Chapter 1
CHAPTER 1
2022
The numbing of her arm welcomed her as she stirred; the weird angle it was placed under her own weight was not the most comfortable thing in the world. Her neck was very sore and she could feel a great wave of hangover was on its way from the pounding of her head. She started wishing to be in her own house before opening her eyes --no luck. Scanning the unfamiliar surroundings slowly, she found herself sprawled face down on a couch with only a blanket covering her naked ass. Finding the wall clock, she realized it was 4:17am. She buried her face on the couch and muttered, “Fuck my life!”
“Oh, you’re up,” said a groggy voice from her foot.
She found an equally naked brunette, crawling into the couch with her. “Ready for another round?” whispered the girl seductively, licking her ears.
“Uhh—sorry sweetie, I kind of have to go.” She squirmed, untangling herself slowly from the brunette. “I have to be somewhere early today.”
“Too bad. I was gonna reward you for the great experience last night.” The brunette runs her hands up and down the other girls arm, and leaving traces of kisses on the neck.
“As appealing as that is, sweetheart. I really have to go.” She stood up and started wearing her pants without bothering for her underwear, wearing the tight pants takes too much time already, looking for her underwear would take her forever.
“Well, rain check then?” the brunette said disappointedly.
“Of course,” the other girl said mindlessly as she reaches for her white button-up under a loveseat, and hastily putting it on, she saw her coat near the door and started walking towards it. “I have to go now though. Thank you, I’ll call you!” She looked up the girl while putting on her boots, and sent a weak smile, then walked out.
The girl knows she’ll never call; she didn’t even have the other girl’s number --or name.
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She felt the fresh morning air hit her face when she got out of the building. She was taking up her surrounding and trying to remember what happened last night, where was she? Did she bring her car? If so where did she parked it? While engrossed on her thought she was startled by her phones ringing, signaling an incoming call.
“CARMILLA KARNSTEIN! WHERE ARE YOU?!?” came the other line.
“Good morning to you too, Per.” Carmilla replied, massaging her temples.
“Don’t you good morning Per me! Where are you?! Lafontaine and I had been knocking on your apartment door for 15minutes now! We are already late!” Perry was practically yelling on the other line.
“I’m sorry. I had to be present at a work related gathering last night and ended up sleeping over someone else’s house.” Carmilla reasoned
“I can’t believe you! I’ve been reminding you every day for the past month! How irrespo ---” Perry was cut off in the middle of her rant and for a few seconds only screechy noises were heard on the other line.
“Hey Carmilla! It’s Laf, sorry about Per, she’s just upset because she thought something happened to you. You know her.” Lafontaine berated.
“Of course, of course.” Carmilla said dismissively, “Tell Perry I’m sorry for making her worried.” Carmilla replied, feeling the veins on her head about to explode.
“No problem Carmilla, I’ll take care of it.” Laf assured. “Anyway where are you? As much as I don’t want to nag like Perry, she was right when she said we’re running late here. Would you like us to pick you up -- wherever you are?”
Carmilla took a full 360 turn to scan her surrounding and realized she was on the other side of town, sighing she said “No, no, I’m good. You two can just go ahead to the airport. I’ll meet you two there.”
“Are you sure?” Laf said uncertainty obvious on her voice.
Carmilla felt another jolt on her head, “Yeah, I’m sure.” She reassured Laf.
“You know, you don’t have to do this right?” Laf said, in the softest voice.
Carmilla’s was starting to feel aggravated by this, “I’ll go Laf. I’m on my way now. See you two at the airport.” Carmilla said with finality in her tone.
“Okay! Don’t bite my head off or anything.” Laf laughed on the other line, trying to make light of the situation. “See you there! Laura will be happy to see you!”
“Yeah.” Carmilla ended the call. Then flagged a passing cab, “the airport, but can we please drive over the nearest convenient store first, thank you.”
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Carmilla was a wreck at the airport’s PWD restroom; fidgeting, sweating, nauseous, messed hair and make-up, crumpled shirt, sitting on the toilet seat, beer beside her foot and cigarette between her fingers. Taking one last swig from her beer and one last drag from the cigarette, she stood up, walked over the trash and throws them.
She walked towards the lavatory and started cleaning herself up (as much cleaning up you can do at a PWD restroom). She splashed some water on her face and tried removing as much make-up as she can, she then started brushing her teeth using a cheap ass toothbrush and toothpaste (not very “Carmilla”, but what can she do? It was the only thing they had and she’d rather use this, than get a scolding from Perry) she combs her hair using her hand and then tried straitening up her button-up. Her hands were shaking and sweating way too much, whether from the alcohol on her bloodstream or the nerve at the moment she don’t know. Maybe it’s both. She was deep in thought when a knock on the door startled her. “Just a minute!” She shouted.
Facing the mirror, Carmilla slapped herself and said “Fucking girl the hell up! You’re Carmilla-Fucking-Karnstein! It’s just Laura!” She slapped herself one more time, then walked out the door with as much confidence she could produce at the moment. Knowing how all of the effort would be for nothing ones she sees Laura.
---
Carmilla easily spotted the group waiting on the departure area; compose of three red heads and a dark haired guy. She took a few deep breathe to relax herself before approaching them, and when she was just a few step into them, people started coming out of the terminal. Her steps were cut off. She stood rooted on the spot, not able to move with panic written all over her face. Her heart was pounding so hard, she was certain she’d throw up right there, when a touched on her shoulder took her by surprise.
“Hey, Carm-sexy you okay?” Carmilla looked up and saw the smiling face of Kirsch.
“Uhh—yeah. Just got a little dizzy, but I’m okay now. Thanks.” She lied.
“O, cool. Come on then, Laura’s on her way out. I know how much you missed her.” Kirsch said excitedly as she pushed Carmilla over the group.
“Good. Carmilla you’re here.” Perry hugged Carmilla, “Have you been -- smoking?-- and drinking? You know that’s bad for you! I don’t even understand how you were able to enter this place, smelling like that.” The red head motioned up and down, as if indicating Carmilla was a disgusting specimen.
“Sorr—“Carmilla was about to apologized when she was cut off.
“Chill Per. I’m sure Carmilla did not mean to smell like that today. For all we know, it could be from last night. You know how she was unable to get home and get ready.” Lafontaine defended Carmilla sending her an apologetic smile, at the same time massaging Perry’s shoulder.
“Still, that is no excuse for—“Perry was cut off.
“You have a lot of time to lecture her later. Now we have to find Laura.” Lafontaine slightly motioned for Perry to look over the terminal exit.
“O, okay! But we will talk later.” Perry turned around after pointing a finger at Carmilla.
“It’s nice to see you here Carmilla, I thought you weren’t coming.” Lafontaine whispered.
“Wouldn’t miss this for the world.” Carmilla sent a smile over Lafontaine who smiled back before looking at the terminal exit in search of Laura.
“Elvira. Fancy seeing you here.” Came a voice from Carmilla’s side. There stood a 6”1 red head girl, beside Kirsch.
“Missed you too, Xena.” Carmilla replied nonchalantly, averting her gaze back at the two red heads in front of her.
“Look!” Came Kirsch’s voice, “I see her! I see Laura. Hey little nerd! Over here!!” He shouted, and run over a petite figure, who excitedly hugged him. The three other figures run over the petite girl, overly excited. Carmilla walked anxiously behind them.
Hugs and squeals were exchanged when they reached Laura.
“Laura, hey, I missed you!” Danny said as she crouched down to hug Laura and kissed her on the top of her head.
“Hey L, how are you?! You got really nice tan.” Lafontaine complemented her.
“Laura Hollis, why are you so thin? Were you eating healthy? Did you rehydrate yourself there? Please tell me you use sun-block when you go out!” Perry berated as she hugged the girl tight and examined her body.
“I missed you too guys. And yes Perry, I drink lots of water and I use sun block all the time. I also eat a lot of fruits and vegetables so please stop worrying.” The girl looked at the group, beaming a reassuring smile and nods. That’s when she saw the dark hair girl standing awkwardly behind Perry.
“CARM!” Laura beamed an even brighter smile, if that’s even possible. Then run and enveloped the dark haired girl in a rib breaking hug. “I missed you—so much.” She whispered as she nuzzled to Carmilla’s shoulder.
“I missed you too—cupcake. I missed you too.” Carmilla whispered as she breathe in Laura’s scent; lilac, vanilla and something Carmilla can’t put her finger to, she would like to think it’s Laura’s own scent. That in the whole world only Laura could produce that scent, it was relaxing and comforting and—it just smells like home. It feels like home. All of the nausea and panic and fear Carmilla was feeling earlier vanished. She’s home.