Lifeline

Audrey was nervous. She was nervous for this- hanging out with Emma. They hadn't hardly hung out since murder island. At least, not alone. They'd gone places in groups with their other friends, but other than that they'd only been together during school. Gina didn't like Audrey being around Emma, and she expressed that even after Audrey explained to her that they didn't need to compete. As Audrey pulled on her shoes, she kept thinking, 'maybe this isn't a good idea.' But with the things happening right now, concern for Emma and their friendship won over and Audrey grabbed her phone to let Emma know she was on the way. As soon as she typed the message out and hit 'send,' her phone started ringing in her hand. The caller ID read 'Gina.' Lovely, she thought, and pressed 'answer.'

"Hello?" She said into the speaker, and was greeted by her girlfriend's voice on the other line.

"Audrey," Gina spoke, "I noticed that you're off tonight."

"Uh, yeah, I was scheduled off. You didn't know that?" Audrey replied. She was only a little confused. Gina often did the schedules months in advance and forgot.

"I did, but I guess I forgot. So what're you doing then?" Audrey flinched. She was hoping that question wouldn't come up.

"I'm actually supposed to go hang out with Emma tonight," fuck it, right? She needed to see her friend- regardless of what her girlfriend thought.

"Oh," was what Gina said after that. Audrey recognized the tone of disappointment in her girlfriend's voice. It did bother her, but not enough to stop her. She wouldn't allow Gina to tear her away from Emma. She wouldn't.

"Yeah, so I'll talk to you later, okay?"

"Alright,"

"I love you,"

"I love you too," and Audrey hung up. She did feel a little guilty, leaving Gina anger. But not enough to stop her. She scooped up her keys from her dresser and headed downstairs, pulling on a hoodie as she went.

"Hey, where are you rushing off to?" Her dad called after her. She spun around.

"I'm gonna go hang our with Em," she answered. He nodded.

"Good, good. You two haven't been around each other much." He turned back to the television. Audrey assumed he had nothing else to say, and walked out the door.

Emma was already ready for Audrey when she pulled up the driveway, and they both grinned as Audrey stopped the car and got out.

"You're already outside," Audrey observed, pulling Emma into a tight hug.

"Yeah, I decided to get ready a little early," Emma said, and Audrey opened the passenger door for the taller girl.

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That night was more fun than Audrey remembered having in a while. In fact, she almost forgot that they were being tormented once more by a psychotic killer. Almost. That looming sense of dread never fully left. Even though Audrey had the best time she'd had in a long time, she still felt as though they were being watched, and she stayed on high alert.

The two of them laughed and joked and had dinner, then went back to the Duvals' and watched tv in the couch. Audrey thought maybe they were sitting a little too close, but she definitely appreciated the warmth and company. And allowed hers t to lay her head on Emma's lap. She closed her eyes as the other girl's fingered absentmindedly played with her hair. Audrey let it happen, and that may not have been good. She relished the feeling of Emma's fingers in her hair. Her mind couldn't stop thinking about how nice Emma smelled, and how nice it would be to kiss her right now. She felt guilty, but not nearly enough to stop her. Part of her didn't care.

Neither of them noticed the hooded figure in the window.