Work Text:
Triple Threat Group Chat
Carebear: 911
Jules: What’s wrong Care?! You almost never send 911! Where are you? Are you okay?!?!
Carebear: Calm down Jules, I’m fine. Well, physically, I could just really use my girls right about now.
Jules: Say less. Emergency girls night at mine?
Carebear: Please. My dad’s working late at the studio tonight and my cousin invited his band over after training. I could use the company.
Jules: You know you’re always welcome here. I’ll have Mamí make her special hot chocolate and Papí will be around if you need one of his dad hugs.
Carebear: Thanks Jules, sounds amazing.
Jules: Of course Care. Flynnie? You in for girls night?
Jules: Flynn???
Jules: C’mon Flynn! 911 means 911!!!
Jules: Helloooo???
Flynnie: …
Flynnie: ciebfoaufeis&93hdid8395/!,&
Carebear: ???
Flynnie: Sorry! Sorry! Sammy stole my phone and was being a butt. Yes, I am 100% down for girls night! You doing okay Care?
Carebear: I’ve been better. I’ll explain everything when I see you guys in a bit.
Carrie tosses her phone on her nightstand and flops backwards onto her puffy pink comforter with a heavy sigh. She’s immensely grateful to have such good friends in Julie and Flynn. Her Dirty Candy girls are great and she’s pretty close with Kayla especially, but Julie and Flynn have always been, and always will be her ride or die besties. She knows she’ll feel better once she’s with them, but right now she’s giving herself just a minute alone to wallow before she packs herself an overnight bag and heads to the Molina’s.
This was not how she saw the start of her summer break going. After a long, boring day of orientation and training for her part-time summer gig as a lifeguard at the HPC, she’d been delighted to find a text from her boyfriend, Nick Danforth-Evans, asking her to meet him at her favorite bubble tea shop.
She knew Nick was leaving in a few days for his summer lacrosse training camp at Notre Dame University all the way in Indiana. Being the star player of Los Feliz’s lacrosse team, it was a great opportunity for Nick, it just sucked that her boyfriend was going to be on practically the other side of the country for most of the summer, so she jumped at the chance to spend some time with him before he left for the summer.
When she arrived Nick was already there, sitting at their regular table, with her favorite strawberry matcha bubble tea waiting for her. But what she thought was a sweet gesture turned out to be a peace offering to soften the blow for what was coming next.
Nick wanted to take a “break” from them over the summer. Put their relationship on hold. Not have to worry about the long distance thing and being in different time zones, just enjoy their summers without being tied down. Feeling equal parts insulted and heartbroken, Carrie had told Nick that if he didn’t want to be with her that summer then they wouldn’t just be taking a break, they’d be breaking up.
“Well then I guess we’re breaking up.” Nick had said with an apathetic shrug.
“Fine. Goodbye Nick.” Carrie said, her tone flat and emotionless before turning on her heel and walking out with her head held high. She didn’t even stop to grab the bubble tea, which she kind of regretted by the time she made it back to her car, but no way was she going back in there.
When she got home she ran straight up the stairs to text Julie and Flynn, avoiding the den where she could hear her cousin and his weird friends laughing and goofing off.
“Stupid boys.” She’d muttered to herself.
After texting her besties though, she’d felt a little bit better. A girls night was just what she needed. Which brings her to where she is now, laying on her bed wallowing because her first and only boyfriend chose a stupid sport over her.
Though she pretty quickly decides that wallowing on your own is just depressing and she'd much rather be doing it in the company of her best friends, so she pushes herself up and quickly throws anything she might need for the night into a bag. Then she changes into her favorite pink sweat suit and throws her hair up in a messy bun on the top of her head before heading back downstairs.
She braves the chaos and pokes her head into the den before she leaves. It is just as chaotic as she expected. There are pizza boxes, paper napkins, bags of chips, and cans of soda strewn across the coffee table. A guitar is propped up against the couch with an open notebook lying next to it. Meanwhile the boys are all haphazardly draped across a combination of the furniture and each other. With a sigh and a roll of her eyes Carrie catches her cousin’s attention.
“Hey. I’m going over to Julie’s for the night. Dad won’t be home from the studio ‘till late, so try to make sure your band of hooligans doesn’t completely trash the place.” She snarks, though there is no real bite to her tone.
“Kay. I’ll try, but no promises.” Bobby replies dryly.
“Hey! Words hurt! I’m not a hooligan! I know how to be classy when I need to!” Reggie pouts, flopping sideways on the couch so his head lands in Bobby’s lap, then twisting to look up at the slightly older boy. “I’m a delight, right Bobbin?”
Carrie watches with great interest as her usually stoic cousin looks down at the younger boy with a soft look that can only be described as tender, a gentle smile making a rare appearance. Huh. Interesting. She thinks.
“Of course you are, Reg.” Bobby says placatingly, gently poking his nose that is slightly rosier than usual and starting to peel a little from being out in the sun most of the day for lifeguard training. He chuckles softly at Reggie’s resulting yelp.
“Obviously Carrie was talking about Luke. But you do need to learn to reapply sunscreen.”
“Hey!” Luke cries at the same time Alex lets out a long suffering sigh.
“It’s a lost cause dude. I did remind him today. Multiple times. But nobody ever listens to me.”
Carrie shakes her head in bewilderment and slowly backs out of the room as it devolves back into chaos. If she doesn’t leave now she’ll never escape.
“Later!” She calls over her shoulder as she heads for the front door, not bothering to wait for a response. She snags her keys and makes a beeline for her car, feeling well and truly ready for a girls night now.
~~~***~~~
A short while later she pulls into the Molina’s driveway. Just being here already starts to make her feel more settled. For her entire life this place has been her second home and the Molina’s her family in everything but blood.
Her dad met Ray and Rose back in the 90’s when he was still playing the Hollywood bar and club scene, just trying to make a name for himself. The three of them became close friends long before he rose to fame and became known to the rest of the world as THE Trevor Wilson, international rock sensation. And the two of them remained loyal and steadfast friends throughout his career, supporting him during the lows and celebrating with him during the highs.
Perhaps most importantly though, they were there for him when Trevor suddenly found himself becoming a single dad overnight. Some mysterious past fling left a newborn Carrie on Trevor’s doorstep in the middle of the night with nothing but a baby blanket and a birth certificate listing only Trevor as Carrie’s father. But Rose and Ray took it in stride. Julie was born just a couple months later and all three parents leaned on each other and figured out the parenting thing together. And whenever Trevor had to travel for work and couldn’t take Carrie, she would go stay with the Molinas.
So Carrie feels perfectly at home as she parks her car in the driveway and heads towards the front door. The feeling only grows when the front door swings open as she starts to climb the front steps revealing a smiling Ray Molina.
“Hola Princesa.” He greets warmly, using the nickname he’s called her ever since she was a little girl. “Julie said you were on your way over for an emergency girls night.” He says gently, holding his arms open in a silent offer. Carrie quickly closes the distance between them, rushing up the steps, entering the house, and dropping her bag by the front door before melting into the comforting, familiar feeling of being wrapped up in a Ray Molina patented dad hug.
“Hi Uncle Ray.” She says softly as she sinks into his warm embrace, her voice small and lacking its usual confidence. Ray frowns at this and holds her a little tighter, pressing a kiss into her hair.
“Oh niña what happened?” He murmurs softly. Carrie lets out a shaky breath and presses a little closer.
“Nick b-broke up with me… O-or I broke up w-with him…? I-I don’t really know, i-it all happened so fast a-and then it was just over…” She half mumbles into Ray’s chest. Ray frowns and pulls her closer.
“Lo siento mi princesa.” He murmurs softly. “That boy is an idiota for letting you go. And if he couldn’t see that, he wasn’t worth your time.” Carrie lets out a small wet chuckle.
“Thanks Uncle Ray.” She says softly. Ray gives her another squeeze before gently letting her go.
“Of course Princesa. Now what do you say we go find you Aunt Rose? Rumor has it she’s making her special hot chocolate.” Ray says playfully. Carrie’s smile grows.
“Mmm yes, let’s do that.” She replies. Ray chuckles and wraps and arm around her shoulders, leading her to the kitchen where Rose is stirring a pot at the stove and Julie and Flynn are watching from the bar stools.
“Hey Mija, you’re right on time, I was just about finished here.” Rose says with a warm smile when she spots the two of them entering the kitchen. Julie and Flynn whirl around at her words.
“Carrie!”
“Care!”
Both girls cry in unison, jumping to their feet and rushing to Carrie’s side, quickly pulling her into a group hug. Carrie smiles and sinks into the hug, wrapping her arms around her two best friends as they start peppering her with questions.
“What happened?!”
“Are you okay?!”
“You never use 911!”
“Who do I need to kill? Your girl has listened to every true crime podcast out there, you know I can tell you the best way to dispose of a body so it won’t ever be found.”
Carrie can’t help but giggle at that last one.
“While I appreciate the dedication Flynnie, maybe hold off on committing any felonies just yet.” Carrie says fondly. Flynn gives her an exaggerated pout.
“You’re no fun.” She whines playfully.
“Let’s at least hear her out before we jump straight to murder, Flynn.” Julie says with a chuckle.
“Ugh. Fine.” Flynn grumbles. “But I repeat, y’all are no fun.”
Ray chuckles softly and steps around the three girls, crossing the kitchen to reach his wife’s side. He wraps an arm around her waist and brushes a kiss to her cheek.
“I’ll take Carlos to the ballpark for some baseball practice, let you ladies have the house to yourselves.” He murmurs to her, brushing another kiss to her temple before stepping away. “Call me if you need anything… Or an alibi.” He adds with a cheeky grin. Rose laughs.
“We’ll be just fine, you boys have fun.” She says, smiling lovingly up at her husband. Ray returns her smile before heading towards the door. He pauses halfway there though when he hears Rose clear her throat behind him. She’s standing there holding up his cell phone with a knowing smile.
“Forgetting something, mi amor?” She asks, her tone full of mirth and her eyes twinkling with fond amusement. Ray chuckles sheepishly and strides back over to her, taking the phone and slipping it into his back pocket.
“Gracias, mi vida. What would I do without you?” Ray murmurs, leaning in to give her a quick, chaste kiss.
“Mmm probably forget things a lot more often.” Rose hums playfully. “But that’s what I’m here for.” They both sober a little, remembering a time about a year prior when they hadn’t been sure that would be the case.
“And thank goodness for that.” Ray murmurs softly. “Te amo, mi alma.”
“Yo también te amo, corazón.” Rose murmurs back just as softly, cupping his cheek with her hand and brushing a tender kiss to the other.
“Now vamoose!” She says playfully, pulling away and shooing him along with her hands. “We want to get this girls night started, right chicas?” The girls all giggle and nod.
“Okay, okay!” Ray says with a good natured laugh, holding his hands up and backing towards the door. “I can tell when I’m not wanted. You ladies enjoy your evening.” He rounds up Carlos and the two of them head out the door. Rose smiles and turns to the girls.
“Bueno! Who’s ready for some hot chocolate?” She asks. The girls all grin and nod eagerly.
“I’ll grab the mugs for you Mamí.” Julie says, heading for the cupboard.
“Gracias, Mija.”
Julie sets four mugs out on the counter and Rose pours out the hot chocolate, topping each mug with a healthy dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon. The girls each grab a mug and settle around the kitchen table. Rose picks up her own mug and turns to Carrie.
“Would you like me to stay, Mija, or would you like some alone time with your girls?” She asks gently. “Either way is fine with me.”
“You can stay Aunt Rose.” Carrie says with a small smile. “It’s okay. Besides, I already told Uncle Ray.”
Rose nods and takes a seat at the table. With everyone settled, three expectant pairs of eyes turn to Carrie. She blows out a long breath, staring down into her mug as she gathers herself. When it takes her a beat, Flynn scoots her chair closer and wraps an arm around her shoulders.
“Hey, it’s okay Carebear.” She says gently. “We’re all here for you, you can tell us anything.” Carrie leans into her and gives her a small shaky smile before recounting the events that had taken place earlier that day. By the time she’s done Rose is frowning in sympathy, Julie looks disgusted by how Nick treated her, and Flynn… well, Flynn looks downright murderous.
“That- that pathetic, slimy little weasel!” She sputters in outrage. “Imma kill him! How dare he treat you like that! I mean a break?! Come on! This isn’t Friends! Y’all aren’t Ross and Rachel! Besides, we all know that there’s not actually such a thing as a break! You’re either together or you're not! Ooo imma kill that stupid jock…”
“Woah, hold up, easy there Flynnie!” Julie says placatingly, holding a hand up. Flynn turns to look at Julie, narrowing her eyes.
“What now Jules?! I’ve heard Care out now, don’t even think about defending the little worm, just because you used to think he was cute, he deserves to die, he hurt our girl!” Julie rolls her eyes fondly, choosing to ignore the jab at her old crush, knowing it’s just Flynn’s fiercely protective side flaring up and wanting to defend Carrie.
“Trust me Flynn, I have no intentions of defending that jerk. Zero. No one deserves to be treated like that, least of all our Carebear.” She squeezes Carrie’s hand, who offers her a small grateful smile in return. “That being said,” Julie continues, “I don’t think murder is our best course of action here. Care needs us here to support her, not locked up for murder.”
“Who says I’d get locked up?” Flynn challenges. “I don’t plan on getting caught. Like I said before, I know how to hide a body. They’d never be able to pin it on me.” That gets a wet giggle out of Carrie.
“Again, I appreciate your dedication Flynnie, but I don’t need you committing any felonies on my behalf.” She says softly with a small smile. Flynn groans.
“Y’all are such buzzkills. You never let me have any fun.” She huffs with a dramatic pout which coaxes another giggle out of Carrie.
“Fine. If you won’t let me give the twerp the justice he deserves for daring to break your precious heart, I’ll just have to do the next best thing…” Carrie and Julie exchange a dubious look. Flynn snickers and rolls her eyes.
“Oh relax you two jeez. Obviously I was talking about giving Care the best girls night ever!” Julie and Carrie let out twin breathes of relief and burst into giggles at Flynn’s dramatics. Flynn smirks victoriously.
“Tonight is all about you Carebear. We are going to spoil you and pamper you like the queen you are.” She declares. Carrie smiles fondly at Flynn, her cheeks turning a little pink.
“Thanks Flynnie, you’re the best.” She says softly, leaning into Flynn’s side and resting her head on Flynn’s shoulder. Flynn gives her a squeeze.
“Anytime Carebear. Unlike some morons, I know how to treat my girl right.”
Carrie giggles softly, the blush on her cheeks deepening. Her heart does a little flip and something that feels suspiciously like butterflies dances in her stomach. Despite the fact that Nick literally just broke up with her, there’s something that just feels so undeniably right about hearing Flynn call her, her girl . But Flynn couldn’t possible mean it like that , right? She’s just being a good friend. She’s one of Carrie’s best and oldest friends. There’s no way Flynn sees her as anything more than that. She’d be saying the exact same things if this had happened to Julie. Pushing the ridiculous thought away she lifts her mug and takes a long sip of her hot chocolate.
“We’re definitely doing all your favorites tonight Care.” Julie says with a smile. “We can watch your favorite movies, do each others nails, and use some nice relaxing face masks! I’m pretty sure I even have some of those fancy Korean ones you love left over from our last girls night!” Carrie lowers her mug and gives her friends a grateful smile.
“Thank you guys, seriously. Who needs stupid boys anyway? I’ve got all I need right here. You’re the best friends a girl could ask for.” For the briefest of moments there is a flash of something on Flynn’s face when Carrie says best friends. Is that… disappointment…? She wonders. But before Carrie can examine it too closely, whatever it is disappears and is replaced by a wide grin.
“Damn straight! Boyfriends and girlfriends will come and go, but this right here?” Flynn gestures to the three of them. “This is forever. Triple Threat for life baby!” She proclaims. Carrie and Julie grin and nod in agreement.
But something Flynn said catches Carrie’s attention. Because she had said boyfriends and girlfriends. Now, Flynn has never been shy about pointing out pretty people, or eye candy, as she puts it. And over the years there’s been a pretty even mix of guys and girls that she’s admired. But she’s never actually dated anyone and she’s never come right out and said that she’d be interested in dating a girl. Then again, she’s never said she’d be interested in dating a guy either…
Before Carrie’s thoughts can spiral too far though, Flynn speaks again, bringing her back to the current moment.
“Alright, let’s get this party started! Jules, you and I will go upstairs and get the face masks and the nail supplies. Care, you go get comfy in the living room and pick out the movie you want to watch first, ‘kay?” Julie giggles and gives her a cheeky salute.
“Ma’am yes ma’am!” She says teasingly as she stands up. Flynn rolls her eyes fondly. She gives Carrie one last squeeze and presses a quick kiss to her temple before standing up and following Julie out of the room.
Those traitorous butterflies start dancing in Carrie’s stomach again. What is going on with her today?! It’s just Flynn! One of her best friends! She and Julie and Carrie have never shied away from being physically affectionate towards one another. That’s how their friendship has always been! Besides, Carrie likes boys... At least that’s what she’s always told herself…
At the other end of the table Rose stands up, pulling Carrie from her spiraling thoughts once more. She walks over to where Carrie is sitting and crouches in front of her, laying a gentle hand on her knee.
“I’m so sorry that boy chose his silly sport over you Mija. He clearly doesn’t realize what he’s given up and that’s his loss.” She says softly. “And I know you have your amigas and your Papa, but if you ever need someone else to talk to, about this or anything at all, you can come to me, I am always here for you, bueno?”
“I know, thanks Aunt Rose.” Carrie says with a small smile. Rose pats her knee and stands up before holding her arms open for a hug. Carrie stands up and gratefully leans into the warm, motherly embrace.
“Te quiero mucho Mija. You are an amazing young lady. And even though I know it must have hurt, I am so proud of you for knowing your worth and standing up for yourself.” Rose murmurs, giving Carrie a tight squeeze. Carrie lets out a breath and squeezes her back.
“Love you too Aunt Rose. Thank you. Again.” She says, finally pulling away and giving her a smile. Rose reaches up, tucking a loose strand of hair behind Carrie’s ear and cupping her cheek.
“Anytime Mija. One day you will find that special someone who recognizes just how wonderful you are and will love you the way you deserve to be loved.” She winks at Carrie, a knowing twinkle in her eyes. “And you never know, that person may be closer than you think.”
Carrie blinks, but before she can ask Rose what that means, her aunt turns and starts clearing away the discarded hot chocolate mugs, humming softly to herself.
“Go join your chicas, Mija.” Rose says lightly. “There’s no better balm for a broken heart than some quality time with your best friends.”
A little dazed and wondering what exactly Rose meant, Carrie turns and heads to the living room where Julie and Flynn are already waiting for her.
“There you are!” Julie exclaims. “C’mere, it’s time to get this girls night officially started!” Carrie grins and hurries over, plopping down in the open spot on the couch between her and Flynn.
The rest of the evening flies by in a whirlwind of pure fun and relaxation. They braid each other’s hair back out of their faces in elaborate styles, help each other apply the luxurious Korean face masks, paint each other’s nails in all their favorite colors with intricate, detailed designs, and watch all of Carrie’s favorite comfort movies, singing along to the musicals and giggling through the rom-coms. It’s the perfect girls night and exactly what Carrie needed. She drifts off to sleep at the end of it, snuggled between two of her favorite people in the whole world and thinks that perhaps this summer isn’t off to such a bad start after all.
~~~***~~~
And a few days later, when she hears through the grapevine that someone egged Nick’s car with dozens of rotten eggs the night before he was set to leave for Indiana, well, she doesn’t say anything, but she does hug Flynn extra tight the next time she sees her.