Tainted Heart

Kelley was in the best mood she had been in since she got to Seattle. Things looked to be falling in place. After last night's date with Hope she felt like finally everything was going to go north from there. The date had been more than she expected.

She was glad her brother didn't stay up to wait for her like he used to when Kelley would go out on dates. As much as she wanted to share how happy she was, she still wanted to be a little selfish and keep it to herself for now.

She grabbed her phone and sent a quick message to Alex asking her to meet her at the Bean in the morning before her her and Tobin had to leave for Portland.

Kelley: Hey guys wanna meet up tomorrow for coffee at my work place? I asked for the day off so I could hang out with you guys before you go back to Portland ;)

She set her cell phone down on the night stand knowing it would take a while, if not until the morning, for Alex to message her back. Kelley went onto getting ready for bed. She went to the bathroom to brush her teeth when she heard her phone go off. She was confused as to who would be calling her at this hour. Kelley thought it might be Alex prying for some details about her date with Hope.

When she reached her phone and saw who it was, her smile grew the size of her face, if that was even possible. She answered quickly.

"Hey aren't you supposed to wait at least twenty four hours before you call someone after a date?" Kelley teased and then she heard the most beautiful sound in her life. Hope's lazy laugh.

"I could've waited but I don't ever go by the rules, so I decided to be a savage and break them," Hope said in an all too serious tone.

"So you're a bad girl huh!? Alright I think I can work with that," Kelley knew Hope was probably rolling her eyes at what she had just said.

"I sure hope you can handle me, I'd be very disappointed if you couldn't... I really like you...." Kelley could hear the sincerity in Hope's tone of voice at the last sentence.

"I really like you too," Kelley replied smiling. She was now laying face up on her bed, twirling her hair between her fingers, feeling like a teenage girl talking to her crush. It was almost accurate, the only differences being that she isn't a teenager anymore, and she's pretty sure this isn't just a crush. She genuinely liked Hope.

"Thanks for a great day today, and for the bracelet. I had a really good time and I know I already said it multiple times, but I just want you to know, I really mean it." Hope was surprised at how easily the words were coming out of her mouth. Everything seemed to be easy with her and Kelley. Honestly, it was something Hope wasn't used to, but she could definitely get used to it.

"I had an amazing day. I should be thanking you more than anything. You sure turned this day around, it was amazing today, thank you." She said feeling warm inside at the thought of Hope liking her as much as she liked Hope. At least that's how it felt.

"Well I just wanted to check on you and say goodnight... so umm goodnight..." Kelley giggled at Hopes sudden nervousness.

"Goodnight Hopey, sweet dreams." Kelley said smiling at the nickname she had just given her.

"Call me that one more time and there won't be a second date." Hope was really trying to sound serious. She heard Kelley let out chuckle.

"Oh come on, you can't tell me my O'Hara charm failed today?" Hope rolled her eyes at the question.

"Isn't it past your bedtime?" Hope teased.

"Isn't it past yours? Grandma" Kelley teased back. Hope actually barked out a loud laugh.

"Goodnight Kell," Hope said smiling. She has found herself smiling a lot lately, and Kelley was the sole reason.

"Goodnight Hopey" she said, quickly ending the call.

That night they both went to sleep with the biggest smile on their face. They had such a strong connection. One that neither of them had ever had with anyone before.

The next morning Kelley woke up to an empty house, her brother had just left for work. She checked her phone and saw a message from Alex to meet at eight at the Bean. She also shot Hope a good morning message before getting up and ready. Kelley was out the door by seven twenty, giving her enough time to get to the Bean in time to see her friends.

She arrived and was pulled into a hug by Alex almost as soon as she walked in. They had sat at a table close to the door.

"OK spill! I wanna know everything!" Alex said grabbing Kelley's hand and pulling her to where Tobin was sitting. She gave Tobin a hug when they reached the table.

"Well good morning to you too Alex," Kelley said taking a seat facing them. She turned to Tobin and commented, "She's so nosey."

"You're telling me." Was the response she got from her friend. Alex slaps Tobin's arm.

"Heyyy!" Alex says.

"I'm kidding my love" Tobin reached for Alex's hand, leaning in to kiss her cheek.

"You guys are so disgustingly cute," Kelley says, "I'm gonna go say hi to my boss and the crew, since miss I'm-so-nosey over here didn't give me a chance. You guys good?"

"Yeah just hurry! I'm dying to hear how everything went with the date!" Alex says and Tobin just laughs at how excited Alex is.

"Yes ma'am! I'll make it fast," she chuckles and walks over to the counter. She places her order and talks to Tim while she waits. He tells her what her schedule will be for the rest of the week. Kelley tells him about the date she had with Hope and he seems pretty surprised. He really thought Hope was taken. Kelley just shrugs, saying they ended things only a few days ago. Her order is ready and Kelley leaves to go back to her friends, but not without promising Tim that she'll tell him all about her date the next time she works.

"Took you long enough," Alex says in an exaggerated tone, "okay now details! Please, I've waited long enough. Where did she take you? What did you guys do? Did she kiss you? Oh my god, did you guys mm you know?"

"Chill baby horse," Tobin says using the nickname Alex got back when she used to play soccer in high school, "one question at a time, Jesus."

Alex is now glaring at Tobin. She hated when she uses the nickname. Tobin put her hands up un defeat and mouthed a sorry. Kelley couldn't help but laugh at the couple. They had been together for a while now and Kelley was in awe at how perfect for each other they are.

"Alright enough, stop glaring at Tobin baby horse I'll tell you everything yo-" Kelley stopped talking when she felt Alex kick her under the table " gosh dang it that hurts no wonder they called you bab-"

"You finish that sentence and I will end your life right here at this moment." She was now glaring at Kelley too and Tobin was trying really hard not to laugh but she just couldn't help it.

"Tobin started it, kick her!" Kelley exclaims.

"I'm aware of that and for that she will pay later." Alex says looking over at Tobin. She wasn't laughing anymore.

"Alright alright, anyways the date actually started out on the wrong foot...." Kelley told them what had happened the morning of the date. How Hope had forgotten to set an alarm the night before. And how she had driven to the cafe in her basically her pajamas. Then she went on to tell them about how the date had been the best she had ever went on.

"She kissed me," Kelley says, blushing a little just thinking back when she first felt Hopes lips touch hers, "at the top of the Seattle's great wheel. The view was amazing and it just felt right. It was amazing guys, I've never experienced a first kiss with someone like that one with her. I really like her, like I really really do."

"Aww Kelley that sounds so romantic!" Alex beams. Then she turns serious, grabbing Kelley's hand in her own "I'm so happy for you, I really am, I umm... just don't fall too quickly. You tend to do that, like a lot, and I just don't want my second favorite person in the whole world to hurt like that again, ever."

"Yeah dude. This is awesome, I'm so happy for you too, but just be really careful. You've known her for only a few days, give it some time dude," Tobin says.

"I know. Thank you guys for worrying about me. I appreciate it,I do, but this time it's different. I know it I ...I feel it, she's something special." Kelley was now smiling thinking of the blue eyed girl. Right at that moment a beep on her phone notifies her she got a new messege. Kelley's smile grows bigger and the couple sitting across from her can only imagine who it's from.

Hope: Good Morning ;) hope you have an amazing day. I'm swamped with work today but was hoping we could do dinner sometime this week? That is if your up for date #2 ;)

Tobin and Alex simply stared at the girl across from them. They are so happy for her but worried at the same time. After her last heartbreak, from her last relationship, they weren't sure if she was ready to put herself out there yet. It seemed like it was too soon for her but they would support her, and be there if needed to be.

Kelley was excitedly typing back a reply for Hope. Alex got up to go to the restroom and Tobin just sat there staring at Kelley.

Kelley- Sorry :/ work sucks, lucky for me I'm off today ;) thanks you too! Dinner huh? Why not, I do like to eat so dinner sounds amazing ;) let me know when and where!

"Stop staring you creep," Kelley said not even looking up from her phone.

"I can't help it, you look really cute dude. That smile you have on your face... it's different, like good different. It's like it reaches your eyes and soul dude," Tobin genuinely thought Kelley looked happy. And if Hope was the cause of it, then she already liked Hope.

"I know I ..I feel like she makes me smile without even trying, I know we're only getting to know eachother but she's just Hope, and I like that," Kelley said looking down at her phone again.

Hope - Lucky you!! I'm jealous :( it's a date then ;) I'll let you know during the week see what my crazy schedule will let me do.

"Damn Kelley. Take it easy, you're gonna get a cramp from smiling too much." Alex said sitting down. Kelley looked up and just stuck her tongue out at her friend.

"What a child you are, let's head out, go grab some breakfast?" Alex asked.

"Yeah let's. I'm starving man," Tobin said lighting up at the idea.

"You're always starving Tobs," Kelley said laughing at her friend.

"Well I need to regain energy, someone tired me out last night," Tobin said looking at Alex.

"Gross!" Kelley shot up from her chair and started walking away from her friends.

"Tobin!!" Alex quickly followed Kelley, leaving Tobin alone at the table.

"Oh come on, don't be such prudes," she tried but the girls were already out the door, "wait for me!"