Ah, chapter 5! I'm sorry if this one is a bit long or slow at points. But in order to get to the major plot, we have to build it first right? But my god I have such a muse! I had to get this out while it was fresh and ready! Enjoy. :) This chapter has plenty of girl gossip and a few satisfying moments. BUT...beware...something wicked this way comes. ;)

NSFW WARNING

"So you guys really did it?" Amanda is nearly on her toes. The two girls are leaning against the pier, taking in the beautiful site that is the beach while enjoying some ice cream. What a perfect day, really.

"Yeah." She licks her spoon clean, looking a little stiff, she never imagined this conversation with Amanda, "We did, aha. I was being serious."

"Okay! So, like, I don't need like the gritty details but...how was she?" She waggles her eyebrows suggestively.

And Riley cannot suppress the laughter, "Oh my god stop making that face you're making it so awkward!"

"It's my job as your best friend to make sure your sexual encounters are good! You'd do it for me!"

'Except you're keeping you little encounters with Carl a SECRET from us.'

She'll shake her head, taking another bit of ice cream into her mouth as a way to stall answering even though she'll be very proud to admit, "It was mind blowing good."

"...Are you serious?" The look of shock is evident.

"Yeah I'm serious!"

"...So, did you...?" She'll lean in close, it's clearly a private conversation, she wants to be sure no one can hear her.

"What? You mean...did I get off?"

"Yeah."

"You know, I'm really surprised you wanna' know about your best friends sex life when it's really gay." As she mixes her spoon around to get any chunks of oreo cookie she can find.

"You know I'm nosy! And like I said, I don't need the nitty gritty parts!"

"Yet you're askin' if I came!"

"Well, that's important!" They'll both cackle at that comment.

And deep down, Riley knows she'd probably ask the exact same question too, "...Yeah. I did. Like I said, it was really really good."

"You're so lucky..." She'll sigh just a little.

'Uh oh, sounds like Carl is less than satisfactory.'

'Well let's inquire! Maybe she'll finally tell us and then we can figure out why she didn't tell us in the first place!'

And If she's honest, she's insanely curious about Amanda and Carl. Yeah, okay, it isn't exactly her business. But it still makes her feel weird knowing that Amanda, her best friend since moving to San Francisco, who usually tells her everything and beyond, didn't tell her that she lost her virginity to their best guy friend. Maybe she's paranoid, but it makes her feel like their friendship could be slipping. They may be pretty opposite of one another, but they mesh well together. Their bond is strong. Not perfect, but strong. True sisters, if she can dare say it, "...What's up? Why you saying I'm lucky? Getting curious about...doing it?" If this is going to be handled right, she needs to play it off as though she doesn't know a thing.

"No." She closes her eyes for a moment, places a hand to her forehead with a look of shame, "Okay, uh, Riley. I know we usually tell each other everything...but I haven't been completely honest with you."

'Damn straight, now fess up and tell us so we can know why you kept it from us.'

"But...Carl and I...we kind of hooked up a few times."

At least Riley can play the surprise card well, "...Are you serious?"

There's a pause. Amanda looks out to the ocean to avoid eye contact. But Riley will relax, put her half finished cup of cookies and cream on the wooden ledge they're leaning against. Her tone is gentle, caring as can be, "...Why didn't you tell me?"

"I don't know." She shakes her head, finally turns to her best friend, "I guess...I was afraid you'd judge me because-"

'What a bitchy thing to say! Who are we to judge! She knows we wouldn't!'

'Maybe she doesn't want to be our friend anymore.'

'Then she can have Carl and we'll be on our way!'

'No we can't stop talking to her! She's our friend!'

"Because why? I would never judge you, Amanda. You have to know that."

"...We haven't been using protection."

'WHAT!' In unison.

"Amanda, what the fuck!?"

"Shhh! Keep your voice down!" her arms will wave in front of her friend frantically, this is exactly what she's attempting to avoid.

She take a moment to compose herself, "Okay, okay, I'm sorry, but are you kidding me? What the hell possessed you to risk that shit? That could get you both in serious trouble."

"I don't need a lecture." Because she's heard it all before. Amanda's taken health clas. She knows what she's doing is wrong, "The first time it just...happened. It wasn't planned so it happened and by the time my mind processed it...it was too late- he pulled out before...you know."

"Okay fair enough." She'll wave a dismissive hand. At least Carl attempted the most cordial thing he could in a situation like that, "How many other times?"

"The second time we did the right thing- and then the third time...we didn't. And I guess there's no excuse, but nothing happened. He's my first and I was his so...we can't catch anything-"

'She's literally an idiot.'

"Still stupid."

"I know!" A sigh, "But...I already told him in the future, it's not happening unless he has condoms."

"Well that's good." if nothing else, it's a relief to hear her best friend own up to her mistake and promise to fix it in the future. She would hate for Amanda to wind up in the wrong situation because of it, "Now, this started because you said I was lucky- so what's the deal?" She smirk a little as she says it, "His dick small or something?"

"Well, not exactly, but that's not the issue." She'll look around her as if she's afraid they're being watched before she'll say it as direct as possible, "I haven't cum."

This honestly astonishes Riley. Carl is a bit of a doofus at times. She can openly admit that with no problem. But as a friend, and as a boyfriend (from what she's observed from the times he and Amanda were dating) he's extremely giving. He goes above and beyond for all of his friends. Makes sure everyone is happy, everyone is taken care of, "You haven't cum once?" She refuses to believe he leaves Amanda hanging like that.

'So glad we're gay, guys suck.'

"Not once. And- and don't get me wrong! It's nice and everything...but he doesn't...get the job done."

"Ugh, I love it when we gossip with Amanda!" Disgust is practically hanging on her every word, "She always has such juicy stuff to say! Granted, don't really wanna' know about Carl's junk, but talk about scandal!"

"I know! Gossip time with our girly is the best!" Joy is in complete agreement.

Anger and Fear however, gag in annoyance. But Fear takes it to the next level with an over dramatic groan, "I hate girl talk- it's so boring! Why can't we talk about something else?!"

"Well then, Mr. I-Hate-Girl-Talk, got any other topic suggestions?" Green eyebrows furrow in distaste at her companion.

"Actually, Disgust." Oddly there's confidence in his tone, "I do! so if you'll allow me to change the subject-"

"Hey, so, have you noticed Jensen is way different lately?"

'...Okay, you win, Fear. Good choice.'

It's as if Amanda had been waiting for Riley to bring Jensen up. The way her face changes indicates she has quite a bit to say about their long time friend, "Are you kidding me? She's dating Jordan who is such a sweet guy and yet she's always blowing him off!"

"Right?!"

"And you know she's so mean to him in front of everyone? I didn't tell you this at your birthday party because you were talking to Carl and Claire, but I was standing with Jensen, Jordan and Carissa right?" By this point her ice cream is a melted puddle in the paper cup, "I was telling Jordan that is hair cut looked nice, because, you know, he obviously just got it cut- it's not as in his face as it has been. And when he went to say thank you, Jensen was like Oh I think it looks so shitty, it makes his face look wide. Like thanks, bitch, I didn't ask you, and also how rude and unnecessary?"

"Whaaat? I don't know why Jordan puts up with her ass, he deserves better." But this will prompt her to bring up the major insecurity she's been having, "...She won't let up on Carissa."

"What do you mean?" Amanda tilts her head, "She's still doing the touchy feely thing?"

"She just...she flirts shamelessly with Carissa, and sometimes even gets physical with her, Y'know, playing with her hair and rubbing her arm. She acts all giggly and cute and just."

'I want that fucking bitch to choke on a knife.'

'Woah, relax, Anger!'

'No he's right she should choke on that knife while being barefoot and walking on glass shards. Fuck her.'

Jealousy is an ugly mix of red and green.

"It makes me so mad. She always waits until she thinks I can't see her and then she goes right the fuck in for the kill." The jealousy is so very prominent.

Amanda looks nothing short of apologetic, "I know, it's awful. But...I mean, I've seen her do it a lot and Carissa always does the right thing."

'Please reassure us, Amanda, because right now I'm a mess.'

"If she rubs her arm, she shakes out of her grip or when she touches her hair she'll straight up grab her wrist and tell her to stop. I've seen her do it." But she'll smile reassuringly at her best friend, "Carissa is head over heels for you. She doesn't want Jensen's pathetic ass and she'd never do anything to hurt you, I know it. Let's be real the worst thing Carissa's ever done to you is pick up smoking from Claire. Even your arguments aren't that bad from the times you've vented to me about them."

Okay so maybe Riley feels silly, but she needed to get her feelings out. Jensen always makes her sick to her stomach. She can't help it.

"Carissa loves you, Riley. Don't be worried."

"See?! You guys had nothing to worry about!" Look at the positives as always, Joy, "And Amanda is right. Or did you guys forget that earlier today she finally dropped the L word?"

"I guess you were right." Fear can openly admit defeat.

Sadness however, will always have her doubts. No matter how good a situation can be, "I still have my doubts. It isn't Carissa I worry about, it's Jensen. She's persistent and that's scary."

Disgust keeps her eyes focused on the main screen, observing the girls walking home together, the two are laughing as Riley attempts to teach Amanda to skateboard, "Hate to say it, but I'm actually in agreement with Debbie Downer over there. I trust Carissa entirely, it's Jensen I don't trust."

"But I don't understand you guys!" Joy will let her hands drop to her sides as if she's admitted defeat right along with Fear, "If you trust Carissa then why bother getting worked up over Jensen? That girl is seriously not worth our time."

"Well, next weekend Carissa's band is playing at San Fest by the pier and I know she'll be there sniffing around." Anger's head is nearly steaming, "And I just know she's going to try something."

Joy wants to keep everything calm. No matter what anybody in this room thinks, she refuses to allow this to turn into a big issue, "Then we just have to prepare ourselves for the possibilities and be ready to handle things rationally and know that no matter what, Carissa has our back."

"I just hope she's not just being nice and secretly she really does think Jensen is cute and wants to be with her." Sadness is already tearing up at the thought of it.

"There's no way that's true!" Joy will insist, "You're just overthinking it!"

"I agree with Sadness." You would, Fear.

"You're both paranoid!" She'll give up for now, "Let's just try not to focus on that right now, we have a whole week before the festival so let's cross that bridge when we get to it."

And while it looks like every emotion is about to chime in with a rebuttal, she raises a single finger, "Rationally!"

What an awesome weekend. So many good things happened and it's enough for Riley to once again question why she doesn't keep a journal so go back and re-read the good moments. Oh well. The day is half way over, and Riley (along with her usual group of friends) are sitting on the bleachers. As always it's filled with a lot of chill vibes. Carl tosses his paper bag into the nearby garbage can, and of course, let's out the loudest OHHH proud of his accomplishment, "So Carissa, you gonna let your best friend in the entire world go back stage at your show?"

"Yeah." She's ready for the harsh burn, "I'll definitely let Jordan back stage." That's enough for everyone to laugh in Carl's face, "I'm fuckin' with ya', you can hang back stage. And of course." An arm will be snaked around Riley's shoulders, "My girl goes without saying."

'We get to go back stage?!'

'That's so amazing! We get to meet the other bands, that means!'

Riley grins, "You're the best, that's sick."

"Yeah and the building where all of the bands are hangin' out before and after, I'll get you guys in too. But that invite is for all of you, honestly. I'll figure out how to make it wo-"

Carissa will be cut off when Jensen finally catches up with the small group of Juniors congregating in their usual spot, "Sorry, had a makeup test." Jordan will be ignored as she climbs up to the third bleacher to sit on the other side of Carissa. Which prompts Amanda to rub his shoulder apologetically. Their friend Rob will, with no shame, shake his head and make a comment under his breath.

'I swear to god if she doesn't move.'

'Is she kidding me?!'

"So what were we just talking about?" She's all smiles. Playing innocent as always.

Boy, the tension must be painfully obvious, because nobody speaks right away.

'Come on, Riley, be the bigger person! Talk first!'

"We were all just talking about San Fest this weekend! You gonna' go?" Though feigned, her tone is conveying excitement, "I'm so pumped for it."

'Good girl, Riley! Show her she does't bother you!'

"Like I even have to think about it, of course I'm going! I'm a sucker for crappy carnivals, plus Aries on Fire is playing. You know I love them." The drummer in particular.

'Joy I appreciate you wanting us to be the bigger person, but I want to gauge her eyes out.'

Riley simply pretends to suddenly have received a text message. She can't deal with this.

But Amanda is the best friend, so she'll be the one to make it better, "So, Carissa I-"

Or so she thinks, Jensen will cut her right off with no remorse, "Oh shit, you have a really nasty bruise on your neck." She'll gently stroke Carissa's likely sensitive skin.

'SLUT. YOU ARE A SLUT.'

"Did somebody hurt you, Carissa?" She'll purposely look at Riley with a stern glare.

"Woah, Jensen, fuckin' chill." Carl is even getting tired of this, "Riley wouldn't hurt anybody."

"Then where did you get it from?"

Carissa closes her eyes, giving a very annoyed sounding sigh, "No, Riley gave it to me."

Riley, however is just a little bit concerned as to why she would tell her that (even if it is true) when Jensen is attempting to put her in a bad light.

'I told you Carissa doesn't really love us.'

'No, there has to be another angle here, everyone relax.'

"So she did hurt you?" Jensen is still looking to Riley as if she's completely appalled.

Before another word can be spoken Carissa sits up, easily slipping away from those intimately close fingers that don't belong to her lover, "Yeah she hurt me real good."

"And why do you look like you're okay with that?! That's disgusting, you shouldn't let someone fucking hurt you because they have no class."

'OH, HELL NO!'

But as Riley is prepared to lunge, Carissa puts her hand atop her thigh in hopes to quiet her. And to be safe, another one of their friends who's sitting behind Riley, grabs hold of her arm.

But Carissa won't take this so lightly. She's going to be entirely blunt (because subtlety seems to have failed), "Because I wanted her to hurt me."

"...What?" Jensen is still not picking up the signals.

"Yeah, she bruised my neck because she was biting into it because I was finger fucking her so hard this weekend her thighs shook and she saw stars."

'Normally I would hate that she just announced that, but in this case? I don't care. I want Jensen to know we had sex.'

But the blunt confession makes the entire cluster of raunchy minded teens clap their hands together and suggestively whistle in their direction. They all know Jensen deserved that. But Carissa isn't finished with her yet, "And I would appreciate it if you'd stop painting Riley like she's no good for me. You guys are supposed to be friends and I'm pretty fuckin' sure friends don't do that to one another." She's reaching into her back pocket in search for a loose cigarette which thankfully she finds, "And if you were my friend? I'd already have dropped you ass ages ago." Furthering the blow. She doesn't even see them as friends, "Also you might wanna' stop shamelessly flirting with me in front of your boyfriend. That's fucking trash. So if anybody sitting here ain't got no class, it's you, sweetheart."

Amanda is so badly wishing she'd captured this moment on film. Everyone sits in silence, hands covering their mouths with a few satisfied chuckles. Jensen is livid, and they are glued to this juicy scene unfolding.

'Damn fucking straight, bitch!'

Riley is in a state of utter bewilderment. This had been unexpected. But Carissa will soon ease the tension, "Babe, I need a smoke, let's cross the street off campus so I can get this in before next period."

Disgust and Anger will viciously high five each other. His head is on fire by this point, "Fuck yeah! That was so satisfying to see! Jensen deserved it!"

"Damn straight, talk about being a needy slut!"

"Guys, I get that we're all jealous here." Joy can't deny that, "But don't pick on her. We can't stoop to her level!"

"Besides." Sadness will interject, "She just told everyone intimate details about us...I don't know if I like that."

"Oh relax, Sadness! It's sex, people probably already assumed we were doing it! Who cares? Carissa will probably apologize." And speak of the devil, it looks like Disgust is on the money today.

They're standing across the street. Carissa is exhaling smoke from her lungs with a genuine apology 'I'm really sorry I aired out our dirty laundry. But she's been acting like that for literally years and it's been getting worse because being nice and subtle about rejecting her doesn't work. So I did what I felt I had to. If you're mad I totally understand.'

"See, Sadness? How can you be upset? She's apologizing! And she came to our defense and got really possessive! So I say we accept it and call it a day."

'It's okay I understand. I'm glad she knows what we did this weekend. I hope it drives her nuts. And thanks for defending me and Jordan too.'

"I'd say all and all, even if it wasn't ideal, the day is improving. Now we definitely have no more doubts about this situation with Carissa and Jensen, right guys?"

"...Okay, I guess not." Fear, at least will try not to overthink.

But there's only one flaw in their plan. They have no idea that things are about to crumble. Because Jensen is angrily headed back into the high school where her wrist will be grabbed, "I hate her. I hate her! I don't even know why I'm friends with her! I liked Carissa first and she just took her from right under my feet!"

"It's because shes a selfish bitch, Jensen. She always has been. She makes everything about her and takes everything too far because she's a fucking attention whore."

"I want to make her pay." Jealousy is a very ugly thing. But that's just it, Jensen runs on disgust.

But what makes it more frightening is that someone else also runs on that very same emotion, "Then let's make her pay." A devious grin, "This weekend. Take what's rightfully yours and we'll make sure she crumbles."

The two figures will both be giving one another rather intense smiles. They both want her to pay. And together? They're going to make sure it happens.

Jensen will laugh a breathy, questionable laugh, "This weekend." She agrees, "I like the way you think, Austin."