For clarification, the first part of this chapter happens about 20 minutes before the last chapter. Sorry for any confusion.

Part I

Amy had left her room feeling surprisingly good about her confession to Karma. Saying she had feelings for the girl was an understatement, but easing Karma into the idea of having a romantic relationship was definitely the way to go. It was pretty clear that Amy loved Karma, even Karma could see that now, but Amy wouldn't say it. Not yet. It would put Karma under too much pressure, and under pressure, precious things can break. This situation was very fragile, and Amy was determined to handle it with the utmost care.

She came downstairs to the reception to help clean up and have a glass of champagne. She poured herself a glass and noticed a drunken Liam Booker across the room from her. She was confused why Karma hadn't found him yet, but she decided not to think about it. Amy meant it when she called Liam a cockroach. That's all he was to her, a pest. He was the only physical obstacle getting in the way of a romantic relationship with Karma. She'd accidentally been giving him a death glare for the past few seconds, and he had noticed. She was slowly making her way over to him as she was clearing the tables. As soon as she got close enough to hold a conversation with him, he took full advantage of the situation.

"It's pretty clear you hate me Amy. I'm not so sure why. Well, I do know why. But it's not fair to hate me for it. I didn't know about the situation an hour ago."

"Great, so I'm guessing Shane told you? He's sure good at breaking his gay scouts honor, whatever that means anyway."

"He had to! Karma was lying to everyone."

"She wasn't lying to me."

"Yeah, but she was using you."

"Look, Liam, I don't know what you think you know, but Karma is a good person. And she deserves better than you."

"Of course, because you think she deserves you."

Amy smirked at this, because it was true. As wonderful as Karma was, Amy knew she was good enough for her. She always put Karma first, and her love certainly wouldn't die for her in this lifetime. Nobody knew Karma better than Amy. "Yeah, I think she does."

"I know you think I'm some douchebag, but I really did have feelings for her. But who knows if that was even the real her? Don't worry Amy, I'll be out of Karma's life by the end of tonight, but don't be surprised if she finds another boy to manipulate and lead on. Seems she's good at that, wouldn't you agree?"

"You don't know anything about her. You just admitted that."

"I'm on your side Amy. You must be hurting by now. Ever think you might deserve better?"

"Are you trying to pick me up? I guess lesbians really are your type," she lets out a small laugh.

"Hey, I'm not THAT douchey. I have every right to have this opinion. And I have a feeling you and I aren't so different. I feel bad for you."

Amy lets out a disgruntled snort before saying "you feel bad for ME? I should be feeling bad for you."

"Well, let's feel bad for each other then. Sorry I crashed your wedding. Karma really did tell me you were cool with us being together."

Amy felt bad for all the times she hated Liam. He seemed like a genuinely nice guy who was trying to do the right thing, which was commendable considering he was from the Booker family. As much as she wanted him to be an asshole so she wouldn't feel guilty for hating him, he just wasn't a bad guy. Douchey as they come, but harmless. She feels herself getting softer before catching herself and saying, "I'm still going after Karma. I know you two had a thing, but she's the love of my life. I had feelings for her first." She felt childish, claiming Karma as if she was marking her territory. Liam raised an eyebrow at her. "I'm sorry. This situation is just not a good one."

"It's fine. You are free to pursue Karma without me getting in the way. But I am best friends with Shane, and you and him obviously have a much closer friendship than I originally thought, so me and you will be seeing each other around."

"That's fine, Booker. Just stop stealing my girls." Amy nudges him on the shoulder and laughs, continuing to clear off the tables as Liam gets drunk into the night.

By the time she makes it back into her room, she sees Karma's dress on the floor and her favorite pajamas missing. The scent of lavender is still fresh in the room, so she must have just missed Karma. She lies down on her bed looking up at the glow in the dark stars. She knew her innocent friendship with Karma was long gone, moved to make place for something much more intense. It was the start of a new era, and as Amy drifted off to sleep, she never felt better.

Part II

She woke up in the middle of the night to find Karma, sleeping in her bed with her back faced to Amy. Amy smiled and moved closer to the sleeping beauty, whispering a faint "I love you."

"What?" A sleepy voice asked. Amy jumped up with surprise that Karma was still awake, as Karma slowly rolled over to face Amy.

"W-what I dunno" Amy quickly responded, thanking the gods it was dark enough for Karma not to see her face flush with embarrassment.

"What did you say just now? Were you sleep talking again?"

"Uh, yeah, I must have been. Have you been awake this whole time?"

"Yeah," Karma says clicking on a lamp, "after everything that's happened tonight, it's kind of hard to fall asleep."

"Is it, um. Is it because of Liam?"

Karma sat there staring at her hands, not knowing herself the exact reason she was upset. "I don't think so. How did you even know about mine and Liam's conversation?"

"When I went downstairs to clean up I saw him drinking at a table. He told me he knew about us faking it, and well, he wasn't too happy. I assumed that you would find him after our little.. uh.. talk."

"Well, I did, and you're right. He wasn't happy. I don't think he's ever gonna talk to me again. Lucky you," Karma says bitterly as she turns back around, facing the nightstand and the picture of the two girls from Halloween.

"Karma, come on. How is this my fault? You can't be mad at me for being jealous."

"I'm not, I just have a lot to think about right now. And I'm really tired and I'd like to try to sleep again."

Amy knew Karma had a lot to sort out in her head, and pushing her through this process too quickly would only lead to disaster. "Okay, good night Karma."

"Good night Amy."