Tolerate

chapter six

"This isn't right." I whisper as the girl presses her forehead to mine. "It's wrong."

"Do you want me to stop?" She whispers back.

I hesitate.

Her nose nudges mine.

Her eyes bore into my own.

I gulp.

She licks her lips.

"No."

One simple word is all she needs before our lips meet in a sweet kiss.

—

"Harper..." A soft voice pulls me out of my slumber. "Come on love, everyone is awake. Want some coffee?" The voice asks, I hum some sort of a yes as i slowly sit up.

My eyes open slightly, it's bright and I have a headache. I've been known to get horrible hangovers, drinking isn't my strong suit.

I'm handed a hot mug full of the delicious brown liquid. I thank whoever handed it to me and slowly take a sip as a hand rubs up and down my back.

A little while later, I'm fully awake and Towa is handing me medication for my headache.

"God, I'm never drinking again." I mumble into Renee's shoulder as I rest my head against it.

"You say that every time you're hungover." Vienna mutters back.

"Hey Ren, I'm gonna head out." Layne says as she walks toward the door, Towa follows her like a lost puppy dog which makes me grin.

"I'll drive her." Towa adds as she grabs her keys.

Renee slings her arm around my shoulder, pulling me closer. "Mhm, I'm sure you will." She winks.

Towa scoffs but before she can say anything, Layne butts in. "Vienna is already in the car, you wanna stay or go Harper?"

"I'll stay." I say with a soft grin, Reneè kisses the top of my head.

Layne gives us a weird look, "Did you both fuck or something?"

"Alright come on teeny, let's get you home." Towa pats Layne's head, making fun of her height, and follows her out of the house.

I stay cuddled against Reneè, she's not saying anything. She hums softly and gently guides my face up to look at hers by my chin.

"Hi love."

"Hi." I say back with a soft grin. "Hey, what time is it?"

"Just around noon. I let you sleep a bit longer and made everyone stay in the kitchen. I didn't want to wake you."

I nod and just admire her features, her hand never leaving my chin as if she never wants me to look away.

I go to speak but she beats me to it. "I missed you so much these past few years, Harper.." She says softly. "I'm glad you're back."

Her words make me grin. "Remember our last night together?" I ask and she nods. "We stargazed by our lake and went swimming.. then-"

"I kissed you." She cuts me off and caresses my cheek now, her hand leaving my chin.

We both pause as we remember the moment of being each other's first kiss. We were best friends who wanted to do everything together, it felt wrong to waste something so precious, so special, on someone who didn't matter as much as the other.

"You did."

Renee's eyes flicker down to my lips for such a brief moment, I hardly even noticed. I clear my throat and look away.

Then someone knocks on the door.

"Fuck..." She mumbles and gets up from the couch, I stay seated with my head in my hands. "Harper, someone is here for you."

I raise an eyebrow and walk to the door only to be met face to face with Dakota. "Hey, Layne texted and told me to come pick you up."

"She just left a few minutes ago, she said it was fine if I stayed here a little while." I glance at Reneè. "How did you even know where I was?"

"Layne texted me the address."

"Show me." Reneè says as she crosses her arms over her chest, a confused look on her face.

Dakota scratches the back of his neck. "Um, did I say text? I meant call. She called me."

Renee's arm slips around my waist as she guides me away from the door. "Dakota, right?" He nods. "Yeah, you used to pick on me and Harper back in school. You were a senior in high school picking on fucking children."

Dakota clears his throat. "I don't remember-"

"Harper, do you even know him?" Reneè cuts him off and looks at me. "Like actually know him? Or is he just Laynes older brother."

"I-"

"I'm her boyfriend." Dakota chimes in as if I'll agree. "Come on babe, let's get out of here." He tries to grab my wrist but I move away. "Harper."

"Boyfriend?" Reneè stands directly in front of me. "Harper doesn't even like boys, nice try. Get off my property."

"What?" He glares at us. "You're a lesbian." I gulp and simply nod, avoiding eye contact. "Oh shit!" He laughs. "That's fucking great!" He claps his hands together as he cackles.

"Get off my fucking property and stop coming after my girl. Got it?" Reneè glares at Dakota.

"Reneè." I say softly and grasp her arm. "It's okay, I should get going anyway."

Dakota smirks, Reneè just sighs and nods. "I have your number, call me when you're home okay?"

I nod and walk out with Dakota who is smirking, knowing he got his own way. "So my place?" He asks as he opens my door.

"My apartment, Dakota."

"Right."