Mack wasn't exactly happy with what Alyssa was doing. She didn't like the idea of her sleeping with Tanner behind Lela's back, but it was somehow managing to get her closer to Lela. She felt extremely guilty about knowing and not telling her.
However, Mack pushed the thought to the back of her mind. Today was the day that she would be going over to Lela's house. In less than a week she had gotten to know this girl that she would only see in the school hallways. She seemed so far away and out of reach.
Ever since the night at the Drive-in her life would change forever. As Brady drove down curvy street of enormous suburban homes, Mack felt her phone buzz. She pulled it out to see a text from Alyssa asking where she was. She didn't want to tell her that she was on her way to Lela's or she would have asked why.
She wrestled with the idea. She just replied "Calc homework. Text you later!" And put her phone away. "Everything alright?" Brady asked in concern. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just nervous!" Mack replied. "Don't be. She's human, not a giant." He joked.
This caused her to calm down a bit but he could see that she was still nervous. "Dude, you're acting like it's a date or something." He said. Mack's body went cold. She tried her best to keep a straight face. "Hey, this is the house!" She cried, grateful that they finally arrived.
She took off her seat belt, inhaling and exhaling deeply. She felt Brady place a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Don't be afraid. You're a pretty amazing person. She would be lucky to have you as a friend." He told her softly. Mack wanted to cry at this. Brady was so sweet. He was the greatest friend she could possibly ask for.
"Thanks Brady." She said wrapping him a warm hug before stepping out of the car. Brady watched as Mack walked to the front door, ringing the door bell. Mack's heart was beating fast. Her palms had began to sweat. "Maybe I should tell her that I've caught the flu and couldn't make it." She suggested to herself.
She was getting mixed feelings. She wanted to turn around and run back toward the car, but the sound of footsteps caused her to freeze. Moments later the door swung open revealing a cheerful looking Lela. Mack couldn't help but gawk at what she was wearing.
Lela wore a tight pink tank top that showed off a large portion of her cleavage as well as a pair of short shorts. Mack forced her eyes back up to Lela's blue orbs. "Mack, you came!" Lela cheered hugging her. Mack felt like she was in heaven. She returned the hug not wanting to let go.
"Is that Brady?" Lela asked looking over Mack's shoulder. Lela let go of Mack causing Mack to internally calm down. "Yeah." Mack laughed. Lela gave Brady a big wave, giggling lightly. "Hi Brady!" Lela yelled. "Hey Lela! Take care of my best friend alright?!" He yelled back.
Mack blushed with embarrassment. "I will!" Lela shouted back. Brady waved back before beeping the horn and speeding off. "Wow, Brady really cares about you. Tanner doesn't even waits for me to walk to the front door." Lela says sadly. She looks like she wants to cry. Mack feels the sudden urge to hug her again, but she holds it back.
"Come inside!" Lela says cheerfully as if a few seconds ago never happened. Mack followed her inside, closing the door behind them. Inside was a beautiful suburban middle class living room. The room was decorated with expensive furniture, a china cabinet, and the largest flat screen Mack had ever seen.
Mack could smell the aroma of cookies seeping from the other room. "Smells great!" Mack commented as she followed Lela upstairs.
"Thank you! I decided to make some since I was having company." She said looking back at her. "Thanks! I love cookies! What kind are they?" Mack asked feeling hot all over. Lela had made cookies for her. "Chocolate chip!" Lela replied. "I love chocolate chip!" Mack replied reaching the top of the stairs.
Lela's room looked very cheerful and bright. No surprise that it was much like herself. The side she showed the world. Mack would never have thought that she would be here. For most of the school year she had imagined different scenarios where this would happen, but never really expected it to happen.
Mack looked around her room not noticing that Lela was sitting down. When she did, she saw noticed Lela patting the spot next to her. If Mack couldn't believe what was happening. She took deep breaths internally. Walking over to the bed she sat beside her.
The scent of vanilla had once again invaded her nostrils. "I've been meaning to ask you something..." Lela began. Oh god. Mack's heart started racing again. "Y-yeah?" She managed to croak hoping Lela wouldn't know how nervous she was.
"What made you want to help me the other day?" Lela looked deep into Mack's eyes. Mack hesitated to speak. Lela nodded for her to go on. "I don't know exactly. I guess I just didn't like the idea of seeing you hurt. I mean SOMEONE hurt that I got this protective instinct." She replied looking down at the floor.
Lela hadn't yet replied and Mack was getting nervous. She looked up at her and noticed how close they were sitting. Their faces were only a few inches apart. Mack looked down at her lips. She was dying to kiss her.
She wondered so badly what her lips tasted like. Her lip gloss made them glisten causing her curiosity to grow. "You know what's funny? We've only known each other for less than a week and you treat me better than he does." She laughed lightheartedly.
"I'm sorry." Mack replied sympathetically. "Don't be." Lela replied. She softly placed her hand on Mack's cheek. This caused Mack to turn a deep red. Lela had a soft touch. She could barely feel it. She took her hand away suddenly standing to her feet.
Mack was of course disappointed. "So, have you and Brady ever...you know...hooked up?" She asked. Mack was confused by the sudden question. "Uh no. We're just friends." Mack laughed feeling slightly intrigued as to why she asked.
Mack could have sworn Lela smiled at her response, but that could have just been her eyes playing tricks on her. "I'll be back in just a sec!" Lela said before jumping up and disappearing from the room.
Mack sat there wondering what the hell was happening. Her head was spinning and she could hardly think or breathe. Was Lela coming on to her? What she just super friendly? Should she try to make a move?
Mack worried that if she tried to make a move Lela might reject her. This couldn't be happening. She began to hope that this was just a phase. She couldn't feel this way about another girl. It wasn't normal. What would her grandfather say or her mom? She couldn't be gay. "I'm not gay. I'm not gay. I'm not ga-" "Would you like some cookies?" Lela asked, breaking her from her mumbling.
"Sure!" Mack quickly responded trying to remain calm. Lela walked over to her holding a plate of cookies. She held it out toward Mack letting her take one. After Mack took one Lela placed the plate on her nightstand. "Would you like to watch a movie or listen to music. Don't make fun of me but I have a lot of classic stuff. Mostly the 1950s and 1960s."
Mack laughed, finding that adorable. "I told you not to laugh!" Lela said hiding her face. "No, I'm not making fun of you. I think it's adorable." Mack managed to say, scolding herself for the last part. Lela lowered her hands from her face.
"You think I'm adorable?" She asked peering into her eyes. Mack face turned a bright red. "No no no! I mean that I found the music adorable!" Mack lied. "Of course!" Lela giggled.
The girls decided to watch The Shining. The lights were completely off. Lela moved closer to her during the scary parts of the film. "Oh my god!" She squeaked as they listened to the kid talk in a creepy voice.
Lela buried her face in Mack's shoulder. At this point Mack was no longer paying attention to the movie. She could only focus on how close they were. Lela's hand rested her head on Mack's shoulder slightly rubbing small circles on her arm. This drive Mack crazy.
She felt as though her ovaries were about to explode. "I'm not gay. I'm not gay. I'm not gay." She repeated to herself in her head. "Is everything okay?" Lela asked in concern. "Yeah! Everything's fine." Mack lied. This couldn't be real.
She didn't know what exactly Lela was trying to do to her, but whatever it was it was working. Mack couldn't take it anymore. She had held it in long enough. She decided that she would take the risk. "Lela?" She asked.
"Hmm?" Lela replied looking into her eyes. The television lit up her eyes making them look even more blue than before. Mack inched closer to her. Lela looked down at her lips. She still hadn't moved so Mack took this as a good sign. Their lips were about to touch when-
The door opened causing them both to pull apart. Mack cursed internal. They both looked over to see Tanner wearing what looked to be pajamas. "Hey babe! I'm sleeping over!" He said cheerfully. His eyes fell on Mack who flashed him a fake smile. "Oooh babe! You didn't tell me we were having company at this sleepover!" He raised his eye brows at Mack.
This caused her to shiver in disgust. "No, we were just watching a movie." Lela answered. "Oooo babe! You made cookies?!" Tanner asked walking over and helping himself to one. "Yeah!" Lela chimed. "You're the best!" He said leaning over and kissing her in the lips. Uncomfortable, Mack crawled out of bed putting on her shoes.
Lela pulled away from Tanner. "Do you want me to drive you home?" She asked. "No, I'm fine. I'll just ask my mom for a ride." Mack replied not making eye contact. She didn't want to look at her or Tanner. The thought of him sleeping around with someone else and deceiving her irked her.
She quickly rushed out of the room. "Mack wait!" She heard footsteps behind her. She didn't want to stop. If she stopped, she knew she wouldn't be able to leave. She could hear the sound of thunder from outside. A flash of lightning shone through the windows.
Mack started dialing her mother's number, but couldn't seem to remember the rest. "Damn it!" She cursed. She walked out of the house losing the door. "Mack! What's wrong?!" Lela cried. By now rain had started pouring down. "Mack I don't understand what's going on." Lela cried.
Mack felt bad for ignoring her, but she couldn't take it anymore. She started dialing Brady's number when Lela touched her hand. "Mack please! It's raining. Come inside-" she said, her voice cracking. "What is wrong with you? Why are you acting like this? I thought we were friends!" Lela cried.
"BECAUSE!" Mack shouted back. "Because of what?" Lela asked looking confused. "You started acting funny when Tanner showed up." "I HAVE FEELINGS FOR YOU! Do you get it! I think I'm gay!" Mack said as tears flooded down her face. Lela looked like she had just witnessed someone being killed.
"I've liked you for the entire school year and you didn't even know who I was until last night! You didn't even know who I was! I feel pathetic! It's because of you that I've gotten these feelings that I can't explain!" Mack shouted all at once. She didn't notice Lela taking a few steps toward her. "Mack, I'm so sorry." She cried sympathetically touching her shoulder.
Mack snatched away. "Stop patronizing me!" She shouted. "You've been sending me mixed signals for this past week and I'm getting sick of it! I hate being led on! I'm scared and I can't do this any-" Mack's words were silenced by Lela's lips pressing against hers.
This surprised her. She felt as though she were in a dream. This couldn't be happening. Her lips tasted like raspberries. Mack pulled her in kissing her hungrily. She wanted more. Lela wrapped her arms around Mack's shoulders.
Mack could feel Lela's tongue begging for entrance and she was more than happy to let her in. Lela moved her tongue skillfully throughout Mack's mouth. Mack thought she was in heaven. "What the hell?" They heard a familiar voice shout over the rain.
They both turned around to see Tanner standing at the front door infuriated. Mack's stomach dropped. On one hand she felt guilt for kissing his girlfriend while on the other hand she didn't.
"Tanner please! It isn't what it looks like!" Lela pulled away from Mack running over to Tanner. "What the fuck did you do to my girlfriend you fucking dyke?!" He spat! He started running toward Mack, pushing Lela to the ground. "Lela!" Mack cried before taking off into the rain.
