I can hold my own
Saturday
9:30am
You wake up relatively early for a Saturday morning. Maybe it’s because you didn’t get much sleep due to you replaying everything that happened last night over and over in your head.
So you do what every 19 year old girl does when she wakes up- Check your phone. As You glance down at your screen you notice two text notifications.
Laf(9:24am):Hey L, So perr , danny and I were gonna go get breakfast at the Ihop next door to cure our hangovers :p wanna come?
705-307-1968(9:12am):You really surprised me last night, you don’t look like the kinda girl who gives random strangers her number.
You read over the text from the unknown number and pick up that sassy approach right away.
Laura(9:32am):Yeah, well I guess there’s more to me then meets the eye ;P
705-307-1968(9:33am):No need to lie Miss Hollis, you can just tell the truth on the fact that’s it’s just because you think I’m hot.
You blush. There’s no denying that Carmilla is hot, but that’s totally not why you gave your number to her. Not at all.
Laura(9:35am):Oh well aren’t we full of them self this morning. ;)
705-307-1968(9:35am): All apart of the package cutie.
You smile at that. Was this becoming a friendship? Did you want it to be a friendship? Do friends think their friends are hot? You decide to leave the conversation at that and answer your other notification.
Laura(9:37am):Totally. Pancakes mmmmmm. Ill meet you guys by the front doors in 20?
Laf(9:40am):Sure thing frosh !!
You push the covers off you and lift yourself out of bed to get dressed. You make your way down to the front of the dorm and to your surprise the group is already there waiting for you. You all waste no time walking next door to the pancake house. As you all are escorted to your table and sit down, conversations begin to spark up.
“So last night was rather.. Interesting” You know that Danny sounds irritated. “Yeah ! I totally didn’t see that coming. Was a great performance though.” Lafontaine looks at you and smirks “Don’t you think L?”
“Yeah. Well totally- I mean Carm really does have amazing talent.” You respond, looking anywhere but the smiling Lafontaine.
“Carm? So you guys are like doing “nicknames” now?” She kinda sounds mad now.. You think to yourself. You dont know why you just said that, it kinda just went well for you. It wasn’t a nickname but more of just shortening the original. Carmilla did have some interesting nicknames for you though so you guess Danny isn't completely wrong.
“Well no. I guess it’s just easier then saying her full name” You reply softly. “Okay enough chit chat and more ordering!” Perry taps on the pile of menus in the middle of the table. You and the group pick up your menus and begin to look over the options. After ordering and receiving your plates yet another interesting thing happens.
“Wow, two days in a row! This must be some sort of coincidence.” Kirsch yells out while walking towards the table you all occupy. Danny sighs with great rage. “Why is it you must be everywhere I enjoy being. Don’t you have better shit to do? Like hooking up with some new chick to get over your ex?” Shes almost yelling now.
Oh this wasn’t going to go well. You always knew you never wanted to get on Danny’s bad side. The girl was kinda intense.
He rests his hands down on the table as he leans forward so he's just about hovering over you. “Hey just because you’re all mad cause you got beaver damned last night doesn’t mean you need to take it out on me”
“Beaver damned? What are you- 12?” Danny snaps. Once again.. you cut them both off. “Look guys, I like you both. You are both my friends so can we all just stop being childish and get along for a meal?” you let out a long ass sigh. Kirsch and Danny don't respond, they just give each other dirty looks and Kirsch sits himself down next to Perry and you.
“Well on another note… Perry had an idea for tonight that I think is totally cool.” Lafontaine interrupts the totally awkward tension. “Well I just thought since it’s Saturday and were all stressed about Mondays exam, That we could head back to the lustig tonight for Karaoke night!” Perry smiles.
Perry is such a good floor don. She was more like a mother figure to you then anything, Which you kinda lacked in your life. Yes the girl could be kinda tense sometimes-Okay- All the time, But she only meant well and genuinely cared about all of you. “Who doesn’t love karaoke night! I haven’t been in so long. Let’s totally do it!” you say while jumping in your seat. You can't help it. Karaoke kinda brings out a lot in you and you miss going almost every weekend with the group.
“I’m down” Kirsch smirks at Danny. If those two didn't hate each other so much you would almost say he was flirting with her. “Yeah me too” There's a lot of sass in Danny's tone, but she's looking at him like its a death match so that can't be good. It doesn't phase you though, Surely those two could get along for one night for you.
--
You all finish up eating and get back to the dorm at around 11:30am. You had all agreed that you'd meet up at the lustig for 10pm. So of course an Idea came to mind.
Laura(11:45am):Hey so I have a question.. More of a request but yeah you know what I mean.
CakeCarm(11:48am):Doesn’t surprise me cupcake. Does your brain ever turn off? But yeah sure what is it?
Laura(11:50am):Hey! Rude. But yeah anyways.. Tonight's karaoke night at the lustig and my friends and I were all gonna meet up there around 10 pm to get our minds off this stressful exam time. I was wondering if maybe you’d like to come..?
CakeCarm(11:52am):And get death stares all night from agent Orange? I think I’ll pass cutie.
Laura(11:53am):I promise she will be on her best behavior and we don’t have to stick around the group the whole time.
CakeCarm(11:53am):Hmm, Tempting.
Laura(11:54am):Please? I’ll make it worth your while. :3
CakeCarm(11:54am):I’m gonna hold you to that cupcake.
Yes! She said yes. You weren't really expecting her too.. And so easily. Well Shit! What are you gonna wear?
Saturday
9:00am
You didn’t sleep much due to the constant reminders of how terrible you are rushing through your head all night. So you were up rather early. You lean over to pick up the napkin off your side table and look over the Name and number of the girl you don't quite understand yet. You ponder for a few more seconds before sending the text.
Carmilla(9:12am):You really surprised me last night, you don’t look like the kinda girl who gives random strangers her number.
She didn’t. Laura looked like the type of girl who carried around bear spray and was in some silly self defense class her whole life. She seemed to be a very simple girl. She had surprised you a lot last night.
As you raise yourself out of bed you feel the hangover hit you fast. This is the part you hated the most about drinking, waking up feeling like complete shit. You stand up to pull your favorite band tee over your head, slip on your leather pants and make your way to the kitchen to turn the coffee machine on. Your phone vibrates in your pocket.
Will(9:25am):You didn’t text me last night to let me know if you got in safe. I’m mad at you now.
Carmilla(9:27am):Oh get over it Willy boy. I’m not dead. Also I’m the older sibling, no need to be checking in with my little brother.
Will(9:28am):Ouch Kitty, you wound me. I’m glad to hear my sassy brooding sister is still breathing though ;)
You roll your eyes and smile. Sometimes that boy was just too much. As the ding of the coffee machine goes off to indicate it is ready, you pour yourself a cup and make your way towards the couch. To your surprise your phone lights up with another text notification
CreampuffLaura(9:32am):Yeah, well I guess there’s more to me then meets the eye ;P
You smile.
Carmilla(9:33am):No need to lie miss Hollis, you can just tell the truth on the fact that’s it’s just because you think I’m hot.
You laugh a little at that, you can almost see the tiny brunette’s cheeks going red. It had happened so much last night and was something you believed would be forever embedded into your mind.
CreampuffLaura(9:35am):Oh well aren’t we full of them self this morning. ;)
Carmilla(9:35am):All apart of the package cutie. You sit your phone down and think about that for a minute. If only Laura knew how much you actually hated yourself. I wonder what she would think… She’d probably run for the hills just like everyone else in your useless apathetic life.
After finishing your coffee, you reach over and pick up your guitar that is resting on the side of the couch and begin to strum. Testing out a new tune that just came to mind.
--
When about an hour of writing down what could possibly be a new song had passed, you decide to take a warm shower hoping to help shake this Hangover. After you get out and get dressed, you head back towards the table where you had left your phone. Picking it up, you notice a new text from Laura.
CreampuffLaura(11:45am): Hey so I have a question.. More of a request but yeah you know what I mean.
Carmilla(11:48am): Doesn’t surprise me cupcake. Does your brain ever turn off? But yeah sure what is it?
CreampuffLaura(11:50am):Hey! Rude, But yeah anyways.. Tonight's karaoke night at the lustig and my friends and I were all gonna meet up there around 10 pm to get our minds off this stressful exam time. I was wondering if maybe you’d like to come..?
You think back to last night and remember Laura’s tall body guard friend.
Carmilla(11:52am):And get death stares all night from agent Orange? I think I’ll pass cutie.
CreampuffLaura(11:53am): I promise she will be on her best behavior and we don’t have to stick around the group the whole time.
Carmilla(11:53am):Hmm, Tempting.
CreampuffLaura(11:54am): Please? I’ll make it worth your while. :3 You raise your eyebrow.
Carmilla(11:54am):I’m gonna hold you to that cupcake.
You weren't entirely sure how tonight was going to pan out, but if it was lame you will dip out of there the first chance you get. For some reason though the thought of seeing Laura again makes your cheeks heat up. What is going on with me?
You walk towards the fridge to grab a bottle and start off your morning by getting drunk. Again.
9:00pm
There was now only just under an hour until you had to be ready for the lustig- also to see Carmilla- and you have nothing to wear. It’s karaoke should you do something formal? You go into deep thought as to what style you are going to choose until you give up and just put on a black halter top and a flowy skirt you find at the back of your wardrobe. Your curiosity kicks in.
Laura(9:10pm):Hey, So what are you wearing tonight?
CakeCarm(9:10pm):Wouldn’t you like to know. You blush.
Laura(9:11pm):Sooo not what I meant, stop twisting my words “cutie”.
You can't help but smile at your mockery.
CakeCarm(9:14pm):Awh cute, you learned how to mock. But in all seriousness, probably just gonna wear something black and leathery.
You roll your eyes at that. You should have known that already.
Laura(9:15pm):Should have guessed that. Ha. Well I’m just wearing something flowy that I happened to find buried away in my wardrobe.
CakeCarm(9:16pm):No matter what it is, I bet you'll look beautiful.
Your heart skips for a second. Was Carmilla flirting with you ? But like not in her natural cocky way? Before you can respond you get another message.
CakeCarm(9:17pm):Hey did you want a ride ? I know its not that far from Silas but I pass you on the way anyways so might as well. All of a sudden you get butterflies. Why does that keep happening?
Laura(9:17pm):Yeah sure! I mean if you want too. :)
CakeCarm(9:18pm):Great. Ill be outside your dorm in 30.
Oh crap! You run to the bathroom to quickly fix up your hair and makeup. Not quite sure why but you shrug it off.
You throw on your black corset top and black leather pants. Making your way to the bathroom, You finish up your makeup and brush your hair. By the time you're done it's now 9:45pm.
You grab your keys off the hook next to your front door and make your way out of your apartment and down to your car. You pull up to Laura’s dorm at exactly 9:50. Huh, Only being like 5 minutes from Silas did end up coming in handy after all.
You watch as Laura walks out the dorm door and heads towards your car. Holy shit she looks gorgeous. It kinda takes your breath away for a second. You manage to get it together just in time for Laura to get into the passenger seat.
“Well don’t you look like a virgin sacrifice?” You comment, With your very natural flirty approach. “I’m not the one in the corset, which- Wow..” Laura trails off while looking you up and down. You let out a laugh, turning your head back towards the road to hide the redness that seems to be forming on your cheeks, and make your way towards the lustig.
This is going to be a long night.
--
You pull up to the lustig and park a few spots away from the front doors. As you turn your keys to shut the car off Laura speaks up. "Uh so hey.. Just a heads up, My friend Lafontaine identifies as Non-Binary and goes by They/Them pronouns" She looks over at you. "No worries cupcake, I respect peoples individuality." You smile and open your door. You both get out and make your way towards the bar. Upon entering You noticed the Ginger squad right away. How can you not? It looks like someone set fire to the booth.
You and Laura walk up to the group and instantly get shot with confused looks. “Uh L, Didn’t know you were bringing a friend” Ginger 1 smirks while looking back and forth between you and Laura.
“Yeah well it’s karaoke night and if I want to win I’m gonna need some talent on my side.” Laura responds. You blush a bit at that.
“Well hey! I’m Lafontaine” They smile. “This is Perry” Perry gives a shy wave. “and that there..” They look over at that Xena chick and some jock arguing about who would go get the drinks. “That’s Zeta/Society.” They laugh.
“Hey! It’s Danny. Don’t ever pair me and jock strap over here together again.” Danny snaps at Lafontaine. “My name’s kirsch. Get it right.” He flicks a coin at Xena.
“Uh, Hey.” Your tone is a lot more weary then before.
“Okaaaay well clearly we should start to pick our team names!” Laura says quickly, to cut the tension you assume. “Were always Laferry frosh you know that” Lafontaine winks and glances over at the slightly blushing Perry. “Okay well if we are doing mash ups of our names then…. Carmilla and I can be Hollstein.” Laura smiles.
“Hollstein? That’s the best you got cupcake?” You raise your eyebrow at Laura and smirk. “Why, you got something better?”
How does Laura manage to turn everything into a challenge? “No, I just like to see that bunched up face you make when you’re flustered, it’s hilarious buttercup”. You can be Sly sometimes.
There’s that red face again. Yup, Laura blushing is probably your favorite sight. “Wait , so that means I have to be paired with this fuck head?” Danny raises her tone a bit as she points to Kirsch. “Oh come on, My singing will balance out your horrible voice so it works” Kirsch laughs like he just made the best joke in the world. You can't help but chuckle as well.
You believe Danny was just about to punch him until Lafontaine cut in-
“Sorry Danny.. But what do you guys want your name to be?” They say in a very apologetic tone while glancing over at Kirsch. “Zeta/Society” Kirsch butts in while raising his eyebrow and sending Danny a wink. Danny shakes her head and sighs.
--
You and Laura had made your way up towards the bar to get drinks and honestly you couldn’t be happier because the longer you sat with the group of Laura’s friends the more you wanted to rip your ears off. You can swear they were bleeding. You both sit down on the stools as Will walks over to greet you.
“Hey Kitty, didn’t expect to see you back here so soon.. Or ever again” He's laughing but he kinda looks confused. “Yeah well little miss tightly wound over here needed my talent to help her win karaoke night so I decided to be nice” You respond in a playful tone.
“Hey , I can hold my own. You’ll see” Laura shoots back.
You unlock your phone to your recent conversation with Laura, but the wallet that was currently resting on your lap is now on the floor. You set your phone on the bar and bend down to grab it.
“Wow. Such thought went into that”. You glance up to see Laura smirking at her contact name in your phone. “Oh that? Ha. Yeah cutie it kinda just stuck well” You wink and pause. Now setting your wallet on top of the bar. “Well, whats mine?” You wait as Laura fishes her phone from her pocket to unlock it. When you glance down at the phone screen to see “CakeCarm” as your Contact name you squint your eyes.
“Hmm..” You look back to Laura. “I don’t get it cupcake.” “Well you did say you had Layers and I did say I wanted to see more of them” Laura laughs at her own joke. "Cakes tend to have layers, Plus you're always calling me stuff to do with pastries so why not?" She shuffles in her seat. “And the Carm thing.. I don’t know, It was shorter and kinda rang a bell so I kept it.” she blushes.
You look at Laura in a way you never have before. Was is curiosity ? Wonder? Confusion? Well it was something you didn't quite understand but Laura seems to catch it.
“Did I say something wrong..” Laura asks you with concern in her voice. “No cutie, It’s just… There’s only ever been one other person to call me that.. And I guess you can say we kinda sorta had a bit of a falling out.” You sigh, picking up your beer to take a sip. “Oh! I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.. I can change it if you wan’t” Laura looks at her hands and starts to delete your contact name.
“No no, it actually sounds quite nice off your lips.” You smirk while bringing the beer back up to your mouth. Laura blushing will never get old. You're certain of that now. Her biting her lip though.. That was new, and rather distracting. You can’t help but wonder how nice Laura’s lips would feel on yours-- Nope, Nope Carmilla you don’t do feelings. To many people get hurt that way.
But why did Laura’s lips have to look so soft? Ugh, Karnstein shut up!
You reach over and grab Laura’s phone to change your name to “Carm” and give Laura a warm smile, setting it back down on the bar in front of the brunette. Laura grabs yours to delete “Creampuff” and left just “Laura”. So being Carmilla, You take it back and quickly type “Tiny” in front of “Laura” and give her a small wink. Of course Laura argues about that for a while but you end up winning, Like you always do.
It was time for their group to take over the stage, so Lafontaine and Perry go first, Like always. No matter what anyone said, you knew those two were created for one another. Obviously they do some sort of duet of a song you don't know, But just watching those two in unison makes your heart warm.
Danny and Kirsch go second and don't even get through picking songs before a fight breaks out, Needless to say they lost.
So all that left was you and Carmilla. You decide to go first considering that instant spark of confidence had came back.
“Woah , what are you doing cutie?” Carm asks as you get up. “What, you think you’re the only one who can sing? Ha! I told you I can hold my own” You respond while flipping your hair and walk towards the stage. Good one Hollis, That’ll show her!
As you make it up to the karaoke machine you scroll through the list of songs. You have no Idea what you want to sing, All you know is you need it to wipe that smirk off of the very pretty- very cocky raven haired girl staring at you from the bottom of the stage. Glancing back at the screen, you find it. Perfect!
The beginning tune of the song “Dracula by Bae miller” Shoots out. You look down at Carmilla and Smirk as you begin the first verse.
Here is my story, I've got my type
Tattoos and skinny jeans, black boots and piercings
A public enemy
Not Cinderella, still got my shoes
I like the animal, the supernatural
Maybe I'm crazy but..
You close Your eyes to start the chorus.
If you were Dracula
I'd be letting you take that bite
Hot and hazardous
Like playing with dynamite
Yeah I want Dracula
Forever be young and wild
Dark and dangerous
Yeah I love, I love the tragically beautiful
You lock eyes with Carmilla just then, and don't regret it one bit when you can see the Raven haired girl’s mouth hanging open. You wink as you go into the rest of the song
Only one kiss, only one Only one kiss, you'll be k-k-k-k-killing me
If you were Dracula
I'd be letting you take that bite
Hot and hazardous
Like playing with dynamite
Yeah I want Dracula
Forever be young and wild
Dark and dangerous
Yeah I love, I love the tragically beautiful
You finish, hand the mic down to Carmilla and walk off the stage with pride.
“Ha, Beat that Karnstein” Carmilla lets out a laugh. “Aren’t we supposed to be a team here cupcake?” She raises an eyebrow to you.
“Yeah but I had to prove to you that you’re not the only one with talent” You're positive you surprised the broody musician. “I never doubted you for a moment creampuff” Carmilla gives you a wink as she turns around to make her way to the stage. Stop blushing Hollis, you’re trying to be cocky. But if you were honest, Carmilla was much better at that quality. You like being charmed by her. Like- In a friend way.
Carmilla leads out into a song you have never heard before. But you can tell Carmilla knows it very well. Whatever it is, it seemed to bring a lot of emotion out in you. The way Carmilla sings is like shes trying to make a point that she could never say in person, but only lets it out in songs.
--
After the little singing fest you all walk back to the booth and tally the score. Well Danny and Kirsch are out so it was only Laferry and Hollstein. Looking at the score on the machine turns out You and Carmilla had won by 2 points. It was sooo because of you.
By midnight you all decide to head home and get some sleep. “Hey so since you’ve been drinking and can’t drive.. Did you want to walk with me?” You turn to ask Carmilla nervously. “Sure cupcake. I only live 5 minutes from your dorm anyways.” She smiles as you all get up and make your way to the door.
On the walk back, Lafontaine and the group had been way ahead of you so they were no where to be seen. It was surprisingly silent the whole time, But you can't help but feel like it wasn't the awkward kind of silence but more.. Comforting. As you both walk up to the dorm, You turn to face Carmilla.
“I had a great time, I’m so glad you came.” You breath out.
“So did I cupcake, can’t believe you beat me at my own profession” Carmilla laughs slightly at that. “I told you there’s more to me then meets the eye.” You half smirk trying to prove a point, but you always fail horribly at that.
“I just bet” Carmillas voice is a lot lower then it was two seconds ago.. Your stomach instantly turns into knots as Carmilla moves a little closer then you'd like. Well, It’s not that you didn’t like it.. But it makes your entire body freeze up. You hold your breath.
“Thank’s for inviting me cutie” Carmilla adds while giving you that intense stare she had given you the first time you met by the stage. “Uh.. No- no problem” You try to reply but the words come out jumbled. You can't help it, Carmilla’s face is so close to yours, you are certain if you just moved a little closer you would be kis--
Your train of thought is quickly cut off when you feel Carmilla’s lips on your forehead. Your entire body goes numb. When Carmilla pulls back to look at you, You both lock eyes for what feels like an eternity. All you can think about is how Carmillas lips would feel on yours. Something in you wants to know so badly. You're just drunk. You shake Yourself out of that thought and blush. Hoping Carmilla doesn't notice how flustered you've become. “Goodnight Carm” You say very softly.
“Goodnight Laura.” Carmilla smiles.
You make your way up and through the dorm doors before you realize that is the first time Carmilla has ever said your name. And You can't help but think that it belongs on Carmillas tongue.