It had been exactly 2 hours, 35 minutes and 18 seconds since Laura Hollis had finally kissed Carmilla Karnstein. She had never felt this ecstatic before, she's both happy and nervous at the same. Nervous over the fact that Carmilla have no single idea that it was actually Laura who she kissed at the kissing booth.
Laura had to admit to herself that if given a chance, she would kiss Carmilla over and over again. Each time she remembers how Carmilla's lips felt on her she would immediately smile and she would, from time to time hide her face from Danny and Perry because they just wouldn't stop with the teasing every time she would be blushing. Her blush according to Danny is Karnstein-induced blush.
"You're blushing again, sweetheart" Perry teased as she noticed Laura smiling as she spaces out.
"I wasn't!" Laura protested at the obvious.
"You so do!" Danny joins in teasing
"Oh guys, you are all horrible!"
"Hey there's nothing wrong about it" Perry reassures Laura as she wrapped an arm on the shorter girl's shoulder.
"Yeah just try not to get caught by Carmilla" Danny says as she controls her laughter which earns a glare from both Perry and Laura
"Sorry. I was just trying to lighten up the mood, because Laura seems so tensed even if Carmilla isn't around. Where is she anyway?"
"She's with LaF. Says they're going to go to the animal booth".
"You mean to say, you don't have any idea who they are—the person you kissed?"
"LaF" Carmilla started calmly. "I already told you a couple of times that no, I didn't have any idea who they were. I was blind folded, and the girl left after the kiss before I even get the chance to see her."
"Didn't you ask the summer society about who have registered or something?"
"I did. But unfortunately, Danny wouldn't let me see it!"
"I have an idea. But this is going to be crazy and it would be up to you if you would agree?"
Carmilla raised an eyebrow in question and when Lafontaine didn't get any answer they continued.
"Well I was thinking, what if we set up our own 'kissing booth' but the only ones allowed to join are those who have registered on the timeline same as yours. With that, we can find the person you kissed. I can get the list from Danny and we can start later when the outdoor movie begins. What do you say?"
"I don't know. I mean the idea is great but I have promised Laura that we are going to watch tonight and I don't want to disappoint her."
"Ooh making plans with tiny human huh?" Lafontaine sends a smirk towards a furiously blushing Carmilla.
"Well she has been pestering me about this outdoor cinema since that day Mr. Kipling had mentioned it in class besides she has allowed me to explore a little without her and she was fine about me not helping her with her book sale, so I guess it would hurt to be with her during the outdoor cinema tonight."
Carmilla explains to Lafontaine on their way back to Perry and Laura's booth.
"You know, I wish it's actually it was Laura you had kissed."
"What?" Carmilla had tried to pretend to be surprised instead of sounding hopeless.
"I said, I wish it had been Laura you get to kiss. I mean, you both look good together and all. If only I could make it happen, I want nothing but the two of you to be together."
"Honestly? I would like to happen too but we all know I will only be here until Friday."
"Will it ever change? Can't you stay longer or like something?"
"Not at all. I mean, I haven't talked to mother since I got here. So I don't know.
Laura was about to take a bite on her chocolate cookie when Carmilla decides to snuck it out from her hands. "Hey-"She was about to protest and go on a rant but as soon as she sees it was Carmilla, she immediate smiled. "Oh hi Carm!" Laura greets her as she attempts to bite yet another chocolate cookie.
"I miss you" Carmilla was shocked with answer she gave Laura. She knows it wasn't supposed to be her answer but surprisingly, she said it out loud but what surprised her more was Laura's response
"I miss you too, Carm. So bad." Then Laura tip-toed so she could lean in for a kiss on Carmilla's cheek.
"Well that was a good comeback after we have missed each other, cupcake."
"Yes it was. How are you?"
"I'm good. A little bit tired, but don't worry, I'm not going home yet."
"Well that is good because we are going to the outdoor cinema soon!" Laura squealed with happiness which Carmilla had returned with a genuine smile and as she smiles, she feels butterflies dancing in her stomach. "God look at the things this tiny human does to me." She says to herself as Laura held out a cookie for her to bite in to.
It was around 4 pm when Carmilla receives a text from Lafontaine, apparently they haven't shut up about their plan in finding the mysterious girl she just kissed.
Even though Lafontaine won't shut up about their plan, they are still a bit nervous. She is nervous because she wouldn't know how to ever react or lie when the time comes that Carmilla finds out that they knew all along that it was Laura they kissed. But they think, whatever their reaction would be at least they were decent enough to help Carmilla find their possible soul mate.
Ginger Science: Sooooo… Have you finally decided on the plan?
Broody Vamp: I don't know yet LaF. What if Laura gets suspicious about my actions?
Ginger Science: Trust me, she won't.
Broody Vamp: How can you be so sure about that?
Ginger Science: Well have you forgotten that they're my best friend so I know how to distract them without having them notice anything suspicious.
Broody Vamp: Fineeee. Text me when you're all settled.
Ginger Science: Aye, aye captain.
And with that, LaF had made their way to their "fake" kissing booth. Of course, none of their plan would work without the help of two other gingers—Perry and Danny. As soon as they had discussed the plan to them, they received different reactions.
As they had expected it to be, Perry had to disapprove telling them that it was like sabotaging Carmilla and Laura. On the other hand, Danny got excited about the plan and as the captain of the Summer Society, she immediately cascaded the plan to her sorority and the girls willingly agreed to this shenanigans which in the end, Perry hesitantly agree to join in.
Carmilla and Laura were busy clearing up Laura's book sale since the two day school fair selling is about to come to an end when Lafontaine came rushing.
"Hey Broody Vamp!"
Carmilla actually glares towards them after hearing their nickname which only sends Laura to fit giggles.
"What do you want now wanna-be scientist?"
"Well, I was wondering if you would come with me to the butterfly garden before it close."
Carmilla looked to Laura's direction as if to ask for permission. Why would I need her permission? It's not like I'm dating her or something. As soon as Laura had said yes she immediately dive in to a bone crushing hug to the tiny girl in front of her. It wasn't like she was really going there but fuck it, she's going to do something worthwhile if she can't do it with Laura.
"Thank you, cupcake!" Carmilla says as she lets go of Laura.
"You're welcome. Just be sure to comeback 'round seven, you promised to have dinner with me and you said you're going to take me to the mini planetarium before it closes."
"Don't worry, L. I'll bring them back in one piece before you even notice."
"Okay. Enjoy you two."
And with that, LaF and Carmilla took off.
"So how exactly are you going to let this roll out?" Carmilla asks as soon as they have entered the kiosk where they will held the kissing booth set up only for Carmilla to find her mysterious kisser.
"Well just how LaF had it planned." Danny answered. "Everyone on this list are the ones that have registered near your time at the kissing booth."
What Carmilla didn't know is that SJ, one of the Summer Society members made some editing on the list, which means she deleted Laura's name on the list. Danny and LaF had better idea than to let Carmilla and Laura kiss on the booth and not making it romantic in any single way.
"Well doesn't sound so good to me but yeah let's to this your way." Carmilla says as she waits on the girls to kiss.
Carmilla had managed to kiss six girls by now and at the time that the seventh girl is about to get inside the booth, Carmilla decides to kiss like two or three more girls and not to kiss everyone else on the list.
"I think we're done here." Carmilla says as soon as the sixth girl she kissed left.
"What?"
"Oh come on, Xena. I'm pretty sure you heard what I just said."
"Of course I did. But what I was asking is to why you want to stop now?"
"You see their kiss isn't even the same as the kiss of the girl I have kissed earlier. Hers was—magical. As cliché as this may sound but that girl's kiss was like something sent from heaven. It was a beautiful kiss. Plus don't you think it's a little humiliating for me and these girls to do the kissing? I am pretty sure that it is."
"Just shut up and kiss the last four girls and we're done." Danny answered Carmilla which had caused her to be startled.
"Ugh. You're annoying but fine!"
At around 6 in the evening, Laura and Perry had finally finished cleaning up their booth at the school fair. To be honest, Perry is a bit nervous about the plan they have prepared, simply because she isn't too sure that it would be successful or if Laura won't get a tiny hint.
Okay the dimwit club's initial well should we say main plan is to bring Laura to the booth and let her catch Carmilla kissing some random girls just so they could see what her reaction would. Although knowing herself, Perry doubts if it would work as planned.
So right now, Laura and Perry are on their way to the booth and Perry has never felt this anxious before.
Carmilla was on the middle of kissing the last girl when they have heard a loud splash on the silent room and when Carmilla had pulled away from the kiss, she saw a very terrified Laura who apparently caused the loud splash since she had dropped her milkshake, probably because of too much shock with what she had witnessed.
The moment Carmilla stood up from the chair, Laura had already left. Running away from that room that had broken her heart. Laura couldn't put into the right words of how angry she is with Carmilla. She knows she shouldn't be angry they're not even dating, hell she doesn't even know if Carmilla likes her, but it just happens. She's so angry at Carmilla right now.
Carmilla immediately ran after Laura even if she doesn't know where to follow her.
"Laura! Laura! Wait!" Carmilla called out as she finally sees Laura's retreating figure. But sadly, Laura can't be even bothered to stop.
When Carmilla had finally caught up with Laura she immediately tugged the wrist of the shorter girl so she could stop from running away.
"Leave me alone!" Laura pleads to Carmilla with her back still facing the other girl.
Carmilla had noticed the girl's sad and angry voice, and she knows that Laura had been crying, she silently cursed herself for being the cause of those tears.
"Laura… please"
"Carmilla, just go. It's finally all clear to me now that you don't want anything from me!"
"Just listen to me please?"
"I don't know. I don't know if I should still believe whatever you wanted to say"
Carmilla just ignored what Laura had said and went on not knowing why she had wanted to explain herself.
She stepped forward towards Laura but Laura just moved backwards from her. Ouch
"Laura, I really don't how to start to explain things to you or why I am explaining but all I know is that I have to and I know that you are pretending not be interested but I also know you wanted to hear whatever I wanted to tell you." Carmilla began but Laura didn't respond but just continues to look away from Carmilla while they were standing on the middle of Silas' Soccer field. Knowing she's not gonna say another word, Carmilla went on. "I know I have acted strangely around you today. It was like I was avoiding you and its true, because everything that is going on between us terrifies and scares me. I don't know even know why I had let these things to happen but I'm not saying that I regret it, I'm just really scared Laura."
"Scared of what?" Laura asked with conviction in her voice.
"I- I'm scared that I am letting someone in. I am scared that that someone had to be you. Had to be here. We live in different cities; we both go to different school. I'm only an exchange student for two weeks, and we know that I'll be leaving on Friday and it scares me too of how will I cope up once I leave Silas. I honestly didn't plan for any of this. To get close, get attached but it all happened. I don't normally make friends, I don't do relationships, but with you, hell you make friendship go so easy. You make me want to spend every single day with you, hell I would even want a relationship with you and if only I could stay here I would. But we both know that I can't."
"Don't say that Carm.." Laura says in a soft voice.
"Say what?"
"That you wanted a relationship with me, don't say it as if it's just a joke."
Carmilla went forward to Laura again and held her hands. "No. that's not a joke to me Laura. I like you, I really do. I have liked you ever since our little train incident. I know I have been so mean around you and I'm sorry I had enjoyed way too much teasing when you get uncomfy with my mean attitude. I really do like you Laura and I wouldn't even deny the fact that I am now falling in love with you.
See? I have even registered on that stupid kissing booth on the hopes that you would join too after I have dropped the hint that I want to go there. But surprisingly you didn't, and I know you're gonna question me about what you saw earlier. It was a stupid idea of LaF because I wanted to know who that girl I have kissed earlier, because it felt so magical and all and I was still hoping that-"
Carmilla's outburst was suddenly stopped when Laura finally went in for a kiss. Laura had been dreaming of having a replay of their kiss and now that she knows there is a chance she made it to the point of not letting it slip away.
She kissed Carmilla slowly, passionate and it slowly turns into a heated kiss, but before Laura could even ask for a permission to slide her tongue inside Carmilla's mouth, Carmilla had pulled away causing the smaller girl to groan in frustration.
"Carm-"
"Hold on, hold on"
"What?"
"So it was you who I get to kissed! It was you, it was you. Why didn't you tell me you're going to be there?"
"Because I didn't know if you also wanted to kiss me, I don't even know if you like me the way I do. So I had to talk to Danny and help me get through the kissing booth without you knowing, that is why they had you listed on the "kissers with blind fold" Laura says emphasizing the words with air quotes.
"Laura, you don't- you don't know how happy I am right now. Can I kiss you again?" Carmilla asks hopeful.
Laura had responded to Carmilla with an eye roll "Don't ask the questions you already know the answer to."
And within a second, their lips have reunited once more. Their kiss got even more passionate, more frantic and most of all the kisses have sealed the forgiveness that Carmilla wanted to have the moment Laura had walked out of the booth.
Carmilla pulled away again, just to give a little kiss to Laura, "So, you like me too, cupcake?"
Laura gave a light punch on Carmilla's shoulder, "Will you just shut up and kiss me now?"
"Yes ma'am" And as soon as Carmilla had kissed Laura again, the water sprinklers on the soccer field started sprinkling water and Carmilla had to smile in between kisses knowing that it is Lafontaine's idea and she had made a mental note to thank her later.
The moment they had stopped kissing just to get a few air, Carmilla had unexpectedly and surprising asked Laura something that is somehow inevitable yet something she knows she shouldn't be asking knowing that she's leaving soon.
"Laura, we both know I am leaving on Friday, and trust me cupcake I really want to stay just for you. And I don't know how I can let these things work between us but I am willing to give it a try so, I would like to ask you, cupcake and this is like now or never."
Laura looked to her with a very confused look and a slightly raised brows, as Carmilla went on.
"Laura Hollis, will you be my girlfriend?"