consume (yellowjackets)

chapter five.

Coach Martinez was doing a head count when he noticed one short.

"Where's our photographer? We have two more games before regionals. She needs to be present today, even if it's just a practice."

"Uh.. no one knows, Coach. We haven't seen her since she bailed out of first period." Laura Lee said.

"Maybe she went home sick." Mari shrugged. "There was a lot of heavy downfall last night."

"Beckett, think you could convince your friend to get her ass back on this field?"

"Sorry, coach, if she's sick, she'll be stricken to bed rest. Her mom worries."

"That sounds like a load of bullshit to me."

"I can talk to her," Lottie spoke up. "I'm a lot better at convincing people than Grey."

"Alright, you get ten minutes. Make it quick."

Lottie smiled— oblivious to the heated stare of Shauna.

She was already aware of Tatum's earlier disappearance. And within five minutes, she found the girl hiding out in the old gymnasium, puffing on a cigarette.

Lottie watched her amusedly. "I thought you quit."

Tatum chuckled. "Been going through a rough patch. Only thing that's calmed my nerves."

"I thought you used to say sex was your stress relief?"

"It is," Tatum looked over at her, pushing the cigarette to the corner of her mouth to smirk. "What's the extent you would go to help a friend?"

Lottie's head tilted in curiosity. "What're you implying here?"

Tatum's smirk grew mischievous as she approached Lottie. "Give me five minutes of your time."

"Coach sent me out here to look for you. You're supposed to taking new promo photos today. Regionals are just around the corner and-"

"Five minutes." Tatum repeated, grabbing Lottie's hand. "Then I'll come with you."

"Fine. Five minutes is all you get." the brunette caved.

"It's all I need." Tatum grinned toothlessly and strung her along into the old equipment room. They stood in complete darkness, their arms touching and breath mingling— cigarettes and strawberries.

"So?" Lottie whispered. "What now?"

"I see the way you look at me."

"You do?"

"Mhm," Tatum hummed, trailing her hand up Lottie's arm. "Have you ever thought about kissing me?"

"Once or twice."

"Do you want to kiss me right now?"

Lottie's teeth sunk into her bottom lip, moving back to force herself away from Tatum's warm body. "What- no- that's absurd, I-"

"We're down to four minutes, Matthews." Tatum teased. "If you want to kiss me, you better stop hesitating and do-"

Lottie kissed Tatum. It's tender, and rough all at once. Tatum can taste the hunger on Lottie's tongue, feel it in her touch as the taller brunette's hands crept down her back.