TNN: A Collection Of Short Stories

illicit affairs (part 1) (mialotte)

AN: low-key drew inspiration from youaremyangel40904. hence the swift references. I love their writing sm.
Also tw: for references to self harm.

Prompt: AU set about 15 years before the actual TNN storyline. Mia is seeing Reece, Charlotte is single, they all work in the same nursery. They're all about 21-22.

Charlotte's pov:
I leave work at about 7 and head back to my flat. It's dark out with only the street lights illuminating the streets. I figured I could go out tonight. It's a Friday after all.

I touch up my makeup and put on a pair of jeans and a nice top before heading out the door. I don't have plans with anyone, but I figured it could be nice to just mingle with complete strangers.

It's about half 8 at this point. Not too late and not too busy yet. I sit at the bar and order a gin and tonic. Mia turns up and sits by me at the bar.

"Hey Mia" I say enthusiastically, not expecting her to be here.
"Hey char" she replies ordering a drink. We're actually really good friends, she's probably the person I've been closest to since working at the nursery. I wouldn't admit that I was attracted to her out loud though.

We fall into a steady conversation, she tells me that Reece is away for a job at his father's request. I learn that she appreciates the time she spends away from him.

We're both a few drinks in at this point. I'm feeling slightly buzzed while she is adequately drunk. I pay attention to the way her eyes show her every emotion.

"Your really pretty char" she says blushing turning her face away from me. This makes me blush.
"Mia you are totally drunk" I reply.
"I need to pee" she says trying to stand up.
"I'll come with you" I say guiding her to stand up straight before walking to the bathroom.

She heads into the stall, giggling to herself. I stood out by the sink waiting for her to finish. She comes out and washes her hands. It's only in this moment I'm able to fully see what she is wearing. She's wearing a pair of black skinny jeans and a low cut top. I notice how it has fallen a little bit, showing the top of her deep red bra.

"Mia, your shirt has fallen a little bit" I say while instinctively pulling it up by the hem of the neckline. My fingers graze her chest. I panic and pull my hands away.
"I'm so sorry" I say "I should've asked if that was okay for me to do"
"Char it's fine" she starts "can you just sort it for me? I can't exactly see straight" she says. I nod and fix it.

"Did you know" she starts as I'm fixing her shirt "I don't even like Reece, it's all because his dad wants me to keep him on a short leash" I feel my heart break for her "he's very manipulative like that" she says in a singsong tone.

"Wait Mia what?" I say completely startled.
"Roger has something I want" she says with tears in her eyes "and I need to get that by pretending to love Reece and hiding away who I am" she says rubbing her temple.
"Mia what are you trying to tell me."

"Char I'm like 100% sure I'm a lesbian" she admits.

We continue our chat, eventually we head out to the bar and continue having a few drinks. I learn so much about her. All of the trauma she's been through regarding that arsehole roger, how all she wanted was her dad in the begining but how now all she wants is to feel loved for her authentic self. I tell her that I love her authentic self. I don't know if it was me or the drink talking, but the way her eyes lit up made me think I could do it for the rest of my life.

My heart breaks for her. The way she tells me how she hates her sexuality and how she would punish herself for it. She briefly mentions how she is attracted to me but quickly moves past it. I decide to not bring it up.