Wow! I'm beyond amazed by the views and feedback! Thank you all for reading this story. I just want to let you all know not to expect next chapter for a little while. I'll be going on a vacation in few days and won't be back until late next week, so that means no new chapter for a little while. Enjoy this chapter and let me know what you think!

Gail and Sage stand in the entrance area of Mac's, a replica of a supposedly famous Irish pub in Cork, and observe what's happening in the room. There are different types of Pride flags from rainbow to pastel, all representing beautiful variety of beings; hanging around the bar counter. Most of the people are mingling and dancing in an area a step below from the bar.

"Ready to get our poison and see how tonight goes?" Sage asks.

"Thought you would never ask! I need tequila stat." Gail says sarcastically. She has been in the room only for a minute and she already feels stiff being around so many people.

"Well, take this and order us some. I gotta hit the powder room and brush myself up like the proper lady I am supposed to be" Sage jokes and hands over some cash.

Gail knows that Sage tends to use the bathroom as an excuse to pump herself up with some self talk before meeting someone she's into.

"Fine! Don't be surprised if I end up drinking yours before you are done!"

Sage simply smirks and walks away.

Gail sighs and begrudgingly slinks through maze of bodies well on their way to drunkenness. As she gets near to the counter, she notices a dark haired woman leaning against the counter. Her eyes immediately darts to the gorgeous mole. Holly. Gail's shoulder tense up in nervousness. Why do I have to see her before I even have a drop of alcohol? Gail blows a short but strong breath. It is just a random encounter. Nothing has to happen tonight. All she needs to do is just to approach her and say hello. Maybe offer to buy her a drink. Simple right? Gail attempts to convince herself unconvincingly.

Gail slowly walks up next to Holly and draws out a "Helllllooooo," and mentally cringes at herself.

Holly turns around and her eyes widens in surprise. Her lips slowly spread into a beaming smile

"Hey," Holly states.

"Well, well. I'm surprised to see you here. Thought you would be drowning yourself into one of those corpse books"

"And here you are. Don't you hate people? Don't do idle chit-chat right?" Holly shoots right back.

For once Gail is stuck without any snarky comments to throw back. That is the magic of Holly. She is the only person that takes Gail's strikes with such ease and is able to volley poetic comebacks in return. At least it is poetic to Gail.

"I am here for alcohol actually. Can't say no to free booze from a friend," Gail explains.

"Me too. Friday is my one free night to have fun. 6 days of studying and one day off. Kind of a personal sabbath I guess."

"Nerd."

Holly chuckles and shakes her head in amusement. The air between them is calm and free of tension. They both lean back on the counter and observe the people on the dance floor. Neither of them feel the need to say something at the moment. Gail is in awe of how easy things are between Holly and her. She takes a trip in her memory to the three class sessions they shared this past week. After the first meeting, they settled into an easy routine where they would just sit next to each other in silence. Holly would always pull out some advanced medical or forensic textbook and use numerous highlighters to mark the important information. Gail would sit back and casually watch her studying. Every once in while, she would make a satirical comment about random students in the classroom. Holly would quietly giggle and nod in agreement with most of her comments.

"So what do you think of that brunette girl with the snapback over there? Think she's trying to be a Kristen Stewart clone?"

Gail looks at Holly in puzzlement. Holly simply points her the in right direction towards the girl in question.

Gail looks over and nods in agreement.

"I'm surprised you can be mean, Holly."

Holly laughs and nudges Gail's shoulder with her elbow. Gail simply grins back at her. Gail can feel her confidence rising in her chest. Perhaps it is time to go for what she wants.

"Well Holly, can I buy you a-" Gail begins to ask.

"Hey Gail!" Sage hollers as she approach Gail.

Gail gets annoyed at her friend for interrupting her.

Sage looks over at Holly and moves over to her side.

"Holly! Good to see you here. You guys know each other?" Sage asks as she leans over to hug Holly. She turns her head toward Gail and mouths "This is her."

Gail's heart freezes for a moment. Of course. Of fucking course, Holly is the one Sage is into. Holly freaking Stewart! Gail closes her eyes in an attempt to erase what she just witnessed.

The sky is blanketed in dark clouds with rain pouring everywhere. Sixteen years old Gail is running and trying to hold a overpacked backpack behind her. Her hair, dyed in black, is plastered all over her face, so she wipes it off in order to see where she is going. Everything is so messed up and it is all her fault. She just can't stay at home where her mother is. She can't be around her mother and have to see her face without remembering what happened.

A large van appears in a parking lot and Gail can see Sage loading bags in the back. Gail slows down into a hesitant walk and approaches Sage with caution. Sage turns around as she hears her footsteps, and stares at Gail quietly.

"Hey"

"Yeah?"

Gail swallows a ball of guilt down her throat.

"Are you heading down to the reservation for the summer?" Gail asks.

"Yeah, why?"

"Can I join you? I-I just can't-" Gail stutters.

"Yeah, you don't have to explain. Just throw your bag in here and we will head out in a minute."

Gail throws the backpack in the back without regard and climbs in the back seat of the van along with Sage. Gail makes sure there is distance between them and they wait for the others to climb in the van for the trip. Gail looks down at her hands and tries not to let out the watery beads in her eyes. Sage sits in silence and stares through the window deep in thought.

"I'm sorry…" Gail spurts quietly.

"Huh?"

"I'm sorry about your brother… I really didn't mean to-"

"Stop. Just stop right there. We both know it is not you. It's your mother. You are powerless just like rest of us." Sage maintains sternly and looks back at the window, ending the conversation.

Gail looks back down at her hands and starts to cry in disbelief. In that moment, Gail knew she owes Sage everything and will never take their newly strengthened friendship for granted.

"Gail? Yo? You here?" Sage asks as she waves her hands in front of Gail's face.

"Oh, sorry."

"You alright? You totally spaced out there for a minute."

"Yeah I'm fine."

"Well how did you meet Holly?" asks Sage

"Oh we have the same class, Intro to Criminology," Holly answers for Gail.

"Ah that explains."

Gail stays quiet as she processes the whole situation happening in front of her. Sage is standing in between of Holly and her. Game over, Gail. She absolutely cannot be the asshole and ask Holly out. Sage has been through so much and deserves every ounce of happiness that comes her way. She has been there for Gail in her darkest moments and remains her best friend in spite of what happened to her brother. Gail already took away her brother, so she cannot take away Holly too. That goes against everything Gail believes in. If there is one thing she follows without hesitation, it is absolute loyalty. She needs to do something to stop what she is feeling at the moment.

"Well my work is done here. I'm going to head over to the girl I've been checking out," Gail states and slip the cash back to Sage. Gail whispers to Sage, "Take it and buy her drinks. I'm fine by myself."

"What? No I am covering drinks for you. Don't worry about it."

"Forget it." Gail states and walks away.

Gail walks over to the Kristen Stewart clone and asks if she can buy her drinks tonight. The girl nods her head and Gail looks back at the bar counter. She sees Holly stares in puzzlement and Sage ordering drinks for them. That's how things should be.

After more than couple trips to the counter for rounds of drinks, Gail is bumping against the girl. Claire is her name. Perhaps it was Charlie? Gail is not sure and is beyond drunk to care really. She is pretty sure it is Claire though. The air is becoming suffocating and she feels overheated.

"Hey, I'm going out to cool off for a minute," Gail informs her dancing partner and walks away without waiting for her reply. She looks over at the counter, forgetting at the moment that Sage and Holly are still there, and sees them having animated conversation. Gail sighs and decides she needs yet another shot of Cuervo to get through the night. She finds a empty space on the other side, far away from the couple that are breaking her heart. She stumbles upon the counter and holds on for her dear life. The bartender approaches her in concern.

"Hey, double shot of Cuervo please."

"I think you had enough for tonight ma'am."

"What? Come on. The night is young."

"Yes the night may be young, but you still had more than enough. Let me call a cab for you."

"What makes you think I'm going home alone? I can-" Gail is about to argue.

"Gail, stop. Come on. What's going on?" Sage interrupts and holds Gail's shoulder.

"Nothing, I just want some tequila. You know that's my favorite poison"

"Seriously Gail. You're wasted. Is that how you want to impress that girl?"

"What girl? She's just someone to dance with."

"Dance? You don't do dancing. You always told me that."

"Look. I'm having fun. You always told me to go out there and have fun. That's what I'm doing."

Gail brush Sage's hands off and stumbles away. Gail knows Sage knows there is something wrong, but she is running away from her. There is absolutely no way she will ever let Sage find out about her feelings toward Holly. Gail spots Claire sitting on a bar stool with couple shots full of gold liquid. Gail smiles a little and heads over there to end her night into oblivion so she does not have to feel the pain anymore. Not tonight.