Author's Note: Chapter 25 and it's the time jump! Carmilla is 16 and Laura is almost 16. Prepare for fluff, fun and drama in these upcoming chapters. Laura has something big to tell the gang, how will Carmilla respond to Laura's news? So buckle up creampuffs and I hope you enjoy!

Laura sat under her duvet, a box of half eaten cookies next to her. Her attention on her laptop screen as she watched yet another episode of Doctor Who. Laura stared as Karen Gillan came on screen as she tried to keep thinking about her and not about certain brunettes who kept her up most of the night.

Carmilla had phoned Laura in a panic practically crying, it only took a glance outside for Laura to realise why the brunette was so upset. There had been a thunder storm which resulted in Carmilla crying down the phone to Laura.

Laura had told Carmilla to skype her and when Carmilla finally came online, Laura could see that she was huddled with Laura (the cat) under a pile of blankets. Ever since Carmilla was little she'd been scared of thunder storms and loud noises so it had become a regular occurrence for Carmilla to call Laura who always stayed on the phone or on Skype until Carmilla was calm enough to go to sleep.

Laura smiled at the memory of the previous night and how adorable Carmilla had looked hidden under the blankets petting Laura as she purred against Carmilla's chest. Stop it Laura! You just think she's attractive because you've been friends for so long, now look at Amy Pond she's hot and her hair's so long and flowing...but you can't play with her curls...Damn it!

...

Laura bit her lip trying to push the thought out of her mind when her Skype started ringing. Her eyes widened as she saw the caller ID flash up on the screen with a picture of Carmilla, Laura and Laura (the cat). Quickly smoothing her hair Laura answered the call a light blush forming on her cheeks as she took in the brunette.

Hey Cupcake, why's your face red? Were you reading Harry Potter fanfiction again?!

Nooooo! So what are you doing up so early? You're usually asleep until 4!

I was talking to Will

How is he now?

Recovering as best he can, Mattie was a close friend so he's taking it pretty hard but he's in good shape.

Do you know when he'll be back next?

Soon hopefully, he said he'd be back for new year's

So he's not here for Christmas?

He better be, I can't take another holiday alone with my Mother

You can always come round to my house again like you did last Christmas

I think I'd like that very much

Laura thought she saw a blush forming on Carmilla's cheeks as she gave her a shy smile, this was when Laura's eyes studied the rest of her face, her eyes lingering for a little too long on what appeared to be a bruise near Carmilla's right eye. Laura didn't realise how long she'd been staring until she heard Carmilla calling her name bringing her back to reality. A violent blush forming on Laura's cheeks embarrassed at being caught staring.

Laura why are you staring?

Oh sorry I...um...

I know I'm hot as hell with bed hair and the lack of caffeine in my system but save the drooling for later yeah?!

I was not...I'm not...you...I... Laura stuttered panicking, her face turning to confusion as Carmilla gave her that winning smirk

I've officially rendered Laura Hollis speechless who knew it would only take my sleep deprived state to finally do it?!

You Jerk! It will take a lot more than that to shut me up!

Oh really? Like what?

Like I'm going to just tell you! ...Carm what happened to your f- Laura was cut off when Carmilla ducked out of the frame and Laura could hear her telling someone to come here. A second later Carmilla had sat back down clutching a black cat who was trying to wriggle out of her grasp.

Laura say hello to Laura

Laura couldn't stop the grin forming as she watched Carmilla start to wave Laura's paw towards the webcam.

See she's saying hello aren't you Laura?

I'm guessing your Mum's not in?

Right you are Cupcake, Laura's been pissy with me for not letting her in the house, I have to wait until my Mother goes to work it's exhausting!

I can imagine! Just bring her to mine again, you know my Mum loves cats.

Would you like to go visit Laura's Mum? Laura laughs when she sees Carmilla moving Laura's little head to make her nod.

Great I'll tell my Mum. So did you get any sleep last night Carm?

Not much but it's fine, Laura and I looked out at the stars and then when she finally went to sleep I watched the sunrise.

You really should sleep Carm, it's not good for your health

Am I speaking to Laura Hollis or Lola Perry?!

I'm just looking out for you, besides when you don't get enough sleep you are really grumpy so it's purely selfish as to why I want you to get some sleep

'Sure it is Cutie, Laura and I have to go now. She's going to help me do my chores, isn't that right?'

Laura watched as Carmilla spoke to the cat like she could understand, gave Laura one last paw wave before signing off stating she would call her. Once Carmilla had signed off Laura smiled before realisation hit her and she pushed the laptop aside slumping on the bed as her head hit the pillow...worst crush ever!

Danny stood outside the empty sports club clad in a long baseball shirt and knee high shorts. Her long hair was tied in a pony and she was sporting an irritated expression. She glanced at her watch again, tapping her foot impatiently as she turned to leave when the doors flew open and Carmilla waltzed in.

Carmilla wore a pair of long black gym shorts with a navy tank top, over the tank top she was wearing a black jacket. She held a pair of black fingerless boxing gloves and like Danny she Also had her hair pulled back with the exception of her fringe which fell slightly above her eye.

'You're late Karnstein.'

'I'm never late, everyone else is just simply early'

'For someone who claims to hate those films you sure do quote them a lot'

'Whatever Lawrence, aren't you supposed to be teaching me something?'

'We have the space for about an hour before lessons so let's just get started.'

...

'Aaaah fuck, damn it' Carmilla groaned as she tried to block Danny's hit like the redhead taught her but she was too slow and Danny hit the side of her face causing her to stumble back in pain.

Danny rushed over in concern, tossing her gloves off as she moved to study Carmilla's face. Carmilla flinched as Danny moved to carefully turn her face to get a closer look at any marks formed. Danny's eyes widened as she moved her hand over the side of Carmilla's face, make-up rubbing off to reveal a purple bruise by the side of her eye.

'Woah what the hell Xena?! Get your man hands off of me!'

'I just wanted to make sure that you were okay, I didn't mean to hit you that hard...'

'I can take it, I don't need a nurse.'

'I think you do because I definitely didn't give you that shiner' Danny raised her eyebrows giving Carmilla a look that clearly said 'what the hell is going on?'

At this Carmilla's face contorted in anger, her whole body shaking with a mixture of rage and panic as she turned to Danny, a fierce look on her face.

'JUST MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS XENA. I DON'T HAVE TO ANSWER TO YOU SO LEAVE ME THE HELL ALONE!' and with that Carmilla stormed out of the room leaving Danny confused and alone.

...

Sighing Danny got up, putting the boxing equipment back before leaving the room, she was so lost in thought that she walked into Kirsch, her belongings falling to the floor. Bending down to get them, she angrily looked up to tell him to watch where he was going when she noticed his apologetic expression, his eyes were wide and he reminded her of a puppy.

'Sorry Bro, here let me get your stuff' Kirsch offered bending down but Danny shrugged him off standing up with all of her belongings.

'I don't need you to get them for me and I'm not your bro'

'I was just trying to be chivalrous and I call everyone bro, it's like an equal thing ya know?'

'Look popped collar I need to go so do you mind getting out of my way?!'

'Is it your lady time? I heard people get grumpy when it is, my sister's always moody when it's her time. I have paracetamol in my bag if you need some.'

'First of all just because a girl has emotions doesn't mean she's automatically on her period and second of all asking me that is just plain rude!'

'Come on bro, I was only trying to be nice'

'Go be nice to your girlfriend Kirsch, i'm busy'

'I don't have a girlfriend anymore, we broke up over the summer'

'Aw did she finally see sense and dump your sorry ass?'

'No she didn't, I broke up with her!'

'Let me guess to be with another "hottie"?'

'You know what? No! I'm a faithful guy, I don't stray...she cheated on me.' Danny suddenly felt incredibly guilty as she took in his hurt expression.

'Kirsch I'm really sorry I didn't mean...'

'Yeah you did, I'll see you around Summer Pyscho.'

Laura paced around the courtyard, she was waiting for the others to join her for lunch and she was stressing. She kept thinking about Carmilla and how to tell her, maybe if she just told her that she was gay it would be easier. She didn't even know why she hadn't said anything, after almost telling her everything the year before there was never a good time.

Exams were taken, Will went back to Iraq, Will came back from Iraq, there just never seemed to be a good moment but Laura was determined to tell the brunette today she just had no idea what to say. Laura recited several different versions of how she'd tell Carmilla about her being gay.

'So Carm why don't we play never have I ever, I'll go first never have I ever been straight.' No not that okay try again Laura...

'Carmilla I'm going to order a pizza but it's only for people who are gay so I can eat it!' This is so stupid, just say it Hollis!

'Carm i'm gay...'

'Ooooh I could bake a cake and write it on...or cookies! I could tie a note to Laura, that could totally work!'

'I like the first one the best.' Laura spun around her eyes widening as she saw Lafontaine stood behind her, a bemused expression on their face.

'Oh my...oh Lafontaine oh wow gosh I um...how much of that did you hear?'

'I've been here for the past 10 minutes so all of it.'

'Damn it!' Laura sat down on the bench, her head in hands as she berated herself. Her head rising when she felt their hand on her shoulder.

'Hey crushesoncarmilla it's cool, you have been good enough to call me my preferred pronouns the least I can do is respect your sexual orientation' Laura blinked back some tears wrapping her arms to give them a giant hug whispering many thank yous into their neck. This was when they were joined by Danny and Perry.

'Hey...guys, what's up?' Laura turned to them both, breathing out heavily before she nodded to herself as she spoke.

'...okay I've wanted to tell you all for a while now but I...um...I'

'Take your time Sweetie'

Laura gave Perry a grateful smile before continuing 'I'm gay, like I um...I like girls...one in particular'

'About time Hollis! I'm proud of you Laura' Laura blushed grinning at Danny before turning to see Perry's stiff features. Her eyes flashed with panic as she looked at Lafontaine who gave Perry a gentle nudge.

'Sorry Laura, I didn't mean to freak you out sweetie. I mean this is...well this is very brave of you, I realise it must be very hard to say. I can't say i've ever had this problem before...no not problem I just mean no one has ever spoken to me about this in my role as Student Rep but I will try to help you if you need help on any girl problems...not girl on girl problems...girl problems if I can, I mean I don't want to pry but' she was cut off by their gentle hand coming to rub her shoulders, she turned to give them a soft smile before ahe gave Laura a gentle smile seeing the blonde's features relaxing.

'Thank you so much.' Laura smiled before looking around for the familiar mess of curly hair, her face falling when she failed to locate her.

'She was late to class so Mr Carter made her stay behind but she told me to tell you that she'll come to your house tonight with a cookie to make up for it.' Laura nodded at Perry feeling more nervous, tonight was it, tonight was the night she'd tell Carmilla.

'Hey Cupcake, one double chocolate cookie as promised' Carmilla walks over to a smiling Laura to place the cookie in her waiting hands.

'Thanks Carm'

'So I'm going to get a drink, would you like anything?'

'No I'm good but can I talk to you first?'

'Of course, is everything okay?'

'I just need to tell you something' Carmilla quirks her eyebrow up in question waiting as Laura bites her lip preparing herself.

'Carmilla...I'm gay.' Laura watched Carmilla with apprehension as she waits for the brunette's response.

'Okay, so do you want anything from the kitchen?' Laura looks at Carmilla in confusion, normally she was the oblivious one. So she tried again.

'Huh? I'm gay as in I like girls.'

'I heard you the first time Cupcake,' Laura watched as Carmilla got up walking to the kitchen before following her in giving her a look mixed with confusion and irritation.

'Okay I just told you something really big and all you can say is okay? What does that even mean? Are you actually okay with it? Do you not understand what I'm saying to you or do you just not care? Cause you saying okay is not okay!'

Carmilla sighs placing the mugs in her hand down as she slowly makes her way over to Laura. Her hands coming to cup Laura's cheeks as she spoke in a gentle tone.

'Laura I said okay because I knew you would be freaking out about whether I would accept it it or not. I figured by just saying okay it would relax you I didn't mean to make you feel as though I was ignoring what you said or that I think any less of you because of it. Sweetheart you are amazing and headstrong and I am so proud of you.' Laura breathed a sigh of relief as she flung her arms around Carmilla's body grinning to herself as Carmilla began to stroke her hair.

'Oh thank God, I was so scared about your reaction!'

'Cupcake you are amazing, anyone ever tell you that?'

'Yeah you do like all of the time!'

'Still not enough! You sure you don't want me to bake you a rainbow cake and enlist the ginger triplets to throw you a "congratulations you're gay" party? Because I will...' Carmilla laughed as Laura playfully smacked her arm.

'No! What you can do is make me some hot cocoa.'

'You got it sweetheart, you just sit there and look pretty and I'll whip us up some cocoa.' Laura smiled clambering onto the counter, a blush forming at Carmilla's words as she watched the brunette root around her cupboards.

She smiled watching how at ease Carmilla was and she felt so happy. Now if only she could actually tell Carmilla she liked her...