There was no way to sugarcoat it; it was awkward as fuck. Like yeah, no shit, we were both virgins. What else was gonna happen? I wanted to pounce on top of her and be passionate and stuff, but she banged the back of her head on the wall, completely killing the mood. "When I said that I wanna be tossed around like a ragdoll, this isn't what I meant." She said, sounding slightly perturbed, rubbing the bump she just received. I felt like an asshole sitting next to her, in more ways than one. "I'm… So sorry, Lucy." I said, my head in my hands embarrassed about the whole ordeal. Surprisingly, she just laughed and nuzzled up to me, inviting my arm to wrap back around her. "I think we both got a little bit ahead of where things should be anyway," she admitted out loud. "I uh… Get what you mean," I responded. "But I still wanna hold you…" She smiled up at me. The light in her eyes invited me in for another kiss, this time shorter and sweeter. We both decided that cuddling on the bed was appropriate for now, and I would never miss the chance to hold her. For the first time in a while, her wings covered us both like the world's most comfortable blanket as we laid perpendicular on the bed this time. It was heaven in her arms but… I couldn't shake the feeling I was doing something wrong. The warmth I should be feeling was replaced by a vague sense of dread as I thought back to little under a month ago, where me and Stella had been in this exact same position. I felt so weak back then, but now I feel a bit too comfortable. After about another hour of enjoying each other's company, we decided it was getting late and she had to leave. The lewd hand holding had to stop at some point. "So we'll schedule another date, dork?" She asked as she escaped my grasp. "Yeah of course… Hopefully with less violence next time." I joked back. I was glad to see that she was jovial about the stupid joke. "Just remember, I will not hesitate to shoot you in the face as self defense." She smirked back. Yes, I did want to continue this. What I didn't tell her was everything else happening in my life. Oh God. Speak of the devil, as soon as she left I crashed back on my bed and checked my DMs on my phone. Reed: Yo. Need you to help on a business venture. Of course you do, buddy. Reed: r u free to meet at the park like rn I responded. If by right now you mean an hour from when you texted me last, then sure bro . Maybe I'd stop by a gas station on my way back for snacks. Multitasking. I had made my promise to Reed, so I was gonna keep it. He's sorta keeping me in the dark about what's going on, but that's just sorta his style now? Walking down the same path me and Stella had gone down a little under a month ago was interesting. This has probably been the most interesting few weeks of my life, now that I think of it. Stella, Lucy… oh God, I haven't told either of them about each other… And the fact they are supposed to be such good friends… It's now hitting me that… Holy fuck. Lucy is probably going to say something at some point, and I haven't exactly figured everything out with Stella in the first place. Fucking hell, I'm playing a dangerous game; it just hit me. I… Have to tell both of them about what's happening. I will. After this, I promise. I checked my phone for the time: 11:00 PM, punctual as always. It was a pretty chilly night in the park, I could tell winter was just around the corner. Jack Frost himself was nipping at my nose quite incessantly as I sat on a bench waiting for my friend to show up. My hands were deep in my pockets, staving off hypothermia. “Why the fuck did he get me out here to begin with?” I thought to myself. At some point I had to get up and start pacing back and forth because the freeze from the seat was starting to become very uncomfortable. After a few laps around I heard in the distance… Af fuck, Reed was riding his stupid moped. I'm not sure if it's like… legal to ride on the bumpy brick paths here, but I guess he's just a bad boy now who plays by his own rules. What a cooooool guy in his stupid blazers and his stupid puffy overcoat. "Yo, bro." He said taking off his helmet. "Sorry for dragging you out here, but I have a major favor to ask, and I didn't wanna do it over text." "You could have just called." I retorted as he approached me and we did the appropriate bro-handshake slap. "I uh, didn't think about that, but listen, dude, I have a new opportunity and I want you in on it." "A new money making scam huh? Regular Eddy, ain't ya?" I said jokingly as we both sat back down on the bench. "Just to be transparent, I can't lend you money to buy into fake monopoly money if that's what you're gonna ask." "Woah dude, no way. I'm done with that stuff… Mostly. Naw, dis new ideas is wayyy more practical." Reed's hand gestures and positive tone of voice was infectious, I'll give him that. "Bro, I know you said something about being in contact with Fang again, right? How's that going by the way?" Instantly I was off-put at the name-drop. "It's uh, she's going by Lucy now but, what of it?" "Oh really? That's cool. Anyway, I sorta need a guitarist." "Are you suggesting you wanna… Reed, dude, do you remember how that panned out last time?" "Listen bro, I get it… But like… Shit’s in the past, ya know? Plus like, the one time things did come together, we fuckin' slayed." "Yeah, through gritted teeth. Also, what the fuck are you asking me to do?" "Uh, ask Lucy to join my band." "FOR you?" My eyebrow was raised considerably high. "Well like… yeah I guess." He shrugged. "Fuckin' why? Didn't you guys keep in touch?" "Hey man, the last thing I wanted to do was breach the subject of our friendship after the blow up. I gave everyone space, now I'm asking you to re introduce us." "That's real weird. dude." "Bro. I can't just walk back into someone's life like that. You know this person, you already made the leap." "Reed…" I had to get up, mostly because my ass was freezing, but also in disgust at the notion. "... I can't ask her for you. That's insane. You're insane. What are you even planning to do?" "Uh, start throwing house shows for money. Duh. The people who host make hella cash, I think. We had talent, we still have talent, and now we can start doing something with it!" Reed seemed genuinely ecstatic at the idea. Which is weird because I don't think he was ever as ecstatic as he was back then. "Where did this come from dude? I thought you weren't too keen on Vrum Drama to begin with? Trying again for the exact same reasons you started to begin with sounds disastrous." "Listen. I get it. But I'm telling you now, I'm older and wiser." Wiser is debatable. "Plus, it's not like this has to be a magical forever plan. Let's sell some t-shirts and dip out. All I need from YOU is just a bit of help. Like a NOTHING amount of help, just ask Fang if she's up for it, that's all." I could tell he was getting a bit fed up and passionate about getting me in on the plan, and… I'm still not sure. "Where did this idea even come from? And besides, you need at least another person to actually play live I think, unless you really wanna risk another stupid gimmick ruining everything." Reed just huffed and got back up. "I'm not gonna lie to you, Anon. I bumped into Trish earlier and-" "Oh FUCK off Reed. Hell fucking no!" The mere mention of that horrendous bitch got my blood boiling. "Again, dude, we all changed." He tried to reassure me. "A fucking zebra doesn't change it's stripes in a year, or ever really. What makes you think Lucy would EVER even agree to work with Trish again." "I don't know bro, I just wanted to ask." Reed's words were betrayed by his tone. Man was obviously perturbed by my objection. "... I feel like it's the least you could do for me after everything I did for you…" My eyes twitched. "... You didn't have to help me." All I could do was walk away. Stella: do you remember / when you told me / it hurt your eyes too bad to look at me Stella: like holy shit!!! ┐(´д`)┌ Stella: Why can't I write anything that good? Stella keeps sending me lyrics from songs she likes and surprisingly, it's pretty endearing. Anon: I'm sure you'll figure out something you're happy with. Tbh I really like the stuff you made already You see, that's a half truth. She comes up with the most corny shit imaginable that really does not appeal to me, BUT I like that she's doing it. I feel bad about half-lying to her though. I had to stuff my face with candy in between messages. LOVE me sour bombs, simple as. I've had a long day, so winding down by sitting on my ass in front of my computer half naked was a necessity. AND Stella was still awake, so I double lucked out. Almost makes up for the fact that Reed sorta shoved a knife in my neck. Fucking hell what an asshole. Where did this even come from? His personality changed so much that I'm wondering what happened. Did I not notice who he really was back in highschool? Did something happen? He hasn't messaged me since I left. I'm trying my best to put together the pieces but I'm coming up blank. There's a part of me that really doesn't lose him as a friend but… fuck. Stella: I heard u and Lucy had a good day :D Hahahaha so TRUE. Anon: yeah it was alright. did she tell you? Stella: Ya she told me u 2 got coffee and stuff. Ngl, kinda jelly that I didn't get invited, but I get she prob had a reason to go it alone. Ouch fuck… I uh… Probably need to lay it on her. Anon: I'll take you out next np. Uh… I should probably do it to her face… Yeah. Stella: OOOOO WE SHOULD GO TO THE MALL. TAKEMETAKEMETAKE MEEEEE (●♡∀♡) Kill me. [POST-NOTES] Really short, I know. Late too. Slowly but surely getting back into the swing of things. More to come.