CHAPTER 6: confusing feelings
She held the blond for a few hours, then began to talk quietly.
"My mother and I never really got along much, she dotted over my younger brother Will and considered him her special child
Never understood it but the day we found out she had disappeared, well I found myself relieved but also really, really sad."
Carmilla stops for a moment, it had been many years since she spoke about this subject; why she was telling Laura she wasn't sure.
"Will took it hard, I made a show shrugging it off, never felt much love from the woman but it still hurt. I can't say that I know how you feel, but I did miss my mother from the second my brother was born..."
All the while, Laura had been listening as she stayed cuddled up to her roommate.
Neither woman knew what they were feeling, nor that were they even attracted to one another.
But one thing was for sure, both wanted to get to know one another more.
"I'm sorry, Carmilla." The blond states sitting up, then giggles seeing the shirt the woman wore was soaked in tears.
"Don't worry about me, cupcake. I always survive." Carmilla smile and straightens her shirt. "You said something about going to visit your mom?"
Nodding Laura gets up, and puts dishes in the sink, "yeah I visit her every year."
"Would you like some company?" The darker haired woman asks, getting up from the couch.
"I would like that." The shorter girl retrieves a light sweater and comes back into the living room, "can we walk?"
"Sure."
They both leave the apartment, Carmilla locking it quickly before they started out of the building.
"Pretty day" Laura says as she sees the sun just starting to set.
"It sure is." The other woman replies, not looking anywhere but at the young woman she was walking with.
They walked in comfortable silence for about eight more blocks, till they arrived at a very well kept cemetery.
"This is it, she's on the second hill there." Laura states entering the gates and pointing to the west.
As the blond led the way, Carmilla stays back a few steps as she follows; wondering why she was even coming along.
'I should be sleeping, not out in the damn fucking sun, ugh I hate the Sun.' she thinks as they finally stop at the foot of a small angel head stone.
"Hey mom" Laura states as she kneels in the grass, "brought a friend with me this time, her name is Carmilla. She's pretty cool when she isn't such a bitch all the time."
Carmilla almost snorts at the last part, but holds it back "Uhh hi…"
Laura looks up and smiles, "You can sit down if ya want…"
"No it's ok…" the dark haired woman says, shaking her head, "have your time with your mom."
Carmilla steps back a few and leans against a large tree, enjoying the shade.
Looking back at her mother's grave, Laura smiles "She's rough around the edges, but she helps here and there. She's my new roommate, and a bit of a slob but she makes up for it here and there."
She leans back on her hands and looks up over the angel's head, "I wish you were here mom, the sun is starting to set on another day, I'm still in journalism and my TA and I have become friends.
Just wish I could share it all with you, I mean I know I am but in person…even dad is scarce now a days with business. We used to talk every week now it's once a month, but I guess that's what's happens huh? Life goes on."
Behind her, Carmilla's brow is creased as she tries not to listen but couldn't help it; she never knew Laura felt so alone, and now she was cursing herself for not being around more.
Running a hand through her hair, and not paying attention to what Laura was saying; the pale woman looks directly at the sun as it takes its final moments to set behind the horizon.
A small smile forms on her lips, she hadn't seen a sunset in years and forgot what they had looked like.
She was so lost in watching, she didn't realize Laura was done; until there was a blond in her vision blocking the view.
"Hey you, I don't think I have ever really seen you smile." Laura states with a grin looking at the dark haired woman.
Instantly the scowl was back, "Don't get used to it sweetheart."
Carmilla pushes off the tree, "All set?" her voice was a bit nicer this time.
"Yeah, thanks for coming with me, Carm."
"Yeah, no problem really."
They begin to walk out of the cemetery, "So what else would you like to do?"
"I have no idea, have my breakfast, talk to mom and that is about it." Laura states as they head the opposite direction of where they came from earlier.
"How about dinner?" Carmilla asks, easily guiding them to one of her favorite restaurants.
"Sure, what do you have in mind?" the blond asks as they stop in front of a quiet steak house.
"Steak?" Carmilla asks, ushering her roommate inside, and the host immediately seats them.
"Wow this is a nice place, dunno if I can afford it."
"My treat, since you've had a rough day." Carmilla states and smiles as a glass full of red liquid is placed in front of her.
"Oh wow they must really know you here"
"Yeah, order whatever you want to eat and drink cutie."
"Thanks!" Laura states excitedly as she looks over the drink menu and gets a small glass of white wine.
"Wow this place has a lot of stuff…" Laura was looking over a large variety of foods as her drink was delivered to the table.
"You find anything that catches your eye?" Carmilla asks sipping her drink, and smiling at the waiter who knows what she will be having.
"Yeah, this braised cod sounds delicious actually." Laura says looking up from her menu to see the waiter writing it down, "Wow fast."
"They pride themselves on their quick service, and they usually don't talk so don't ask them too." Carmilla states as the waiter walks away.
"Did you order?" the blond asks as she sips her wine.
"They know what I want, don't have to order."
"That's cool, so why this sudden change of heart?"
Carmilla looks up from her glass, "What change of heart?"
"You are taking me out to dinner, doubt you would have ever wanted to hang out with me, which you did all day, then treat me to dinner."
Laura was fishing, she had noticed how the other woman had been looking at her earlier.
The raven haired beauty seemed to be avoiding the blonde's eyes, "Just nice is all…"
Before either could say anything else, they heard two people.
"Laura! Wait is that your roommate!?" Lafontaine asks excitedly as they force Carmilla to move beside Laura, so they and Perry can sit together.
Laura laughs and nudges Carmilla.
"Hey, I am not that social ok…" Carmilla grumps as their food arrives.
Laura thanks the waiter and digs into her cod, and Carmilla digs into her rare steak.
"Wow how long have you two been here?" Lola asks as they give their drink orders to the waiter.
"Maybe ten minutes." Laura states between bites.
"That fast!" Lafontaine exclaims, "We have been waiting an hour to get in, how?"
Laura points to her roommate, "Carm, apparently they know her here."
"Nice!"
Carmilla was sitting there trying to blend in with the seat, but was utterly failing; she had hoped to not see anyone else.
"So who are you two?"
"Oh sorry!" Laura states swallowing, "This is Lafontaine, one of my best friends and their girlfriend Lola Perry."
"Nice to meet you Carm"
"It's Carmilla"
"Sorry, Carmilla." Lola corrects herself with a smile.
As the other's couple food and drinks arrive, Laura finishes her meal.
"So what are you two on a date or something?" Lola asks.
Carmilla almost bends the steak knife in her hand but Laura saves her the trouble.
"No, she's just making me feel better is all."
"That's cool" Lafontaine states as the rest of the meals arrive, the aromas assaulting the couple's noses.
Now Carmilla was even more uneasy, it seemed more like a double date.
'Would that be so bad?' she thought for a split second before blanking it from her mind.
When she turns her attention back, she watches as Laura animatedly speaks with her friends; coming more alive.
The woman found herself enjoying this side of Laura, and wondered how many more sides there were to this young woman she was sitting next too.
~About An Hour Later~
"Hey Carm…Carm!" Laura snaps her fingers in front of the woman's face.
"Yes?"
"Ready to go, Lafontaine and Perry left an hour ago." Laura says with a giggle.
Carmilla looks around, throws d own some cash and moves from the booth, "Guess we better get goin then."
"Thanks for dinner." Laura says following the woman out of the restaurant.
"Don't mention it."
Once again they are walking in silence, and quickly make it back to their apartment.
Entering, Carmilla suddenly pushes Laura behind her.
"Hey!"
"Shhh!"
The taller woman looks around the living room, and could smell another scent, a strange scent.
"Stay here."
She quickly moves about, making sure it was safe before turning a light on and allowing Laura inside.
"What was that about?"
"Felt off to me is all." Carmilla lies and moves to her bedroom door, "I'll see ya around cupcake."
"Night…" Laura replies as her roommate disappears behind her door.
The blond shrugs and moves to the bathroom to cleanup and maybe read a book.
Back in Carmilla's room, she was arguing…
"Why the hell are you here Lucas?"
A short, athletic man stood by her window in her room.
"I was sent to see what you were up too."
"I have my own life I lead, and I am free get the fuck out of here!"
Carmilla was angry, so angry she was ready to lash out.
"You've become too human my friend, or do you remember what you are even?"
The man sits on the desk chair.
"I never have forgotten! I have to survive don't I? I live my way, and this is my way…everyone else can piss off!"
She grabs a bat and it splinters in her fists as she glares at him, "This could have been your head."
Lucas visibly gulps, he knew she was older and stronger, "Just think about coming back, they want the strongest member back."
"I chose my path, they can all get staked for all I care. Now. Leave." Carmilla growls like a wild animal, which sends Lucas running out the window.
"Fucking assholes" she mutters, then jumps at a knock on her door. "Who is it?"
"Laura"
She moves to the door and opens it, "Can I help you, cupcake?"
"I heard fighting, you okay?"
"Yeah, just was on the phone is all." Carmilla states, leaning on her door.
"Okay, cool just wanted to see if you were okay."
"I'm good, you okay?"
"Yeah, uhm have a good rest of the night." Laura says and walks away.
"You too."
Carmilla shuts the door and leans against it, "and that's another problem….I think I am falling for that damn annoying human!"
TBC