XXII

Italy

༻Mixed POV

Narrative + messages + instagram

☆⋆｡𖦹°‧★

☆彡𝑐𝑎𝑚𝑒𝑟𝑜𝑛

Our trip to Italy was right around the corner and that was not good at all. I've been stuck in my room for the last 20 minutes fighting thoughts about Evelina and Paige. I need them to get together it physically hurts. Evelina has liked her since October and Nika told me Paige likes her as well and I'm tired of these shy mother fuckers. I grab my headphones and put on a Jeff Buckley song to help the thoughts go away. I love Evelina, but I can't think about her any longer. Unfortunately, Jeff is not helping. That's when the thought hits me, Paige has to go with Eve to Italy. It's the only way and it's perfect, Italy is like the capital for love. I think. BUT, am I really going to give up the trip for people who aren't sure of themselves....yes? I can just wait to go to Italy, I have my whole life. The only problem is how do I get them to go together? I practically jump at the sight of Evelina appearing in front of me. "Yes?" I say taking off my headphones. "Are you trying to block out the whole world-" she jokes, "I've been calling you for like the last two minutes. Are you okay?" Shit. I can't tell her I'm thinking about how to get her and Paige together. "Honestly, I'm not feeling too good, I think I've just been sitting here hoping the feeling goes away." You beautiful genius. "Oh. Like you feel sick?" "Sorta." She looks to the side in thought before talking again. "Well let's hope you feel better before Italy because I'm not going alone!" She is at my door now. "I would die if I missed Italy, I'm basically a doctor I'll be fine in no time." We both laugh and she leaves my room. Now all I have to do is figure out how to act sick with my ass acting skills.

Nika

Cameron

I have such a beautiful idea you are going to want to kiss me.

Nika

Uhm

Cameron

Sorry, I got excited.

Anyways.

Paige should go with Eve to Italy.

Nika

You are right, that is a beautiful idea.

But how?

Cameron

I don't know, we will figure some shit out.

Call me later.

"I totally forgot what I was going to tell you when I came in earlier." I look at my door. She doesn't wait for me to respond and keeps going. "Start thinking about packing, I'm serious. I can help with outfits and other stuff. We just need to plan, so if we need something from Target we have enough time to go, you know? I want this trip to be as stress-free as possible. Capeesh? Ew I don't know why I just said that, but you get what I'm saying." Once again, she does not let me speak and walks out the door.

Later that night I get a call from Nika. "So let's talk." Is the first thing she says. "Okay, so as you know this idea came to me like magic, but basically I was thinking that I could get/act deathly sick leaving Eve with no choice but to take Paige. And with the forced proximity they will fall in love and get married." "Okay, okay slow down. So you will pretend to be sick leaving Paige the only person Eve could take." "Basically, but you would somehow figure out how to get Paige on board with the idea of going. Evelina could possibly cancel the whole trip." For the next hour, we continued to talk over every idea we had until Nika had to go for a late practice.

A week goes by and it's time for me to put my show on. My bag is completely packed and it's unfortunate all that work isn't getting rewarded. Over the week I have slowly acted even more sicker. I don't even know if I'm doing that good of a job but Evelina believes me and I can see the worry in her eyes. It's officially two days before "we" are supposed to leave and I have to give this fake being sick my all. I force myself to sleep way later than Eve giving her the chance to realize something isn't right. "Cam?" She peeks her head in. "Yeah?" I try to sound as groggy as possible. "Are you okay, you don't usually sleep in this late....ever." "If I'm being honest I'm not feeling too well." I can hear her whisper a curse. "My stomach hurts so bad and I feel like I throwing up every five minutes." "I'll go get medicine." She leaves the room coming back and places every bottle of medicine in the apartment on my side table. I wish I could laugh at her so bad, but I'm in too much pain. I fake cough searching through the bottles. The look in her eyes hurts me a bit. I know what she is thinking, and it's exactly what I want. "I'm really sorry Evelina but if I keep feeling worse, I don't think I can go on the trip." "That's okay, the trip doesn't matter I will cancel and stay." I was afraid she would go there. "No. You need to go visit home, you have been talking about it nonstop for weeks. We can just find someone else to go with you." "Like who?" "I dunno, Paige." She stands in silence with a contemplative look on her face. "Hey, it could be fun. She is like the second best option besides me." "I guess. But wouldn't it be so awkward to ask? 'You are my second option come to Italy with me.'" "I don't think she will care that much. I know Paige she'll understand and will probably feel honored." "I guess..." she finishes putting a hand on her hip. The second she leaves the room I can hear the house fall silent, I can tell that she is still thinking about this whole idea. After a couple of minutes, I search for my phone buried under my bed and text her to text Paige. If only I could get up and grab the phone for her. The grey bubble shows for a few seconds before it's gone and I can hear the sound of her phone buzzing. That's my girl. A few seconds later she speaks.

"Hey Paige..." Ugh, how I wish I could hear Paige's responses. "I know this may be a little crazy to ask so last minute.....but would you want to go to Italy with me for a few days?" I could just jump up and down and celebrate but then she would know, so silent celebration it is. I try to listen for any response from Eve but the apartment is silent again. Shit. Are they going together?

☆彡𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑎

"I'll be over in a few minutes." Is the last thing I say before getting off the phone with Paige. I'm going to fucking Italy with the girl I've basically been in love with for months. What is my life? Maybe we are just meant to be....I mean there has to be a reason why the universe got Cameron sick and my only other option was Paige, but ugh is this going to be one hell of a trip. The whole car ride I put no music on. I'm better left with my thoughts to think about what is going on. I pray that things are easy and not awkward. What if Paige has absolutely no clothes for Italy it's stressful for both of us and it ruins our friendships! I can feel my knuckles become tighter on the steering wheel as I'm drowning in my thoughts.

When I arrive at the dorms I quickly push myself out of the car so I don't just turn it around and get back in my bed. I push myself up the the door forcing myself to knock. "Hey, Eve!" Nika says opening the door. "Oh hi Nika," she opens the door wider letting me inside, "So, what's up with you lately.." I rock on my feet back in forth so I can delay being faced with Paige. "Oh, I'm just helping Paige with your guy's little trip to Europe." A sly smile forms on her face. Oh great! "Oh okay cool, well I guess I better be in there helping as well." "I'll be in there in a second, just need to grab something." She says walking in the opposite direction of Paige's door. Her door was cracked just enough so I could see the purple bean bag at the end of her bed, along with the sound of music coming from somewhere. "Hello? Anyone home?" I joke. "Oh hey, Eve!" Her blue eyes lit up when they met mine. A suitcase is laid out on her purple bed that is covered in a layer of clothing. Seeing all of these clothes makes me think back to the fact I still have Paige's sweatshirt. I'll give it back eventually. "So how's the packing going?" "Uhhh could be better y'know." "Do you have any ideas of what might be good?" She points to a pile next to the suitcase. I walk over immediately going through it placing keeps in the luggage and putting No's back on the bed.

"Okay, you definitely need more." "Yeah fa sho." I chuckle at her choice of words. "Go ahead and look through my stuff...I need all the help I can get." She points to her closet which is also a mirror. I start to move stuff to the side throwing what I think will work back on the bed. "It's not the end of the world if you don't have a lot of clothes...one, it's good to pack light, second, we can wash, third, we can buy and my Nonna can tailor." I smile turning back to her. "Okay, that sounds good-" "Sorry to cut you off, but you absolutely need to bring this, because I have something similar and we can match!" Woah. What the fuck just happened. An urge of excitement just like possessed my body. That can never happen again. "Say less, I'll make sure to pack it."

She smiles rolling it immediately and putting it in her suitcase.

✰✰✰

For the next almost 2 days I attempted multiple times to help Cameron, but she just kept pushing me away. "Cam come on, I brought you all the medicine in the house, one of these has to help." I push the pill bottles towards her. She folds her body over the island falling into the chair. I hope I don't catch what she has. "I'm fine, none of these are right" "Hoe, look at yourself right now. You are doubled over the counter." "This will pass, right now you need to focus on getting out of the country." I groan, "I'm already ready to go I just need to make sure you will be okay while I'm gone. So if you at least feel a bit better I'll go." "Eve. Right after you leave it won't be just me against the world, I have Nika, Carol, and Azzi who have all offered to take care of me." "Okay, okay fine. You don't need me anymore, but just promise me you won't kill yourself." "Why would you even think that!?" She shoots up from the counter. "Never mind, my point is, that I'm going to bed now, you probably won't see me because my flight is at 4 AM and I just won't go if I don't make sure you are fine before I leave you." She is now back to resting her head on the counter using her hand to dismiss me. "Just go to sleep I won't die, Lina," she coughs causing my face to drop. I look at her one last time before sighing and walking to my room.

✰✰✰

"Phew, we made it," Paige says throwing her bag over her shoulder. "Sorry about that, I'm sure you are used to pre-check or private planes." "I haven't always had the luxuries I have now," she chuckles handing me my wallet. "Right." I awkwardly laugh, "Anyways! Our gate should be pretty close...." Paige is already walking towards a gift shop. "What are you doing?" "I wanna get your grandparents something from Connecticut." I laugh. "You don't have to do that, they don't need anything." "I already got them some UConn merch so I might as well." "Are you serious?" I cover my face holding in my laugh. "Oh, I'm so serious-" She is cut off by the sound of my phone ringing, she takes her eyes away from mine back to the hoodies in front of her. "Hi baby, are you on the plane yet?" My mom says. "No not yet, we just made it through security." Paige is now in the back of the shop looking at shot glasses. "Tell Cameron I say hello." I hesitate for a moment, I forgot to tell her about our change in plans. "Actually, Paige is here with me. Cameron got sick last minute." "Oh really?" I can see the look on her face just from her tone. "Well have fun, tell her I said hello. I love you bye!" She hangs up the phone and I already know she is on her way to tell my dad. "Okay, let's go" Paige is at my side with a bag in hand. "What did you get?" "You'll see." She smirks walking towards the gate. God.

☆彡𝑝𝑎𝑖𝑔𝑒

The flight there was extremely long, being trapped next to the person who makes me feel like the butterflies aren't flying they are attacking. I never thought I would be back here. The trip in middle school felt like a fever dream and going back will be kind of weird. I haven't thought about her in a long time. I wonder how she is doing, if she has moved to the States or if she stayed. When the plane lands I can't wait to stand, being six feet in these small seats is not for the weak. Evelina is next to me, unlucky for her in the middle seat, asleep with headphones on. I hate that I have to wake her up when she looks so peaceful. Right as I'm about to touch her shoulder she slowly wakes up. "Are we here?" She says with an immediate smile. "Yes, ma'am." She laughs and stretches her arms upwards. I can tell how excited she is for this trip because the whole time we are getting out of the airport there is the biggest smile on her face.

"Our taxi should be here any minute." Her eyes look towards the line of cars close together. "Buongiorno! Taxi per Evelina?" A man with thick sideburns says while rolling down the window. "Sì" Evelina says walking towards the trunk and giving her bag to the driver. She reaches out for mine handing it to him as he fits them in the trunk. We both get in the back seat of the car and she starts to talk to the man. She only taught me the basics so at this point I stopped trying to understand what she was saying.

"We are here." The man says breaking the silence in the car. When we're left on the doorstep of a small Mediterranean-looking home Evelina squeals. "Sorry, I'm just so excited." She looks up at me before knocking on the door. "Evelina!!" Her grandma says pulling her into her arms. "Hi, Nonna!" She pulls away from her opening her arms towards me. "You must be Paige," Her accent is thick, "it's so good to meet you." I look over and Evelina is smiling at me. "Thank you for having me, I've heard so much about you." "That is good, now come in, come in." She opens the door wider and I follow after Eve who stops to hug her grandfather. "Nonno!!" He gives a deep chuckle before taking my hand with a firm handshake. "It is very nice to meet you signore" I cringe at my terrible Italian and Evelina laughs at me. "Looks like Eve has taught you some, bravo." "Okay, mostrerò a Paige la sua stanza." Her grandparents nod and Eve signals for me to follow her. "Okay, so this is the room my brother usually stays in so I figured it would be better than my little sister's room given how small her bed is." We both laugh. Once I'm in the room with my bags she leaves from the doorway without a word. The room is small, but not as small as my room back at UConn, and there is a huge window with a great view, it would be better without the vines covered up, but I'm not complaining. "Paige" I hear her voice from down the hall. "Can you come here?" I follow the sound of her voice to the end of the hall. The walls of her room look like a giant scrapbook covered in wrappers, tickets, and pictures. "Wow." "Thank you." She smiles putting her suitcase on her bed. I look more around the room seeing a guitar that doesn't look normally sized. "Oh, that was my first ever guitar, her name is Bellezza." I turn back to her, "What does that mean?" "It means beauty, I don't know just something I came up with when I was like nine. Anyway, I hope it's okay that I made dinner plans with one of my friends. I wasn't thinking about how you might be jet lagged." "Oh no I'm good, should I go change?" "Sure, I'm changing into this." She shows me a black tank top with a matching long skirt. "So is it casual or formal?" "Casual for sure." I leave her room slowly walking down the hallway and looking at all the family photos. Wait. I stop in front of a picture that feels like a slap in the face. There is a young girl who looks a lot like what I think the girl looked like when I was here before. Nah, I'm sure the other girl just looked a lot like young Evelina.

✰✰✰

"Okay, Adriana should be here any minute now." Eve looks up from her phone. I look away from her at the canal lined with small boats. "EVIE!?" I hear a loud shriek from behind me. "Hi, my love!" I turn to see Evelina tight in an embrace with a blonde-haired girl. "I've missed you so much," the blonde pulls away squeezing Eve's arm. She then gasps looking up at me making me feel extremely awkward. I'm not sure if I should shake her hand or just wave high but she just grabs me in her arms squeezing me very tightly. "You must be Paige, I've heard such great things about you," her voice is quite interesting. You would never guess that her voice was very deep compared to the shriek from earlier. She turns back toward Eve letting me go and giving me space to breathe again. "Girlll, you are so beautiful I need to take a picture of you for my parents." She grabs her hand moving her to a spot where the sun hits her perfectly. "Oh, so beautiful." She admires taking probably a hundred photos. "Okay, perfect let's go eat."

After walking through the streets of a small town, cutting through alleyways we had finally made it to a small restaurant. It was quite cute, lit with lamps, vines around poles, and umbrellas over some tables. This is beautiful. "I know right," Evelina says from my side, I must've said that out loud. Adriana ushers us deeper into the restaurant past many tables of families and couples. "Sit." Her thick accent points to the two empty chairs on the other side of the table from her. Eve sits first me hesitantly behind. When I sit I am met with both eyes, those of Adriana's who I can tell is watching the both of us, and Eve who is staring up at at me. I try to ignore it for as long as I can, her eyes make my cheeks heat up, and my stomach flip, I hope I'm not turning into a tomato. Does she even realize that she is staring, does she even realize how this makes me feel... I wish I could laugh off how stupid that thought was but I feel like I'm on a stage with the brightest light on me. I finally look over to her and I catch a glimpse of her eyes, which glimmered back at me.

"So you two have any special plans while you're here?" She looks away but I don't stop. Without her eyes, I feel cold, like the warm spotlight is gone. It's probably just the light breeze. "No, not really, we will probably do the things I usually do when I visit." Her voice is warm and gentle. My thoughts leave her when I see a cat coming towards the table and as if on cue Adriana looks too. "Oh, a kitty!" Without hesitation, she picks up the cat holding it in her arms. "Stay just like that" Evelina's voice breaks the silent watch of Adriana and the cat. She then reaches over the table to pet the cat but it jumps running away. "Aww." Evelina pouts causing Adriana to giggle.

As the night went on I found myself slipping in and out of silence just listening. I wish I was sat where it wasn't so obvious I was watching her. To watch the laughter dance in her eyes, to watch the way each word flows with a unique rhythm. What weird things to think. I need to stop. "This is so random," Adriana says putting down her fork and letting the pasta go, "but, do you remember when you used to go by some other name....what was it?" She looks up to the sky lost in thought. Evelina also stops to think. Another name? "Oh yeah! I used to go by my middle name-" "Vienna!!" Adriana cuts her off. In that moment it's like I'm hit with a wave of nostalgia, it's so overwhelming I can't listen to what they are saying anymore. I've heard that name before. My brain feels like it's trying to process this new information without my permission. "Uh...where's the bathroom?" I cut in the middle of whatever they are talking about now. "It's just in there to the left, just look for the sign that says 'bagno.' Are you okay?" Her concern cuts right through her words. "No I'm fine, I'll be right back."

As I reach the sink of the lightly lit bathroom it hits me.

She is her.

3rd person ༄

A day has passed since Paige made the realization. The memory and the longing to tell Eve is consuming everything she does. She is stuck in an ambivalent urge to tell Eve but keep it a secret. What's the worst that could happen if Eve didn't know? She would never realize. But, if she realized as well would she go off on Paige, was she even upset that Paige never tried to see her again? The overwhelming thoughts drove her crazy. Every time Paige passed through the hallway of family photos she wondered how foolish she was for not making the connection sooner. At the same time, Paige had kept the same name all these years so how come Evelina didn't notice? She shouldn't look that much different, just older.

The sun was slowly setting and both girls were slumped inside unsure of what to do. Even though Paige enjoyed the silence Eve felt like a terrible host. They were just sitting there. "We should make something." "Make something?" Paige looks up from her phone. "Yeah I mean I know a lot of recipes and we don't have anything else to do." Paige thinks about it for a second. "Yeah fa sho." Evelina stands up first grabbing onto Paige's arms to help her up. An unspoken gesture made in the early months of knowing each other. "Nonna? Nonno?" There was no reply, "Looks like we're alone." Paige's heart involuntarily drops. With this forced proximity she would surely slip and spill what she knows. "Uh, so what are we making." Paige clasps her hands together rubbing them. "I think we should make some cannoli cookies." "Never heard of those." "Perfect."

The Italians starts to grab Ingredients from various places in the kitchen. "I should have a recipe book somewhere....ah ha." She throws it on the counter looking through it. "Okay you start with dry ingredients, I'll do whatever else this says." Paige does as she's told mixing together flour, baking soda, and baking powder.

The concentrated silence grew between them so Eve starts to hum a tune. Paige could listen to her hum for hours but then it's cut off by her voice. "I got us dinner reservations for this fancy restaurant tomorrow, it's on the beach." She bumps her hip to Paige's. " you didn't have to do all that." "Why not, this trip isn't just for you, it's trying new things I'm trying new things too." She grabs flour out of the bowl and throws it on Paige. The blonde gasps turning to the Italian. "What was that for?" Her voice accusatory but playful. "Watcha gonna do about it? Huh." Paige throws a handful back, this time in Eve's face.

With that it meant war. They both started to throw flour at each other trying to avoid the handful coming their way. Evelina tries to escape Paige but is held back being pulled closer having white powder cover her face. "You bitch!" They both laugh not realizing how close they actually are. A rush of warmth surged through Evelina's body, stealing her breath away. She could do it. She could move closer, she would close the gap. She won't. Their friendship means more to her than that. She moves away the awkward silence boisterous. She clears her throat before speaking again. "We should probably clean this up before my grandparents see the mess in their kitchen." Paige also clears her throat her first word coming out weak. "yeah...Yeah."

That night they finished the cookies, going their separate ways, the thought of each other lulling them to sleep.

✰✰✰

So far this trip had not only made the pair closer but it had forced them to come to realizations. Thoughts they had been pushing away for months. Just like she was all the years ago Paige kept herself up thinking about the same girl. She never would have thought she'd be in the same situation again. Meanwhile, Evelina cursed herself for having feelings for someone who clearly isn't into women. The Halloween party had to have been a spur-of-the-moment where both of them were drunk. To Evelina, everything was one-sided.

"Those cookies were good." Paige hears as she walks into the kitchen. Evelina was on a stool messing with the radio in front of her. "Really? I thought we did okay" Her voice cuts over the radio. "Good morning Paige." Eve's grandma says as Paige's comes into view. Eve looks back with a smile on her face that warms Paige. "Good morning." Her voice is raspy as that was the first time she's spoken today. When Paige sits on the stool next to Eve a plate of food is immediately in front of her followed by the sound of her grandmother leaving the room. "Did you already eat?" "Yeah. I woke up like 2 hours ago which is surprising since I hate waking up." Paige felt a pit of something in her stomach, was she waiting for her to get up? "Were you waiting for me to get up, I usually don't sleep this late." Her hand makes its way to the back of her neck. Evelina quickly shut that idea down talking about their plans for their last 2 days.

As the day swiftly passed they found themselves in a small market. Paige buying souvenirs for the team and Eve helping. The populated market swirled around the two as time seemed to slip away from them. "Oh shit dinner is in 1 hour," Eve says while rushing back over to Paige. They burst out of the crowded streets, weaving past vibrant stalls of produce and trinkets. It felt like a scene straight out of a movie. They hurried to get ready Paige struggling with her outfit, not sure if it was too casual. This caused her to find herself at the door of Evelina's room. Her silent knock was immediately answered. "Is this too casual?" "No it's perfect you look perfect- I mean great." Eve mentally hits herself. With a small smile, Paige leaves the doorway back to her things.

The anxiety was high in both of them as they made their way to the restaurant. Even higher when the waiter guided them to a more secluded table. "This place is beautiful," Paige says to try and ease the tension. "I know I can't believe there was even space to fit us in. It's been a dream to go here since I was 15." Paige clears her throat picking up the menu, "Do you know what you are going to get?" "There is so much to choose from I want it all." They both laugh at Eve's response. After what felt like an indecisive eternity their food had arrived. The warm ambiance of the restaurant filled the silence between them as they both ate. Paige's brain was running crazy, she had to tell her it wasn't just something she could keep, and as dessert came she spoke. "Evelina, I need to tell you something." The Italian perks up but not for Paige's words. "Wait. Hold that thought." She pauses leaving Paige in confusion. "The band is playing Frank Sinatra. We have to dance." "W-what?" Evelina swiftly gets up making her way towards the group of older people dancing to the sound of the live band. Evelina didn't care if things felt awkward between them she needed to dance, and she needed Paige to dance with her. She rushes back grabbing Paige's hand and pulling her over to the band. "I practice every day to find some clever lines to say to make the meaning come true." Evelina quietly hums as she grabs Paige's hands forcing her to dance.

"And then I go and spoil it by saying something stupid like I love you."

A myriad of emotions whirled within Paige's chest- curiosity, longing, confusion, and a budding affection grew stronger with every word Eve sung and every step they took together. She had been pushing away these emotions for too long. They felt as though they were going to explode out of her and she would confess right then and there. She pushes herself away from the Italian walking out of the restaurant.

Evelina was left amid the people confused. She quickly followed Paige into the small garden next to the restaurant. The sun beginning to hide underneath the horizon made her feel like she was running out of time. But there she was, back turned looking at flowers. "Paige." She lets out breathlessly. The blonde didn't turn. She couldn't face her. "Paige, what's wrong? Did I do something wrong?" "No." her voice was flat. It's like she was shutting Eve out. She can't take it, why does Paige seem to hate her all of a sudden? She goes up to her grabbing her hand. "Please look at me."

Paige turns way further than she wants, now being directly faced with Eve. Her breathing is put on hold with how close they are, followed by the feeling of her hand in her own. "Paige, I-" Eve looks away flustered. "I know this will probably ruin our friendship, but I don't care I need to get this off my chest..." she waits for a response but doesn't get one causing her to sigh. "Since the day I met you, I felt something. I don't know what it was but it was like I have known you before or my whole life. You make me feel complete but at the same time I feel like I can't function around you." She lets out a small chuckle. She moves her gaze away from Paige's because she can't handle it anymore. "I...I really like you, and I understand if this makes you feel uncomfortable or like you don't want to be friends with me anymore, I just had to say it before I lost my mind." She looks back at Paige who is way closer now. Paige lifts her hand to touch Eves's cheek. She feels her breath hitch once again at the touch. "Can I?" Paige's voice was so quiet she thought she was hearing things, but she didn't care and nodded anyway.

As Paige's lips met hers, a rush of warmth surged through Evelina, stealing her breath. The sound of people outside the garden walls seemed to fade away, and all that was left was the feeling of pure bliss. Time stood still as Evelina's hands cupped the sides of Paige's face and Paige's arms made their way to Eves's waist.

When they both pulled away with one look they both broke into laughter. "Wow. Glad I got that off my chest." The Italian says between the shared laughter. "I'm glad you did too." "This cannot be mentioned to anyone back home. I refuse to let Cameron know she was right." "Right about what? Us liking each other?" "Yes! She has a bet going with someone, I'm guessing Nika." "You're lying. Deadass?" "Deadass."

Later that night they both end up on the beach hand in hand taking in the moon reflecting on the water. "Hey, what was that thing you wanted to tell me back at the restaurant." Shit. This would surely ruin things between them now. "It was nothing." "It didn't seem like nothing, tell me tell me please." She jumped in front of the blonde. "Fine. This might sound crazy, but I think we have met before," confusion falls onto Eves's face. "Did you ever meet a girl on a school trip when you were in middle school?" "Yeah I did, I remember little me didn't understand what it meant to like girls and she broke my heart- how do you know that?" Paige grimaced at Eves's confession. "That was me." "What the fuck. Are you serious?" Paige nods her head. "Oh my god, it was you! How have I not realized you were the little shit that broke my heart." She laughs. "Listen I'm sorry about that, I think I started to feel weird about you and I just freaked out." "You felt weird about me. The girl who helped you. Wow, Paige." "No, it wasn't like that." As the moon glimmered above them they continued to talk about that trip all those years ago and what really happened.

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Okay. The excuses aren't going to cut it anymore. So I'm sorry for not writing in like 2 months. Jesus. I've made this one a lot longer as a gift in hopes of forgiving me. This was also the big one that we waiting for for like 20 chapters. Hey, I like my slow burn. But we aren't done yet. >:)

I love lesbians. I love my lesbians.

Tysm for 40k!!

New chapter soon!

oh! and don't hate me but a new book might be in the works alongside this one...