Chapter Text
Laurel found herself unable to tear her gaze away from her friend Donald Troy as he tenderly brushed a stray lock of hair from his boyfriend's face. The gentle gesture caused the other boy to blush, his cheeks turning a rosy hue as he leaned into the gentle touch. For some reason, this intimate exchange stirred a peculiar, unexplainable sensation deep in the pit of Laurel's stomach. Jealousy.
Laurel forced her eyes to tear away from the scene before her and glanced over at the girl beside her, her best friend, Talia Kane. Talia stood rigid at her side, taking small, deliberate sips from her cup, the ice clinking softly against the glass. “So,” Laurel began, clearing her throat in an attempt to mask her discomfort, “Donald and Raven are dating now…that's…that’s super weird, right?”
"Very strange," Talia muttered under her breath, her voice barely audible above the booming music blasting through Teen Justice Tower. Laurel flinched in response but it went unnoticed. Talia didn't even bother to glance back at her, her electric green eyes fixed intently ahead.
Their lively group of friends were gathered in a loose circle, laughter bubbling freely between them. Colorful lights danced across their faces, casting playful shadows that flickered in time with the music. Amid all the fun, Laurel felt a certain anxiousness and curiosity begin to consume her so, she pressed cautiously, "do you think they kiss and stuff?"
Talia shrugged with a casual indifference, her face a mask of mystery, as always, as those enigmatic eyes finally locked onto her gaze. "Probably," she replied, her voice carrying an air of nonchalance.
"Crazy!" Laurel blurted out, her tone tinged with nervous excitement, her eyes never leaving Talia as she watched her take another delicate sip from her cup. Talia's long, sleek ponytail swayed gently with each movement as she finally turned fully to face the other girl.
“Anyone up for a game?!” Georgia, the latest addition to Teen Justice, called out over the noise.
Laurel could see there were words still perched on the tip of Talia’s tongue, waiting to be spoken, but the moment had already slipped away. Laurel opened her mouth and closed it helplessly, wishing like always, it could just be the two of them.
The room was buzzing with activity but Jess's voice pierced through the chatter as they maneuvered with effortless speed through the crowd. “What game?”
Someone suddenly cut the music but it was unclear who, The silence that filled the room no longer masked the steady beating of Talia’s heart. Laurel tuned into it naturally, like one would breathe air.
Georgia shrugged, “how about a classic? It’s my first real teen party, how about, Truth or Dare?”
"Sounds fun, Gigi," Jacqui responded with an easy, welcoming smile that lit up her features, "I'll play."
The rest of the group exchanged nods and gradually drifted toward the lounge area. Donald, flopped down onto the couch, with a theatrical sigh, pulling Raven down with him in a playful tangled mess of limbs. On the floor below, Gigi settled herself between Jacqui and Jess. Meanwhile, Klarienne chose to float cross-legged a few inches above the ground. Her posture was serene, with Teekl, the cat, curled contentedly in her lap, purring softly. This arrangement left the love seat unoccupied.
Laurel cast a glance at Talia, only to realize that she had already slipped away silently. Turning her head back quickly, Laurel discovered Talia now already perched on the love seat, her eyes locked onto Laurel with a look of expectation, inviting her to join. Her heart skipped a beat.
Laurel moved toward Talia, an action she’d done seemingly a thousand times before. She had always found herself gravitating towards the green eyed brunette, like a magnet. Yet today, each step felt weighted, as if her legs were bound by invisible chains, holding her to where she once stood. She cast another glance at Donald and Raven, nestled together in a cocoon of contentment.
The sight sparked a flicker of curiosity within Laurel and she pondered what Talia might do if she bridged the gap between them like that. Would Talia let her rest her head on her shoulder? Would she let Laurel intertwine their legs? Would she allow such tender intimacies between them, even if only under the guise of friendship? Laurel shook off the thought as she finally sank down beside Talia, her nerves heightened but soothed by the closeness. Talia had never been one for physical affections. It was just best to not humor such pointless thoughts.
“Okay, who’s starting?” Donald asked, his arm draped casually around Raven’s shoulders. Jess excitedly volunteered to go first. Laurel found herself wondering if it was too late to back out.
The evening's game of truths and dares begins at a gentle pace, the questions and tasks lighthearted and easy. “Who’s your favorite League member?” someone asked, prompting smiles and volunteered answers. “If you could swap powers with someone in this room, who would it be?” Another inquiry, met with excitement and playful banter. A dare followed, “Eat a spoonful of ketchup,” resulting in giggles and a scrunched nose as the tangy condiment is bravely consumed.
As the game progressed though, the challenges took on a more daring edge, adding a light tension to the atmosphere. “Who has the hottest mom?” brings a chorus of teasing. “Text your ex and say you miss them,” a task that elicited gasps and chuckles, as someone hesitated, phone in hand, but ultimately carried out their dare. The next question, “Do you have a secret crush?” hangs in the air, charged with the promise of unveiled truths and unspoken feelings. Laurel shuddered, thankful the question hadn’t been hers.
Eventually, Laurel's gaze inadvertently met the eyes of the person poised to ask the next question, a moment she instantly wished she could take back. "Laurel," Klarienne begins with a mischievous glint in her eye, "truth or dare?"
Laurel hesitated, her mind a flurry of indecision. The room erupts with enthusiastic shouts, half urging her to choose "truth" and the other half chanting "dare." Caught in the whirlwind of voices, she finally stammered out her decision, "d-dare?!"
Klarienne's smile twisted into something almost sinister as she spoke, “I dare you to kiss Talia. On the mouth.”
Laurel's eyes widened in shock, her cheeks flushing bright red. “What?! No way, that would be so weird!” As much as the thought excited her, it terrified her as well. She couldn’t be certain how Talia would react. Would she be disgusted? Would she find it funny? Laurel didn’t think her heart could take it if Talia turned up her nose or laughed in her face.
“Soooo, I take it you’re not gonna do it?” Georgia pried, her pink eyebrows raised high on her forehead.
Laurel shook her head vigorously, as if trying to shake off the very notion. "Choose another dare, Klare," Jacque, their leader, demanded, gesturing with a flourish of her hand.
Klarienne let out a long, exasperated sigh, then paused. Her face reflected a mind whirring with ideas as she considered her options. "Fine,” she finally spoke, her voice dripping with wickedness. “I dare you to call Dixie Grayson and confess that you're in love with her."
“Are you serious?! That’s even worse!” Laurel protested, her eyes wide with disbelief as she glanced helplessly around the room. “Can I just kiss Talia instead?”
“Ha! Good luck with that,” Donald scoffed, as he leaned back in his seat. “I know I sure as hell wouldn’t want to kiss you after that reaction you had a moment ago.” His words stung. Laurel felt her stomach drop.
“Talia knows I didn’t mean anything by it, right Tal?” Laurel looked at her friend with pleading eyes.
“Make your call, Lor.” Talia’s voice was icy and detached.
“Ouch!” someone exclaimed from nearby, but Laurel was too preoccupied to notice. Her heart was busy sinking as she felt the earth shatter beneath her feet, the weight of regret and uncertainty pressing down on her shoulders.
Laurel reached for her cell phone, her fingers trembling slightly as she dialed Talia’s older sister. “Oh no, it’s ringing,” she muttered under her breath, nibbling on her thumb nail. “Ummm…hi Dixie! It’s me, Talia’s friend, haha yeah, Laurel.” Her words tumbled out in a rushed, awkward flurry. “Anyway…I’m in love with you! Bye!” She abruptly hung up, her heart pounding in her chest like it was seconds away from bursting.
The rest of the team was doubled over with laughter, their amusement bouncing off the walls, but Laurel was trembling in silence. The humor of the situation was completely lost on her, overshadowed by the embarrassment that burned in her cheeks. She felt a tight lump forming in her throat, but she clenched her jaw, forcing the tears to retreat, determined not to let them spill over.
A gentle, reassuring hand rested lightly on her back, prompting her to turn towards the owner. She found Talia staring back at her, the softness in her eyes and the slight curve of her lips conveyed a silent message of forgiveness. A flood of relief washed over her and Laurel exhaled a breath she hadn't even realized she was holding. The tension slowly dissipated from her shoulders. She basked in the comfort only Talia could ever provide her.
The rounds of the game continued in a blur. It was only when Talia's name was called out that she snapped back to reality. "Talia, I dare you to kiss Jacqui," Gigi said with a giggle. Laurel watched on in horror as Talia stood from the couch.
Impulsively, Laurel reached for Talia’s arm. “W-wait… are you gonna do it?”
Talia's eyes narrowed with confusion as she turned to face her friend, “yeah?”
“But…you said- I thought that-” Laurel stumbled ungracefully over her words. “Talia! I need to talk to you!”
“Right now?”
“Yes. Right now,” Laurel insisted, her grip firm and unyielding as she clung to her friend’s arm. Without releasing Talia for even a second, she led her swiftly out of the room but quickly realized she had no clue what she intended to say.
Talia stared back at her impatiently, her arms crossed tightly across her chest. “So, what’s the problem?”
“E-earlier you… you were saying that boys kissing boys was weird and now you-”
Talia interrupted her, her tone firm, "No, I didn't."
"Yes, you did!" Laurel's voice rose, the desperation in it echoing in her own ears. Laurel hoped she didn’t sound as desperate to Talia as she did to herself.
“I said Donald and Raven dating was odd because they’re like complete opposites. I said nothing about them both being boys.” Talia responded, her brow furrowed in annoyance. Laurel’s heart sank further.
“But it is weird, isn’t it? You kissing Jacqui…” Laurel mumbled helplessly, her voice barely more than a whisper as she trailed off.
“It’s really not. It’s just a kiss, Lor. See?” Suddenly Talia grabbed her by the shoulders and yanked her forward.
Laurel’s brain hardly even registered that it was a kiss. She couldn’t wrap her brain around any of it. She had kept her true feelings for Talia buried for years beneath the misguided belief that Talia could never like another girl that way, she felt she’d been tricked somehow. A sudden anger began to bubble in the pit of her stomach, “I- you- No!” She pushed Talia away with a force driven by her hurt and confusion. Turning abruptly, she stormed off down the hall, tears now freely falling from her eyes.
Art by Pechaghtlecha