The next morning Kara and Alex were meeting up in a cafe for breakfast. Both went for donuts. They talked about their last week. Alex started telling first.
"Work was exciting as always. Kelly and I had our first anniversary. We stayed home and I invited her for dinner," Alex told – very shortened.
"I guess by how you formulated your sentences and how short they were there's more that happened that day. And it's something I don't want to know, right?" Kara asked naturally. Alex and she share a deep bond and there's nothing they can't talk about.
Alex blushed at that. Obviously not wanting to get into details she tried to change the topic.
"How was your week? Are you and Lena okay now?"
"My week was great. And yes, we're okay. You can't imagine how happy I am now that Lena and I are reconciled." She looked just as happy as Alex talking about Kelly's and her anniversary.
"Yesterday I brought her to that firework our grandparents and I used to see. You should've seen Lena's reaction to it. I think she was on the edge of crying," Kara said happily. Kara was sitting there with a wide grin while Alex was trying to form an answer to what she just heard.
"You two laid down on a blanket and watched the firework together?" Alex finally asked suspiciously, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah, what else should we have done?" Kara replied suspiciously as well.
"You know that sounds like a date?"
"What no-" Kara paused shocked. "It was no date! It was only best friends watching a firework together."
"Under a sky full of stars? At a very personal event, you shared with her and only with her?" Alex answered not knowing whether Kara really didn't understand her point.
But no, she didn't understand Alex's point. She just wanted to show her best friend something personal she always liked. Just as Lena showed Kara something of her childhood by taking her canoeing.
"So, you really didn't think about it being a date?"
"No, I really didn't."
"I'm sorry for unsettling you."
"It's okay Alex. Let's talk about something else."
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Lena had to go to dinner with her family. Her mother Lillian and her brother Lex should be there. She hadn't seen them for quite a long time. It never ended good but this time she actually was looking forward to that dinner.
They went to a fancy restaurant where they had to dress up in something noble. Before she entered the building, she didn't know who else would be there. Before she could check out the location people were shouting her name. She turned her head in the direction her name was yelled from. It was the voices of her grandparents – her mother's parents. It was two years ago since she last met them.
"Lena, darling. Look how you've changed. You grew and your hair is even longer now. And you're still as pale as always. But you're still beautiful," her grandmother said while holding Lena by her shoulders and checking her out.
"Well, thanks I guess," Lena answered not knowing what reply. "You didn't change as well," she tried grinning.
"You're funny as always," her grandpa answered smiling.
Lena already liked that dinner. Everybody was happy to see each other again. They had much to catch up on about everyone.
It was like a question round. Her grandma just addressed one person after the other to find out what happened in their life since they last met. It was nice getting to know more about each person even if she knew them her whole life. All the while they ate their food.
Next was Lena.
"What were you up to the last years, Lena?" her grandma asked curiously. Lena had enough time to remember what she could tell them all. But she was so fixated on what the others were saying that at the first moment she didn't know what to say. She just told them the truth. About her breakup with her ex because he betrayed her with her boss, about him trying to get her back, about getting fired, and to end with something positive she told them about meeting her best friend, Kara. But they weren't interested in Kara at all. The mood quickly changed. Everyone stopped eating and just stared at her. Lena didn't know why they were so shocked. Breaking up with a boyfriend does happen often?
"But Lena, when will you marry then? You need a man and kids?" her grandpa said.
"You're near your thirties? Do you want to be alone forever?" her mother added. Lena didn't know how to react to that. She looked down at her food and waited for other comments. But there were none.
"Would you please say something, Lena? You're behaving rude," her grandma finally said but with a disappointed undertone. Lena looked up without any expression on her face.
"It's my life and I can do whatever I want. I'm sorry that you all are disappointed about me but finding love isn't as easy as you all think?" she answered snappily.
"Okay," her grandma replied. She clearly wasn't satisfied with what went on in Lena's life and about her behavior, but she didn't want to ruin the dinner. She addressed Lex next.
But Lena didn't listen to what the others were saying anymore. She was pissed. And she really thought about standing up and walking away. But she decided against it.
For the rest of their stay at the restaurant, she didn't say another word but that's okay because the others were ignoring her anyway.
Surprising how fast the mood changed just by Lena telling what happened in her life. She was disappointed in her whole family.
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Lena arrived at her home and as always sat down on her sofa. Instead of watching TV, she read a book to distract herself from that unpleasant dinner.
Still, she thought about what they said. Now that she thought more carefully about it, she realized that there was no room for a man. All she needed the last few weeks was Kara. She was always there. Sure, they had this one dispute but besides that, Kara was the only one who made her happy. As her best friend of course.
She realized she stopped reading and caught herself thinking about Kara. Kara is the only one she had, the only one who is there for her, the only one she could confide in, the only one who really cared about her.
Even if she swore herself to not think about that feeling when Kara touched her several times at the firework, she did. She concluded that it meant nothing. That she was so happy that evening and so lucky to have Kara that she mistook that as feelings for her – romantic feelings.
That's when she received a call from Kara.
"Hey, Lena. I just wanted to check on you. How was dinner?"
"Hey, Kara. Thanks for asking," Lena answered touched by how Kara cared for her. "At first dinner went good, and I was glad to see everyone again after 2 years but after some time the mood changed quickly."
"What happened?" Kara asked feeling sorry for Lena.
"My grandma asked me to tell what happened in my life since we last met. And so, I told her about my breakup and about meeting you."
"They were disappointed about you having no man by your side? Am I right?" Kara asked, having the premonition that she was right. Still, she had hope that it was something other, Lena wanted to tell her. She had gone through enough lately.
"Yes, you're right. They were disappointed because I'll soon be in my thirties and I'm still alone."
"Lena, I feel so sorry for you," Kara said with a soothing voice. "Don't take that too seriously. It's your life, right? You can do what you want. Not too long ago you broke up with your boyfriend and it's not your fault. I guess you're not ready for another man and that's completely okay. Don't let what they said pull you down. They're not in the place to tell you what you should do or what's right or wrong." Kara hoped that this would help Lena. "I think you're doing everything right. I'm your best friend and I'm being honest right now."
"You really think so?" Lena asked still not convinced of what Kara was saying.
"I do."
"Thank you, Kara," Lena replied. "Sorry for that depressing topic. Tell me about your breakfast with Alex."
First Kara told Lena about Alex and Kelly.
"Oh, I didn't know your sister has a girlfriend," Lena answered confused.
"Yes, she has. They're so cute together. Alex deserves her. You should get to know them finally. You'll love them," Kara suggested.
"I'm not good at meeting new people," Lena said. She was shy and introverted around new people. She never found anything to talk about. The other people always had to start a conversation. She thought that'd be embarrassing since it was Kara's sister.
But Kara assured her that there's no need for her to be nervous about it. "Alex is just like me so you can be yourself. Also, she's open to other people. Quite the opposite of you."
Lena didn't reply directly to that.
"But that can wait," she quickly added.
"Thank you for respecting that, Kara."
"Of course. And then there's something funny she said."
"Shoot."
"I told her about us going to the firework yesterday. Do you know what she said? She said I was oblivious about that firework being a perfect date," Kara babbled.
"Are you serious?" Lena asked laughing.
"Yes, I am serious. She even asked me if I'm sure we're only friends. I don't know what's wrong about best friends going to a firework."
"Me neither. We're only best friends. Obviously she's interpreting something wrong here," Lena answered thinking about what she decided for herself before talking to Kara. Alex was right. It could've been a date, but it wasn't. They're only best friends.
"Lena, are you still on the phone?"
Lena drifted off a bit.
"Oh, yes I'm still here. Sorry," Lena answered shaking her head as if she was trying to get out of her thoughts.
"I have to hang up now. My TV series is starting. Good night, Lena!"
"Have fun. Good night, Kara."
As her phone beeped, signaling that Kara hung up, she put down her phone. Again, she was thinking about Kara and her being only best friends even if she decided they are only best friends. She had to get rid of that feeling. She had to get rid of those thoughts. Why did this come to her mind again and again?
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As Lena woke up the next day, she already had a text from Kara on her phone.
Hi Lena,
you saw the first part of Conjuring, didn't you? What about watching the second part together tonight?
Call me :)
(for those who don't know the movie: Conjuring is a horror movie)
Lena did as Kara asked and called her directly after reading the message.
They planned on Lena coming over to Kara's place in the evening and watch the movie. Both were looking forward to that since they both like horror movies but never watched one together.
Lena didn't have anything to do till the evening, so she decided to walk to the grocery store and buy some snacks for the movie. And Potstickers. Many Potstickers. Kara will love that. She had to put all those snacks in two bags because she bought too much to carry with only her arms.
She also decided to wear sweatpants and a hoodie for movie night. She felt comfortable around Kara and didn't have the need to dress properly. Also, she liked those comfy outfits on herself.
When it was time to leave Lena got in her car to get to Kara's place. Almost forgetting the snacks in her car, Lena had to turn around to get them. She'll need them. As a distraction when the movie is too scary for her.
Kara opened the front door for Lena. She got in for a hug before realizing that Lena didn't have her hands free.
"Oooh, lots of snacks," Kara raved. Without giving it a second thought, she took the two bags and brought them to the living area of her apartment, already checking what's in them, forgetting that Lena was there.
Lena still standing on the threshold cleared her throat extra loud. Only when she did it a second time Kara turned around.
"Oooh Lena, hi," Kara started. "I'm sorry but food is the way to my heart," she said making a puppy face.
"It's okay, Kara. I guess that'll never change," Lena answered laughing, finding Kara's reaction cute. "So, you sit down and I'm going to show you what I brought with me."
Kara sat down and waited patiently. One after the other snack Lena put out from the bags and showed it to Kara. Sometimes telling her why she likes that. On purpose, she put the potstickers first in the bags so Kara will see them at the last.
"Lena, you're the best. You know that, right?" Kara asked partly relating that statement to all the food Lena brought with her, but for the other part, she truly meant what she said.
"I know that," Lena replied smiling not sure in what way Kara meant that. "We should start the movie. You obviously can't wait any longer to stuff in some of the snacks."
"You're damn right," Kara answered holding up her index finger. "It's pretty cold here. Do you want a blanket?" Kara asked now serious.
"Yeah sure. Also, I can hide under it when it's needed."
"Is it okay if we shared that blanket? I only have one besides the blanket in my bedroom."
"Of course, we can," Lena assured her.
Lena sat down on the sofa as Kara spread out the blanket, also sat down and tried to place it on them. But she failed and only one of Lena's thighs was under the blanket.
In the same moment, as Lena reached for the blanket to fully cover herself, Kara did as well, wanting to put the blanket all over Lena's lower body.
The touch burned on Lena's skin.
"Well, that will be an interesting evening, being under one blanket with Kara," Lena thought to herself.