Cherry & Vanilla

Dance with Me

I tell her about how Regina was acting and what she said. She listens patiently as we continue to stare at the stars. "Well... I don't know what to say, except that I'm sorry. I know I can't fix it. However, since you didn't get a dance, may I have this dance?" She asks softly as she stands up and reaches her hands out for me.

I allow her to pull me up as I shake my head. "We don't even have music" I point out, she waves her hand and soft music begins to play. "Problem solved" she mutters, pulling me closer so my head lays on her chest. We sway gently side to side on the rooftop, the breeze blowing past us.

"I really love her, Hellie" I whisper, "I know, sweetheart. I know" she mumbles. I listen to the soft beating of her heart and close my eyes. Wrapping my arms tighter around her, seeking the warmth she always seems to have. "I love you, you know that?" She says, more as a declaration than a question. "I love you too" I reply and she kisses the top of my head in response.

"There's a special place in my heart for Delia, but if she hurts you again... I might just kill her" she grumbles and I chuckle. "I'm serious" she states, "oh I believe you" I mumble into her chest while giggling. The song comes to an end and another more upbeat one begins to play. I pull away and she brings her hand to my face, wiping the few tears that have fallen.

"If it's meant to be, things will fall into place" she whispers, "maybe" I mumble in response. "Are you ready to head back? I know you're getting cold" she remarks, rubbing her hands up and down my arms littered with goosebumps. "I guess so" I sigh, I chug my third drink of the night and nod to her.

"I take it you don't get hangovers" she chuckles, "never have, don't think that's much of a power though" I comment. "Oh it most certainly is" she laughs before jumping down off the roof. She lands harshly on the ground leaving a fist-sized dent in the dirt, accompanied by the one made from her knee. I float down and toss my cup in the trash by the gym door.

"Let's get 'er done" I exclaim, my fist rising to the air and towards the door. Hela shakes her head as we walk back into the school. I follow her all the way up to the double doors and then stop. "I think I'll head to my room now" I tell her and she nods, smiling sympathetically. "Get some rest, ok?" She advises, "will do, boss" I jokingly salute her.

She rolls her eyes, placing one last kiss on my head before re-entering the hall. I sigh and make my way back to my room, the pieces of my dress in my hand dragging across the floor. I take another shower and change into more comfortable clothes for sleep. I know I'm not going to sleep anytime soon but I needed to be out of that dress.

I'm not sure if it was half an hour or a few hours later, but a knock sounds at my door tearing me from my thoughts. "Come in" I call out hesitantly, the door open revealing Cordelia. "I noticed you ran off earlier. Hela said you were tired" she notes, "yeah, I'm not really a party person" I reply. It's quiet for a moment, she takes a seat at the edge of my bed.

"Why do I always feel like everyone knows something I don't?" she asks softly, "You and me both" I sigh. "I know you're not 'ok', Alicia. Please tell me what's wrong" she pleads, "we have more important things to worry about" I dismiss. "You are important. Well... you're important to me" she whispers, "that's great but really, it's not a big deal" I repeat.

"Besides, this whole thing is coming really fast. I think next week is when it'll occur, so let's just focus on that" I state, she stares at me for a moment and I can tell she's hurt. This is all so confusing. "Can you just tell me if I did something to upset you? I don't understand, it's like you're shutting me out" she remarks disappointed.

"It's not you" I answer, "but..." she prompts and I shake my head. "There's is no but. It's not you" I repeat, "fine. When you're ready to tell me, I'll be waiting" she says getting up. I can tell she's upset with me because she knows I'm holding back. I really just can't bring myself to even talk about it because it hurts.

"I'm sorry" I mutter, "don't be" she replies walking out the door. She shuts it softly behind her and I turn over to face the wall. Great. Now she's angry with me all because I- ripped my pants- god I need to sleep. I roll my eyes and pull the covers up higher, snuggling in to try and get comfortable.

I know this isn't going to be easy, the fight or the conversation. The latter will just have to wait, we really do have more important things on the docket. I hope she can bear with me for the time being. I really do love her, I just can't risk hurting either of us at the expense of it. If Regina wants her and vice versa, I won't get in the way; no matter how much it hurts.