Out Tonight

Twelve

It was later that weekend when it happened. Bosco was struggling to get warm on the nest of blankets on the couch, her body pressed against Daya's, when suddenly the lights turned on. Camden, who had been lighting a very melted down candle, looked up with wide eyes.

Daya stiffened up herself, and after a moment, the heater kicked on and they realized they really weren't just imagining things.

Camden abandoned the candle. "I'm gonna charge my phone just in case this doesn't last long-" She said as she rushed away to her room.

Bosco was confused. The power was supposed to be restored once everyone in the building had caught up on their rent. She looked up at Daya. "...I was supposed to pay the first half of what I owe tomorrow." She said quietly. "Then the rest next week. How is there power already?"

Daya shifted a bit, not meeting her eyes. "Not sure. Maybe the landlord just has trust in you." She said a little quietly, slipping the jacket she was wearing off of her shoulders as the heater started to warm the apartment.

There was something off about her tone and the way she was avoiding Bosco's gaze. The smaller girl was more confused now. "Is something wrong?"

Daya shook her head, her knee bouncing slightly. "Not at all, no. We finally have a heater-" She said quickly, standing up from the couch. "I can make hot chocolate now. Do you want any?"

She was speaking fast, something Bosco knew she did when she was nervous. She watched as she walked to the kitchen, starting to worry that she may have done something wrong. She got up to follow her. "Only if you tell me what's wrong..."

Daya bit her lip, taking a deep breath. She should've known Bosco would question things, but she hadn't expected the power to be turned on so soon. She thought she'd have more time to stall. "Nothing's wrong..."

"You're talking fast and trying to change the subject..." Bosco said quietly. She wished she could enjoy the relief of the heater, but now she was worrying. "What's going on?"

Daya stared at the cupboard she had opened. "...I don't want you to think I did what I did because of the wrong reasons." She said a little nervously. "I did it because I love you and just want you to be okay..."

Bosco stared at her for a moment. She went to ask what she meant by that, until it slowly hit her. Her eyes widened a little and it felt as if her heart had stopped. "You couldn't do that..."

Daya sighed, scared Bosco would think she pitied her or was trying to buy her love. She didn't want her to think that at all. "I paid my half of what me and Camden owed..." She started to explain. "I've been getting some decent tips lately and had some saved, so..."

Bosco was silent. Now Daya was really nervous. She turned to look at her, finding the smaller girl looking down at her hands. "...Bosco?"

Bosco looked up at her again, her eyes glossy with tears. "I don't understand..." She said, her voice shaky. "W-Why would you do that?"

Daya shifted uncomfortably, extremely worried that Bosco was mad at her. "Like I said..." Her voice was quiet. "I love you. It's not out of pity, or thinking you can't do it yourself. I just wanted to help you..."

Bosco wiped away the tears that spilled. "Y-You aren't in a position to be doing that..." She whispered. "You didn't have to do that."

Daya looked down at the floor, rubbing her arm. "But I did..." She mumbled.

The apartment was quiet, except for the hum of the now working heater. It felt like forever before Bosco stood up, her head low as she approached Daya. The taller girl was stiff, expecting her to tell her off for what she had done, but Bosco just wrapped her arms around her and laid her head on her chest.