A/N: Thanks for the feedback and for reading! Keep it coming. This is a short update and I promise the other half this weekend. Things are just heating up.

Amy's phone didn't ring that morning. She woke up to the sound of her alarm rather than the ringtone announcing that Karma was too impatient to wait for her to get up. She grabbed the phone and silenced the alarm, checking to make sure she hadn't slept through the call. A screen void of missed calls stared back, propelling her into a sinking ship of despair. They had parted on strange terms and the hope that nothing would change beyond a romantic attachment was evidently wrong. Amy hated worrying but this was important.

She went to her recent calls list and clicked on Karma's name. Karma's answer tone sounded in her ear, Beyonce's voice making her no more cheery than she had been when she woke up. The call went to voicemail and she hung up, not knowing what she would say. Letting the phone fall from her hand to the bed, she got up and went to get ready.

The ride was the same as always, yet, she was seized with a restless energy. When she hit the sidewalk, her eyes scanned for Karma. They were always together by now. She was so focused that she didn't notice Shane coming up beside her.

"Amy!"

She jumped one whole foot to the left, hand over heart and head awash with fear. "You scared the shit out of me." She turned, dangerous annoyance directed toward Shane.

"Soooory." He drew the word out, one eyebrow up and one shifting down. "What's wrong with you?"

Amy nearly stomped her foot but she bit her lip instead and looked around again. "I can't find Karma. She didn't call me this morning like she usually does and it's got me a little on edge." It was all true but only the front face representing the heart of their issues.

"Well, there she is," he pointed at a flash of red hair disappearing around the building. He turned to see if Amy heard him but was met with empty space, his eyes tracking the place where she must be. "You're welcome," he crowed, fruitlessly after her.

She waved an errant hand in his direction in her hurry and sped up her walk to a jog. She followed the side of the art building until she got to the courtyard where the cafeteria and library were. Karma went into the library and Amy's eyes narrowed but she followed, catching her just inside the door.

"Karma," she said, stepping in front of her best friend.

The block in her path made her realize that she should have known she wouldn't get away with it. Last night's experiment in the differences between kissing Liam and Amy made her wish she'd listened long ago. Then, things could be the way they were and she wouldn't want Amy in ways that she shouldn't. She expelled air forcibly, stalling for time.

Three freshman pushed past them, clipping Karma's bag and forcing them to step over. Amy made an executive decision and took Karma's arm, pulling her toward the bathroom behind them.

Amy's fingers dug into her skin but it wasn't unpleasant, instead it clicked on the need inside of her. When they reached the door she went ahead and stood on the opposite side of the one stall restroom while Amy locked the door. The floor seemed a good place to look while she tried to gather the strength to turn possibility away. She could be happy with someone else and still have her best friend.

"Are we okay?"

The sound waves reached her ears, vibrated her ear drum, but more importantly the pain in them made her heart vibrate like plucked strings. She looked up, stormy eyes meeting Amy's, dropped her bag, and rushed her. They fell into the door together, Karma's hands pushing Amy's into the cold metal door. This time their kiss was urgent, the solution to a lack of communication and an escalation of fear.

Amy answered her with vigor and they spun together like cotton candy, pressing into each other like they could meld their bodies. It was all lips, hands, and knees in new places but Karma couldn't stop it. Amy was too drawn in to do it herself, though she knew an explanation was necessary.

That was how they skipped first period, on accident. Neither minded until the librarian came knocking and one of them had to answer, breaking away from a breathless kiss. Karma was the one who stalled. "Just a minute."

"Just checking dear," the elderly librarian shouted. "Are you alright?"

Amy covered her mouth and pressed her back to the door again, trying to remain standing. Now, that they had stopped her knees felt weak.

"Yes, I'll be out in a minute. Thanks for checking," Karma replied. She could barely keep a giggle in. The elation from their exchange made her feel like she was floating. This was definitely better than kissing Liam.

"Okay, dear, shout if you need anything. I'll be at the front desk."

Amy breathed a sigh and leaned into Karma. "That was kinda close." She reached out, taking Karma's face into her palms. "Listen, we need to talk about this, seriously. Will you please meet me at the coffeeshop tonight?"

Karma's smile fell with the suggestion of facing reality but she nodded. "After school." Her dejected tone made Amy's eyebrow quirk. "I'll be there." She was going to have to break Amy's heart and her own way too soon. First, she wanted one more taste.

She pulled Amy down, kissing her hard once, nipping at her lip before releasing her. "I'll see you at lunch," she said and unlocked the door, waiting for Amy to step aside. Without another look, she left the bathroom, happy that she had kept their parting to one kiss and not the five million that she wanted. Class was going to be impossible today.