Jen stirred slightly as the light crept through the broken blinds of the grotty last minute hotel room. It took her a few moments to realise where she was and butterflies began to dance in her stomach. A little brought on by the worry of what the day would bring but mostly because she knew Tilly was next to her. She turned over slowly, excited to see Tilly's face next to hers. Her heart sank when she wasn't there... Jen bolted up in the bed and looked around. There was no sign of Tilly, her shoes or her bag. Jens mind began to race. Maybe Tilly was annoyed that she'd fallen asleep? No that couldn't be it. Their relationship had always been based on more than just sex. They'd fallen in love with each other even before they'd ever slept together. It was good between them there was no denying that, Jen had never felt so satisfied, thrilled or wanted but maybe that's because she'd never truly loved the person she was "making love" with. Her mind started to tick over other possibilities as to where Tilly could be. Maybe she'd already gone to college? Gone to talk to Lexie? Jen didn't want that. This was her mess and she needed to sort it out herself. She didn't want Tilly to feel obliged to help her. Jen pulled all her hair up into a messy bun and started to put her shoes on. She needed to find Tilly.

"Hey, where's the fire?" Tilly giggled at the door as she watched Jen fumbling around trying to put her shoes on as fast as possible.

"Tilly! I wondered where you were!" Jen sounded angry but as soon as she looked up and saw Tilly's big beautiful eyes sparkling down on her, holding two steaming Starbucks cups, Jen couldn't help but smile.

"I thought you could use one of these..." Tilly handed Jen a cup.

"Thank you beautiful" Jen stood up, took the cup and kissed Tilly's lips.

"So come on.." Tilly sat on the edge of the bed and patted next to her for Jen to sit down. "We can't put it off any longer. We need to talk about what we're going to do"

"Oh can't we just stay in here forever? It's got character... We might learn to love it. Never go out into the big bad world ever again..." Jen pouted playfully .
"Sit!" Tilly giggled and Jen rolled her eyes but did what she was told.

"So... I think it's best I speak to Lexie... Reason with her. She's actually really nice deep down. She just keeps it hidden really well."

"Really really well" Jen frowned a little jealous that Tilly was still speaking such nice things of the girl who she stupidly had pushed her towards.

Hearing the jealousy in Jens voice. Tilly took hold of her hand. Silently reminding her that she was hers. Not Lexie's, she was all Jens.

"I just feel tired Tilly. So sick and tired of all the sneaking around we have to do when we're together. But then even when we're not together, trying to hide my feelings for you is exhausting too." Jen studied Tilly's hand and ran her thumb backwards and forwards across it as she spoke. "Maybe I'm done. Let's just let Lexie do her worst."

"Oi. No. That's not you Jen. You're not a quitter. If you give up now then all we've been through has been for nothing." Tilly put her finger under Jens chin and lifted her face to look into her eyes. "One year until we can be together properly. Just one year. You're not giving up your job, I won't let you."

"But Diane knows now... How can I keep my job?" Jen protested.

"We'll think of something. I promise. First things first, I need to speak to Lexie before she does anything stupid." Tilly stood up and held out her hand to pull Jen up. "Let's go"

Jen took Tilly's hand and followed her. It was nice to feel protected by Tilly. Jen wasn't someone who ever felt like she needed anyone else. She hated depending on anyone. With Tilly it was different. She enjoyed feeling like they were one. Them against the world and right at that moment she couldn't feel happier.

Jen sat in the classroom trying to concentrate on some marking before her class arrived but as she sat tapping the pen on the desk all she could think about was Tilly. Tilly had insisted on talking to Lexie, convincing Jen it would be better coming from her. Jen finally gave in realising she was probably right. She pulled out her phone to text Tilly.

Tilly had been looking for Lexie for ages and finally spotted her sitting on the bench outside college with her head in her hands. Tilly sat down next to her.

"Lexie..." Tilly tapped her wearily.

"Not now Tilly. I feel like shit." Lexie groaned.

"Tough. Listen I need to know if you've said anything yet?" Tilly spoke calmly.

"No. Why would I?" Lexie shrugged.

"Oh I don't know... Because you told Diane you were going to?"

"You know about that?" Lexie finally made eye contact with Tilly.

"Yeah I do. Didn't have you down as a grass Lex." Tilly shook her head.

"Look I'm really sorry. I was angry and wanted to get back at Jen... I thought me and you, you know..." Lexie cringed at herself.

"I'm sorry if I gave you the wrong impression. Please don't take it out on Jen though. It's not her fault." Tilly pleaded. She wanted to grab Lexie and shake her but thought the friendly approach was probably for the best. "She's a good teacher, you know she is. If she loses her job we could get someone who we all hate. You'd be to blame."

"I'd be to blame? I'm not the one shagging her!" Lexie laughed.

"Shh! Look I'm asking you. As a friend. Please don't lie. Don't say she tried it on with you. It's not fair on her. Please?"

"How do you know it's a lie? How do you know she hasn't tried it on with me?" Lexie eyed Tilly suspiciously.

"Because I trust her 100 percent." Tilly stated confidently.

"Wow. You're really serious about her aren't you?" Lexie frowned. Tilly just nodded. "Well you can chill out. I'm not going to say anything. Like I said, I was angry last night." Lexie waved her hand dismissively.

"Do you promise?" Tilly studied Lexie's face which seemed to be genuine.

"I promise. Now can you leave me and my hangover in peace?"

Tilly smiled and left Lexie alone. She pulled her phone out of her pocket to text Jen and noticed there was already a message off her.

"Hey baby. Have you spoken to her yet? Worrying like mad. Think it's too late to go back to our little hotel room? J xx"

"All sorted. Relax. I told you we'd figure it out. See you later. Love you. T. Xxx"

Jen sighed with relief as she read Tilly's text. It still didn't sort out how they can carry on seeing each other now that Diane knows but still at least that's one problem out of the way. Jen was knocked out of her thoughts when Mr Keeler burst through her classroom doors.

"Jen, can I see you in my office in ten minutes please?" He looked flustered which unnerved Jen a bit.

"I can't, my class starts in 10. Shall I come by after it?" Jen smiled trying to hide the panic rising inside her.

"No you don't. I've got a supply covering you. Like I said be in my office. 10 minutes." With that he was gone.

Jen swallowed hard. This didn't look good...

TBC