Who We Were (Abby Anderson x FemOC)

Chapter 7: The Morning After

Both women spent the walk back thinking about the other. If I'm lucky? Abby mused with a smirk. I'll see her scars 'another time'? Jess blushed at the implication. She was probably just kidding around. It's fine, Jess concluded, though she didn't know if these reassurances were making her feel better or worse. Abby, on the other hand, appeared as calm and cool as ever.

They arrived at Abby and Manny's room to find Manny sitting on the couch alone, drinking from a bottle of liquor, and watching something on the TV, which he paused when he saw them.

"There you are," he said, his speech just slightly slurred, looking between them with a raised eyebrow. "Where'd you go?"

"The overlook," Abby said. "Jess hadn't been up there before."
"Oh, nice."

"Yeah, it was. The place is beautiful from up there," Jess said.

"For sure. I love all the lights. I've had a few dates up there, actually," he said with a wink. Jess and Abby laughed lightly, both choosing to ignore his slight implication.

"Anyway, I'm walking her back," Abby said.

"Alright," Manny said. "Thanks for coming, Jess."

"Of course, thanks for having us. See ya."

"Anytime. See you later."

Jess turned to Abby, who was looking at Jess's cup and holding out her hand. Jess gave it to her, and Abby set the two cups by the sink and walked to the door, Jess close behind.

"You don't have to walk me to my room, you know."

"I know," Abby said simply and walked out the door. A small smile crept onto Jess's face and she followed.

"You know where you're going?"

"Yeah."

"... How?"

"It's my job."

Jess rolled her eyes. "Actually, what is your job here, really?" she asked.

"Kind of everything. The guys love to make fun of me for being one of Isaac's favorites, but I guess I am. I'm one of the few that he really counts on, I guess. But don't tell them I said that or I'll never hear the end of it," Abby said with a light laugh. Jess wasn't surprised to learn of Isaac's favoritism. She could see why Abby's qualities would attract the attention of someone like him: her strong sense of loyalty, imposing figure, shooting accuracy, and natural leadership were just the first few to leap to Jess's mind.

"I can see why he favors you," Jess said simply.

"Now don't flatter me," Abby said, warning her teasingly.

"I'm not!" Jess laughed. "I just– I get it."

Though Jess didn't want the night to end, they inevitably reached her door. She looked up at Abby and wondered if they'd ever stood this close. She was stunning: cheeks still rosy from the alcohol and the cool breeze. Loose, blonde hairs framing her beautiful, freckled face. Jess had a momentary urge to reach up and tuck them back behind her ear, which she quickly pushed to the back of her mind.

"Thanks again for having us, Abby," she said.

"Anytime," Abby said with a smile, and Jess knew she meant it.

Then, she turned on her heel and walked away. Jess went inside, closing the door behind her and, for the first time in a while, exhaling fully.

"About time," Ethan called out from his dimly lit side of the room, where he lay in bed, reading a comic-type book that Jess assumed Manny had lent him. He placed the book across his chest and looked suspiciously at Jess, who was smiling lightly and leaning against the door. "You like her, don't you?"