something." It wasn't fair, her mother was trying so hard to be supportive and connect with her, especially since she and Lauren had moved out. She got the impression that Farrah was getting a case of empty nest syndrome. She plastered a smile on her face with some effort. "Thanks, Mom." Everything she'd said was sincere but the smile was only a shell inside of which sat a mildly depressed girl whose brain was awash with competing sensibilities.

She leaned into the hug her mom offered her and drank it all in. There had always been a gulf between them mentally and emotionally but this was her mother. No matter what her ideals dictated; that bond could not be broken. Amy sniffed once, struck by the tenderness of her thoughts and leaned back a second later, unwilling to continue the intimate contact.

"We should go," she said, stepping away from the other women. The dorm loomed in front of them, all six floors of dark brick blocking the sun from view. Karma gave her a questioning look and turned back to Farrah.

"Thanks for lunch and I guess we will see you soon." She grabbed Lauren's arm and pulled her toward Amy. "What was that about," she whispered to Amy, while keeping hold of a struggling Lauren.

"Let me go!" Lauren pulled her arm free from Karma's grip and stood, feet planted on the walkway that led to the main dorm doors. "What the hell is wrong with you two. You're so weird." She stormed past them before stopping on the top step in front of the door and giving a coy wave to Farrah, innocence and charm oozing, before turning to open the door.

"Nothing," Amy replied darkly and followed Lauren into the building, leaving Karma on the sidewalk wondering what had really set her off this time.

She looked heavenward, hoping for clarity someday. The crazy ride that was their friendship never seemed to lack sparks of drama so she should expect these moments of dramaturgy. With a deep sigh, she took the steps slowly, hoping that she had at least left their dorm room door open.

Amy sat at her desk, slamming her headphones on and turning the music up loud. The best therapy for her was the right song and if she had just three and a half minutes to listen to the right thing she could be civil again and not a noxious bitch. Karma would be there soon and though the idea of being roommates had come naturally for them, she was now seeing the downfalls. As ideas went, this one was a powder keg waiting for a fuse.

The front door opened and closed, and Karma stood there just looking at Amy's back, wondering if they would ever get back to how it was before and knowing that it was an insane notion. Maybe if she kept going, pretending that there wasn't something between them, waiting for a catalyst to propel itself downward to a crash landing.

With an errant hand she swiped her hair back from her forehead and approached Amy, determined to get her back into a good mood. With gentle hands she reached up and pulled the headphones down to hang about Amy's neck. "Hey, weirdo, you promised to go to the activities fair with me, remember?" She nudged her best friend, watching Amy sway slightly, and turned on her brightest smile. It had never failed before and it didn't now.

The edges of Amy's mouth ticked up the tiniest bit and she let herself be charmed against her will. "I told you that was a waste of time. I'm so not joining a student organization." She still had to put up some kind of resistance even though it was useless.

"I know but what if I want to? You would just be going with me for moral support." She lowered her head and looked up at Amy her face resembling a hurt puppy. "Please? I'll buy you ice cream after."

Amy's resolve crumbled bit by, ever decaying, bit and she just sat there, Karma's allure tugging at her like a bewitching siren's song.

"Come on, you can't say no to chocolate, chocolate chip ice cream with walnuts and gummy bears." Karma threw out the last of her ammunition, knowing that mentioning Amy's favorite ice cream would end any objection she still held onto.

"Fine." Amy's face collapsed into acceptance. "It better be three scoops though." She started to get up. "And with hot fudge."

Karma's fist pumped into the air. "Yes!" She smirked and stood, turning primly on her heel and heading for the door. "Come on, we have to hurry before it gets too crowded."

With a shrug, Amy followed. "What the hell."