Accepting You

Chapter 51 - Bubble Minions

"Are you okay?" is the first thing Lily askes when the line is connected.

"The audacity of some people," Lizzie exclaims, throwing her phone on the bed so not Lily only saw the ceiling of the hotel room. It's an ungly shade of white with popcorn texture. "How does being in a relationship with a woman affect my job as an actress? There are plenty of actors in a relationship with a woman and you do see them getting asked these questions."

"Lizzie, let me see you," Lily says, but Lizzie paces around, not having heard her as she's spiraling in her own head.

"And he really accused me of abusing my power to bring you onto set," Lizzie scoffs. She runs her hands through her hair, her watch getting caught in her hair and she groans in frustration. Without the patience to untangle it, she yanks it out, pulling a few strands of hair with it. "Ow, fuck!" She yanks at the strap and throws the watch onto the bed. The bracelet Lily gave her on her other hand never hurt her.

"Babe," Lily calls.

"Stupid watch," Lizzie mutters. "Stupid shoes," she says and kicks off the heels. "Stupid interview. Stupid men."

"Lizzie," Lily calls again with patience.

"Why do I even bother to answer those questions?" Lizzie scoffs. "I should have had security throw him out."

"You did the right thing," Lily says. "You handled it perfectly."

"It's one thing to ask about my personal life," Lizzie rants. "But it's another to accuse me of abusing my position. They don't know anything!"

"Lizzie...Babe..." Lily calls again. Her patience doesn't waver. "The love of my life?"

Lizzie hears that and walks over to the bed, picking it up, and then finally facing her girlfriend.

"There she is," Lily says with a bright smile.

"How can you be smiling right now?" Lizzie frowns.

"Do me a favor?"

"What?" Lizzie asks sharply. She didn't mean to direct her anger at Lily and Lily understood but it did break her heart a little bit to see Lizzie so frustrated.

"Grab Mr. Sloth for me."

"I don't see how a toy will help with anything," Lizzie says but she does as Lily requests and takes Mr. Sloth out of her luggage.

"Close your eyes and hug Mr. Sloth," Lily instructs.

"This is stupid," Lizzie mutters but does as she's told. She brings Mr. Sloth into her arms and hugs the big plush toy, burning her face into the soft fur. It smells like Lily. It smells like her detergent and a little bit of her perfume. Not the Calvin Klein that drives her crazy with lust but it's her usual day to day perfume; a subtle and soft fragrance of clementine or mandarin. It's sweet but not overly sweet; a scent that takes you to a beach and calms your nerves.

"Take a deep breath...In and out..." Lily lulls through the phone. Lizzie follows her instructions. "It's just you and me. Just us."

Lizzie's grip tightens around the plush. It's not as strong and sturdy as Lily is but it's soft and smells just like her. It brings her enough comfort. "Just us," Lizzie repeats, taking a few more deep breaths.

"Better?"

"Much better," Lizzie says, though she is pouting. She sets the toy down in her lap and holds the phone in front of her so that they could see each other. "What did you do? It smells like you."

"Threw him into the dryer and put him through a few cycles," Lily answers. "And sprayed him with my perfume a little bit. Does it really smell like me?"