Chapter Text
Elsie and Laura were sitting outside, enjoying their lunch. Elsie was explaining to Laura about how they’re only in middle school and the teachers are giving a workload like they were college students. She stops in the middle of her sentence as she notices Laura’s attention was no longer on her. She gives a crooked smirk rolling her eyes at Laura.
“Earth to Laura.”
Elsie waves a hand in front of Laura’s vision.
“Wh-what?”
Laura pulls herself from her thoughts, turning her attention to her friend.
“What is it Elsie?”
Laura’s eyebrows stitch together in question as Elsie laughs mockingly.
“You’ve been giving that girl goo-goo eyes for like a million years.”
Laura crosses her arms over her chest as her heart begins to flood in her cheeks.
“N-no I haven’t. I-I was just thinking about the new Buffy episode on tonigAHHH-Hey!”
Laura’s fabricated excuse is cut short as a figure jabs into her side.
“You liiike her.”
Elsie teases. Her fingers poke Laura's side a few more times.
“Do not.”
Laura swips Elsie’s hand away with a pout.
“Laura’s has a crush. Laura has a crush.”
Elsie’s voice grows in volume. Yeah, that is definitely not helping the blush that now covers Laura’s features. Laura whips her head side to side, before giving Elsie a warning glare.
“No. False. Not true.”
Laura lies, as she moves her hand back and forth across her neck in a slicing motion.
“It is so. You know it.”
Elsie shoots Laura a smug look. Laura’s face scrunches up, giving an exaggerated sigh.
“Even if-and I’m not saying I do, ‘cause I definitely do not, you have no way to prove it.”
Laura sticks her tongue out at her friend who is wearing a devilish grin.
“Oh really?”
Laura immensely regrets her choice in words.
“So.. You wouldn’t mind if I…”
Elsie slowly stands.
“No, wait.”
Laura tries to seat Elsie back down.
“What? You don’t have a crush. So, what’s the problem?”
Elsie said as she walks towards the bench where the raven haired girl sits with her nose buried in a book.
“Nothing!”
Laura catches her speratic tone.
“Nothing. Because no crush, no problem.”
Laura repeats, forcing composer in her voice. Elsie shrugs and turns her back to continue, giving Laura a few glaces. Laura could only take it for so long before she springs to her feet and scrambles to Elsies side.
“But-but also there’s-”
Laura attempts to pursue Elise to back down, but then there was a pair of hands against her back.
“Go!”
Elsie chuckles, pushing Laura towards the bench. The other girl’s leather eyes peer over the top of her book, Laura froze. Once Laura had turned around Elsie already ran away, Laura gulps, looking back at the girl before her.
“Can I help you?”
She dryly asks with a raised eyebrow. Laura’s heart is hammering against her chest.
“Uhm-yeah hi.”
Laura cringes at her suave response. Laura dusts her nerves off, doing as she always saw her parent do when they met someone new and extends her hand out.
“Sorry.”
Laura sputters.
“Laura, my name is Laura.”
She introduces. The other girl simply stares at Laura’s offering before placing her book aside.
“Carmilla.”
The other introduces, taking Laura's clammy hand in her own.
“I like to meet-I mean-it’s nice to meet you. It’s nice to meet you.”
Laura shakes her head at her poor attempt to remain calm.
“Likewise.”
Carmilla’s expression is solemn as she spoke. Laura simple stares at the beautiful figure until Carmilla her a raises eyebrow again. Laura pulls herself from her trance wringing her hands slightly before speaking again.
“Mind if I...Sit here?”
Laura questions as she shifts with apprehension, and points at the open spot next to Carmilla.
“Go ahead.”
Carmilla’s voice sounds like the rain, but Laura sits anyways, making sure she isn’t too far, but not too close. When Laura’s gaze falls back on Carmilla she is no longer looking back, her eyes are distant, staring at the cover of her closed book. Laura resists the urge to break the silence again wanting to make Carmilla smile. She’s never seen her smile before. Laura takes in a shaky breath, forcing herself to relax as they sat there in silence, then the bell rings. Carmilla rises without a word only turning to grab her book before she walks away.
“Wait!”
Laura calls sprinting to her side. Carmilla keeps her head forward, but gives Laura a hum of acknowledgement.
“Can I walk you to class?”
Carmilla's leather eyes finally meet Laura's amber eyes, stopping for a split second.
“Alright.”
Carmilla’s shoulders bounce up and down, and an infectious smile breaks across Laura's lips.
“Cool!”
Once Laura and Carmilla depart ways, Laura can't wipe the stupid grin off her face. The teacher has to yell at her a few times to get her back on task. She didn’t receive any further punishment due to her studious reputation she had built over the years. Laura heads home with an extra skip in her step.
“Hey dad!”
Laura's typical greeting was amplified and it didn’t go unnoticed.
“Whoa, hey.”
Her father greets back giving his daughter a bear hug.
“Were these puppies at school or what?”
He teases when Laura had finally releases him.
“It’s Carmilla!”
Laura squeals. Her father gives her a knowing look, ever since the first day of middle she wouldn’t stop talking about ‘little-mysterious-queen-of-the-night’.
“Yeah?”
“Yeah! We sat together during lunch, she was kind of quiet, but it was nice. She’s so nice dad, and pretty, broody, but still pretty. And-and I walked her to class, and she almost smiled, I could see it. So close! Ohmigosh, she’s so cool, and pretty, did I mention that I like her-not like a crush or anything but-”
“Laura, sweetie. Breathe.”
He holds Laura’s shoulder with a slight chuckle. Laura nods, and takes a few deep breaths.
“You really like this Carmilla girl, huh?”
Laura enthusiastically nods, placing her backpack on the ground. The rest of the afternoon was spent full of giggles then the sun set. Laura made herself comfortable for a good night's rest, but she couldn’t clear her mind yet.
“Dad?”
Laura’s voice was gentle, and her father kisses her forehead.
“Yes pumpkin?”
Laura sits up, to get a better look at her dad.
“Do you like Carm?”
He gently smiles at Laura.
“Well, from what I’ve heard, she seems like a nice girl.”
He trusts Laura, she is always one to be honest even when it was a bit harsh.
“So...you like her?”
Laura's voice was small as her eyes look down at her hands that fidget with her covers.
“I do.”
He reassures, putting a few finger under Laura’s chin to make their eyes meet.
“Good.”
Laura states with a lopsided grin.
“Good night, sweetie.”
He gives her one last hug.
“Night, daddy.”
Laura’s mind was a little less crowded as her head fell against her pillow and she drifts to sleep.