Jackie walked through campus with a smile on her face that expanded with every step, something unusual for a student at school on a Saturday. After meeting up with her study group in the library, she couldn't get Catherine out of her mind, wanting nothing more than to just be with her again, it was driving her insane. Slipping her phone out underneath the table as everyone babbled over forumlas, she snuck a text message to her. This however only made things worse, since she now found herself restlessly checking her phone for a response every 30 seconds. An agonizing 15 minutes later, adrenaline pumped through her veins when she looked down and saw her screen finally illuminate.

"Get back to work Missy! ;)"

She smiled at Catherine's response and slipped her phone back in her bag, trying her best to absorb everything she could the rest of the time she had with her classmates.

As Catherine and her laid in bed together that night, back in her happy place, Catherine brought up Europe, asking how it was.

"It would have been better if you were there" Jackie replied, as she looked over at her. Catherine returned her look and they exchanged a heartfelt smile. But then she brought up Hannah, asking how it was with her and her mom there. Jackie couldn't look her in the eye hearing her speak her name. She look away, down at Catherine's fingers intertwined with hers, struggling with what to say. Selfishly wanting to stay living in this dream, she kept her and Hannah's kiss at bay. After telling her it was stressful having to entertain them both while working simultaneously, there was a pause in their conversation.

"Will you visit me?" Jackie asked, her insecurities getting the best of her as she nervously ran her fingers along Catherine's. It was a topic they had yet to shed any light on thus far.

"If you'll have me."

Her reply made Jackie finally look back over at her, her big brown eyes staring back with a glimmer of hope in them. As much as she wanted to keep things light and happy, the ticking time that they were constantly losing filled the space surrounding them with a heaviness that was unavoidable.

She kissed the inside of Catherine's wrist as she held onto it.

"Things will be different this time," Catherine whispered to her as she pulled her face close into hers.

"I hope so."

Catherine tilted her chin up so they were looking directly into one another's eyes, "They will," she reassured her.

Jackie peeked through the door window and caught site of Hannah sitting in her usual seat. She checked her phone, there was still 5 minutes until class began so she paced outside, trying to waste time. She knew she was handling the situation immaturely, but had experienced her fair share of awkward campus run-ins this year already and couldn't handle any more. Hearing her professor begin to lecture, she slipped inside pretending to be late, and took the seat next to Hannah. When they caught eyes, they both smiled casually at one another. Jackie stared at the clock, uncomfortably shifting in her seat as the time was moving by a little too quickly. With some sort of miracle, the professor announced half way through class that they were having a pop quiz. Typically this would cause her to panic, but she was quite happy that it would save her from an awkward conversation with Hannah. Once again, she found herself stalling, trying to waste time. She usually finished tests and quizzes before Hannah, Hannah being the perfectionist that she is always had to triple check all of her answers, so she pretended to be stuck on a question. When Hannah finally got up from her seat Jackie waited a little longer, just in case. Handing her paper to the professor, her steps to the door felt like steps to her death. Opening it, she gave a quick skim of the benches lining the hall but thankfully did not see Hannah waiting, at least now she had a little more time to think of what to say.

"Five nights in a row, isn't Hannah becoming suspicious?" Catherine asked that night as they curled up on the couch together.

The feeling she got anytime Catherine spoke of her, was one she wouldn't wish on her worst enemy. How did people cheat and go on living their lives? She didn't cheat though, they weren't together. Not only were they not together but they hadn't even been together in weeks prior, and had just had what Jackie assumed was their last conversation on the matter, but still... the guilt was overtaking her. She knew she needed to tell Catherine about the kiss, but she just couldn't find the right words.

"It's the end of the semester, we're both busy with our own things" she said, as she opened her script.

"Oh right, busy actor lives" Catherine teased, as she poked Jackie's side. Jackie picked up a pillow and threw at her for her smart remark, but Catherine caught it and placed it on her lap, patting it for Jackie to come lay. She rested her head on it as she read her script, Catherine softly running her hand through her bangs with one hand, as she too read with the other. Jackie thought back to the late nights when it'd be her and Hannah doing this and wondered if Hannah had felt as happy as she had in this moment. She looked up at Catherine who looked down at her and smiled. She hoped not because she could never feel for anyone the way she felt for Catherine, and it would destroy her not being able to have that love reciprocated.

After their next class together, Jackie stood by Hannah's desk as she packed up her things. They began to walk out silently until Jackie finally turned to her in the hall. "Hannah..." she stopped and turned to her. "Can we talk?"

"Jackie, it's really okay."

"No it's not. Things are so awkward between us now and I don't want them to be."

"Of course they are, it's embarrassing, but all we did was kiss."

"I shouldn't have, I'm so sorry. I had no idea you-"

"Really..." Hannah looked at her skeptically.

"Okay, maybe a little in Europe."

"You shouldn't be apologizing, I should. Clearly you haven't shown any interest and I just took a foolish leap of faith."

"It wasn't foolish. I just really don't want to lose our friendship, and I'm about to be gone for months..."

"Jacks, spare me the speech," Hannah laughed. "I'm fine."

"Promise?"

"Yes," she nodded.

"Do you want to go get a bite to eat?" Jackie suggested as a peace offering.

"No, I actually have a meeting."

"Okay."

"Rain check?" Hannah smiled back at her.

"Of course," Jackie nodded.

One down, one to go, she thought as she watched Hannah walk away.