The Girl In The Suit

Gemma

I slowly open my eyes, and I feel a banging in my head. I look on either side of me and I see Freddie and Anne sleeping. They're holding my hands.

"Guys, where the fuck am I?"

They open their eyes and Anne bursts into tears and throws her arms around me. Freddie runs out a door and shouts something that sounds like, Shes awake.

"Anne, what happened?", I ask in a groggy voice. She gets off of me.

"You tried to kill yourself, Gemma. Because of me. We thought you were gone. I'm so sorry, Gemma. I should've never left you like I did. I don't expect you to forgive me though. But, I love you either way. I never wanna hurt you again."

I smile and put my finger to her lips. "Shush, Anne, you're rambling. I forgive you. I didn't think you wanted anything to do with me."

"I was just mad, for no reason. I was in the wrong. I missed you so much."

"I missed you too." I giggle. "I was so crazy that I kissed Tasha. Ewww."

She widens her eyes. "What?"

"She didn't kiss me back though. She pushed me away and went home like a good girl to her mammy and daddy and her girlfriend. She did the right thing. Good ol Tasha." I smile.

Just then, Tasha, Gabrielle, my parents, a man and a woman who I suppose are Tasha's parents, Freddie and Alison come in. What's with all the visitors? I'm fine, I just went for a sleep is all.

"Hey, all.", I say, giving a wave. My eyes fall on Tasha, who I've never seen look so tired. "Guys, can you all clear out? I wanna talk to Tash alone."

They all clear out and Tasha just stands there, staring.

"Well, sit down, I won't bite."

She sits down on a chair next to me. "How are you?"

"I'm good, yourself?"

"I've had better days for sure."

"I'm sorry I kissed you."

"I'm sorry I didn't listen."

"Is this awkward?"

"Very."

We just look at each other for a minute.

"What happened after that?", I ask.

"Well, I went home, had a panic attack that knocked me out for 4 hours, the Gabby came an-" She stops there, as if shes said too much. I smirk.

"And what, Miss Hanrahan? Ye watched Cbeebies?"

She rolls her eyes. "Ok, if you really wanna know, we had sex. Just like that, Tasha the virgin is gone."

I widen my eyes. "Damn, Tash. Congratulations. Did you like it?"

She smiles at me. "I loved it, G. It made me feel even closer to her and we get closer every day." Her smile then drops. "Gemma, do you like me, I mean, that way?"

I take in a breath. "No, Tasha, I don't. I was simply heartbroken. We're best friends and at that time, I think I just needed someone, and that someone shouldn't have been you. I really wish I could have a love story like you and Gabby's. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have. It meant nothing though."

"It's ok, as long as your feelings aren't hurt. I'm sorry too. I should've listened to you. I feel as though I may have triggered you and I'll never forgive myself for that. Everyone thinks I'm this angel from the heavens but the truth is I fuck up sometimes too. And this fuckup nearly cost the life of someone I love."

My eyes widen again, and tears well up in them. "You love me?"

"Of course I do. Maybe not in that way but I really love you. I wouldn't be here if I didn't."

"I didn't think you even cared."

"Gemma, if you didn't wake up, I'd never recover. You're my best friend. Every girl needs her best friend by her side. I never stopped caring, and I never will. I really screwed up, and I'm sorry. Everything about yesterday, besides the time I spent with Gabby, was a mistake. I just hope things get better from here."

I reach for her hand on the bed and I hold it. "Me, too."

I give her a smile before I fall back to sleep.