the eras of us ⎹ Lana Parrilla & Jennifer Morrison

Chapter 28

Jen's voice quivered with vulnerability as she recounted the painful memories. "And then, a few months later, she was dating this other girl... I don't remember her name, but she was very pretty. And she held her hand in public, and I... I watched them being... in love," she mumbled, her voice was small, and Lana had to steady her breathing to hear every single word the other woman was saying.

"That must've been hard," the brunette replied softly, breaking the silence for the first time since Jen had started speaking. She'd wanted to let her share without interruption, but now it felt right to say something.

"One day during lunch break, I was in the bathroom, and Cari came in. It was weird, and we tried to pretend the other one wasn't there, but then, after a few seconds, she was standing next to me, and we were both washing our hands, and..." Jen paused, closing her eyes briefly as if reliving the moment. "And Cari said to me that if I'd tell her now that I wanted to be with her, that I... that I am in love with her, then she'd end it all with that other girl. She told me I am the one she truly wants... I just had to say something."

Lana swallowed hard. "But.. you didn't?" she asked gently.

Jen shook her head, her expression filled with sorrow. "I told her that I don't feel the same. And then I left and cried until the school nurse sent me home."

"God, that's horrible," Lana spoke softly, her eyes reflecting genuine empathy and something else the other woman couldn't quite put a finger on.

Jen nodded slowly, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Yeah, it was," she admitted, her voice tinged with raw emotion.

The room fell into a heavy silence, filled only with the soft rhythm of their breathing. Lana could sense her ex co-star's pain, aching to comfort her, but...

Finally, Jen broke the silence again, her voice barely above a whisper. "I just wish things had been different... that I had been different," she confessed. "I still feel like I'm not enough, like I'll never be enough."

Lana's heart ached hearing these words. "Stop. Don't you ever say that again. Everyone loves who they love," The brunette said firmly, her gaze unwavering.

The blonde stayed quiet.

"Hair or back?" Lana broke the silence.

Jen's gaze softened as she studied the brunette's face. Dark eyes met green ones for what felt like hours, though it's only been a few seconds.

"Hair," Jen finally replied. Her voice was barely above a whisper, and her heart fluttered with a mix of different emotions the moment she felt Lana's hand running through her blonde curls.

...

The cold morning air nipped at Jen's skin as she slowly opened her eyes, the remnants of sleep clinging to her senses. The blanket lay haphazardly at her ankles, half-draped on the floor, leaving her exposed to the chill. She sighed, wrapping her arms around herself in a feeble attempt to ward off the cold. It wasn't frigid, but the slight chill was enough to send goosebumps racing across her skin.

Sunlight streamed through the window, casting delicate patterns on the bedroom floor. The warmth of the sun's rays contrasted with the coolness of the morning air, creating a strange dichotomy that mirrored the conflicting emotions swirling within Jen.

With a loud yawn, the blonde finally stirred, sitting up slowly in bed. Reality hit her like a ton of bricks. This wasn't just any morning; it was a morning tinged with regret and confusion. Her gaze drifted to the empty side of the bed, where Lana had slept the night before.

"God," she groaned, a sense of unease settling in her chest. She buried her face in her hands, the weight of yesterday crashing down on her. For a fleeting moment, she had hoped that it had all been a dream. Maybe they had simply fallen asleep while watching Pretty Little Liars, and none of the events from yesterday had actually transpired.