Alrighty. Took a bit longer than I intended, but here it is. ;) Once again, a big thanks to everyone who's written me so far, I appriciate it, and I hope you continue to enjoy! tips 'er hat As before, if you shouldn't be reading relations between two women, you probably shouldn't be here.
While Jen was sleeping, still nestled against the warm body of the woman next to her, her parents were at home, at the kitchen table. They both believed her to be at the library, studying. Of course, if they knew where she really was, they'd no doubt be over there in a flash, demanding their daughter return home with them. But since that wasn't the case, they were currently discussing what they should do. Jen was their only daughter, so it wasn't as if they'd dealt with this sort of thing before. Thinking about it now, they didn't really care that their little girl - who really wasn't that little anymore - had an obvious attraction to other women. It wasn't right, as far as they were concerned, and they were going to do anything they could to keep it from going further. Atleast, her father was. It would of been the same, even if it was a boy. She was their first, and only girl. It was easy to understand that they didn't want her involved, male or female. That was her fathers stance. Her mother wasn't so sure anymore. She was, in a way, happy for Jen. As far back as she could remember, since Jen hit those lovely teenaged years, she hadn't see her little baby as happy before. So what was so wrong with it? When she'd asked her husband, he was quick to tell her what was wrong with it. In great detail. He was dead set against it. So she was in a bit of a spot. On one hand, she was happy for Jen, on the other, didn't she have to support her husband? Wasn't he right? Maybe they should sit down and have a talk with Jen. That hadn't gone well the last time, though. So, by the end of the conversation, they'd decided to leave her alone for the moment. They'd told her to stay away from the other girl, there wasn't much more they could do for now. Jen had never disobeyed them before, so they believed this was the best approach. Jen was happy. She was happy to be with Nicole. She was happy with where she was, right now. And that was in Nic's arms. But there was a little voice in the back of her mind.. and it wouldn't go away. It kept telling her what she was doing was wrong. That, in coming to Nicole's, she was betraying her parents trust. She lied to them once. Would she do it again? She didn't know. She didn't like that she had to lie to her parents. Thinking about it, she liked it even less that she may have to lie to them again. What could she do though? She didn't want to stop seeing Nic. She didn't want to lie to her parents. Either way, she was going to be unhappy. Stop seeing Nicole, or lie. It was a lose lose situation in her eyes. She'd been awake for a few minutes, but she hadn't moved. She kept herself pressed against Nicole's side, and stayed quiet. In this place, she was content. She didn't want to move, she didn't want to return home. But it was inevitable, she would have to. Her parents would worry, and go looking for her. And when they found she wasn't at the library, they'd no doubt come to Nicole's first. That couldn't happen. They couldn't find out. Looking at the taller girl, she smiled softly. Nicole was still sleeping. Her expression was one of perfect content. It was calming to watch. And she realized, in that moment, that she was falling in love with this girl. She realized that she never wanted to be kept from her. She never wanted to lose her. Her parents would just have to come to accept this. If they couldn't, oh well. She was a grown woman, she could make up her own mind. And she just did. She didn't care who knew. She watched Jen sleep for a little while, then leaned in to brush her lips against her cheek gently. Nicole mm'd a little bit, and slowly opened her eyes. The corners of her mouth lifted upwards into a smile when her eyes finally focused on the smaller girl. The smile was soon replaced with a sheepish grin. "I sort of dozed off.." Jen nodded, a slight blush creeping into her cheeks. "I did too.. oh well." Nicole chuckled, and turned over, stretching out. Jen, meanwhile, sat up, and dropped her feet over the edge of the bed to rest them on the floor. Keeping the blanket covering herself, she leaned down to pick up her clothes. The action brought an amused grin to Nicole's face. Such a shy girl. "I need to be going..before my parents start wondering where I am.. I didn't mean to fall asleep for so long." Nicole sighed softly, and nodded once. She still didn't like the fact that Jen's parents loathed their new relationship. But what could she do about it? Not a whole lot, and she couldn't really see reasoning with them working out well. "Yeah.. I guess I'll see you at school then?" Jen smiled a bit, and nodded. She stood up, pulling her pants on, doing them up. She glanced around for anything she could have forgotten, or missed, absently smoothing her hands over her shirt, getting the wrinkles out of it. Glancing back at Nicole, she arched a brow slightly, running her fingers through her hair. "Do I look okay?" "Uh huh. You look just fine." The older girl wiggled her eyebrows, and grinned. "Pfft. Do I look like I've just spent hours in a library?" Jen stuck her tongue out. Nicole snickered quietly, and nodded at her question. She rolled off of the bed herself, and stood, stretching her arms above her head. Jen leaned down, and picked up her backpack. She didn't want to leave. Pouting a bit, she took a step towards the door. "I'll see you, then.." Nicole nodded, but moved around the bed to wrap the smaller girl up into a hug, an embrace Jen happily gave into, leaning against Nic, resting her cheek against her shoulder. After a moment, Jen drew back from her, gently brushed her lips against Nic's, then turned and moved out of the room, and downstairs to start putting her things on. Nicole followed her shortly thereafter, and began putting her things on. She wasn't going to let Jen walk all the way home, it was freezing out. Darlene found her way to the kitchen doorway, and leaned against the frame, watching the two girls. "Off already?" Jen glanced over at her, and blushed just slightly, nodding her head. "My parents will start worrying soon.." Nicole gave her mother a look. Darlene just shrugged, and smiled pleasantly at the pair of them. Jen pulled her coat on, and zipped it up, shouldering her backpack. Nic moved to the door, and opened it up, allowing Jen to slip out. Now Darlene shook her head slightly, eyeing Nic. "It won't do any good to be skulking around behind her parents back, sweetie. Things'll be worse if they find out." Nicole frowned, but didn't respond. She turned, and moved outside, closing the door behind her. Quickly she slipped into the driver seat of her car, and started it. Easing the car into gear, she backed out of her driveway, and they were off. Once again, she stopped about a block from Jen's house, and put the car in park. Jen glanced out the window, and sighed. "Well.. I'll see you tomorrow, Nic." The taller girl nodded, and leaned across, a hand slipping to the back of Jen's neck. She drew the girl close, pressing her lips against hers. The lingering kiss was brief, too brief for either of their liking, but there was nothing they could do for now. Jen, with a sligh blush to her cheeks, grinned, and slipped out of the car, starting the walk towards her house. Nicole watched her walk off, then dropped the car into gear again. Pulling a u-turn, she began the drive back to her house, eyes on the road, though her mind was elsewhere. Not exactly a great combination when one was driving...Jen stopped walking, and stood before her house, staring at it. She was so tempted just to turn back around, and walk back to Nicole's place. It wouldn't take her that long. She could handle the cold outside for the short time. She couldn't handle the frigid environment inside her house, though. It was almost stifling. Maybe her parents had got a bit better while she was gone.
With a gentle sigh, and slightly slouched shoulders, she walked up the path, and opened the door, slipping inside. The house was silent, but that wasn't unusual. Setting her bag down, she shrugged her coat off, boots soon to be untied and set neatly in their place. Rubbing her hands together, she moved into the kitchen. Both of her parents were still there, at the table. Or there again. They were eating, now. Her father glanced up.
"You're home a bit late. Did you get a lot of studying done?"
She realized this was his way of a peace offering. His roundabout way of an apology. But what he'd done was uncalled for. He should just be happy with her.
"Yeah.. Figured out a lot of things.."
Her reply was distant. She moved to the fridge, and pulled out an orange. She was starving, but she didn't want to sit at the table with her parents. Her mother frowned a little.
"Won't you sit with us, dear?"
"I can't.. I still have some more studying to do.."
Infact, she still had all of it to do. She had gotten just slightly wrapped up. The thought of earlier that day brought a soft blush to her cheeks. Thankfully they were still rosey from the cold. A small smile given, she walked out of the kitchen, grabbed her back pack, and went up to her room, quietly closing the door behind her.
Her father frowned. His expression was mirrored on his wifes face. All they could do was wait, and hope their daughter came around, and got over this phase. He was convinced that was all it was. A phase. Teenagers experiment, afterall.
Jen couldn't remember a time she'd been so tired. She'd stayed cooped up in her room after she got home the night before, and studied. She needed to get it done, and getting it done meant she had to stay up later than usual. Her alarm had just gone off, and in a true show of grace and elegance, she rolled over, and directly off of her bed. Thud. She groaned a little, and sat up, rubbing her eyes. Her bed must have gotten smaller. Yes, of course. Standing, she stretched her arms above her head, then ran her hands through her hair. She needed to shower. Glancing at the clock, she frowned a bit. Already 7:30. She had the time, though. Gathering her clothing - a tight grey long sleeved shirt, and black corduroy pants - she proceeded to the washroom and started her shower. She didn't stay in for long, she didn't have time for a long shower this morning. Hair washed, body cleaned, she got out, and dressed within the bathroom. Opening the door, she moved out of the steamy room, absently drying her hair as she made her way back to her room. She passed her father in the hall, but said nothing to him, just kept going. Slipping into her room, she dropped the towel over her desk chair, and sat down. As she brushed her hair, she put all of her notebooks and text books back into her back pack. That done, and her hair brushed to her liking, she stood, and looked around her room for anything she could of forgotten. Nodding, she set the brush down, and grabbed up her bag. She moved downstairs quietly, got her breakfast, and ate quickly. She just wanted to leave, despite the fact that she could claim she were sick, and stay in bed. Once she had her coat and boots on, she slipped out of the house quietly, ducked her head to the wind, and began the semi-long walk. About the time Jen was leaving her house, Nicole was doing the same. In her car, she was on her way to the school. Her mind was elsewhere.. On Jen, on what was going to happen with them, if her parents would ever accept it. She wanted so bad for them to accept her and Jen, and their relationship. Every child needs, craves the acceptance of their parents. Her thoughts returned to the road, just in time to see that she'd drifted across into the other lane. Apparently the driver of the other car hadn't been paying much attention either. Horns blasted, tires squealed, but couldn't grip, the roads were icey. The next sound was one that would no doubt stick in either of their minds for a long time, the crunch of metal, the shattering of glass, and the pain filled screams..before a world of darkness enveloped her. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Jen sat in her last class, slouched in her chair slightly. Her notebook was open, her gaze on it, but she wasn't listening to the lesson, and she hadn't taken down any of the notes. Nicole didn't show up this morning, and she didn't know why. She was getting sort of worried. Her suspension was over, so, by all rights, she should be here. The bell ringing snapped her from her thoughts.. Blinking, she sat up, and packed her things away quickly. Picking her bag up, she hurried out of the classroom, to her locker, where she gathered her things quickly, and was off and out the doors of the school, heading towards Nicole's place. The walk was longer, granted, but she had to make sure everything was alright. By the time she was a block away from Nic's place, she was jogging. She just had a bad feeling, she didn't know why. Running up the walk way, to the door, a few rapid knocks were banged on the door. There was no answer. She frowned, stepping back. Nicole's car wasn't in the driveway. Where could she of gone? Turning, she moved back down the walk-way, and glanced around the street. Slipping her hands back into her coat pockets, she turned and began walking again. There was no use waiting here, in the cold. She'd go home, and wait there. Nicole would call when she got home, she was sure of it. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "No ma'am, she should be fine... She had her seatbelt on, it saved her life. She's got some minor cuts and bruises. She broke her left arm. Otherwise, she'll be fine." It was an officer, speaking to Darlene, who was outside of the emergency room. Darlene sighed softly, a sigh of relief. "Oh, thank God.. what happened?" "We aren't sure, ma'am. The road conditions weren't that great to begin with, but we'll need to question both your daughter, and the other party." "Are they alright?" "They're fine, ma'am. Minor bruises." Darlene nodded, and dropped back onto the chair. The officer decided it best to leave her for the moment, there was nothing more he could tell her, and obviously, since she wasn't there when the accident occured, she hadn't seen anything. A doctor moved out a set of doors and paused at the door of the waiting room. "Mrs. Hamelton?" Darlene looked up, and quickly stood from her chair, striding towards the doctor. "That's me, can I see her?" The doctor nodded. "Of course. She's this way." He turned, and moved back into the room he'd just come from. Darlene followed quietly. He ushered her to a small room for patients, a room occupied only by Nicole. She lay on the bed, in a hospital gown. Her arm casted, a few bruises on her face. There were a couple cuts on it, too, most of them just scratches, though one of them had to be deep, because there was a white bandage on it, blood sort of seeping through it. She was sleeping, apparently. Darlene frowned at the sight of her, and moved across to the side of the bed, taking Nic's hand in her own. "Oh, Niccy.." She sat down, to quietly watch over her little girl, frowning. She was alright, Darlene knew that, but the fact that she was in an accident was upsetting. She could of been hurt far worse than what she'd gotten today. Nicole was still unconcious. So for now, Darlene just sat at her daughters side, watching her. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ In her room, she watched the phone. Sitting at her desk, just watching the phone. She'd been doing this for an hour. After Jen got home, she went directly to her room. She hadn't moved since. She tried calling Nicole's place a couple times, but there was still no answer. She didn't understand. Her mother came up, and opened the door, slipping half way inside. She watched Jen for a moment, then clearer her throat. Jen hadn't even seen her come in, so jumped a bit, then stared at her mother. What could she want? "Uh..Hello, mother." "Hi, dear.. we got a phone call earlier, for you." Her mom looked more sullen then usual. Jen stood up, watching her mother closely. "From who?" "Darlene. Nicole's mother." The blood slowly drained from Jen's face.. her flesh becoming white. "Why? What's wrong?" "Nicole was in a car accident, Jen.." She gasped softly, and quickly sat back down, before her legs would hold her anymore. "Oh my god... is she alright, mom? Is she?" "She's fine, sweetie. Just a bit banged up. She broke her arm. They're still in the hospital, they want to observe her for a bit, make sure there isn't anything else wrong." Jen nodded slightly, glancing down to the floor, a tear running down her cheek. She quickly brushed it away, then stood up. "I have to go and see her." "Sweetie, you can't.. You know your fathe-.." "I don't care! I need to see her. Now." Her mother sighed softly, and simply nodded. She wasn't going to try and talk Jen out of it. It was obvious that wasn't going to work. So she just moved back out of her daughters room. Jen, meanwhile, was quickly throwing a sweater on. She strode out of her room, and downstairs, putting her boots and coat on. Her father was standing in the hallway, watching her. "Where are you going, Jen?" She didn't look up from tying her boots. "Nicole was in an accident. I need to go and see her." "No you don't." "Dad! This isn't something that's just going to pass. You need to deal with it, alright? Just deal. I'm happy, why can't you let me be happy?" The older man frowned.. He just turned, and moved back into the kitchen. Jen sighed softly.. But she was tired of this already. They needed to learn to deal with her and Nicole. She moved outside, and jogged off down the walkway. It was a twenty minute walk to the hospital, but no matter. She was going to get there. And she did, half frozen, and shivering. Her lips tinted a slight blue. She went to the reception counter, still frowning. "Excuse me, miss?" The elderly lady behind the counter looked up, and offered a kind smile. "How can I help you?" "I need to know if Nicole Hamelton is here.." The woman looked down to the computer screen, tapping away on the keys. "She's here, yes. Are you family?" She looked back up. "Um...no.. I'm a close friend.." "Well.. I'm afraid I can't let you go to her room right now. She's under observation, and her mother is in with her, I imagine." Jen brightened just slightly. "Oh! Can I talk to her mother then? She'll tell you.. I really need to see her, miss.. I need to know she's okay.." The woman narrowed her eyes towards Jen, as if studying her. Finally, she nodded. "Alright, but I didn't tell you this.. Room 34, down the hall, to your right." "Thank you very much." Jen smiled brightly. Then she turned and hurried off. Reaching the room, the door was left open..She paused there, and looked in. Darlene was seated beside the bed, holding Nicole's hand. She was sleeping. Or so it seemed to Jen. She quietly stepped into the room, moving across towards Darlene. Quietly, she spoke. "Darlene...? How is she?" Darlene started a bit, then glanced up. She smiled a bit. "She's alright, sweetie. Just a few cuts and bruises.. Broke her arm." Jen soundlessly nodded, her gaze stuck on Nicole. She had to fight back the tears. Even with the words in her ears, that Nic was fine, seeing her like that struck her, somewhere deep inside. She could lose her at any given time. Darlene watched the emotions playing over Jen's face, and stood up. "She hasn't woken up yet, Jen.. But she -is- fine..Just knocked her head.." Another quiet nod from the girl, she remained at the side of the bed. Then she pulled herself together, and looked up to Darlene. "Can I stay in here with her?" Darlene nodded. "I need to go and get something to drink.. But I'll be back." Darlene moved out of the room silently. Jen took her place, seating herself down on the chair the older woman had just abandoned. She reached across tentatively, and took Nicole's hand in her own. She squeezed it gently, looking the other girls face over. Most of the cuts weren't so bad, but around the one that was bandaged, there was already a nasty bruise. Sighing softly, she just rested there, beside the bed. Eventually, she rested her head on her arm, and dozed off. It felt like hours to her, but it was mere minutes. Darlene returned.. Smiled gently at the sight and decided to just let them be. An hour later, Nicole stirred slightly.. a soft groan coming from her. Eyes were blinked open, a confused look coming over her as she tried to place her surroundings. The smell hit her first. A hospital. They had a distinct smell. She shifted a bit, and glanced around. She wasn't surprised to see the cast on her arm, the dull aching atleast was warranted. And her head hurt. After a few moments, she remembered bits and pieces of what happened. She'd drifted into the other lane. Hit another car. "Oh god..." was the soft murmur from the girl. She sat up a little, and then looked down to Jen. She blinked slightly..then smiled just a bit when she noticed the girl was sleeping. She settled back against her pillow. She couldn't be too bad, if they'd let Jen in. She sighed softly, and closed her eyes again. Her head was aching, and even though she'd just opened her eyes, she was already feeling tired. She squeezed Jen's hand, and relaxed as much as possible. It was initially hard for one to do, when they were in a hospital, and in those gross hospital gowns. But, soon enough, she was relaxed, and had fallen back into a deep sleep. Darlene returned, and watched them again, both girls sleeping, holding the others hand. She smiled, and turned from the room. She'd take both of them home tomorrow.