Instant Family (SWSH Fanfic)

Coping Mechanisms: Part 1

ALMOST TWO YEARS AGO...

Nessa stumbled out of Leon's high rise in Wyndon, the faint throb of an 808 drum pulsed in the distance as the glass door came to a shut. She wiped the tears from her eyes as she rummaged furiously through her clutch, the buzz from the alcohol making it difficult to see.

I can't believe her. I can't believe HIM. How could she just — KISS him like that?

She felt her knees start to buckle as she gave up looking for her phone. She sat in a crumpled heap on the concrete sidewalk as she let her tears fall. The door behind her suddenly opened, causing her to flinch.

What now?

"Nessa?" A kind, bright voice drifted to her ears. She turned around.

Oh, it's the kid.

"Oh—" she sniffed and deftly wiped her cheek with her hand, "hey kid, what's up?" Her voice wavered.

This is embarass—

A tan hand, a little bit smaller than Nessa's suddenly appeared before her face. She looked up to see Bea, cutely dressed in a white v-neck and a suspender dress leaning down before her, offering to help her up.

"Need a hand?" Bea let her usual guard down and offered a small smile. Nessa felt a blush heat up her cheeks.

I've never seen her smile... She's cute like this...

Their hands made a little clap as Bea hoisted Nessa up, bringing her gaze upward to meet her eyes.

"Uppsy daisy..."

And she's so tiny!

"Are you doing okay? You look like— I mean—" Bea brought her index finger and swiped beneath her eye, causing Nessa's hands to shoot up to her face.

SHIT.

"I mean! You don't look bad! I just want to make sure you're alright is all..." Bea's voice trailed off as she fiddled with the waistband of her skirt, shifting back and forth. Nessa's figure towered over her.

She let out a wavering sigh.

"You know kid?" She put her hand on her hip and leaned down, "I could use a pick-me-up, I lost my phone and can't call a cab back to my hotel. Do you think you can give me a hand?"

Bea nodded, fishing her phone out of her pocket and tapping open the taxi app.

"Sure thing..."

"So..." an awkward silence hung between the two as Nessa eyed Bea nervously, "never took you for the party-girl, Bea..." a nervous laugh escaped from both as Bea reached her hand behind her neck, massaging it sheepishly.

"Ah well, you know. I lost a dumb bet with Raihan, so he sort of forced me to come—" she looked down at her outfit, flicking the hem of her short skirt, "— part of losing was wearing this guy too... sort of embarrassing isn't it?" Bea shot a nervous smile up to Nessa, she felt her nerves melt away as she maintained eye contact.

"I actually think you look cute! It suits you." She nudged Bea playfully with her elbow letting out a laugh. Her breathing began to even out as the thought of Sonia's lips meeting Leon's started to fade away.

"Well— uh— anyway... I'm really not the person for this scene, I couldn't wait to get out of there. In all honesty, I can't wait to get out of Wyndon in general!" The two girls walked to a nearby bench as the stars glittered above them. Nessa wobbled a bit as she started walking.