Lena's alarm clock went off, blaring one of her favorite upbeat songs. Lena, who was a morning person, slowly began to hum and then eventually burst out into song, dancing subtly as she slid out of her covers and to her closet where she began looking for clothes to wear.
Angela's alarm went off and she snorted in surprise sitting up and looking around through squinted eyes. She then reached out to find her phone. Not finding it in it's usual place she leaned over the side of the bed to see that had fallen on the floor the night before. She looked so far over that she slid off the end and landed on her face, half of her still on the bed and half on the floor, still grasping for her phone that was just out of reach.
Fareeha's mom knocked on her door a series of times, then pounded, shouting at her daughter to get up. Fareeha sat up quickly in surprise, then grabbed her shoulder in sudden sharp pain. Both began shouting at each other in Arabic soon after.
Lena and Angela, once they were ready for the school day, sat at their tables, texting each other over some breakfast. They discussed the day before and both took a few moments to ask each other how they were doing. Angela was fine and so was Lena. Both girls felt better after breakfast. A new day was dawning.
Fareeha sat at the table while her mother dressed her shoulder in a sling. Ana Amari was a professional nurse, serving in the army after she was too old to continue fighting. She was just as good as a doctor and many assumed that she was just as such. She could dress any wound and would know exactly how to treat any injury, cut, bruise, or laceration with intelligence only acquired through experience. She retired from the army to stay home with her young daughter, acquiring a simple job at her school for something to do during the day after her honorable discharge. Fareeha gave her a lot of practice for minor injuries to keep her busy.
"So Fareeha." Ana said, finishing her sling, "I want to talk to you about Miss Zeigler."
"Angie?" Fareeha asked, sitting back in her chair, relaxing, "What about her?"
"Yesterday I noticed you too seeming very close." Ana began, turning and moving into the kitchen to put a kettle on for tea, "Would you like some red tea, dear?"
"Yes please." Fareeha sighed, "And…well." She didn't exactly know how to explain it to her mother. She knew she wouldn't think much of it, in fact, she knew that she would encourage it wholeheartedly, it was a matter of where Angela stood on the matter. She knew she was very fragile and if her mother knew about it, she would push her too quickly and maybe ask Angela out for her.
"It looked like you two were more than friends, hm?" Ana prodded, waiting for the kettle to warm, "You asked her what kind of women she was into."
"WELL…" Fareeha said a little too loud, tensing up, "I wanted to know because uh…she had asked me before on our lunch date…lunch MEETING and I forgot to ask her too."
"But why would you bring up such a topic when you are lying in bed with a dislocated shoulder?" Ana continued, taking cups, sugar, and a teapot from the overhead cupboard, "It just seems very unlikely that one would ask something so specific after a personal injury. You seemed more focused on her than you were on yourself."
"I'm usually like that, ma." Fareeha replied as the kettle began to whistle.
"Angela was certainly obvious about how she felt. She might like you, you know." Ana said, taking the kettle with a pot holder. She poured the boiling water into the teapot and placed three teabags into the pot. She set the kettle on the back of the stove and turned off the heat. She brought the teapot, teacups and sugar over and seated herself before her daughter.
"I'm not sure…if she likes me or not." Fareeha said, pretending to be clueless.
"You can't lie to your mother." Ana said, smiling smugly, "You like Angela…"
"Maybe a little?!" Fareeha shouted, "PLEASE ma, you can't get involved."
"So what if I get involved." Ana said, tapping the table impatiently, "You're certainly doing a slow of-"
"Ma…." Fareeha said, reaching out and putting a hand over her mothers, "Listen to me. If you respect me as your daughter, you have to let me do this on my own. You can't ask her out for me. You can't speak for me. You have to just stay out of it until I actually get her to go out with me. Do you understand?"
Ana narrowed her eyes, "…Jabān."
"MA!"
"I'm going to be dead in the ground by the time you get her on your arm." Ana continued.
"Oh for god's sake."
"No I'm serious." Ana sighed.
"I'm serious when I say you have to let me do this on my own." Fareeha groaned, "I DON'T want this opportunity to be taken the wrong way. I don't want anyone else getting her for me. I want to experience this on my own and get her on my own. I want her to be mine and mine by her choice…"
Ana grinned from ear to ear as she poured herself some tea and scooped some sugar into her cup, saying nothing. Fareeha's face and neck heated up in an embarrassed blush at her outburst. Her mother sipped her tea wordlessly and Fareeha reached out for the pot to pour her own cup. She assumed that she had said all she needed. Her mother looked very at peace, content in the silence.
"…You have it bad." Ana muttered.
"Mother, just enjoy the quiet."
"Alright, my little one."
Angela and Lena arrived at school and sat together in the lunch area before first period began. It was no surprise to anyone that Fareeha was absent. Mei took her place instead, sitting with Angela who had decided to be very quiet, playing with the pencil she usually brought when she tutored Fareeha in Algebra. It was a blue pencil…blue was Fareeha's favorite color. Lena sat back in her chair and sighed quietly. The room was quiet.
"I hope we play dodgeball in gym today." Mei said, attempting to start a conversation.
"I don't." Lena said flatly, "The last time we played dodgeball, Angela knocked me in the head with a dodgeball so hard I swear I had a minor concussion."
"Sorry, L." Angela chuckled, "You were asking for it."
"I just stuck my tongue out at you a few times." Lena defended herself, "I didn't ask for potential internal bleeding."
Mei rolled her eyes and Angela giggled.
The day began, and by second period the hours bean to crawl on. Everyone seemed extremely tired after the game save for a few excited souls who were shut down by almost everyone immediately. Lena dragged herself through the halls alongside Angela who tried to keep herself upbeat as much as she could. She was too tired to feel decent enough to be herself. It was almost like she didn't sleep at all the night before when, in fact, she fell asleep early. Lena saw no traces of the strange French girl and part of her was grateful while part of her was…slightly disappointed. She didn't know how to feel about Amelie still. Lena thought and thought for the majority of the day about what she should do. She didn't know if her feelings were positive or negative. It was a bit of both. Whenever she pictured her future partner it was someone who was a little like herself and a little like Angela to balance out her hyper tendencies. She never expected the cold, socially awkward girl to take any kind of interest in her at all.
"Lena?" Angela asked gently at the lunch table, snapping Lena out of her constant train of thought "Amélie is coming…"
"Lovely." Lena said sadly. Angela narrowed her eyes at this…was Lena bothered and sad by the situation with the tall girl? The blonde couldn't help but protectively sit closer to Lena while Mei simply kept her head down, waiting for the interaction between the two to blow over.
Lena looked up at the French girl and sighed, "Look…I like kissing you and all, but a relationship can't be just that."
Amélie nodded.
"And…I think you're nice and all." Lena continued, spitting out her words clumsily, "I'm just not interested. This is all just kind of stressing me out."
Amélie nodded again and sighed, lifting a hand to her face. She remained silent for a few moments, seeming to be thinking very hard again. Lena half expected her to write her number in the palm of her hand and insist she call her again, but instead Amélie looked at her sadly and said, "I am sorry. I'm not the best at communication."
Lena didn't say anything in return and Angela continued to protectively watch over the conversation.
"It is…frustrating." Amélie continued, shifting on her feet, "How I cannot seem to find the words to express to you how I feel. This is all very awkward from the end that wants to give…"
"Why don't you try to explain how you feel?" Lena said, standing up, "You must like me a lot to be trying so hard…"
Amélie nodded sadly and a twinge of pity hit Lena in her stomach. She gestured for Amélie to follow her back to one of the tables not many people sat at to speak privately. Angela sighed in frustration, then looked at Mei, expecting her to say something. The smaller girl shook her head. It was very stressful for Angela, watching her best friend be emotionally disturbed by someone she didn't know. It was obviously distressing Lena since she wasn't one for confrontations like that. Angela knew that more than anyone.
"I don't know if I should just tell Lena to stop trying or if I should let her go." Angela said quietly.
"I think you should let her go for a bit longer." Mei offered, "If it gets any worse from here, get involved, but for right now, it looks like both of them are trying to understand each other."
Angela nodded and smiled in thanks. She turned her head to see the two of them at the back of the room. Amélie seemed to be thinking very hard and trying to say what she wanted to say, while Lena sat in front of her, holding her hands. Lena was so kind and patient…
"So how's Fareeha?" Mei asked Angela to take her mind off the matter, "I saw you were a first responder."
"Well yeah." Angela giggled, "She's home today I guess. I think I'm gonna go see her after school. It's a bit of a walk, but I don't mind. I was thinking about baking her some cookies."
"Do you know what her favorite kind is?" Mei asked, happily.
Angela paused for a moment, thinking back to all the conversations they had recently…what was her favorite cookie? She never asked? Angela nearly slapped herself.
"I have no clue." Angela said, "I'll text her after school I guess."
"She seems like she'd like snickerdoodles." Mei said, "Or maybe peanut butter cookies!"
Angela nodded and continued to eat her lunch, thinking of Ana and Fareeha alone at home, possibly yelling at each other in Arabic about something. She thought it was adorable. She wondered what kind of cookies Ana liked too.
After lunch, Lena came back looking very flustered.
"How did it go?" Angela asked.
"She told me to meet her in her car in the parking lot after school." Lena replied, blushing, "She also told me that she was just really into me for a while and only recently worked up the nerve to talk to me. She's got social anxiety something terrible and reached out to me today…she's really very sweet, she's just constantly frustrated and looks like she doesn't care about anything…"
Angela's eyes widened as they walked back to their classes together, "All of that?"
"Yeah…I like her too." Lena said, rubbing the back of her head, "It's…I dunno, she's cute in a reclusive sort of way…"
"That's the word of the day." Angela said, hooking her arm with Lena's, "Well I'm happy you two worked something out. I'm going to see Fareeha tonight, okay? So after your inevitable make out session, text me or maybe drop by like you always manage to do. I swear sometimes you can teleport."
"Don't rule it out." Lena said, winking.
Lena didn't know if she was attracted to Amélie or not, but that afternoon would answer the question. Angela and Mei met up in the gym for last period and sat at the back of the room, talking about nothing until the gym coach approached them.
"No sitting around, you two!" She said in a thick Russian accent.
"Sorry, miss Zaryanova!" Angela said, standing, "I have a request for a game!"
"Yes yes? What is it!" she asked, looking down at the pretty blonde.
"Dogeball!"
"Aaahhhh I see what you're doing, miss Zeigler." Zaryanova said with a smile, "Targeting someone today? Hmmm?"
"More or less!" Angela grinned, "It's more like I just want to whack them for fun."
"In that case we'll just have to play then!" The gym teacher said, putting her hands together, "It's always fun to watch you destroy the other team."
And so, dodgeball was announced and Angela was the first one to be picked on a team. Lena was on her toes the entire time, being picked on the opposite team. Angela had her singled out immediately and Lena knew it. It helped that she participated in track, but Angela's eye was quicker than her feet and she nailed her right in the hip. Lena dramatically shouted, "IVE BEEN SHOT! Go on without me!" and people shoved her out of the way, her joke heard by no one but Angela.
After the game, all the girls were allowed to sit around and simply chat with one another until the final bell. Lena looked absolutely terrified, sitting in silence. As she walked down the hall with Angela by her side, the blonde watched her sympathetically.
"I hope you have fun." Angela said, smiling, "I know you will. Kissing is always fun."
"How do you know?" Lena hissed nervously, "You've never kissed anyone yet! I mean other than me that one time the other day but I don't think that counted."
"I haven't kissed anyone I LIKE yet!" Angela giggled, "Also, I kind of get the idea that it feels nice when you do it with someone who likes you back."
Lena nodded up and down and went to her locker, grabbing some chap stick. She ran her fingers through her hair and sighed deeply. She didn't know if she felt like she was walking down death row or if she was going to something very wonderful that she should be nervous for. She passed Angela on her way to the parking lot. She seemed to be texting Fareeha…
"Wish me luck." Lena sighed.
"Good luck!" Angela said encouragingly, "I have some cherry chap stick in my purse if you'd like." She teased.
"Thanks but no thanks." Lena replied, leaning against the locker, "I feel like I'm gonna barf."
"Then that's a bad sign." Angela pointed out.
"It's-It's like going to the dentist except…not? I'm expecting something GOOD, it's just…" Lena explained, gesturing nervously with her hands.
"You're just stressed out and blowing this out of proportion." Angela said softly, "It'll be okay in the end. You'll see."
"I wonder if she's gonna try to kill me…" Lena muttered under her breath.
"LENA!"
"Alright alright I'm going." Lena said, reaching out to hug Angela tightly, "I might stop by Fareeha's later if you're there, okay?"
Angela nodded and patted her shoulder reassuringly. The tiny girl moved away from Angela and continued down the hall to the parking lot, slinging her backpack over her shoulder and wondering if her breath smelled bad. She should have asked Angela for a mint…
She stepped outside and into the parking lot where she saw Amélie standing by her car, waiting for her. She swallowed deeply and moved forward, her shoulders raised and her head down, submissively. She approached the tall girl and bounced on her tip toes for a few seconds. Amélie saw how nervous she was and opened the back door of her car and gestured for Lena to get in as invitingly as possible.
"I…can I back out of this?" Lena asked suddenly, surprising even herself.
"Of course." Amelie said, closing the door, "You can do whatever you like."
Lena then felt guilty…
"Shit. Ahh." Lena growled in frustration, moving her admirer aside and sliding in the backseat of her car. She set her backpack down on the floor and looked ahead, crossing her arms. Amelie took a moment to look behind her, then she crawled in beside Lena, shutting the door. All the doors were unlocked and the windows were tinted…it made Lena feel a bit better.
Lena sighed forcefully, "OKAY! I just have to say this." She turned towards the taller girl, pointing at her awkwardly, "You're cute. I will admit that. You're kinda my type if I ever had one."
Amélie smiled for the first time and Lena fell silent, taking her hand back.
"I see you put chap stick on." Said Amélie quietly, "Were you thinking that I invited you here to kiss you?"
"Well I mean…" Lena said, a blush blooming over her cheeks, "You didn't?"
"I only wanted to talk but if you would like to kiss we could!" Amelie said, shrugging.
"NO!" Lena shouted a little too loud, "NO! I MEAN…"
Amélie sighed and reached out, taking Lena's shirt collar. She pulled her close and Lena let out a small shriek in response. The taller girl put her left arm around Lena's waist, her hand resting on her lower back, and with her right hand she ran her fingers through the back of Lena's spikey hair. The smaller girl slid into an incoherent mess then, not sure if she was afraid or enjoying herself. Amélie eyes softened as she said quietly, "You sure you do not want to kiss me?"
Lena wasn't sure. She wasn't sure if she could speak coherently either.
"I uh…you uhh…You…You're playing with my hair"
"M-hmm."
"I like that."
"Yes?"
Lena's eyes closed as the soothing sensation continued. It wasn't often that she let on to people that she liked her hair played with. It was so short that it was easily messed up and as much as she would love people touching her hair, she didn't want to look like a mess. She let Angela play with her hair occasionally, but other than that, it was a luxury she kept to herself.
Amélie leaned closer, moving Lena onto her lap. The smaller girl didn't respond, she only laid forward on Amélie's shoulder, completely hypnotized.
"You see…" The taller girl said, "I like you very much. I understand that you want to be careful in who you date. You're the kind who doesn't enjoy being tied down very much. A free spirit, no?"
Lena made a noise that she agreed.
"I will not tie you down. I may look emotionless but let my touch convey to you how much I care for you. If only for a few moments."
Lena made another noise of agreement. Amélie smiled and Lena sat up slowly. The taller girl stopped running her fingers through her hair and holding her to take her pony tail out from its place. Her hair fell free and around her face. Lena's hair stood on end and her eyes widened. She immediately looked away, lifting a hand to rub her cheek. She didn't know how beautiful she really was...
"Come here, Cherie." Amélie whispered, reaching out to take Lena's face, turning her to look into her eyes. Lena blushed and had nothing to say. It was a rare thing for her to be so stricken by something that she had no words. Lena sighed slowly and closed her eyes as Amélie leaned forward, pressing her lips against Lena's.
It was a sweet contact, gentle, careful. Lena received another spark and her head felt light. Amélie continued to play with her hair and Lena sighed through her nose, tilting her head and kissing Amélie back. The taller girl leaned back against the window and Lena deepened their kiss. She shyly put her hand on Amelie's shoulder and began to shake slightly in response to this new sensation.
"Lena?" Amélie asked lightly, "Are you alright?"
"Y…yes." Lena said, "I just…it feels really nice. You're a good kisser."
"Thank you." Amélie whispered, leaning in for another. Lena accepted and lifted her hands to hold her face. She lifted her shoulders as well and their kissing became more heated. Lena was getting excited as well as Amélie. Lena let out a subtle moan and Amélie slid her hand up the back of her shirt, her fingertips brushing over the sensitive skin over Lena's back, close to her bra clasp.
"Mmm…Mon amour." Amélie purred breathlessly.
"What does that mean…" Lena asked, breaking away and allowing Amelie to kiss her neck.
"It means 'My love.'." said the older girl against her throat.
Lena nearly lost it then and there. She knew that Amelie was way beyond any sort of crush for Lena, but the way she was touching her felt way too good to be ignored. She might as well give their relationship a try…
"My love, huh?" Lena chuckled as Amelie continued to kiss her neck, "Well what should I call you, huh?"
"I'm not sure. Anything you'd like." Amelie replied, lifting her head.
"I'm not sure what I'm going to call you, but I can give you a title…" Lena offered.
Amelie nodded her head for Lena to continue.
"G…my girlfriend?"
Amelie's eyes widened and she sat back in the seat, smiling. Lena sighed and leaned forward, hugging her in confirmation. Amélie was internally overjoyed and nervous and excited all in the same emotional shift. Someone had given her a chance…and that someone was her intense crush. She usually felt nothing at all towards anyone, but Lena was the only one who could ignite those special feelings within her.
"So long as you'll have me as well." Amélie said quietly. Lena lifted a hand to rub the back of her head, smiling.
"You're very sweet." Lena told her.
"Thank you!" Ameile continued, "And you are sweeter still."
Lena leaned forward, that wry look on her face that Amélie had always loved, "For French being your main language, you're very good with your words when you get comfortable with someone."
The taller girl chuckled, "Yes…And I have thousands of words for you, my love."
"Oh dear god." Lena said, a shiver sliding up her spine at the same time Amélie rubbed her back.
Angela, meanwhile, was finished making her cookies for Fareeha. Double chocolate was her favorite, and lucky for her, Angela had extra cocoa powder in the pantry. As she pulled the cookies out of the oven, setting them on the cooling rack, she paced to the other end of the room and got on her tip toes to reach up into the cupboard, pulling out a container. When the cookies were cool enough, she placed them in the small box and sealed the lid, grabbed a jacket, and began her long walk to Fareeha's.
The sun was beginning to set, and Angela was sure it would be late at night by the time she got to Fareeha's home, but she plunged on anyway. Baking the cookies took longer than she expected but Fareeha was worth it, and she enjoyed chocolate as well. She walked up the street at a fast pace, humming to herself.
About halfway to her destination, Angela noticed that the sun had nearly set and she began to wonder where Lena was. It wasn't like her to be gone for so long. Her phone had been silent for about two hours. Angela debated on whether or not she should check in on her. She didn't want to ruin a moment so she decided against it eventually and kept moving. By the time she reached the front door of her destination she was tired and sleepy. She lifted a hand to knock on the door.
She waited for a few seconds, listening to someone shuffle up out of a chair and hurry to the door. Ana poked her head out and fixated on Angela.
"Angela?" the woman said, smiling happily, "What are you doing out here at night? Please come in!"
"Thank you!" Angela replied, walking in and giving her dear friend a big hug, "I walked over here with some cookies for you both. They're Fareeha's favorite!"
Ana patted her shoulders, smiling in absolute joy. Fareeha had chosen well. After her last girlfriend, she needed someone like Angela. Angela pulled up the lid to the container for Ana and the woman leaned down to smell them…
"Ooohh, those are good." Ana said happily, "May I have one?"
"Of course!" Angela said as if it were the most obvious answer in the world, "I didn't make them all for Fareeha!"
Ana put a hand on Angela's back, moving her towards the stairs as she took a cookie from the box, "Fareeha's up in her room. Sleeping or doing whatever she does when she's alone." The woman said, "If she is sleeping yell at her for me, okay?" as she finished, she took a bite out of the cookie, standing very still while Angela watched on, hopeful.
"Angela, did you try these?" Ana asked.
"N…no!" Angela said, nervously, "I guess I forgot to…I tested the batter before I put it in the oven and it tasted okay though…does it taste alright?"
"These are possibly some of the best homemade cookies I've ever eaten." Ana replied, "let me have another, Fareeha doesn't need all of them. You said it yourself."
Angela laughed, smiling happily, holding out the box for Ana to take whatever she wanted. The woman took two instead of one and shooed her upstairs, going to the fridge for some milk. Angela hopped up the stairs, excited to see Fareeha. She stopped in front of her door and knocked three times.
No answer.
The blonde waited for a few seconds, tapping her foot. Nothing.
She knocked again to no answer from inside. Half out of worry and concern and half out of impatience, she opened the door silently and poked her head in to look around. Fareeha's room smelled like her; earthy and clean with a personal scent that made Angela's ears grew hot. After she processed the wonderful smell, she noticed a lump on the bed turned away from the door, covered by blankets. Angela stifled a laugh.
"Fareeha?" Angela asked, stepping inside and closing the door behind her, "Fareeha? Are you awake?"
"M…Hm? Mom?" Fareeha stirred, lifting her head slowly and lifting her good arm to rub her eyes, "I fell asleep on my arm again. Could you grab me some pain killers?"
"If you tell me where they are I can." Angela offered, stepping further into the room.
Fareeha opened her eyes fully and saw who was speaking to her…
"ANGEL?" She gasped, jumping and scooting herself to the edge of her bed, standing up out of respect, "Oh my god I'm a mess. When did you get here?"
Angela giggled, "Hey! You called me Angel! And you're not a mess. I just got here a few minutes ago!" She closed the space between her and Fareeha and she sat down on the bedside, patting the seat beside her. Fareeha who was nervously trying to make her hair look presentable with one hand, sat down as well. Angela reached out to take her hand, rubbing her thumb over Fareeha's knuckles calmingly.
"I made you some cookies…" She comforted her gently.
"Oh!" Fareeha said in surprise, "THAT'S why you asked me what my favorite kind was! And you just walked the whole way over here too. Just to give me cookies?"
Angela nodded up and down, "I put a lot of love in them." Angela opened the container and held it out for Fareeha to take one. The taller girl reached past the box instead to take Angela's shoulder, leaning forward to give her a hug.
"Thank you for coming to see me." Fareeha thanked her.
"You're…welcome." Angela said, her stomach dropping. She put her arms around Fareeha's back and lifted her head over her shoulder. As loose and as slightly awkward as the hug was with Fareeha's arm, Angela felt her heart flutter in absolute pleasure. Fareeha leaned back and immediately went for a cookie but Angela, thinking on her feet, grabbed the box and held it away from her.
"I think I deserve a kiss on the cheek for the effort." Lena teased.
Fareeha tried not to look obviously shaken by the immediate idea of kissing her lips as well as her cheek. Fareeha smiled and leaned forward to kiss Angela's cheek softly. She found that she couldn't back away. Angela opened one eye curiously and Fareeha backed away slowly but looked at her mouth, her lips still parted…
"FAREEHA!" Came a yell from Ana down the staircase.
Both girls jumped in shock and Fareeha laughed nervously before shouting so loud Angela jumped again, "WHAT, MA!"
"DID YOU TRY THOSE COOKIES!?"
Angela covered her mouth, laughing as Fareeha rolled her eyes exaggeratedly and sighed, "NOT YET MA!"
"THEN WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?"
Fareeha bristled and ran to the door, opening it again and slamming it as loud as she could. Ana was silent. The taller girl sighed and rubbed her face, "That usually works…" Angela giggled and set her head in her hand, watching Fareeha in adoration. Fareeha couldn't handle how cute she was…
"So." Fareeha said, snapping her fingers, "Let's try those cookies."
"Double chocolate." Angela said proudly.
Fareeha sat down on the side of her bed heavily, and then reached down to pick one up. As she took a bite, she stopped chewing for a second, turning to look at Angela who was watching her with her hopeful blue eyes. The cookie was one of the best Fareeha had ever eaten. She didn't know why that made the blonde so much more attractive to her than before, but it did.
She sighed deeply and continued to chew, "Oh my god."
"You like it?" Angela said excitedly, clasping her hands together.
"Ohhhh my god." Fareeha sighed, shoving the rest of the one she had in her hand into her mouth. Angela burst out laughing and Fareeha continued to eat, muttering, "Holy shit."
As the two caught up together, talking happily about their day, Fareeha noticed that Angela was in a very very good mood. She was very animated with her hands, talking about Lena and Amélie and what they were possibly doing. Fareeha explained what it felt like to dislocate her shoulder, Angela wincing at the description. When Fareeha had finished with the cookies, saving a few for later, the blonde offered to get her some pain medication for her arm that still felt sore. Fareeha told her where the medicine cabinet was and Angela hopped up to do her duty.
When she had figured out what pills to grab, her phone in her pocket began to vibrate. She rushed back in, handing Fareeha her medication, then picked up the phone, seeing that the call was from Lena. She answered it eagerly.
"Hey, Speedy McGirlKisser." She greeted her, "Where are you?"
Fareeha nearly choked on her drink that she used to take her pain killers, laughing through her nose as she swallowed.
"I like that." Lena sighed in a calm voice, "Call me that from now on. Amelie and I will be at Fareeha's in a few minutes."
"Cool! We have cookies here!" Angela said.
"Bonus!" Lena said, her smile obvious on the other end, "I'll see you in a few minutes."
Angela hung up, stood and turned to Fareeha, putting her hands on her hips, "Well…Lena and her make out buddy are coming by."
"Awesome." Fareeha smiled, "Let's go out and wait for them. Help me up!"
Angela stood her up and held her hand as she lead her out into the night. There was a lamppost by the street, and it illuminated the small area around them. The warm light that came from the house behind them created a strangely romantic mood. Fareeha leaned against the lamppost and rubbed her neck, looking at Angela who had stopped at the end of the sidewalk and was peering down the street. Should Fareeha say something? The taller girl bit her lip and forced herself to say something.
"You know…" Fareeha choked, sounding like she had just swallowed a frog, "Your cookies are really sweet…just like you."
Angela slowly turned her head to look up at Fareeha who looked like she had just been stabbed in the back. The shorter girl noticed with confusion that Fareeha's eyes were avoiding her own and her body was as stiff as a board. Angela smiled shyly.
Fareeha mentally kicked herself over and over. That was the cheesiest possible thing to say to someone. Why couldn't she have said something like how she was gorgeous? Why couldn't she have said that her eyes look nice in the light of the lamp? Fareeha leaned against the lamppost harder, salvaging her most recent thoughts for something to say, "Did anyone ever tell you that you have gorgeous eyes?"
Angela's heart rate elevated at the word gorgeous, and she hid her face involuntarily, turning away from Fareeha and staring down the suburban back road, wondering what was happening.
"No no…" Fareeha said, coming close to her, "Don't hide them. They look really nice in the lamplight."
Angela slowly turned her head to look back to Fareeha who smiled awkwardly, lifting her good arm to scratch her cheek.
"Fareeha…" Angela said, her words catching in her throat…
"Yes?" The taller girl said quietly, her eyes half closing, moving closer. Angela stepped forward more as well and Fareeha tilted her head while Angela turned her face away again.
"Why do you keep looking away?" Fareeha asked wanting to reach out and hold her cheek.
"This is…" Angela sighed, laughing nervously, "What does this mean?"
Fareeha stood up very straight then and looked beyond Angela. What did it mean? What was she doing? She stepped back and sighed through her nose.
"I just admire you is all." Fareeha breathed, scrambling for anything to say.
Angela was searching for anything in her voice that would confirm her suspicions, "Were you trying to tell me something?"
"I uh…" Fareeha said, lifting a hand to rub the back of her head, "You…"
Angela's blue eyes were hypnotizing…so hopeful and prying. Fareeha sighed slowly, her shoulders slumping, feeling her chest grow heavy with the weight of the truth. Angela reached out her hand to take Fareeha's, standing close to her again.
"You can tell me anything, you know." Angela said invitingly, the lamplight illuminating her face.
"M-hmm." Fareeha hummed, her lips pressed together tightly. Why was she clamming up? Why?
"I admire you too…" Angela said, wondering what Fareeha was trying to get across.
"Yeah?" Fareeha asked, her eyes flicking from Angela's eyes to her mouth for a split second. Angela caught it and blinked, processing things, desperate for her feelings to be confirmed. Fareeha reached out slowly, fighting her nervousness. She put her arm around Angela's back, drawing her close. Angela placed her hands against her chest and she looked up into her dark eyes, blushing hard. Fareeha began to lean down slowly…Angela's lips were already parted for her. She was ready…
All at once, something made Fareeha lift her eyes just a bit to see her mother watching them like a hawk from the window. She seemed to be gesturing wildly. The sharp, startling honking of a horn sounded a little ways down the road. Angela and Fareeha tore themselves away from each other, distress in both of their eyes, immediately replaced with embarrassed, nervous giggling. Angela lifted a hand to cover her face while Fareeha leaned back against the lamppost, breathing deeply in and out, realizing that she had been holding her breath.
The car rolled up and parked beside the two girls. Lena shot out of the door and grabbed Angela by the shoulder's mouthing, "Oh my god I'm so so so sorry. Oh my god."
Angela smiled and relaxed, shaking her head and hugging her tightly. Fareeha watched the exchange and looked to Amélie who had seemingly manifested herself beside the lamppost. There was an awkward exchange:
"Heyya." Fareeha said.
"Bonjour." Amelie replied.
Lena let go of Angela and put a hand on her shoulder, patting her, telling her through simple eye contact that they would talk later about what Lena had accidentally interrupted.
"So…" Lena said, turning around, and smiling at Amélie, "I guess I'll see you tomorrow!"
"M-hm." The quiet girl nodded, smiling. Angela watched with interest as Lena and Amélie approached each other and kissed sweetly, Lena standing on her tip toes and Amelie placing a hand on her waist. When they let go, they smiled at each other, and Amélie left without another word. Lena watched after her dreamily, waving as the car turned the corner. Angela and Fareeha looked very confused at one other, momentarily forgetting the moment they shared.
"So?" Angela asked, stepping forward.
"She's perfect…" Lena sighed.
"Perfect?" Fareeha asked, genuinely confused.
"You felt like you were walking to your doom when you went to hang out with her today." Angela pointed out.
"Okay, well, that was before we finally just talked it all out and I realized that she's a misunderstood total freakin' sweetheart." Lena insisted before stopping for a moment and remembering what she had interrupted. She felt guilty…
"Well I'm glad things worked out that way." Angela said, taking her hand.
"Let's go inside." Fareeha suggested, the chilly weather beginning to make them all shiver, "We can finish the rest of Angela's cookies!"
"Oh my god I'm starving." Lena gasped, rushing up to the door and shouting as she disappeared behind it on purpose, "I hope they're chocolate whatever they are!"
Fareeha and Angela were left out in the cold, facing the house. The two girls looked immensely uncomfortable and both of them couldn't meet the other's eyes. Angela wanted to continue but she knew it would be wrong to pry. She didn't know what Fareeha felt towards her, she didn't want to assume. Also, Lena was there…it would be impolite. Fareeha knew that again, it was the wrong time to confess anything. Before had been a perfect moment but things changed. She sighed deeply and said, "We'll talk about what happened later, okay?"
"Yes…" Angela said sadly.
"Don't be sad…" Fareeha protested, "I guess you have an idea of what I was going to say?"
"W-well…through the stuttering I gathered somewhat of an idea." Angela smiled, looking at the sidewalk, "You're sweet."
"I uh…" Fareeha muttered again, feeling how awkward things were, "I just uh…"
Angela shook her head and began walking toward the house while Fareeha stayed directly where she was. This was it: now or never. She didn't want things to be awkward between them. She didn't want Angela thinking she wasn't brave enough to show her that she was worth it. She didn't want to be the bumbling girl she was in truth, completely opposite to what everyone thought of her. Fareeha had enough waiting. If then wasn't the right time, Fareeha had to make Angela want to wait for the right time…She reached out to take Angela's hand as she stepped up the porch stairs.
The girl turned, her eyes wide and hopeful.
"Angela…" Fareeha began.
"Call me Angel." Angela whispered.
And there it happened again, Fareeha began to lose her nerve.
Not this time.
She fought against it, trying to find clarity, reaching out with both arms to take Angel by the shoulders. Without another word she leaned down and pressed her lips against the corner of her mouth, not directly on the lips, but just slightly off of them. Angela's eyes instantly shut very tightly and she remained stone still, her mind spinning. Fareeha let go and looked into Angela's eyes, "I hope that-"
Angela, in a daze, shook her head, sending everything she hoped and suspected and dreamed to oblivion, throwing her arms around Fareeha's neck, hugging her tightly.
"You're so sweet!" Angela laughed, "God, you're such a sweetheart!"
Fareeha was completely confused.
Angela, in her deliriousness, had of course taken into account what all the obvious behavior could have meant. She had thought and thought for the past few minutes and her conclusion? Fareeha was trying to express herself in a friend sort of way since Fareeha loving Angela back would be too much of a stretch, right? Fareeha was, after all, a bit socially awkward, she was most likely just being sweet…
Angela let go of Fareeha and opened the door for her to go inside.
Fareeha looked shocked. She couldn't help but think that Angela was somewhat insane. She turned her head to notice her mother and Lena looking from the window looking equally as confused and frustrated. Lena gestured hurriedly for Fareeha to come in. The taller girl looked back and smiled nervously at Angela, slipping past her. Lena rushed out from the kitchen, grabbed Fareeha by the arm and practically threw her into the other room and out of earshot.
"What did I tell you?" Lena hissed, "WHAT DID I TELL YOU?!"
"You told me to be obvious and I WAS." Fareeha insisted.
"Apparently you weren't obvious enough!" Lena muttered, pacing back and forth.
"I kissed the chick so close to her mouth you could consider it an actual, direct mouth to mouth kiss…w-what more do you want from me?!"
"I don't know, I'm sorry." Lena sighed, rubbing her face furiously for a moment, "That was just the most frustrating thing to watch."
"Okay but for two seconds think about how I feel." Fareeha whispered angrily, "You get to go out and make out with some girl in the back of her car like its nothing, and I can't even achieve the simple task of getting my feelings across to a cute girl." She lifted her hands to cover her face in frustration at the opportunity lost, "I wanted the moment to be right…"
"You'll find the right moment." Lena comforted, stepping forward to pat her arm, "I'm sorry. I know that must've been frustrating."
"Like you wouldn't believe." Fareeha sighed sadly, "Her eyes…"
"You have it bad, dude." Lena laughed sadly, "here, think of it this way now. Any time from this point on would be a good time. Once Angela figures out that you feel the same way about her, everything will be fine. Right now, she's just being absolutely clueless because the idea of you liking her too is impossible."
"How is it impossible?!" Fareeha wrung her hands.
"It's just Angela." Lena explained, "She's always been that way when it comes to people. She doesn't expect people to like her romantically so when they do, they have to be completely and painfully obvious. She's never had a boyfriend or girlfriend before."
Fareeha sighed again, "What, is that some kind of mental disorder?!"
"I don't think so…" Lena replied, thinking for a moment, "It might be? I'm not sure. I just know firsthand what that…feels like…when she does that to you…" She trailed off.
The taller girl lifted an eyebrow as she noticed a slight, pained expression on Lena's face. It only took a moment for the two girls to connect in a way that they never would have expected.
"You…" Fareeha said, narrowing her eyes.
"I loved her too, yeah…" Lena said painfully, "It uh…obviously was easy to drop since she's clueless. But uh…for a long while I had a crush on Angel. How could you not?"
Fareeha smiled sadly, "Yeah…"
"Look. Don't ever be too nervous." Lena said in all seriousness, "You know how sometimes straight girls have a hard time processing feelings from a girl who likes her because she thinks they're just being naturally affectionate without any double meaning? That's Angie. You'd think that I'd be able to get my feelings across to her, but no. I'm just like you. Probably even worse when it comes to communicating romantic feelings. I got over Angela eventually and it took a while, but I realized that with someone like Angela, I would be constantly struggling to express to her how I felt, and I didn't want her to ever feel like she wasn't worth it."
Fareeha felt like her own thoughts earlier were being repeated. Lena shook her head, "I just recently found someone with the same problem and we sort of…figured out a way to communicate properly without words."
The taller girl felt like she wanted to cry. Lena perked up a moment later and patted her on the shoulder, "The moral to the sob story is: don't wait any longer than necessary. If it feels right, grab her, tell her in a really just painfully obvious way how you feel about her, then kiss her over and over until she finally figures it out…"
Fareeha nodded as if she were acknowledging a commanding officer. Lena smiled affectionately and said, "You got this, you massive lug." Both of them exchanged a look and went back into the kitchen where Fareeha was appalled to see Ana staring very hard at Angela who was eating a cookie from the box with her head down. She knew it was killing her mother to not say anything…
"SO!" Fareeha yelled, clapping her hands together, and distracting her mother's attention, "You guys up for a movie?!"
Angela and Lena agreed and Ana heaved a gigantic sighed in absolute frustration. Fareeha rushed Angela out of the room and into the living room where they decided on what movie to watch. Angela fell asleep on Lena's shoulder halfway through the movie and Fareeha looked on in jealousy. Lena looked at her apologetically and reassured her that she didn't feel much of anything anymore for Angela. Fareeha nodded and continued to watch the movie wordlessly until it was over.
Ana's mom offered to drive both Angela and Lena home that evening to which Lena agreed and Angela sleepily nodded her head. Both girls waved goodbye to Fareeha who stood at the door, looking miserable. Angela couldn't help but feel something down deep in the pit of her stomach. She felt like she was missing something. What if what Fareeha had done earlier was actually advances and Angela had decided to be oblivious…
It was too late to change things now she guessed. She went home that night, thanking Ana graciously before hurrying upstairs, passing her mother who sat at the table, sleeping. She hopped into bed and found a comfortable position under the covers, but she couldn't bring herself to fall asleep. Frustratingly on the edge of sleep all night, Angela thought and thought about Fareeha and what she should have done differently.
Lena fell asleep easily that night.
Fareeha stared at the ceiling, wide awake. She was so unbelievably frustrated with herself. It almost felt as if she were being rejected when that wasn't the case in the slightest. Was it supposed to be this painful? She picked up her phone and texted Angela at 3:30 in the morning.
"Can I talk to you tomorrow at school?"
Angela opened one eye as her phone buzzed. She sat up and opened the text. She yawned and rubbed her eyes, jumping to attention to see Fareeha wanted to speak with her. Angela then had a realization in the pit of her stomach that she did the completely wrong thing and she missed an opportunity that night. She let the feeling dawn on her and she sighed deeply. She sent a text back: "Sure thing, Fareeha, what is it?"
"We need to talk about tonight." Fareeha said, "I…just really need to talk to you in person. I have some things to say."
Was Fareeha mad? Angela felt a boiling dread in her stomach and she replied, "I'll listen to whatever you have to say."
Fareeha replied with a simple "See you tomorrow" text and Angela rolled over onto her back, terrified that she might have made her crush angry with her for being blind. Angela rubbed her eyes again and tried to get some sleep. She knew that tomorrow would bring something that she might not want to face.