Four letter word

30. Coming back.

The car drove into the parking lot. It was raining outside, but it wasn't cold anymore. When Lindsey parked the car, they sat quietly for a few seconds.

"I had a really good time..." AJ said. She had been tiptoeing around Lindsey the whole time after the lake confession.

Lindsey didn't answer. But she did look at AJ and smiled after a minute, then she took Lindsey's hand in hers and held tight.

Without a word they got out of the car and unpacked their stuff. The workers at the academy helped them take the bags back up to their dorm, which was empty when they got there.

"Riley's probably with Dana" Lindsey said.

"I don't think so... Dana is supposed to be at the stage room, she was gonna help out with the costumes before I came back" AJ corrected.

"Okay, then she's probably out for a smoke or something. I'm gonna go take a shower, okay?" Lindsey said and stepped closer to AJ who was still frozen by the door. Lindsey took her hand in hers again and kissed her. AJ felt relief wash over her as she kissed the blonde back.

Then Lindsey pulled away and smiled, "we're good" she said, reassuring her. And afterwards she grabbed her towel and went into the bathroom for a shower. Meanwhile AJ decided to start unpacking, tho Lindsey's shower ran so long that AJ ended up unpacking her stuff as well and then fell asleep on the bed.

While she was asleep, Lindsey got out of the shower in new clothes and wet hair slicked back. At this time Riley came home as well from who knows where and the two ran into each other.

"Hey! You're back! Did you guys have a good time?" Riley asked, cheerfully.

Tho Lindsey was less cheerful. She stood, looking at Riley.

"How could you not tell me?" She said suddenly, confusing Riley.

"What do you mean?"

"You kissed AJ" Lindsey stated.

Riley's eyes opened slightly as she caught her breath. Fuck.

"Look, I was gonna tell you..." she started.

"Really? When?"

"I don't know, soon. Your birthday is coming up and-"

"My birthday? Oh so what? You just didn't wanna hurt me on my birthday? Oh, thanks, Riles, that's so sweet of you" Lindsey put on a fake cheerful voice before her expression went back to anger, "what the fuck, Riley? How could you kiss her?! You knew I liked her and you still kissed her! When she was drunk too"

"Hey! I was drunk too, it's not like I took advantage of her. And it was just a kiss, that's all. You weren't even together back then!" Riley snapped as well, their voice getting louder.

"Oh, well that makes things so much better, my best friend kissed the girl I liked, but it's okay tho, not like we were together or anything!" Lin said.

"Look, dude, I'm sorry, okay?! I was drunk. I make stupid decisions when I'm drunk. I regret it and I really wanted to tell you. And where is she anyway?!"

"Why? You wanna kiss her again?"

"No! Jesus! That kiss was nothing, she was mad at you and she came to me and I didn't object, cuz I'm a piece of shit as we all know. And I'm sorry I didn't tell you, but she's with you now. And she probably loves you, I've heard her talk about you. Can we just forget the kiss ever happened?" Riley begged, trying not to shout, but it was hopeless.

Little did they know, on the other side of the door was AJ, trying desperately not to cry and trying to gather up enough courage to go out there and stop then, but instead feeling paralysed and unable to do anything. This was all her fault. That's all she could think about. This was all her fault, she was so stupid and now Riley was also in trouble because of her and Lindsey was hurt and feeling betrayed. This was all her fault. If only she just hadn't gone to the stupid party. If only she hd just stayed home and cried herself to sleep. Cry. Cry. That's all she ever did. God, why was she so useless? Just go out there and stop them from fighting. But no, she couldn't. Her body wouldn't let her do anything.

After a while their roommate came back and scolded both Riley and Lindsey for shouting. AJ hurt a loud bang of the exit door and a few minutes later Lindsey came into their bedroom. At this point AJ was sitting at the edge of her bed, terrified of what Lindsey was gonna say.

When the blonde noticed her, she froze, looking at her girlfriend sitting on the bed, looking sad and frightened.

"I'm sorry... I didn't wanna wake you up" Lindsey said awkwardly, running a hand through her hair.

"It was my fault too. Actually it was mostly my fault. She didn't know we had a thing going on" AJ explained in a quiet tone, scared of angering Lindsey again.

"Oh, she knew. Trust me, she knew" Lindsey stated and walked over to her bed and landed on her back, putting a hand over her eyes, "I'm tired. I'm gonna go to sleep"

"Okay... I'm gonna go for a walk" AJ said, but Lindsey didn't answer. She had already dozed off.

AJ got up, fixed her hair and left the dorm. Her roommate gave her a nasty scrawl on her way out.

AJ debated wether to stay in the building or go out into the woods. Although her plans got canceled when she realised it was still raining. Instead she decided to sit on the benches right outside of the building. They were under cover so they wouldn't get wet.

When AJ went through the large doors, she saw Riley leaning onto the wall, a lit cigarette in her hand, looking out at the rain. She didn't notice her at first and AJ thought she could go back in unnoticed, but just in that time Riley's eyes shifted to her. Must have sensed someone was watching. AJ sighed, now she had no choice, but to talk to her. She slowly walked up to the girl who was clearly in a bad mood.

"Hey..." AJ said quietly.

"So, you told her" Riley replied after letting out smoke.

"I'm sorry... I couldn't keep it a secret anymore. It was bugging me really bad and-"

"Hey, I understand. I didn't wanna keep it a secret either. Just wish you had given me a little warning" Riley shrugged.

AJ nodded, feeling awful about the whole situation, "I know... I'm sorry"

"Is she angry at you too?"

"She was... but not anymore" AJ explained.

"Lucky..." Riley said, then looked at the ground, "maybe one day she'll forgive me too"

"She will... you know she won't stay mad forever. She's Lindsey. She's friendly and kind and forgiving" AJ said, trying to make Riley feel better somehow.

"...I'm sorry" Riley said and looked at her. AJ frowned. Sorry?

"For what?"

"I'm the one that kissed you. You were drunk, I should've had more control" Riley shrugged. The other girl shook her head in surprise.

"What? No... I kissed you back. And you were drunk too. If anything, it's my fault for coming to the party in the first place" she stated. Riley chuckled.

"I'm kinda glad you came though... I can tell why Lindsey likes you so much" Riley said, straightened off of the wall and threw the last of her cigarette away. Then she walked back inside, leaving AJ confused. What was that?

                                              ~*~