Thank you for those who have read this story and continue to do so. Please leave a review and let me know if you think I'm heading in the right/wrong direction!
Amy was at the coffee shop early. Like stupid early. 30 minutes early, because she had been unable to relax at home. The coffee with Karma was stressing her out for some reason, so she left with way too much time and had arrived early. As it turns out, so had Karma.
Amy saw her as she approached the coffee shop as she had grabbed their old familiar seat but the window where they had spent many a Saturday morning people watching. Amy tried her hardest to ignore the fact the she felt nervous. That there were definitely butterflies in her stomach and yeap, the palms of her hands were sweaty. As Amy stood on the other side of the road looking at Karma she contemplated walking around the block to calm herself down and also to not appear so eager. The option was removed when Karma spotted her through the window and waved happily. Her smile literally took Amy's breath away.
Fuck! Thought Amy as an old familiar feeling hit her. The feeling of love. Why was she still feeling this? She wasn't in love with Karma. She was in love Kate. So why was her stomach in knots and her heart racing super fast? Amy took a deep breath and told herself to pull herself together before waving back at Karma and crossing over the road.
As she opened the door to the shop Karma stood up at the table and as Amy approached there was an uncomfortable and awkward half hug, half peck on the cheek. Both of them still unsure of what spending time together signified.
"You look great!" Karma said as she stood opposite taking in Amy's appearance.
"Thanks" Amy replied in response to Karma's remark.
Amy smiled, pleased with the complement. She knew it shouldn't matter, but back in the house, Amy acknowledge that she was taking a long time to get ready for just a coffee with an old friend! She was keen to make up from her appearance when they had met at the airport last night. Amy knew she was trying to make Karma realise what she had missed out on. It was stupid, she knew that, but she was powerless to stop the feeling.
As she sat there curling her hair, she remembered the night of her mums wedding when Karma had broken her heart by telling her that she just didn't love her in the same way. Amy had hoped that one day Karma would change her mind, but you don't just become gay because your best friend wants you to. It was a hard lesson, but Amy had become stronger from it. Since then she had definitely made sure the feeling were mutual before offering her heart out again. She had definitely preferred to have been chased rather than do the chasing for fear of chasing the wrong girl again!
"You're early too!" Karma happily pointed out.
"Yeah it's umm been a while since I've been here so I umm allowed a bit longer than I needed to get here." Amy knew it was a rubbish lie. She lived 10 mins away, but it was better than admitting that she couldn't for some reason stay away any longer!.
"What would you like to drink!" Karma asked "do you want a donut?" She smiled at Amy as she stood up.
"Hell yes I want a donut! Can I have a expresso"
"Ohh look at you with your grown up drink." Karma joked. "Sure I can't tempt you with a hot chocolate with all the toppings?"
Amy smiled back at the mention of their old drink they used to spend hours nursing as they sat there discussing everything under the sun. It had been in this very coffee shop that Amy had confessed to have gotten her period and Karma had talked about the boys she fancied.
"Hmm tempting, but my tastebuds have moved on since then" Amy said confident she had this under control.
Karma returned with their drinks and two donuts which they cut in half so they could share.
"How are you feeling about tomorrow?" Amy asked. Unsure what else to say.
"Shit scared" karma replied honestly. "I'm scared of losing it in front of all those people."
"Karma...you have to accept that it's OK to 'lose it' as you put it. You have every reason to fucking well lose it. I mean I'd lose it if it was my mum and I don't even really like her!" Amy replied and instantly felt mean for saying that about her mum.
She had been slowly coming round to the fact that despite sleeping with Liam, Amy had preferred the company of women. The fact that Kate was coming to stay was a huge step forward.
"I know." Karma whispered."it's just all so scary Amy. The whole funeral and then what happens afterwards?" She paused to control the tears forming in her eyes "I mean once I sell the house then that's it. I have no reason to ever come back to Heston." She swallowed hard before continuing "can you imagine what that feels like? I don't feel like I have any place to belong to anymore. Like my past life doesn't exist." Karma looked up and looked directly at Amy "that's why it's been so great having you here. You remind me of them. Of my past. Does that make ANY sense?" Karma asked
Amy felt the tears start to form in her own eyes and swallowed hard. "Of course it does. It makes perfect sense. Karma this is your home. It will always be your home. You have so many friends here. That doesn't change just because you have to sell the house." Amy tried to sound convincing, but she knew exactly what Karma was feeling.
Changing the subject Amy informed Karma that Shane would be at the funeral tomorrow. It had been Shane that had passed (via Liam) Amy's new mobile number to Karma. After speaking to Karma, Amy had called him straight away and told him what had happened. Amy had made him promise that he would come to the funeral.
Karma replied "Good I'll be able to apologise to him for being such a bitch."
"Karma.." Amy started "...tomorrow isn't for that OK? It's for saying goodbye to your folks. All what happened...well it was all a long time ago, and we've moved on." Amy said the words out loud even though she knew deep down she didn't quite believe them herself.
Karma nodded "I know you've moved on. I...I'm really happy for you." Karma added enthusiastically "...so tell me about your girlfriend. Kath was it?"
"Kate" Amy corrected Karma, slightly annoyed at the error as she knew that Karma had got the name wrong on purpose. What also annoyed Amy was why it mattered so much?
"Sorry" Karma apologised "Kate. Right. How long have you been together?"
"Pretty much from the start of term. She is in the year above and was working at welcome week at my college. She was really friendly and funny and I pretty much fancied her instantly. We just clicked and it all happened really easily. She's coming to visit over Christmas week." Amy knew she was gushing a bit, but she didn't care. This was her showing off.
Karma listened as Amy spoke proudly about Kate, and it was clear that Amy was happy.
Amy felt a bit guilty about feeling so happy.
"Liam told me about you two splitting up. What happened?" Amy asked, before adding "errr I mean you obviously don't have to say if you'd rather not."
Karma paused before speaking
"it's a bit of a long story. It wasn't one thing...Things hadn't been right for a while. It wasn't even Liam's fault. He's been great...it just...I just wasn't happy." Karma confessed.
"He's pretty gutted about it." Amy added
"He told you that?" Karma asked surprised
Amy nodded. "He got a bit drunk last and said some stuff." Amy remembered about what Liam had said about Karma picking the wrong one.
"What did he say?" Karma asked with a note of worry in her voice that Amy picked up on.
Amy paused as she considered her answer. Part of her wanted to push Karma for an answer to what Liam had claimed. To find out if there was any truth in what he had claimed.
"Just the rambling a of a drunk" Amy lied. "Is there someone else?" Amy asked?
Karma sheepishly looked down into her mug and, rather than answer Amy's question she quickly announced that she needed more hot chocolate. Amy eventually caved in and asked for one for herself.
Whilst Karma was up at the counter Amy felt herself relax. There was a feeling of familiarity around Karma. Amy acknowledge that she liked this feeling, she just didn't quite know what to do with these feelings.
Karma insisted on driving Amy home, but during the drive she barely spoke. Amy put it down to the funeral tomorrow. As they pulled up outside Amy's house Karma turned the engine off but sat starring straight ahead, with her hands still on the wheel.
"You OK?" Amy asked
Karma remained looking ahead but shook her head to show that she wasn't.
"I'm scared Amy." Karma admitted
Amy turned to face Karma and reached over to take one of her hands in hers.
"Of course you are. It's natural to feel scared."
Amy pulled Karma towards her to give her a hug to try and show that she had support, but Amy noticed that Karma wasn't relaxed she was holding her breath...holding back.
"Karma...I am here for you. You can be scared, it's OK to be scared. I'm here for you"
Karma pulled away slightly so she was looking into Amy's face. She went to open her mouth to say something, but hesitated and decided against it.
"What is it Karm?" Amy asked, her eyes searching Karma's for a clue.
Amy didn't have to wait long for a clue as Karma leant in and kissed Amy.
SOOOO - what should happen next?
