Bad Liar by Imagine Dragons

"Hush, my dearest," Ashlynn whispers, wrapping her arms around Farrah's trembling body. "Trust me, darling. I promise I'm safe."

Ashlynn sighs, her chest tight with pain as she looks at her wife's pale face. She is too ashamed of herself for doing this to her. She can't even look at her own scarred complexion in the mirror anymore.

Ashlynn can't sit by and watch people be murdered any more, though. She has to stand up and fight for those who can't defend themselves, even if it means frightening the love of her life; coming home to her every night limping and covered in blood. But if it means tracking down the fascist bastards who are participating in this genocide and killing them with a kickass group of women, then so be it. This country is far past the point of peaceful protesting now.
"Your face," Farrah chokes, gently tracing her fingers over Ashlynn's bruised face. "Somebody punched you. Hard." Her voice breaks.
Ashlynn kisses her, stroking Farrah's tear stained cheeks.
"I'm fine," she murmurs as she slowly pulls back. "I'll be fine. It's perfectly safe."
She knows how fake she sounds, but she can't help it. She's a bad liar. Even if it's to protect somebody she loves more than life itself, she can't be sincere if it's not the truth. She just can't.

Family of Me by Ben Folds

"I'm so alone," Farrah mutters, her voice cracked as she curls into a ball on the wet pavement of the alleyway. "I'm so tired."
With a long, rattling breath, she falls into a restless sleep. She dreams of her mother and father's pale bodies in black coffins, the feeling of the cool earth on her hands as she drops it into the deep hole. Her sisters' small, blue bodies as they're pulled out of the dark water.

"I'm all alone now!" she distantly hears herself cry out. "Everybody's gone!"
She gasps as she's awoken to a warm hand on her shoulder. Warmth. She hasn't felt it in so long.

"Farrah," a soft voice says. "Is it really you?"
Farrah blinks, her mind foggy. It can't be who she thinks it is.
"Ash?" she croaks.
She doubles over, coughing harshly. Even the smallest breath hurts her lungs terribly. Warm arms carefully wrap around her. A soft hand gently rubs her back.
"It'll be okay," the person who is definitely Ashlynn murmurs. "I'm here now. I'm going to take care of you. God, I can't believe I finally found you..." Her voice is choked with emotion.
Farrah coughs painfully between sobs that take over her skinny body.
"I'm all alone," she weeps, clinging tightly to Ashlynn. "Everybody's gone."
"Shhh, baby," Ashlynn whispers. "It's alright."

White Blank Page by Mumford & Sons

"I love you," Farrah whispers as she lies next to Ashlynn, her arms tightly around her.
"What's that, honey?" Ashlynn asks quietly.

Her voice is still hoarse from crying. You'll be better off without Hunter. He doesn't deserve you or Willow, is what Farrah had really wanted to tell the crying woman as she sobbed into her chest. Ashlynn is delicate, though, especially right now. "I'm here" is all she'd ended up saying.
Farrah blinks, the dark bedroom spinning around her. Did Ashlynn really not hear her? Her heart pounds.
"I love you," she repeats, louder this time, "and I'm going to be right by your side as you raise this baby. I promise."
She lightly touches Ashlynn's bulging stomach, breathing heavily. Warm, soft hands grip hers. She dares herself to meet Ashlynn's emerald gaze.
"I love you too," Ashlynn says, her voice trembling as she squeezes Farrah's hands.
Farrah's eyes widen as Ashlynn pulls her forward into a deep kiss. After the initial shock fades, though, the sweetness of Ashlynn's lips overwhelm her, and she smiles, kissing her back.

Farrah stirs her margarita as she stares across the ballroom at Ashlynn and Hunter. Baby Willow is sitting on Hunter's lap, babbling away as her big blue eyes gaze around at the festive Christmas decorations. Farrah's heart stabs with pain as Ashlynn, beautiful as ever in her forest green dress, kisses Hunter. Farrah stands up, her head pounding and as Ashlynn turns to look at her, a miffed expression on her flushed face, Farrah runs out of the room. She was wrong to love Ashlynn as anything more than a friend, to give her heart fully to her. She knows this now. Hindsight is a horrible but inevitable thing.

Fifteen by Taylor Swift

Ashlynn takes a deep breath as she walks through the doors. It's her first day of freshman year, and the butterflies in her stomach are making her nauseous. She hopes that high school isn't as bad as her mom says it is.

"Hi, I'm Farrah," a short, purple-haired girl says to her as she sits down at the desk next to Ashlynn's.
Ashlynn feels a glimmer of hope as she sees the girl's kind blue eyes and wide smile.
"Hi, I'm Ashlynn. Nice to meet you."

Ashlynn eats her veggie sandwich as Farrah lies down in the grass, describing the cloud shapes that she sees.
"I see a really ugly unicorn," she says, smiling at Ashlynn's mock horrified expression.
"An ugly unicorn?!" Ashlynn gasps. "That isn't a thing, dear Farrah!"
Farrah giggles.
"If you say so."

They're sitting at a cafe table after school, doing their homework. The delicious smell of roasted coffee beans fills the warm air.
"Ughhh, geometry is soooo hard," Farrah groans. "Can you help me with this problem?"
"Of course, baby," Ashlynn says, looking at Farrah's worksheet. "Oh wow, that is hard…" Her voice trails off.
The most handsome boy she's ever seen just walked in. Tall and muscular, close-cropped chestnut hair, gorgeous green eyes, wearing a Save the Rainforest T-shirt. She places a hand over her chest.
"Look at him," she whispers.
"What about him?" Farrah asks innocently.
"He's so cute," Ashlynn breathes.

Despite her usual shyness, she finds herself walking toward him and striking up a casual conversation about the rainforest. She looks back at Farrah who winks and smiles.

"Hunter has a car!" Ashlynn shrieks. "And he's going to take me for a ride tonight!"
"Wow," Farrah says, softly smiling. "That's cool."
"Are you okay?" Ashlynn asks gently, noticing the lack of enthusiasm in her cheerful friend's tone.
"Oh, yeah," Farrah says quickly. "Just tired."
Ashlynn nods.
"What about this dress?" she asks, taking a short light green one out of her closet and holding it up to her body. "My mom would kill me if I wore it, but I can hide it in my backpack and change after school."
"It's really cute!" Farrah exclaims. "I love it!"
The butterflies in Ashlynn's tummy are back as Hunter drives down the street. The cool air rushing in through the open window blows her hair into her face. Pop music blasts as they go farther into town, the shops and restaurants that Ashlynn knows like the back of her hand fading as they zip by. Hunter puts his hand on the center console, his fingers stretching out. Ashlynn finds her hand floating toward his, and then they're holding hands. Soon she's running her fingers over his arm. He's pulling over, and all of a sudden, she's doing something she never thought she'd do until she's much older. But she's in high school now. This is what being grown up is like.

"He won't call me back!" Ashlynn sobs as she sits in Farrah's bed. "He ignores me at school! I don't know what to do!"
Farrah hugs her.
"It's okay," she murmurs. "I'm sure you guys will figure it out."

"I don't think we will," Ashlynn squeaks.

She stumbles up the driveway of Farrah's house a few nights later, unable to stop the sobs that ruthlessly shake her body. Farrah throws open the door and immediately takes her hands, gently pulling her into the big, warm house.
"What happened?" she asks, her voice soft but strained with worry as she pulls Ashlynn into her arms.

"It's over!" Ashlynn chokes out, burying her face in Farrah's shoulder. "He never wants to see me again!"
She feels worse than she ever has as she clings to Farrah like a lifeline. Farrah slowly rubs her back.
"I gave him everything, Farrah!" she weeps. "Everything I had!"
Farrah squeezes her tightly, the pain she feels for her friend more visceral than she could ever describe. Tears stream down her cheeks.
"I'm here, baby," she whispers. I'm here."
Ashlynn doesn't want to grow up anymore. More than anything, she wants to be a little kid again, protected from the harshness of this world. She can't go back, though, no matter how much she wants to. The one good thing that's come out of high school is Farrah, though, and she's determined to keep her by her side as long as she lives.

Natural by Imagine Dragons

"You are the light in this world, Farrah," Ashlynn murmurs, running her fingers through Farrah's hair.

"There's nothing more we can do," the doctor had said. "The cancer has spread to the liver and kidneys."
"We're not going to stop fighting," Ashlynn had said, her voice level and demertined, despite the aching behind her eyes. "We will never give up."
Now sitting on the couch, Farrah shaking like a leaf in her lap, all Ashlynn can do is tell her how much she loves her.

"Nobody is as sweet and purely loving as you are. I love you so incredibly much, sweetheart."
Farrah laughs quietly.
"Thank you, baby. And I love you too." She takes a shaky breath. "That's not going to stop me from dying, though."

She starts choking on sobs again. Ashlynn pulls her into her arms, holding her head to her chest and crying silently.

XXX

"I can't believe you got promoted to CEO, Ash!" Apple exclaims, hugging her tightly. "Congratulations!"
Ashlynn forces herself to smile.
"Thank you, Apple. All it took was a lot of hard work. It helped when I let Lavender go. She was bringing the whole company down."
Apple frowns.
"Really? That doesn't sound like you, Ash," she says quietly.
Ashlynn laughs humorlessly.
"You mean the old sweet, helpless, naive me? I hate to break it to you, Apple, but that Ashlynn is gone."

Apple's eyes are wide as Ashlynn stares her down, refusing to break eye contact. It's an important business tactic to never let go of your opponent's gaze.
"I've grown up and faced reality now," Ashlynn says harshly. "The world is cruel, and you know what? It's time I act a bit cruel, too."

Don't You Forget About Me by Simple Minds

"I think we should just call it," Farrah says, her voice quiet. "We're both going to get hurt if we keep this up."
"Farrah, please don't give up," Ashlynn says, her throat raw. "Think of everything we've worked on and gotten through together. I love you."
Farrah chews on her lip, whispering a pained "I'm sorry" before shutting the door.

XXX

"Did she ever even love me?" Ashlynn asks Briar miserably. "Does she even remember me? She's probably just forgotten about me, honestly. I was nothing to her."

"I don't think that's true," Briar says gently. "Who could not love you?"
Ashlynn smiles, leaning her head on Briar's shoulder.
"Thank you, baby," she whispers.
XXX

It's been months when Ashlynn sees Farrah in the park, sitting on a bench and reading a book. Ashlynn's stomach twists. She walks slowly, unable to take her eyes off her. Farrah looks up. Ashlynn's heart pounds. Does she see her? She is rooted to the spot as Farrah's eyes meet hers. Is she going to say something? Ashlynn isn't sure if she wants her to or not.

"Ashlynn?" Farrah calls.

She stands up, putting her book in her purse.

"Um, do you want to talk?"

Ashlynn can't hide the spring in her step as she walks to meet her.

Taylor, The Latte Boy by Kristin Chenoweth

Farrah walks into the coffee shop at exactly 8:11. The only thing she's looking forward to more than coffee is seeing the adorable barista.

Ashlynn smiles as Farrah walks up to the counter.

"Good morning," she says brightly. "How are you?"
"I'm fine," Farrah says, her cheeks flushing. "How are you?"
"I'm good, thanks."
"By the way, my name is Farrah," says Farrah, wincing at how awkward she sounds. "I just figured I should tell you, since we see each other every day."
Ashlynn smiles even bigger.

"Hi, Farrah. I'm Ashlynn."
There's an awkward silence as Ashlynn makes her drink. Farrah is rummaging through her purse to find her wallet when Ashlynn speaks up.
"Just keep the $3.55," she says lightly. "This triple latte is on me."
"Oh no, I couldn't," Farrah says, her cheeks hotter than ever.
"No, please. I insist."
"Thank you so much," Farrah says as Ashlynn hands her the cup. "You're too kind."

An electric shock race down her spine as their hands touch.
"No problem, sweetie," Ashlynn says happily.
Farrah's stomach drops. Oh my God, the super cute, nice barista just called her sweetie. She can't even comprehend that this is happening right now. Before she can make a fool of herself and ruin this incredible progress, Farrah says goodbye.

The next morning, Farrah is returning to the coffee shop at 8:11. She and Ashlynn start talking, less awkwardly than yesterday. The butterflies are still in her stomach, though.
"You play guitar?" Farrah says enthusiastically. "That's so cool!"
"My band is actually playing tonight," Ashlynn says, "if you'd like to come."
Farrah's stomach jolts.
"Yes, I'd love to," she manages to breathe out. "What time are you playing?"
"6:30 in the basement of the Ugly Duckling Bar."
"Awesome," Farrah says, her heart racing. "I'll see you then."
Ashlynn, who is thankfully letting Farrah pay today, winks.
"I'll see you then," she replies, waving cheerfully as Farrah goes.
Farrah skips to her car, happier than she thinks she's ever been. Ashlynn likes her. Like really likes her. She can't wait to see what happens next.

Sail by AWLONATION

Ashlynn sighs, wiping her hand over her sweaty forehead, as she packs up her guitar. She is exhausted from jumping around the stage. She doesn't feel the joy that she used to from performing. It's like there's a void in her chest, sucking the happiness and excitement out of her. When she gets home, Farrah is reading in bed.
"How was your show, baby?" Farrah asks.
"It was okay," Ashlynn says, shrugging.
She start undressing. She starts as arms wrap around her from behind.
"Baby," Farrah murmurs, resting her face against her neck. "You can talk to me. I'm here for you."
Ashlynn stiffens. Should she tell Farrah how she's feeling? A desperate voice deep within her insists that she should.
"I just feel really different," she ends up saying. "Like I'm a different breed or something."
"Well, that's okay," Farrah says softly, kissing her cheek. "So am I. We're different together."

It's not the same, though, Ashlynn thinks desperately. She's not alone. Logically, she knows this. She can't escape the sense of foreboding inside her, though, no matter how tightly Farrah hugs her.

If You Leave by Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark

"If you leave, it's going to be okay," Farrah says softly. "I understand this is a really great opportunity for you. To study with top fashion designer, Betta Reeves, in New York. I get it, baby."
"I love you," Ashlynn says, tears streaming down her face. "So much, baby. So much."
"I know, honey," Farrah says soothingly, brushing tears from Ashlynn's cheeks. "I love you too."
"We'll still always be friends," Ashlynn says desperately, cupping Farrah's cheeks. "We'll meet each other again soon. As soon as I can earn enough money to fly you out there."
Farrah nods, refusing to cry.
"Of course, sweetie. Of course."
"Now, let's just enjoy this night," Ashlynn says softly, kissing Farrah's neck. "It'll be our last one together for a while."
It turns out it was their last one for more than a while. It's been seven years now, and did Ashlynn ever earn that money to fly Farrah out there? Farrah doesn't know. They haven't talked in two years. Sometimes it feels like time has stood still. These seven years have raced by, too quickly for Farrah to even catch her breath. It has been that long, though, no matter how much Farrah wishes it hadn't. Time doesn't stop for anybody.

Little Do You Know by Alex & Sierra

More than anything in this entire world, Ashlynn wishes that Farrah knew. How much she is still haunted by the memories. How broken she is. Every night as she lies in bed, all she can see is Farrah, her pale blue eyes twinkling, her plump face grinning, her soft, pink lips against hers.
"I love you," Ashlynn sobs into her pillow. "I love you, Farrah."

Farrah has a life of her own now, though. A wife and two beautiful little girls. Ashlynn wishes she could find the strength to stop stalking Farrah on Facebook. She knows what a horrible person she is for wishing that she was Farrah's wife, that those kids were hers. Maybe she is just a horrible person now, though. What else is she without Farrah?
I'll love you 'til the sun dies, Ashlynn silently promises the distant ghost of Farrah in her mind. I will.