Chapter 2
Chapter 2
2022
Laura and Carmilla sat at the back seat, while Lafontaine sat shotgun at Perry’s car as they drove towards Perry’s house. Laura sticking with Carmilla like a koala, always holding Carmilla one way or the other; on her arm, her legs, her neck, her waist, etc. As Carmilla sat there awkwardly, Lafontaine and Laura were chattering and laughing about things Carmilla can’t even process right now.
“So L, we’ve prepared the guest room for you.” Lafontaine said after a series of laughter.
“Thanks Laf, but you didn’t have to do that. I wouldn’t want to be of inconvenience to you and Perry here. I’ve already checked on hotels around anyway, and I found a cheap one I could stay in, just until I find a new apartment.” Laura sent a reassuring smile.
“Don’t even think about it Laura Hollis.” Perry said, “You are always welcome at our home, and you will never be an inconvenience. Plus you staying at a god-knows-how-safe-and-clean-cheap-hotel would be more of an inconvenience for us.”
“O, that is so kind Per but I can take care of myself.” Laura stated.
“Sweetie I do not doubt you can.” Perry sent a smile through the rearview mirror, “It would just help me and my peace of mind knowing that you’re safe and well taken care of.”
“Yeah L, you could use the hotel money for rent.” Lafontaine backed up.
“O, I don’t know.” Laura thinks for a moment and then rests her chin on Carmilla’s shoulder looking at her and said, “What do you think Carm? Should I stay at Perry’s?”
Carmilla was lost in her own thoughts that she was startled when Laura called her name, “Uh—yeah, sure cupcake. That would be great!” Carmilla answered sending a smile to the smaller girl beside her.
“Okay then, Laf and Perry I’d be staying with you guys.” Laura said, smiling at Carmilla and never losing eye contact, “But you,” she bopped Carmilla’s nose with her pointer finger, “Miss Dark and Broody will help me find a new apartment.” She said with finality and started looking at the road ahead, draping Carmilla’s arm on her shoulder and leaning over Carmilla’s chest.
This took Carmilla by surprise; it took her a few moments to answer. “Sure. Whatever you need cutie.” And then directed her attention towards Lafontaine who was looking at her and sending and ‘are-you-sure-you-want-to-do-this’ look, which she nodded at.
Carmilla was getting frustrated. She didn’t need any protection from anyone. She can handle this, she can handle Laura. It’s just Laura, sweet little precious Laura. They were over thinking it. She was over thinking it. The hangover from earlier is creeping in again. She started to close her eyes, and like it was the most natural thing, melted into Laura’s warmth.
---
It was muggy when Carmilla steered from her sleep. She felt a weight above her, it was not very heavy, but enough to make her feel uncomfortable. She was half lying half sitting on a stiff…is this a chair? A bed? She can’t tell. Her head was leaned on a really hard surface and her body really hurts. She started opening her eyes and realizes she was inside a car, specifically speaking Perry’s car. Three of the cars’ windows were half way down, and the fourth one on the back of her head was where she’s leaning her head. When she looked down at her chest, she saw the sleeping figure of Laura.
Laura started steering, and then looked up at her.
“Good morning sleepy head.” Laura smiled over her cloudy sleepy eyes.
“Good morning to you too, sunshine.” Carmilla beamed back. “Sorry, to disturb your sleep.”
“It’s okay. That was still the best sleep I had in months.” Laura smiled, still lying on top of Carmilla’s chest.
With the haze from the nap, hearing those words made Carmilla forget everything she was running away from. Studying Laura’s face, she reached for the tiny girl’s cheek and brushed it with the back of her hand. Laura smiled at her and took her intertwining them, and that’s when Carmilla realized what was happening. She’s at it—again. She can’t go there anymore. Not after everything. Trying her best not to draw attention from Laura, she made a show of adjusting her position.
“As much as I enjoy having you on top of me creampuff, my body already hurts and I think I’m gonna have a stiff neck.”
“O, I’m so sorry Carm!” Laura jump in panic realizing how uncomfortable it must have been for Carmilla sleeping at that position and then adding her weight. “Should I get you something? I think Perry have something for body pain. I am so sorry! Where does it hurt? Come here.” Laura reached for Carmilla’s neck and then started massaging it.
Carmilla took Laura’s hand and put it on top of hers. “Relax cutie, breathe. I am okay; this is not the first time my neck hurt.” She sent a reassuring smile, one which the smaller girl grinned back at. “Anyway, why are we sleeping at Perry’s car? Where is everyone?” She tried changing the topic.
“Everyone’s already inside. We arrived a few hours back. You fell asleep on the way here and I didn’t have the heart to wake you up so, I let you sleep some more then I decided to stay with you.” Laura answered.
Carmilla scanned the area, and found that they were indeed at Perry’s neighborhood. “Were you just finding an excuse so that you could sleep with me cupcake? You know you just have to ask right?” Carmilla joked.
“Please. Don’t flatter yourself. I was just worried you weren’t able to take enough sleep. Laf said you work late last night and was unable to get home.” Laura looked at Carmilla worriedly.
“I’m okay sweetheart,” Carmilla squeezed Laura’s hand. “We had a long meeting last night and then my boss invited us for some drinks, nothing to worry about.”
“Of course I’d worry— it’s you.” Laura looked down at their intertwined hands.
That sent a pang at Carmilla’s heart; she was unable to say anything. She started to get confuse and angry. She didn’t want Laura to see this, so she just kissed the top of Laura’s head. “Come, they are waiting for us.” She pulled Laura out of the car and guided her toward the front door.
---
A clutter of noises was heard from the kitchen when they entered the house. There was the banging of cooking utensils, clicking of glasses, and murmurs of almost inaudible conversations.
“They are not healthy for each other Laf, we know that for a fact.” came Danny’s voice.
“Yes, they kind of are, in a weird way.” Lafontaine argued.
“What way?” Laura said as she entered the kitchen, Carmilla in tow, hands intertwined. “What are you guys talking about?” she sat in front of the two red heads, as Carmilla approached Perry and Kirsch at the gas range.
“O—you know, uhm— potato and lemon!” Lafontaine replied a little flustered sending Danny a panic look, which went unnoticed by the smaller girl too busy poking the food in front of them.
“What about them?" Laura looked up, eating a tomato from beside her.
“Uhh—you know, uhh—how they, uhmm.” Danny said looking at Lafontaine worriedly; she was just about to continue when Perry came carrying more food.
“Laura Hollis! You haven’t even washed your hands yet. Who knows what other people touched before touching what you touched before picking that tomato up and eating it? No offense. But poop is everywhere. EVERYWHERE! E.coli is not a joke, and now they’re in your body. You could get sick and you just got here.” Perry swatted Laura’s hand, panic in her voice.
“Chill Per, I’m sure she won’t die.” Carmilla appeared beside Perry, holding out a glass of juice towards Laura.
“Thanks,” Laura directed to Carmilla accepting the drink, and gestured to stand up sending a sheepish smile to Perry “and sorry Per, I’m just gonna go and wash my hands then.”
“Good.” Perry said, “How about you two? Are you just gonna sit there?” she directed Lafontaine and Danny.
“Of course, of course, wouldn’t want to die because of not washing our hands right?” Lafontaine said jokingly, one which earned a glare from Perry. This got Lafontaine and Danny rushing out to wash.
Carmilla smiled at this antiques, it had been a long time since she felt like this. Is this what they call happiness? Meh. Maybe it’s just because of the bordering alcohol on her body since last night, or just the company, or maybe it’s because of Laura who knows?
“It’s so nice seeing you smile again Carmilla.” Perry cut off Carmilla’s train of thoughts.
“Uhh—yeah. Thanks Per. It just felt nice having everyone again.” Carmilla sent Perry a sincere smile.
“Yeah, I guess so.” Perry focused on making space on the table for the platter she had on her hand. “How are you?”
Carmilla swiveled her head so fast her neck clicked, “What do you mean?” she tried so hard not to glare.
“Nothing. I mean it had been awhile since we had a descent talk. With everyone being preoccupied with work and life, and you being --- off.” Perry breath out, “I guess I just genuinely want to know how you’ve been. I did notice you losing some weight you know.”
“Per, I’m fine, totally.” Carmilla draped her arm on Perry’s shoulder, side hugging the girl. “It does feel like I’m having an abusive relationship with my work lately though. Cutting me off my social life, keeping me up at night scared and bothered, basically ruling my life and yet after all that, I just keep coming back.”
“You should take a break then.” Perry untangled herself from the girl and reached out for another dish.
“Yeah, I guess I should.” Carmilla whispered.
For a few minutes the kitchen was quiet apart from Perry’s curt instructions for Kirsch and the endless flow of food delivered on the table. Carmilla was just putting down a dish when three voices from the entrance of the kitchen was heard.
“No, you don’t understand. Technically, dogs and pigs are in some ways the same.” came Lafontaine’s voice.
“Technically-the-same? Are you crazy?!” interjected Danny.
“Yes, as I said, in some ways. Not physically or whatever, but you see they are both animals. They could live at the city or the wild. Both of them can be domesticated, and shit like that. But why do we get angry at people who eat dogs?” Lafontaine argued back, “Back me up here L.”
“Do I get a cookie?” Laura asked.
“A week long supply.” Lafontaine answered back, reaching out their hand.
Laura grinned, took their hand and said, “Of course, yeah I think Laf is right. And it should be considered hypocritical for people who eat pigs or chicken or beef, or any other animal for that matter to be angry at people who eat dogs. I am not saying I’d eat dog over pig, I’m just saying, all this anger towards them are rather uncalled for and stupid.” Laura backed Lafontaine up, which earn a glare from Danny.
“Kirsch? Got anything to say?” Danny gestured towards Kirsch who was putting a platter of food at the table.
“Well, uhmnn—you see, hotties. We should not be fighting about this. I believe that we could eat whatever we want, except for things you are allergic at or could possibly kill you. But I would never eat dogs, because it would be like eating your bro.” Kirsch said trying to ease up the tension.
“Eat your bro? Really Kirsch? Is Red not enough?” Carmilla interjected, sending a smirk towards the puppy.
“No—no. I did not mean it that way. I mean eat a person you care about,” this earned a raised eyebrow from Carmilla and few giggle from Laura and Lafontaine while Danny was just expressionless waiting for Kirsch to continue, “physically. No—I mean consume them. No—that sounded even worst. What I mean is—“
“Okay Wilson we get it, no need to stress yourself,” Perry approached Kirsch and pat him, then gestured for the others to take a sit already. “And you guys, stop being mean.”
“Yes Perry.” Four voices said in unison.
---
Carmilla volunteered to wash the dishes after brunch to make peace with Perry, Laura wanted to join her but the group wanted to catch up with her and dragged her to the living room, which Carmilla was somewhat thankful for. Having Laura beside her is the best she’s ever felt for months, but she can’t let herself lose like that. Not again. She needed some time to clear her mind, and washing dishes helps her somehow. She’s no Perry, but there are times when her mind is so clattered that focusing on just one thing helps her sort everything out.
“Hey,” came a voice startling Carmilla.
“O, hey Perry, I’m almost done here. You can just stay in the living room; I’ll be there right after.” Carmilla sent a reassuring smile.
“It’s okay sweetie. I’m making cookies would you like anything specific?” Perry said, reaching for something at the shelves.
Carmilla side eyed Perry and a smile formed at her lips, “Anything would be lovely. Although I think I should head out first, I smell like the basement of an abattoir. Maybe I can just come back later, after cleaning myself up?”
“O-of course sweetie. You know you are always welcome here. I don’t think they’d be living anytime soon anyway.” Perry said a little disappointed.
Silence enveloped them, with Carmilla directing her attention back at the dishes and Perry focusing on the ingredients spread out at the counter.
“I was serious earlier you know. When I said you need a break.” Perry said after measuring all ingredients 3 times.
“I know. I might even take you up on that. It won’t be anytime soon, but I will.”
“Why not soon? I can talk to your mother you know, if that’s what your worried about.”
Carmilla finished the dishes and started drying her hands, “Thank you Per, but it’s not that. I just have a lot of things going right now to take a break. I appreciate it though.” Carmilla hanged the apron she was wearing and walked towards Perry. “I was gonna hug you but I know how much you hate my smell right now.” Carmilla stood beside Perry sending her a weak smile.
“O don’t be so dramatic! When did you even learn manners?” Perry reached out and hugged Carmilla.
Carmilla hugged Perry back, “Thank you Perry for everything, and sorry for being an ass.”
“Shush sweetie don’t be hard on yourself. But you do really smell bad.” Perry pried herself from Carmilla and pats her shoulders, “you should go now, so that you can come back earlier.”
“Okay,” Carmilla smiled, “see you.”
----
Carmilla entered the living room, everyone was high spirited and happy. Lafontaine was talking about a failed experiment she had last week, which resulted into an explosion and some burnt hair; specifically their eyebrow.
“But how did you grow your eyebrows so fast bro?” Kirsch said innocently.
“I didn’t, Perry draw mine this morning. See no hair just Perry!” Lafontaine said showing off their eyebrows like it’s a golden medal.
“O, that is so cool. Did you draw yours too D-bear? Little nerd?” Kirsch asked looking at Danny and Laura.
“No Wilson I didn’t draw mine.” Danny replied a little annoyed “I had no time to put on anything on my face today, no thanks to you. Honestly though, who uses the shower for 2 hours?”
Kirsch smiled at Danny sheepishly.
“I didn’t do mine too.” Laura interjected, “I didn’t find the need to, especially since I’d have to ride a plane at an ungodly hour.”
“Touché.” Lafontaine said.
Carmilla was standing at the far back of the couch which Laura and Danny were sitting at, she wanted to tell them she was leaving but didn’t want to ruin the good mood. So she just stood there for a few moments scanning the group with smile on her face (Laura and Danny sitting the couch back facing Carmilla, Lafontaine and Kirsch sitting on the floor in front of the coffee table looking at Danny and Laura, TV blaring at their back), then her gaze focused on Laura. She stared for a few more second and then started walking towards the front door.
She was walking away from the house when she heard the front door shut behind her.
“Hey, you’re going?” Carmilla knew that voice too well.
Carmilla slowly turned to face a ruffled Laura, “I was just gonna get something creampuff.”
“Really? What? Can I come?” Laura berated her.
“Just some stuff from my house for later. You don’t need to come.” Carmilla reassured.
“But—“ there was pained look on Laura’s face, it was almost like she was scared Carmilla will leave her and never come back.
Carmilla almost lost herself there, but she found her footing and said with softness on her tone, “I’ll be back creampuff. Go back inside.” as if reassuring the little girl.
Laura seemed to have an internal battle for a few seconds before she walked closer towards Carmilla and hugging the girl tightly, “You better do that. Or I’ll personally find you.” It was barely a whisper, but Carmilla heard it loud and clear.
“I’ll always come back cupcake, for you.” Carmilla whispered back, and then untangled herself from the girl. “Now go inside, they are waiting for you.” She pushed the girl.
“Fine!” Laura act offended, “it seems like you don’t like hanging with me anymore.”
“Well, clingy is not really my type.” Carmilla answered back.
There was silence, and then laughter.
“I should really go,” Carmilla said wiping tears from the sides of her eyes.
“Should you really?” Laura wasn’t able to hide the disappointment from her voice.
“Yeah, I really should,” Carmilla reached over Laura and tucked her hair. “I’ll be back as soon as
I can though. Plus I need to get your present.”
“Present?” Laura’s eyes grow big with curiosity.
“Well, aren’t you cute?” Carmilla pinched Laura’s cheek, “and yes, present. Now go inside so I can get it already.”
Laura stuck her tongue out, “Always the gentlewoman,” then sent a gentle smile, “Fine. Be careful, okay? And do come back.”
“Always, cupcake.” Carmilla smiled back.
Laura was smiling as she walked backwards; Carmilla was just smiling back at her rooted at the same spot. Laura sent one last shy smile as she reached the door; Carmilla just waved her inside and waited until the door was shut before started walking away.