Tilly sat on the bench outside college waiting for George. She felt exhausted. Lexie had been a nightmare that afternoon in art. Such hard work, hating all of Tilly's suggestions for their assignment yet not bringing any of her own to the table. Not only would she have to put up with this in college but she'd have to meet up with her outside of college too to complete the assignment on time. Tilly groaned when she thought about this. She'd cross that bridge when she came to it. Right now she was looking forward to a girly evening with George. They'd planned to watch rom-coms and pig out on pizza. Just what they both needed. Tilly loved hanging out with George. As much as she loved Maddie she always felt like she had to walk on eggshells around her. She was like a ticking bomb and could go off at any moment. George was more similar to Tilly. Laid back, none judgemental and a laugh to be around. Tilly spun around as she heard someone behind her.

"Waiting for someone?" Jen stood with her books and folders smiling down on Tilly. The sun was shining behind her surrounding her beauty and it took Tillys breath away.

"Hey you. Yeah I'm waiting for George."

"Oh." Jen couldn't hide her disappointment. She'd secretly hoped Tilly was waiting to talk to her.

"Thanks by the way. For making me pair up with that new girl" Tilly frowned.

"Aw come on. She can't be all that bad. She's new and I can't think of any one better to help settle her in than a caring thoughtful student like yourself." Jen winked.

"Hmm. Well not sure how caring I'll be if she messes this assignment up for me" Tilly laughed.

"Not possible. You'll walk it." Jen nodded with confidence.

"So what are your plans this evening Miss Gilmore?" Tilly changed the subject slightly embarrassed by Jens confidence in her. It always made her scared of letting her down.

"Nothing much… Got a hot date with a bath full of bubbles and a glass of wine I reckon" Jen smiled at the thought.

"That sounds perfect" Tilly thought out loud. Jen caught her eye knowing they were both thinking the same. How much they wished they could spend the evening together. She gently twisted the promise ring around on her finger with a sad smile. This instantly cheered Tilly up and the sadness in her eyes transformed into excitement at the thought of their future together.

"Alright?" Lexie made them both jump. "So do you want to get together tonight then. Discuss this shit assignment?"

"That's what I like to see. A bit of enthusiasm." Jen laughed.

"Sorry. No offence" Lexie shrugged.

"I can't I've got plans. Just waiting for my mate to meet me then we're going back to mine." Tilly smiled. Satisfied that she actually had an excuse.

"Sounds good. You can tell me all about what's good around here. I'm used to busy Manchester and I'm not gonna lie Chester seems a bit grim compared" Lexie looked around her in disgust.

Jen frowned at the cheekiness of Lexie. She really wanted to intervene but knew her girl was more than capable.

"No. Sorry it's just we've planned to watch movies" Tilly forced a smile. Lexie was really annoying her now. Not only had she interrupted her moment with Jen she was way too forward.

"Even better. I love a good movie." Lexie sat down next to Tilly on the bench. "Your mate needs to hurry up though its freezing out here"

Jen widened her eyes to Tilly. Tilly just shrugged speechless. How was she meant to get out of it now?

"Well I better leave you to it then" Jen half smiled not wanting to leave Tilly. "Enjoy your evening"

"You too" Tilly looked straight into Jens eyes. Wishing so much she wasn't leaving.

"Yeah laters Miss" Lexie raised her hand to wave her off.

Tilly watched Jen walk away sadly. Willing her to look back. Just one more look from her that's all she wanted. As if reading Tillys mind as Jen reached her car she turned to smile back at Tilly before climbing in and driving off. Tilly looked down at her promise ring and felt butterflies.

"Tilly hey!" George ran over. "So sorry I'm late it's just I had a nightmare with –" George looked at Lexie "Oh who's your friend"

"She's not my-" Tilly started but was interrupted by Lexie.

"I'm Lexie. And you are?"

"George. So erm are you joining us?" George looked confused.

"Unless that's a problem?" Lexie looked from George to Tilly. "Not disturbing a date or anything am I?"

George laughed maybe a bit too hard "God no!"

"Oh yeah thanks George. Don't sound too horrified at the thought!" Tilly playfully nudged him.

"Sorted then. Right shall we get going now or what?" Lexie had clearly lost interest in the conversation.

"Alright keep your biker boots on!" Tilly laughed. Lexie smiled for the first time since she'd been there. Tilly couldn't help but notice how much softer Lexie looked when she smiled and wondered whether to tell her she should do it more often. Fearing getting a biker boot up the butt she decided against it as they all walked away from college.

Tilly, George and Lexie sat watching Moulin Rouge. Tilly and George were completely engrossed whilst Lexie sat looking around Tilly's living room bored out of her skull. George noticed this.

"You not a fan?" He frowned

"I just didn't realise there would be quite as much singing as there is…" Lexie mocked sticking her fingers down her throat.

"This could help us with the assignment though. Look how beautiful it all is" Tilly sighed with her eyes still on the screen. "There's a beauty in forbidden love that sparkles"

"It's an obvious beauty. I find beauty in things that others would find disgusting" Lexie shrugged. "Like a bin"

George had now turned his full attention to Lexie. Much to Tilly's annoyance.

"A bin? You're joking right?" Tilly had now reluctantly torn her eyes from the screen too.

"The way the colours mix, layers are formed, memories entwined. It's beautiful"

Tilly and George both stared at Lexie. Waiting for her to carry on. She just stared back.

"Memories? In a bin?" Tilly raised her eyebrows.

"Yeah. Like a banana skin for example… This could symbolise the start of someone's new life…the day they decided to change. Start eating healthily. To any passer-by it would just look like a mouldy rotting fruit skin but that could have just added a few years onto someone's life. Or an empty sandwich packet... That sandwich could have been shared by a couple on a date in a park. As they took the last few bites they could have realised they had fallen in love. An empty cider can. That could have been from a homeless person. Their one bit of enjoyment after begging in the cold all day getting hurled abuse and disgusted looks. To them that can of cider could have been their one shred of light at the end of a shitty tunnel..."

Tilly and George sit open mouthed.

"That answer your question?" Lexie smirked.

"Wow" George smiled. "That was so inspiring. Wasn't it Tills?" George was still in awe of Lexie.

"It was alright" Tilly hid how much she was impressed well.

Jen lay in a bath full of bubbles with music playing and a glass of wine in her hand. She sighed with contentment. The only way this could be even better was if Tilly was there sharing the bubbles with her. She picked up her phone to call Tilly but decided against it. Tilly was with her friends and she didn't want to interrupt her. Just as she was about to put her phone back on the side next to the bath, it beeped.

"I know I'm breaking the rules but I was just thinking about you in that bath..,Naked... Alone... and just thought I'd remind you not to fill it up too much. All about the health & safety me. ;) T x"

Jen giggled to herself and hit the reply button "Rule breaking again Miss Evans? Thanks for the tip. I'll make sure I don't fall asleep either. Shall have to imagine you're here with me to keep me awake won't I? ;) How's the movie? x"

Tilly's heart was pounding as she received a text. What if Jen was annoyed that she'd text her? She swallowed hard and then opened the text. She blushed slightly as she silently read it. The thought of Jen in the bath imagining Tilly was there sent a shiver up her spine.

"Oooh someone's got a smile on their face!" George nudged Tilly. "Spill"

Tilly looked up to George and Lexie both staring at her. "Oh no it's just my Mum saying how nice the weather is, reminding me to water the plants blah blah" Tilly quickly recovered.

"Come on. Enough of this soppy shit" Lexie turned the TV off.

"Oi" Tilly tutted.

"How about a real party?" Lexie opened up her bag and pulled out a bottle of vodka.

"What? You just carry that around with you?" Tilly frowned.

"Yes. You never know when an opportunity for a party might arise Tills" Lexie smirked. Tilly shuddered. She didn't like Lexie calling her Tills. Felt a bit too personal and over familiar for someone she just met.

"Up for it George?" Lexie waved the vodka in front of him as if tempting a baby with a bag of sweets.

"Always. I'll text the others" George got his phone out excitedly.

Tilly rolled her eyes. There was no point arguing she knew it was happening now. Instead she text Jen back. "Ugh. You don't know how much I wish I was there Jen. :( This Lexie girl is a nightmare! I blame you... You've got a lot of making up to do ;) xx"

Jen closed her eyes as she lay in the bath. She practically jumped up as her phone beeped. She sighed eyes full of desire as she read Tilly's text. "Aw sorry baby. The making it up to you will be fun though. Also I think it's lovely of you to help her settle in. I do wish you were actually here though, I'll just have to use my imagination... Love you. Miss you. Your J xxx"

TBC