The Mess We Made

Double Date

Apparently Reina was not kidding about having a double date.

"I want to get to know Ashley better, you've never been this serious about a girl before."

Veronica didn't tell Reina she wasn't exactly serious about Ashley, that they weren't pursuing an actual, committed relationship. Deep down, some part of her wish they were. It would make Veronica's life so much more easier if she didn't love her best friend, if she loved someone sweet like Ashley, who liked her back, who liked girls. Another small part of her whispered that the very thought was a betrayal to Reina. It was an illogical thought, but she couldn't get rid of it.

So when Reina suggested that everyone go to the arcade together, it took Veronica little convincing to ask Ashley.

"But why the arcade?" She had asked. Her and Reina were never big fans, and she didn't think that was Baltimore's thing either. She knew it wasn't Ashley's thing.

"I just wanted to do the whole arcade, bowling, pizza, double date thing. We never got to do that back in high school."

Neither of them had relationships in high school. Veronica didn't date, wasn't safe back home to. Reina went on dates but those guys never lasted long.

"Do you think it's a bad idea?" Reina had asked, pouting like always, "You can think of something else. I just want the four of us to spend time together."

"No I think it's a cute idea. I'll text Ashley and we can plan a date."

Veronica was resigned to let Reina just take what she wanted from her. Whatever Reina needed, as long as it meant she needed Veronica, as long as it meant Reina thought about her, Veronica would give Reina the world. So if Reina wanted to live out some fantasy double date she wanted since high school, they'd do it.

Veronica and Reina had arrived to the arcade together from their apartment, while meeting their dates there. Ashley was already there, punctual as always, while Baltimore was late as always. Uncomfortable jealousy aside, Veronica didn't mind going on a double date with Baltimore. She didn't find him interesting or enjoyable, but asides from his gross sapphic fetishization and slight homophobia in general there wasn't anything wrong with him. Reina once said she liked him because he tolerated her craziness without saying anything, and that opposites attract. Veronica looked her bubbly girl next to her, the only one out of the three them dressed in bright colors, and found herself agreeing.

When Baltimore finally arrived, reaching the group in his lazy gait, they all went inside. Veronica and Reina were pressed side by side, with Baltimore and Ashley lingered on the end. Ashley loosely interlaced her fingers with Veronica as they walked. Reina glanced down at their intertwined hands, then hugged Veronica's arm as she dragged her in front of the group to buy arcade tokens.

They had two small buckets full of tokens in hand by the time Baltimore and Ashley caught up.

"I say we have a little competition," Reina challenged, "Each couple takes a bucket and we see who wins the most tickets?"

Veronica smirked, "You're on. "

"You guys always turn things into a bet," Baltimore complained but took the bucket obediently anyway.

Veronica thought they'd split up, play the games they were best at then reconvene to compare winnings. But Reina trailed after Veronica, leaning against her whenever Veronica played a game watching her movements intently. Veronica could smell Reina's perfume even amidst the arcade smell of plastic, old sweat, and greasy food. It was always the same spicy, sweet scent, some expensive perfume her grandmother always got her from Mexico.

"Distracting me is cheating."

Reina smirked and met Veronica's eyes. "I'm distracting?"

Veronica had to look away before she did something stupid like blush. She still felt Reina's eyes trained on her. Even worse, she felt Ashley's eyes on her, on the both of them together.