Chapter 6
It was still early in the week, Tuesday. They had 2 more days until actual Thanksgiving dinner, but Lilita wanted to round them all up for a normal dinner Wednesday night as well, just the 5 of them, before extended family showed up. But the fact remained, there was time to kill.
After the little interaction in the kitchen, Carmilla and Laura had gone to their respective rooms to get dressed because Carmilla wanted to take Laura out before any cabin fever set in.
Laura stood in just her underwear facing a full length mirror, lost in thought. Why would Lilita Morgan care about her presence? Sure, she usually picked her own marks for the show and did a lot of research, but not once has the network even hinted at touching Morgan Industries. Laura whipped out her phone.
Small Gay: JP I need a favor
Jeep: Ms. Hollis, it’s holiday. Can this not wait until Monday?
Small Gay: Afraid not my little research nerd! I need you to look in to Morgan Industries
Jeep: And what exactly am I looking for?
Small Gay: I’m not sure, just anything suspicious
Jeep: I’m not so sure about this Laura…
Small Gay: JP, please just trust me
Laura threw her phone onto her bed and turned to face the door the second that Carmilla decided to open it.
“Jesus Christ, Carmilla! Knock!” Laura threw her arm over the chest and crossed her legs awkwardly to try and preserve any modesty that she had.
Carmilla slapped her hand over her eyes and Laura could see the beet red color creeping up her neck and covered her whole face.
“Oh my god. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to. I figured you’d be dressed by now. I thought maybe you were doing that think where you stare off into space. And I just didn’t think before I opened the door and oh my god.” Carmilla groaned as the color of her face just deepened. Laura was highly amused by the situation unfolding in front of her
Laura ran to her suit case and slipped into a pair of jeans and yanked a tank top over her head.
“I’m decent, you big goob,” Laura snickered as she worked on the buttons of her shirt.
Carmilla huffed out a big sigh before peeking through her fingers, eventually dropped her hand from her face.
“So what’s the big plan for today?” Laura asked ask she slipped the last button through and smoothed down her shirt.
“Um I was just thinking we’d stop by a few places teenager Carmilla used to not hate and see if this place still sucks as much as I remember,” Carmilla proposed. She toed a crack in the floor with her boot and awkwardly avoided eye contact, Laura could feel how nervous she was.
Laura reached for the dark haired girl’s hand and tugged her towards the door.
“Well, lets go then! I can’t wait to see just how pretentious teen Carmilla was!”
Carmilla rolled her eyes but smiled at the jest. She intertwined their fingers and led Laura out to the car.
The city was pretty large and full of many chains, but of course Carmilla took them to a hipstery area of the downtown filled with tons of secondhand shops and bookstores. Figures.
“Here we are,” Carmilla pointed out, pulling the car in front of a rather small looking store.
“And where is here exactly?”
“Just come on.”
The couple walked through the door, bell dinging pleasantly above them. All around where hundreds of dusty records and CDs. Various musical instruments littered the walls and stands around the floor. It seemed like a place Laura’s grandfather would come to buy a jazz album, not a 15 year-old sass master.
“Oh my stars, is that Carmilla Karnstein?” A small woman that looked older than rocks lowered her newspaper and quickly made her way over to the couple.
“Hey Phyllis.” Carmilla smiled. She honest to God smiled at this tiny, ancient woman and hugged her tight.
Laura watched the interaction in awe as they exchanged small talk when suddenly Phyllis whacked Carmilla over the head with her newspaper.
“Carmilla Karnestin what do you think you’re doing coming here after all these years and not even introducing your beautiful friend here to me?” she yelled.
Carmilla grumbled and rubbed the spot she got hit but made a grand sweeping gesture towards Laura. “Phyllis, this is Laura, my roommate. Laura, this is Phyllis, owner of this fine establishment.”
Phyllis raised the newspaper again threateningly and Carmilla flinched, dragging Laura in front of her. “Now what have I told you about lying Carmilla?”
“What am I lying about!” Carmilla asked incredulously, still hiding behind Laura’s tiny body.
“You’re trying to tell me that you and this little lady are just friends? I don’t believe it for a second!”
Laura laughed sheepishly and rubbed the back of her neck. “Hi, yeah I’m Laura. Strictly platonic roommate.”
Carmilla nodded rapidly behind her and quickly scurried away to other parts of the store, leaving the two newly acquainted ladies alone. They turned themselves to watch Carmilla dart around like a kid in a candy store, picking up anything within her reach.
“She looks happier,” Phyllis noted.
Laura just nodded. “I hope so. I didn’t know Carm until after she left this place, but I hope what small life I offer her now away from home makes her happy.”
“I don’t think it’s the change in location that is the cause of her happiness, dear.” Phyllis had a smug look on her face. Laura looked perplexed.
“Wait what-“ but was cut short as Phyllis already started walking away.
“Carmilla! I’m going to lunch! Don’t burn the place down with your lady friend please! I trust you remember where the spare key is,” Phyllis called over her shoulder as she exited the shop.
The shop was quiet except for the light Sinatra playing over the crackling speakers. The two girls made eye contact and Laura made her way over to Carmilla.
“So she’s interesting.”
Carmilla chuckled. “Sure, interesting. She’s one of two people I ever felt totally comfortable around in this place.” A small smile threatened the corner of her mouth. “She kind of means a lot to me.”
Laura beamed at her. “Well I’d like to meet this other person too.”
Carmilla’s face fell. “I don’t think that’s possible.”
Laura gave her a questioning look but was distracted as the door chimed again. She turned around to see the new visitor, a pale, beautiful girl about their age, with platinum blonde hair.
“Carmilla Karnstein. I heard you were in town but I had to see for myself. I figured I’d find you here if anywhere,” the girl said disbelievingly. “Never thought you’d show your face back in this place after walking out on all of us.”
The girl walked towards then slowly and Laura felt Carmilla squeeze her hand, almost painfully.
“And yet, here you are. Back to ruin more lives Carmilla? Or was mine not enough for you?”
Laura turned towards Carmilla. Her eyes were wide and her mouth hung open slightly. Only one word made it past her lips.
“Ell.”