Sacrifice

Chapter Thirteen

The kiss ended. It left both of them breathless and in doubt; one of them enchanted, one of them uneasy. Crybaby began to breathe a bit heavier. "You okay?" Angelita asked with a smile. Crybaby nodded and sucked air through her teeth, "Yeah. There's just... a lot to process right now," She faked a giggle.

"Definitely," Angelita nodded, "So, what does this mean?" She asked softly, her hand still lingering on Crybaby's arm.

"I'm not sure. Why don't we just take it slow? See where that gets us?" Crybaby answered. She couldn't be in an official relationship with Angelita. She wouldn't let it get that far.

"Alright," Angelita was unable to stop smiling. Crybaby gently pinched her cheek making her flush. "Come on, let's go somewhere," Crybaby said, tilting her head in the direction she wanted to go.

"Where are we going?" Angelita questioned.

"The best ice cream shop in town," Crybaby smirked.

"Baby, hold on-" Angelita resisted until Crybaby literally dragged her along by her arm. Angelita laughed. "How are we even going to get anything?" She asked during the walk to a different part of the plaza.

"You think I didn't come prepared?" Crybaby looked back at her and pulled out a folded ten-dollar bill from one of the pockets on the side of her shirt. Angelita snickered.

The pair halted in front of the shop. Crybaby stared up at the bright blue sign that read 'Sundaes & Cones' in cursive letters. Angelita looked up the sign and then at Crybaby, letting out a soft chuckle. Crybaby smiled at her and quickly made her way to the doors so she could hold one open for Angelita. "Aw. Thank you," Angelita grinned as she walked inside. "Of course," Crybaby said and followed behind her. They stopped and stood in front of the front counter and read the menu. They both had a hard time choosing something as a front counter worker approached. "Hello, what can I get for you two?" The worker asked. "Angelita, you go first," Crybaby said quietly.

"You go first," Angelita responded laughing.

"I'll take a chocolate ice cream cone," Crybaby ordered.

"Would you like sprinkles?" The worker asked.

"Yes, please."

"Got it. And what about you?" The worker looked at Angelita.

"A... vanilla ice cream cone," Angelita ordered.

"And would you like sprinkles?"

"Yes," Angelita nodded and grinned.

"Alright, that'll be six dollars and fourteen cents."

Crybaby took her ten-dollar bill out and handed it to the young lady behind the counter. The worker returned her the change. "I'll have them ready for you two in a moment," she said and then turned on her heel, headed to the back of the shop. Angelita looked at Crybaby and she looked back at her. "Thank you," Angelita said. "You're welcome," Crybaby responded with a sweet smile. Angelita moved close to her. She reached for her hand again and Crybaby looked down and saw the ring she once complimented. Angelita pulled back her hand and took her ring off, then held it out to Crybaby, offering her to take it, "Here, I know you like it. You can have it, Baby."

"No, it's alright, it's yours."

"I want you to have it," Angelita insisted. She took Crybaby's hand and put the ring in it herself, "It's yours now."

Crybaby stared at it for a few seconds and smiled, "Thank you. I love it," She gave Angelita a tight side hug. Angelita hugged back and sighed lovingly. The employee came back from behind the counter, "Here you go, a chocolate ice cream cone and a vanilla ice cream cone. Both with sprinkles," She held the two cones that were wrapped in napkins across the counter for the girls. They both thanked the young lady and took their cones. Crybaby gave the worker another smile and the pair started walking to the doors. Angelita stared at Crybaby in silence for a little while after they left, and Crybaby was aware of it. "What is it?" Crybaby finally asked after a couple minutes of staying quiet. "Oh, nothing," Angelita responded mindlessly, smiling to herself. Crybaby gave her a funny look.

"You're just really pretty. I like looking at you."

Crybaby's stomach still turned at the thought, "I'm not all that, but thanks."

Angelita scoffed, "Don't even start. You're everything."

"Trying to fight?"

"Trying to choke me with your pigtails?"

Crybaby laughed, "Seriously. I'm not as perfect as you say I am."

"Love makes you delusional, I guess."

"Undoubtedly so."

A few quiet seconds passed. Crybaby looked up at the sky; it was getting a bit darker. "I wonder what time it is," Crybaby said.

"Let's go look at the clock," Angelita suggested. In the center of the plaza there was a tall building with a big, fancy clock at the top of it. Crybaby nodded. In a bit when they got close enough to see the clock, Crybaby read the time to be 8 o'clock in the evening. She was almost caught off guard. Angelita seemed surprised as well. "Wow. Time flies," Crybaby commented.

"Especially with you," Angelita said.

"Aw, how cute," Crybaby grinned and tilted her head at her.

Angelita smiled again. "Do you think we should head home before it gets any darker?" She asked.

"Probably," Crybaby sighed.

"Okay. I already can't wait to see you again," Angelita swooned over Crybaby.

"Me either. We'll see each other soon," Crybaby hugged her. Angelita hugged her back even tighter. The hug lasted about a full minute and Angelita kissed her on the cheek when it ended. Crybaby forced herself to smile a little. "Bye, Lita. I love you," She softly told her.

"I love you too. Bye," Angelita said.

They had only realized now, but those three words suddenly seemed to hold a different weight. True as ever, but different. They parted ways. Crybaby and Angelita were both still in shock; nothing felt real. Crybaby couldn't tell if she was genuinely happy or not, but she knew she was conflicted. When she got home, she was greeted inside by her mother questioning her as soon as she shut the door, "Where the hell have you been? Take a look at the time," Her mother scolded.

"I was out," Crybaby answered without a second thought.

Her mother heavily sighed and looked back down at the counter she was standing by, as if she accepted the answer. Crybaby paid her mother no mind and went to her room. She shut the door behind her and then stood against it, replaying memories in her head of the things that had happened earlier; her stomach tightening with stress.