The Future’s So Bright (Part 4)
Title: The Future’s So Bright (Part 4)
Author:xjekkix
Word Count: 1388 words
Summary: Sometimes things have to fall apart before they can be fixed.
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: This is not real.
Samantha sits in traffic, watching minutes tick by on her stereo display. She wants to honk her horn and yell - maybe even get out of her car and run to get where she needs to be.
But this bit of extra time gives her a chance to calm her nerves. She'll tell Lindsay her flight was delayed. It's not a lie. She did sit at JFK for three more hours than expected. But she won't tell her about the hour she spent sitting in her car, too nervous to move.
Up until today, she had herself convinced that seeing the girl was no big deal. Sure, they have history - a long, complicated one at that. She's terrified how easily she fell for the girl the first time around and isn't sure she is ready to face her again. But before the romance, they were friends and above all, she misses that.
She picks up her phone, thinking about calling and canceling when traffic picks up again. Oh, the signs.
Cars pull away from the building, leaving endless places for her to park - guess she can't use that excuse either. She stops the car and gets out, tossing a few coins into the metre, adjusting her sweater and accompanying jacket to look her best.
Inside she sees a woman, elegant with long red hair. The woman stands alone, her eyes assessing the room. It takes her a moment to realize the woman is Lindsay. Boy, she grew up, Samantha thinks to herself, unable to take her eyes away.
She grabs a fragrance sample from the display table, rubbing it gently on the skin of her left wrist where a black tattooed heart appears. She lifts her arm and inhales the intoxicating scent. It smells, quite literally, like female empowerment - something she never knew could embody a fragrance.
"I don't remember you smelling like this, but I like it a lot," she says, bravely placing her palm on Lindsay's shoulder. The girl turns around and Samantha is stunned. Her face still maintains its innocence but her features have matured in the best way possible.
"You came," the redhead says, brushing her suit jacket of its wrinkles. Her eyes shine and Samantha gulps, suddenly speechless.
"Sorry I'm late," she says. "My flight was delayed." She feels the urge to reach out and touch the girl but instead runs her fingers through her own curly locks of hair. The girl looks happy, independent. Samantha has never found a personality trait so attractive before as she does now, waves of old feelings crash against the walls of her heart.
"I'm just glad you came," Lindsay says, her entire face spreading into a smile.
"Me too."
Neither of them can take their eyes off each other. A silence that would have normally been unwelcome feels perfect.
As if woken from a trance, Lindsay's smile breaks before she speaks. "Did you want to go grab a coffee or something?"
She knows she shouldn't. She should just go home and unpack her things but the opportunity to catch-up with her first true love is much to tempting to pass up.
Opening the door politely, her hand reaches out, dangerously close to the girl before her. She can't help herself and places her palm instinctively on her lower back, guiding her out the front door. A bittersweet feeling washes over her when she realizes the electricity between them is still very much alive.
"I would love to."
The outside air is lukewarm and cooling quickly. They walk side-by-side, the distance between them comfortable. Samantha notices the girl crossing her arms with a shiver.
“Here,” she says, quickly removing her coat and offering it. The girl wiggles into it, pieces of her hair brushing Samantha’s hands.
“Thank you,” Lindsay says softly, pulling the jacket closed at the zipper.
They walk for a while longer, Samantha’s hands tucked casually into her pockets. “So, you’re doing good then?” she asks, wanting to keep the girl talking. If there ever were a vice she had trouble resisting it would be raspy undertone of Lindsay’s voice - making even the most monotonous conversations a little sexier.
The girl’s eyes light up and she smiles. “Good is an understatement. I’m the happiest I’ve been in awhile.”
Samantha returns her smile and nods in agreement, hoping that her presence has added to the goodness. “I’m glad. I’m really proud of you. You know, just for proving everyone wrong. When they thought you’d fall apart, and here you are. It’s incredible - you’re incredible.”
She stops while she’s ahead, knowing if she keeps talking, she’ll ramble and embarrass herself.
“Well, thank you,” the girl says, blushing. They’ve arrived at a coffee shop - one they used to frequent when they were together. It wasn’t planned, just a reflex, to return to one of the places where the magic began.
After ordering, they sit down and both rest their elbows on the table. Their faces are leveled and they appear entirely engrossed in each other.
“But, I can’t take all the credit. I had some help,” Lindsay continues.
“Oh. Who’s that?” Samantha says, feeling a pang of jealousy in her chest.
“You,” she responds plainly.
“Me? What did I do?” Samantha’s no longer jealous and instead full of pride. She never knew what a profound impact she made on the girl.
“You taught me that it takes hard work to get what you want. And that money can’t buy everything. And more importantly, that you can’t be happy with anyone else until you’re happy with yourself.”
Samantha is floored at how grown up and knowledgeable the girl sounds. She always considered her a smart girl, but the way she handles herself with such a cool-head is something entirely new. Words elude her and she sips at her coffee, still speechless.
“I really do appreciate you coming tonight,” Lindsay says, reaching across the table and placing her newly manicured palm atop Samantha’s longer fingers.
“I can’t imagine being anywhere else right now, honestly,” Samantha says, her hand responding with a slight shift. It takes all she has not to turn her hand around and take hold of Lindsay’s.
“You were always the one who supported me even when no one else did - not even me.”
Samantha knows this is true. She always had an eye for the true potential that the girl had hidden behind her come-what-may attitude. It just took a little push for her to reach out and grab what was right under her nose.
It’s quiet again. They sip at their coffees in unison and watch each other like they’ve never seen anything so fascinating in their lives.
“I really miss you,” Samantha says first, shocking Lindsay but more so herself. It was not her intention to bring up old feelings so soon but she always did act impulsively around the younger girl.
Lindsay’s face lights up like it never has before and she returns the sentiment. She squeezes Samantha’s hand below hers affectionately and looks into her eyes as if waiting for the next step.
“I should go,” Samantha says in a panic, pushing her chair back and beginning to stand up.
“No, no. Please stay. I’m sorry,” Lindsay says, guilt written all over her face. She pulls her hand back and places it carefully in her lap. Her eyes are wide and non-threatening. “I knew I’d get carried away. It’s just hard.”
Samantha nods in agreement and pulls herself close to the table once again. “Hard doesn’t even begin to cover it.” She knows her words are an extension of her current vulnerability but somehow she trusts that Lindsay will treat her feelings with the utmost respect.
The silence is tenser now. They stare at their coffee cups, both mulling over unspoken emotions. Lindsay clears her throat.
“I’m just not ready for things to go back to how they were,” Samantha says, her words genuine.
Lindsay nods profusely, raising her hands in surrender. “Me either.”
And just like that, the tension disappears and a brand new friendship has blossomed from the ashes of a troubled romance.
“Should we get another coffee?” Samantha asks, waving over a barista boy. They exchange sheepish smiles.
“I’d really like that,” Lindsay says, before they both settle in for a long night of catching up in the coffee shop.
Author:xjekkix
Word Count: 1388 words
Summary: Sometimes things have to fall apart before they can be fixed.
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: This is not real.
Samantha sits in traffic, watching minutes tick by on her stereo display. She wants to honk her horn and yell - maybe even get out of her car and run to get where she needs to be.
But this bit of extra time gives her a chance to calm her nerves. She'll tell Lindsay her flight was delayed. It's not a lie. She did sit at JFK for three more hours than expected. But she won't tell her about the hour she spent sitting in her car, too nervous to move.
Up until today, she had herself convinced that seeing the girl was no big deal. Sure, they have history - a long, complicated one at that. She's terrified how easily she fell for the girl the first time around and isn't sure she is ready to face her again. But before the romance, they were friends and above all, she misses that.
She picks up her phone, thinking about calling and canceling when traffic picks up again. Oh, the signs.
Cars pull away from the building, leaving endless places for her to park - guess she can't use that excuse either. She stops the car and gets out, tossing a few coins into the metre, adjusting her sweater and accompanying jacket to look her best.
Inside she sees a woman, elegant with long red hair. The woman stands alone, her eyes assessing the room. It takes her a moment to realize the woman is Lindsay. Boy, she grew up, Samantha thinks to herself, unable to take her eyes away.
She grabs a fragrance sample from the display table, rubbing it gently on the skin of her left wrist where a black tattooed heart appears. She lifts her arm and inhales the intoxicating scent. It smells, quite literally, like female empowerment - something she never knew could embody a fragrance.
"I don't remember you smelling like this, but I like it a lot," she says, bravely placing her palm on Lindsay's shoulder. The girl turns around and Samantha is stunned. Her face still maintains its innocence but her features have matured in the best way possible.
"You came," the redhead says, brushing her suit jacket of its wrinkles. Her eyes shine and Samantha gulps, suddenly speechless.
"Sorry I'm late," she says. "My flight was delayed." She feels the urge to reach out and touch the girl but instead runs her fingers through her own curly locks of hair. The girl looks happy, independent. Samantha has never found a personality trait so attractive before as she does now, waves of old feelings crash against the walls of her heart.
"I'm just glad you came," Lindsay says, her entire face spreading into a smile.
"Me too."
Neither of them can take their eyes off each other. A silence that would have normally been unwelcome feels perfect.
As if woken from a trance, Lindsay's smile breaks before she speaks. "Did you want to go grab a coffee or something?"
She knows she shouldn't. She should just go home and unpack her things but the opportunity to catch-up with her first true love is much to tempting to pass up.
Opening the door politely, her hand reaches out, dangerously close to the girl before her. She can't help herself and places her palm instinctively on her lower back, guiding her out the front door. A bittersweet feeling washes over her when she realizes the electricity between them is still very much alive.
"I would love to."
The outside air is lukewarm and cooling quickly. They walk side-by-side, the distance between them comfortable. Samantha notices the girl crossing her arms with a shiver.
“Here,” she says, quickly removing her coat and offering it. The girl wiggles into it, pieces of her hair brushing Samantha’s hands.
“Thank you,” Lindsay says softly, pulling the jacket closed at the zipper.
They walk for a while longer, Samantha’s hands tucked casually into her pockets. “So, you’re doing good then?” she asks, wanting to keep the girl talking. If there ever were a vice she had trouble resisting it would be raspy undertone of Lindsay’s voice - making even the most monotonous conversations a little sexier.
The girl’s eyes light up and she smiles. “Good is an understatement. I’m the happiest I’ve been in awhile.”
Samantha returns her smile and nods in agreement, hoping that her presence has added to the goodness. “I’m glad. I’m really proud of you. You know, just for proving everyone wrong. When they thought you’d fall apart, and here you are. It’s incredible - you’re incredible.”
She stops while she’s ahead, knowing if she keeps talking, she’ll ramble and embarrass herself.
“Well, thank you,” the girl says, blushing. They’ve arrived at a coffee shop - one they used to frequent when they were together. It wasn’t planned, just a reflex, to return to one of the places where the magic began.
After ordering, they sit down and both rest their elbows on the table. Their faces are leveled and they appear entirely engrossed in each other.
“But, I can’t take all the credit. I had some help,” Lindsay continues.
“Oh. Who’s that?” Samantha says, feeling a pang of jealousy in her chest.
“You,” she responds plainly.
“Me? What did I do?” Samantha’s no longer jealous and instead full of pride. She never knew what a profound impact she made on the girl.
“You taught me that it takes hard work to get what you want. And that money can’t buy everything. And more importantly, that you can’t be happy with anyone else until you’re happy with yourself.”
Samantha is floored at how grown up and knowledgeable the girl sounds. She always considered her a smart girl, but the way she handles herself with such a cool-head is something entirely new. Words elude her and she sips at her coffee, still speechless.
“I really do appreciate you coming tonight,” Lindsay says, reaching across the table and placing her newly manicured palm atop Samantha’s longer fingers.
“I can’t imagine being anywhere else right now, honestly,” Samantha says, her hand responding with a slight shift. It takes all she has not to turn her hand around and take hold of Lindsay’s.
“You were always the one who supported me even when no one else did - not even me.”
Samantha knows this is true. She always had an eye for the true potential that the girl had hidden behind her come-what-may attitude. It just took a little push for her to reach out and grab what was right under her nose.
It’s quiet again. They sip at their coffees in unison and watch each other like they’ve never seen anything so fascinating in their lives.
“I really miss you,” Samantha says first, shocking Lindsay but more so herself. It was not her intention to bring up old feelings so soon but she always did act impulsively around the younger girl.
Lindsay’s face lights up like it never has before and she returns the sentiment. She squeezes Samantha’s hand below hers affectionately and looks into her eyes as if waiting for the next step.
“I should go,” Samantha says in a panic, pushing her chair back and beginning to stand up.
“No, no. Please stay. I’m sorry,” Lindsay says, guilt written all over her face. She pulls her hand back and places it carefully in her lap. Her eyes are wide and non-threatening. “I knew I’d get carried away. It’s just hard.”
Samantha nods in agreement and pulls herself close to the table once again. “Hard doesn’t even begin to cover it.” She knows her words are an extension of her current vulnerability but somehow she trusts that Lindsay will treat her feelings with the utmost respect.
The silence is tenser now. They stare at their coffee cups, both mulling over unspoken emotions. Lindsay clears her throat.
“I’m just not ready for things to go back to how they were,” Samantha says, her words genuine.
Lindsay nods profusely, raising her hands in surrender. “Me either.”
And just like that, the tension disappears and a brand new friendship has blossomed from the ashes of a troubled romance.
“Should we get another coffee?” Samantha asks, waving over a barista boy. They exchange sheepish smiles.
“I’d really like that,” Lindsay says, before they both settle in for a long night of catching up in the coffee shop.