A/N: Sorry for not updating in a while! I've been pretty busy but I'll try not to leave you waiting too long for the next chapter again. That said... enjoy!
Chapter 4: Gay Bars Are A Girl's Best Friend
Amy's mind was still reeling from the conversation with Karma. She couldn't believe it. They were officially over. Not only as lovers – well, fake lovers if technicalities meant anything– but as best friends as well. Amy had walked away from Karma as quickly as she could so that the other girl wouldn't see the tears that were slowly starting to well up in her eyes. For a brief moment, she wondered if Karma felt any remorse whatsoever for causing this whole mess. No, screw Karma. It's all part of the plan, she told herself. Karma believes that I've fallen for Liam instead of her. So she thinks I don't have feelings for her anymore. But where does that leave me? Should I continue to waste my time pining after her like I have been for the last few weeks… or should I move on?
Suddenly, a thought came to Amy. What if… what if I found a girlfriend? An honest to god, real girlfriend who actually felt the same way about me that I felt about her? But where could I find a girl who would, you know, be interested in dating a girl? The only place I can think of is – The Twain. Amy thought back to the last time that she'd been to the hangout hotspot that doubled as a "lesbian coffee shop by day and gay bar by night", as Shane had put it. Suffice it to say, she had not been as subtle when it came to flirting as she had hoped she was being. And there's no way that she was going to use SYZZR again – as well-intentioned as the dating app was, it just wasn't her style. Amy much rather preferred to connect with people she was meeting for the first time face-to-face. Oh, fuck it. Amy got into her car and started up the engine. She had made up her mind. She was going to try to get over Karma, even if it killed her poor heart trying.
Karma didn't know what to feel. The person who she had told everything to for years, who had shared in her secrets and slumber parties and planned scavenger hunts for her birthday, had just walked out of her life. And it seemed like it was for good. The wind felt harsher and cooler than it had first been, making her wish she had worn a jacket. This was all her fault. She had unwittingly been the catalyst in a chain reaction that spiraled out of control, ruining countless relationships in the process. If I hadn't been so stupid and read into things more, I would have seen it. But now it's cost me my relationship with Amy. She should have been more important than some stupid schoolgirl crush and I should have stopped this whole thing before it got too far.
Deep inside, Karma knew that there was something more to her thoughts. She wouldn't admit it, but losing Amy was making her question the person she thought she was. Karma brushed away a solitary tear as she took out her phone. Scrolling through her contact list, she sighed. There was one person she could talk to who might be able to help her sort out this mess. Once she found the name she was looking for, she hit the "call" button.
"Karma?"
"Liam… I know I'm the last person you probably want to talk to right now but ," she bit her lip nervously, "I need you to do me a favour."
There was silence on the other end before Liam finally spoke up again.
"Well, it depends what you were thinking of…"
"I was wondering if –" Karma took a deep breath. "If you could give me Shane's number."
When Amy stepped inside the Twain, she found it to be quieter than usual. Well, at least quieter since the last time she was there – she didn't exactly frequent the place. Since it was late afternoon most people hadn't arrived yet. Amy decided the best plan of action would be to take a seat and scope out possible contenders from a safe distance. She happened to notice a petite redheaded girl sitting at one of the booths by herself. Wow, she's pretty, Amy thought to herself. She was just about to go over and try to strike up a conversation with the girl – at least until she noticed another girl approaching the table. The second girl looked like a stereotypical beach bombshell - all tanned skin, lithe limbs, and long flowing hair. And she was sitting down at the booth, affectionately putting her arm around the redhead.
"Hey babe," she said, pecking her cheek.
Amy sighed. Of course, there was already a girlfriend. Just my luck. She felt like sinking into the upholstery of the blue leather booth.
Not feeling up to watching the blissfully happy couple engage in PDA, Amy walked over to the bar on the other side. She took a seat on one of the stools and sat despondently, resting her head in her hands. Why is it so hard to find a nice, single girl in this town? Things were so much easier when I was with Karma.
"Waiting for someone?"
Amy looked up and found that there was a girl standing in front of her. A really attractive girl, nonetheless. She had expressive brown eyes akin to those of a doe and a megawatt smile. Her wavy chestnut hair was pinned back so as not to fall in her face. She wore a bright blue polo shirt with a navy apron, as well as a short black pleated miniskirt and a pair of studded tan ankle boots. The girl was flat-out gorgeous and Amy couldn't take her eyes off of her. It took her a moment to even register the other girl's words.
"Huh?" she managed, dumbfounded.
Amy realized how stupid she must have looked, quickly scrambling to pull herself together.
"Oh, no – not me. I'm not waiting for anyone, actually. I just broke up with my girlfriend, you know."
Did I really just say that? Amy thought. Well, I guess it is kind of true, right?
"Your girlfriend, hmm?"
Amy nodded deliberately, as if to re-affirm her statement.
"Well that sucks… any chance a drink might help cure those breakup blues? It's on the house."
The girl winked at Amy. Oh my god, is she trying to flirt with me? I guess this is my chance…
"S-sure, a drink would be good!" she stammered. Pull yourself together, Raudenfeld!
"So, I haven't seen you around before…"
The girl, who was currently pouring what appeared to be some kind of cocktail, raised her head.
"Oh, I'm new in town. Just moved here a couple weeks ago actually! And I know I haven't seen you around either."
She set the bottle down and rested her elbows on the countertop, leaning in ever so slightly towards Amy.
"I mean, if I'd have seen a girl who's as much of a stunner as you… I would've remembered her for sure."
Amy felt her cheeks heat up.
"I'm Cam, by the way. Well my real name's Camryn but no one really calls me that except for my parents. And you?"
The girl – Cam – looked at Amy expectantly, waiting for her to provide an answer.
"Oh, right! My name. I'm Amy."
She smiled awkwardly.
"Pretty name for a pretty girl… I dig it."
Cam picked up the drink she had concocted and handed it to Amy, who eyed it curiously.
"What exactly is this? I mean I should probably know since I'm the one drinking it."
"Just a strawberry lime margarita with a tiny bit of vodka – nothing too fancy!"
"Mmm, that actually sounds pretty good right about now."
Amy took a sip of her margarita.
"You like it?" Cam asked.
"Yeah… I really like it!"
Cam grinned. Then she shot a quick glance at the clock mounted on the wall behind her.
"Oh, shit. I've gotta go help set a few things up before the late night crowd get here."
She reached over to grab something from the counter – a napkin, Amy could see. Cam then grabbed a Sharpie marker and jotted something down on the napkin, folding it up before handing it to Amy.
"If you need someone, you know where to find me." she said with a flirtatious smile. Then, she disappeared into the back room.
Amy cautiously unfolded the napkin, trying hard not to get her hopes up. But there it was, in all its glory. Cam's phone number. Her heart leapt with excitement and a huge smile spread its way across her face. Score.
