Tattoo Mates

Chapter 8

As the days passed, the two of them had gotten into a routine. They'd wake up together, take turns getting ready for the day and head to class. After school, Chloe would tutor Red in History and Red would tutor Chloe in alchemy. The day would end with them cuddled up in bed, they had managed to convince Principal Uma to get them a Queen sized bed to share. While she won't admit it if you asked her, she does have a soft side for Red and granted the girls their request. Everything was perfect. Except for Chloe who was harboring feelings she was yet ready to admit and tell Red. Thus causing her great agonizing pain. Yet another design flaw in the universe. But yeah, other than that, everything was perfect.

Chloe woke up as the sun shined down on her face through the window in their dorm. She looks up and sees Red still asleep. She smiles as she takes the time to admire her. It was rare that Red was ever this relaxed. She was always stressing about school or her mom or Chloe. So when she cuddles up with Chloe every night, her mind is at peace and she feels she can finally let go. The world can fall apart for all she cares, as long as she is in Chloe's arms when it happens. It was a Saturday so they didn't have any classes and the teachers didn't assign any homework over the weekend. As she admired Red, she felt her heart warm as well as the tattoo on the back of her neck. She winces in silence as she gently crawls out of Red's arms, careful not to wake the girl. But alas, she fails as she hears Red groan behind her. "Shit." She mouthed to herself. "Bluey?" Red sits up. "What time is it?" "Like seven?" "Ugh, it's too early to life right now." Red rolls back over. Chloe laughs as she kisses her head. "Just go back to sleep then, i was just gonna grab some breakfast." Red sighs as she sits up. "I can't, not if you're not gonna be with me." She pouts and Chloe practically melts.

"Aw, baby!" She leans over and kisses her, even if it burns. "I'll be right back, i swear." Red shakes her head. "Mm-mm. Nope, I'm coming with you." She gets out of bed and throws on Chloe's Swords and Shields sweater. They walk hand in hand to the cafeteria to find breakfast when they spot Principal Uma from afar. Red waves at her as she walks up to them. "Morning girls!" "Morning Principal Uma." They both greet her. "How's everything been?" Red smiles. "They've been good, we've been talking and we've been spending a lot of time together like you said. We've even been tutoring each other." Red rubs her thumb on Chloe's hand. Normally Chloe would relish in the feeling but now it just causes her burning pain. She fakes a smile as best as she could before nodding along. "Yeah, she's been tutoring me in Alchemy and I've been tutoring her in History." Chloe tells her. Uma glances between the two for a second. "Alright, well keep it up. See you girls around. Oh and don't forget, Friday is family day!" Uma walks away. "Oh crap, i completely forgot about that!" Red panics. "Hey, hey. It's ok. What's wrong?" Chloe rubs her arm. "What if my mom comes to visit?"

"Then we'll deal with her then. But i promise, she's not splitting us up, she can't. It's literally impossible. We're soulmates." Chloe kisses her cheek, ignoring the burning sensation on the back of her neck. "Come on, let's hurry and eat before the bell rings." They soon finish breakfast and go to classes together. Physical contact is always a must but these past few days, Chloe tries to limit the amount of touch she has with Red. For whatever reason, it burned whenever they touched. Chloe couldn't figure it out. They were together, they were happy, they weren't fighting. She didn't know what was wrong. She thinks back to when Red went to talk to Principal Uma about her problems, maybe she should do the same. After classes, they both left the classroom together before Chloe tugs at Red's hand. "Hey, um do you mind going to the room without me? I just gotta talk to Principal Uma about something." Red shrugs. "Sure, I'll see you later." She smiles before giving her a kiss goodbye. As much as it pained Chloe, she couldn't deny her soulmate a kiss, not without looking suspicious. They part ways as Chloe speed walks to Uma's office. She knocks and waits for her to open. "Chloe? What can i do for you?" "Can i come in?" Uma nods and steps aside. "Of course. What's going on?" Chloe sits down on one of the chairs. "Principal Uma, what does it mean when you're with your soulmate but you still feel burning pain?" Uma sits at her desk, confused. "What do you mean? You shouldn't be feeling any burning." Chloe shrugs. "I don't know why, but lately I've been getting these burning sensations out of nowhere whenever I'm with Red. I know we're soulmates but i don't know why I'm getting these burns." Uma thinks for a second. "Well, you've been together ever since she got out of the hospital?" She asks. Chloe nods. "Yes. Every day. Every class. Kinda hard not to spend time together when i literally live with her." Uma slowly nods. "And how long have you been together?" Chloe thinks. "Ever since she got out of the hospital."

Uma leans back in her chair. "Well, i can only think of two reasons. One, your body is craving something. Something....intimate, let's just say." Chloe blushes. "Yeah, we definitely haven't done that yet, but we're not ready for it yet. We've only been together for a few weeks." Uma shrugs. "Aye, if your body wants it, it wants it. Now, it's not my place to say and I'd really rather not hear about my students sex lives but if it's hurting you, you might want to talk to Red about it. But there is also another reason." Chloe sits up. "What is it?" "Have you been feeling something lately? Not hormones. But like, you know, have you told her you love her yet?" Uma watches her carefully. Chloe sighs. "No, not yet. I don't want to scare her away. She says she doesn't know what love is and I don't want to push it or her to say it back."  Uma nods. "I get where you're coming from, i do. But learn from my experience, tell her. It's better to tell her and risk her not feeling the same way, yet than to keep it in and end up in the hospital like she did." Chloe sighs. "Yeah i know, i was so worried about her. I can only imagine how she would feel if the roles were reversed." Uma nods. "Yeah, let's not have a repeat of that, please." Chloe laughs and stands up. "I guess i gotta tell her sooner or later." She heads to the door. "Good luck!" Uma shouts before the door closes. With a sense of determination, Chloe goes back to their dorm and sees Red studying on the bed. "Hey! How was your talk with Principal Uma?" "I love you!" Chloe and Red stare at each other.