The Only Exception

2 weeks later

You are finally on your way back to your dorm upon finishing your second last midterm before the Christmas break. After cramming so hard and countless hours of studying, you can finally lay down and just relax for a change. These past two weeks have been so busy you hadn’t had the chance to do anything really -that included seeing Carmilla- You had kept up the back and forth texting and pointless flirting; On Carmilla's part, definitely not yours..

(Well, Maybe once or twice.)

But still, you can’t help but think about the last time you saw each other. Did you almost kiss?  Did you really want to kiss her or was the lack of space between you both what made your mind all foggy. Maybe it was the alcohol running through your blood. Your brain has been fighting with reasons ever since you parted. Now that you finally have a night to yourself, you can definitely try and get to the bottom of it--

Your train of thought gets abruptly cut off as you slam right into someone in the hall causing you to drop your satchel and the countless textbooks you are caring. “Oh my god. I’m so sorry Laura” Danny says apologetically while bending down to help you retrieve your books. “Oh hey Danny! No don’t apologize. It’s totally my fault, My brain was else where I wasn’t looking where I was going.” You reply quickly, picking up the last book that lays on the hallway floor.

You both stand and look at each other while you nervously try to hide the redness that's forming on your cheeks. “Where are you headed in such a rush Hollis? You left history so quickly before I could talk to you.” Danny seems a tad bit flustered.  You pause. Did you really seem in such a rush today?  You didn’t feel like it. “Sorry I didn’t notice you wanted to talk to me.” you look down at the mountain of books in your arms. “Was it important?”

“No nothing too serious. Was just going to see what you had planned for after classes today” She says while brushing her foot across the floor, Which you assume must be something she does when shes nervous. “Oh!”. You hadn’t really thought about it. The first thing that comes to mind is binge eating those packs of cookies you just bought and throwing on the first season of Doctor Who. “I haven’t really decided yet”.

“Awesome. I mean, I was wondering if maybe you’d wanna hang out? Just us for a change?” That last part came out a bit shaky.  Something in you knows that if you were going to have company.. Danny isn't the first person that comes to mind. Maybe a certain Raven haired girl would enjoy watching Netflix and pigging out on snacks with you?

(That sparks an idea.)

“I actually think I may invite Carm over to hang out and binge watch doctor who with me” You pause for a second. “Would you want to join us?” you add with a smile.

“You mean be in the same small room with Karnstein? Yeah, I think I’d rather go on a date with Kirsch then do that.” Danny groans. “Laura, Do you really think she’s the type of person you want to be around? She’s a stuck up drama queen. Also, she’s kind of bad news.”

You can't help but feel angry. You try to include Danny and this is her response? After the stressful day you just had this is not what you needed right now. The red head had pushed you too far this time, and that’s extremely hard to do with you.

“Oh so now you have a say on who I can and Can’t be friends with?” you say with a huff while pressing the books farther into your chest. “No Laura , that’s not what I meant--” But you rapidly cut her off before she can say anything else.

“No. I've tried to include you and have all of us get along. Every time Kirsch is around you can’t even suck it up and just be mature for me even for a second. Like I’ve said before, I like you. All of you. You are all my friends and I will not play in between the sides like this. You don’t need to guard over me like I’m some child who needs protection. I already have a dad. I don’t need another one.” there was a lot more anger in your voice then you thought you even confined in this tiny body of yours. Can you be blamed though? It was starting to be a little too much.

There is a huge silence that falls over both of you. For a little bit there, you don't think Danny is even going to respond. “Alright.. I’ll back off I guess.” She reply's softly. “Just.. Be careful. I’d hate to see you get hurt.”

There is the silence again. You can't seem to do anything but bite the inside of your cheek and stare at the now empty floor. “I guess I’ll see you in class” Danny adds, and you think she's waiting for a response from you. But, You can't bare to look at the red head. Were you too harsh?  You really don't like hurting people but this was starting to feel like you were being smothered with a 40 pound blanket. Your father used to do the exact same thing and you refuse to let it happen to you at collage.

Danny takes the silence as a sign to leave. As the tall girl walks down the hall way and turns the corner; Now out of sight, You let out the breath you've been holding. You can't really put into words how you feel.. Relieved? Upset?

--

You make your way through the campus and up to the dorm before you remember that you haven't even asked Carmilla if she would want to come see you. You walk up the stairs and make it up to your room as you set your books down on the bed side table and pull out your phone to text that overly cocky friend of yours.

Laura(5:03pm):Hey, So I was thinking.. I’m done all my classes for the day and don’t have my last midterm till 3pm tomorrow. Was curious if you’d wanna have a little sleepover with me? :p

Carm(5:05pm):Sleepover? Hmm haven’t had one of those since I was 12.

Laura(5:07pm):Oh shut up, you know what I meant. Now does the pretentious musician want to accompany yours truly or should I strip down and lay in bed all night?

Carm(5:07pm):If there’s going to be stripping involved I am already on my way cutie.

You can't help the eye roll, But if you were to be honest you didn't really expect anything less from her.

Laura(5:12pm): You are unbelievable. Be here by 7. Gives me time to have everything set up. :)

Carm(5:15pm):Demanding, I like it. See you soon cupcake.

Thank god you stocked up on grape soda and cookies yesterday.

--

The night progresses and you have just about everything set up. The T.V is ready and the first episode of Doctor Who appears paused on the screen. The snacks and drinks are set out on the table and you shove all of the things that cover the floor under your bed. All that was left was to pick out your outfit. After giving it much thought, you go with a pair of short’s that are a little too tiny on you now, and a firm fitting tank top. It is definitely attire you would wear when a friend's coming over. You're positive.

It is now 6:45 and you snap out of your crazy perfectionist mind to the sound of your phone going off. “So are you just gonna leave me standing outside in the cold to freeze my ass off or are you going to come escort me in cutie?” Carmilla laughs as you answer the phone call. “You’re here already? Wow never pegged you to be the early type” You reply while slipping on your shoes. “Well when a cute girl invites you over for a sleepover and stripping, You kinda want to arrive on time for that party.” There's so much certainty in her voice that you cant help the scoff that comes out. You can almost see the smirk that’s across her face right now. She’s so full of herself.

“Yeah yeah, I’ll be right there” You mock as you make your way to the stairwell. “I’ll be waiting cupcake”. You hang up so you can have enough time to stop the redness from forming on your cheeks before you reach the front of the dorm. No need to let the Raven haired girl know just how much she effects you.

As you make your way to the front doors, you see Carmilla leaning up against her car; That's parked just outside the Dorm. You smile as you push the doors open and enter the cold winter air. “You know, You could have waited inside the foyer instead of outside in this cold.”  “You invited me over, So you have to be the one to invite me in. I don’t make the rules cutie.” She smirks while pushing herself off the car and walks towards You holding a very - Wait is that Champagne ?

“What’s with the ludicrously expensive wine ?” Leave it to Carmilla to bring the Alcohol. "What, this?” Carmilla looks down at the bottle she is holding in her right hand. “I felt like bringing a treat for both of us” She cocks her head to the side and smirks. Your cheeks light up instantaneously. Why does she have this much of an effect on you?

You don't realize how long you're inside your own head until Carmilla speaks up. “Sooo, Are we gonna go inside or are we going to freeze to death out here?” Her tone is half playful half serious. “Oh yeah! Follow me” You reply while turning around to grab the door handle.

Both of you tread towards the elevator when you noticed a sudden stiffen in Carmilla’s posture. As the elevator opens and you both step in, You can almost swear Carmilla’s face goes completely pale. Well, More pale then usual. You don't have it in you to ask what's wrong, not wanting to pry. So you continue your way up the floors in silence. Upon arrival to the 3rd floor you walk out as Carmilla follows close behind, until you reach room 307. This is it. You turn the handle and are a little nervous to see Carm’s reaction to your own personal space.

“Wow, you really took this sleepover thing seriously huh cupcake?” Carmilla expresses while looking at the table full of snacks and the T.V that's already been ready for you to start watching. “I haven’t had company in a long time, So I wanted to go all out” You smile nervously. You make your way to your bed while Carmilla grabs two glasses out of the cupboard for the Champagne. She pours both of you a glass and strolls her way towards the bed across from you.

“So how come you don’t have a roommate? Isn’t that Like a policy or something?” Carmilla asks as she passes you the glass in her right hand. You take it from her appreciatively. “Well I guess they just haven’t found someone yet. I don’t really know.. I've been thinking the same thing”. You Pause. “Sooo I thought we could just pig out and watch my favorite show! You probably don’t like it but that’s okay cause I’m gonna force you to enjoy it with me”. You smile while taking a sip from the glass. You honestly haven't had company in a long time and you just want whatever this is to go well, Considering you don't entirely know where you and Carmilla stand yet.

Carmilla raises her eyebrow and swishes the champagne around in her glass. “Well cutie, If you were going to force me to do anything, I definitely didn't think it was gonna be this” She gestures towards the T.V. You choke a bit on the sip you just took. What’s that supposed to mean?  “Not everything's all about you, you know.” You manage to say after recovering from your coughing fit.

“I think we both know that it wouldn’t just be 'All about me’”. Carmilla drops her tone while locking eye contact with you. Well this escalated quickly. You drink the rest of your glass in one sip to keep yourself from saying anything that you might regret later. Carmilla laughs under her breath as she finishes off her glass as well. Your cheeks are bright red now, that is certain.

Carmilla stands up and raises her hand out to ask for your glass. You hand it to her and She walks back towards the kitchen to top both of them off. She makes her way back towards you but instead of returning to the bed across from you she is now sitting right beside you, So close that her thigh is pressed up against yours. She turns her head to the side slightly but all you can do is look at your hands. “You’re really easy to get to cupcake, you should work on that” She speaks up, passing you the newly filled glass.

“Well maybe if you weren’t so intimidating it would be easy to ignore.” You let that slip out before thinking. “My my, Miss Hollis. You find me intimidating? Do I really get under your skin that much?” Her voice is a lot lower then before.

There was that tension you felt the last time you were together. You raise your head to look at her. She has this spark in her gaze that you can't quite put your finger on until you notice the slight raise of her lips that form into a smirk. Oh how they would feel pressed up against your own. Your teeth graze your bottom lip as your mind wanders on the thought. You lock eye contact once more and you're pretty sure Carmilla's about to kiss you when-

Just like that, The moment is completely shattered from an excited Lafontaine barging into your room.

“Hey Laur! You’ll never guess what just happened!” They yell as they run into the room. They look over to you and you assume they notice how flustered you are; While Also noticing the Very, very angry looking Carmilla. “Oh shit! I didn’t mean to interrupt anything.” You glance back at Carmilla then Lafontaine. “What? No! You weren’t interrupting anything.” You pause as you can feel your cheeks heating up. Lafontaine doesn't look too convinced so you quickly change the mood “What is it that happened?”.

“Yeaaaah… Okay.” Laf reply's as if they know something you don't. “Well, The summers have decided to throw the annual Christmas party this year so that means we all get to get hella drunk without the Zeta’s ruining the entire thing.” They breath and tilt their head slightly. “It also means you’ll get to see Danny all dressed up”

A loud gagging sound comes from Carmilla that makes both Lafontaine and you turn to look at her. “What? Sorry, was just imagining Xena in a Santa outfit and I had to hold back My vomit.” She gets up to refill her now empty glass. You watch as she walks over to the kitchen. How can someone look so good in leather jeans?  This defiantly isn't helping your dilemma.

“Uhm, Earth to Laura?” Laf raises their hands and shakes them in front of you. “Yeah! That’s awesome Laf, But Danny and I aren’t on such good terms right now”. You frown, looking down at your wine glass. “What do you mean? Aren't you guys practically dating?” They add with concern.

“No. We aren't. And we got into a little argument over her being a bit over protective on who I hang out with”. Carmilla turns around at that comment to look directly at you with an eyebrow raised. “Hmmm, Well I understand that then. I mean Perr had a hard time transitioning to me being Lafontaine instead of Susan and it took a lot of arguments to finally settle things between us” They drop their gaze to the floor. “Well if it makes you both feel any better, My mother still thinks my sexuality is a big joke I’m playing on her.” Carmilla speaks up as she raises her glass to her lips. She makes her way back over to the bed across from you while you both gaze at her.

“I mean, When I came out as a lesbian, she put it off like it was just some phase I was going through.” She pauses to take another sip from her glass. “That is until she walked in on me fucking my girlfriend”. She smirks while swishing the liquid around in her hand.

You can't help but gasp at that. You had no idea Carmilla was gay. You just thought that the girl flirted with everyone because she was so full of herself.

(But rewind back to like 10 minutes ago and you totally thought she was about to kiss you so you're kinda contradicting yourself here.)

“Well I’m gonna clear outta here.. See ya Later L.” Laf turns around to leave but cocks their head back to give you a wink. They shut the door silently behind them.

You stare at Carmilla for a few minutes, she's looking down at her champagne glass with a look that makes you assume shes a little lost in thought. Maybe she was flirting with you for real then?  “I am too.” You say very quietly. “You are what cutie?”

“Gay.” You look down at your glass then back up to make eye contact with her. “I know.” Carmilla smirks. “I mean, Nobody just gives a random girl their number in a bar if they aren’t somewhat interested” She lets out a proud laugh.

“That not why I did it! I just wanted to get to know you better”. You know that isn't entirely  true but you sure as hell aren't gonna feed her ego. “Yeah alright. Now are we gonna watch this nerdy show you picked out or am I gonna finish this entire bottle by myself?”

“It’s not nerdy, it’s a classic.”

--

You are 4 episodes in until Carmillas sighs and outrageous comments have finally gotten on your last nerve. You stand up to turn the T.V Off. While making your way back over to your bed to slip under the covers, you let out a slight yawn.

“Tired already creampuff? I expected more of a fight out of you” Carmilla announces as she gets up to walk towards the window beside your kitchen. “What are you doing?” You prop yourself up on one elbow to face Carmilla. “Looking at the stars”. She tilts her head upwards to get a better view of the sky. “Oh.”

“It’s comforting… to think how small we are in comparison. All the lives we’ve lead, the people we’ve been.. Nothing to that light.” She lets out a small sigh. “You definitely would have been a philosophy major”.

( Somewhere between that conversation and watching Carmilla slip into the bed across from you, you fall asleep.)

--

You wake up to a still very much asleep Carmilla who is sprawled across the bed frame next to you. And Is that your yellow pillow?  When did she even take that?

You can't help but stare at the girl that is fast asleep. She looks so soft.. So light. Nothing compared to her natural hardened shell she constantly has wrapped around her. You feel like this may be the most vulnerable you have ever seen Carmilla. You bask in it just a while longer before getting up to take a shower.

--

Thoughts from the night before rush through your head as the warm water hits your bare skin. So Carmilla is gay. That intrigues you in a way you don’t quite understand. Also, You could have sworn she was about to kiss you right before Lafontaine barged in, That would be the second time that you've felt that now. Would you have even wanted Carmilla to kiss you?

Why are you even denying it anymore? Of course you did.

You get out and dry yourself off before putting on your clothes for the day. As you walk out of the bathroom, to your surprise; you notice a very much awake Carmilla sitting upwards with a book in hand. “Sorry, I really hope I didn’t wake you” You take the towel off your head and run it across your hair to dry it, making your way towards the side of your bed to sit down. Carmilla's gaze stays on her novel. “It’s 2:30 cupcake. How long do you think I sleep in?”. She smiles.

You glance over at the clock. Shit, Did you really sleep in that late? “Oh my god! My English midterm is in 30 minutes.” You rush around the room to gather your books. “I’m so gonna be late”. You pick up the last of your things and start to slip your shoes on. “Would you like me to walk you to class?” Carmilla asks, suddenly gathering her things as well. “You don’t have to. I know you aren’t too fond of Danny. She’s my TA for that class.” You pause, remembering how your last conversation with the red head had gone; “Oh shit… She’s soo gonna fail me.”

Carmilla picks up your jacket and holds it out so you can shrug it on. “Don’t worry cupcake, I want too. And if the giant bodyguard fails you because she’s jealous of me, then I’ll have a little chat with her myself.” You both make your way out the door and into the hall way. You highly remember how stiff the girl had gotten last night on the elevator ride and change your route to the stairwell. “No, You Don’t have to. I don’t think Danny would do that but I can only hope for the best”. You sigh as you both enter the cold winter afternoon.

--

You make it up to the front door of your LIT class where Danny is already stationed at the front. You make eye contact with her for a slight second before turning back to Carmilla. “Thanks for walking me. I really didn’t mean to sleep in that late.. We could have had more time to spend this morning.” You look down at your hands that are now rubbing up and down your thigh. “No need to worry cutie, we will have lots of other times to make up for it.” She gives you a warm smile and passes you the books she has been generously holding for you. You suddenly remember what Lafontaine had mentioned last night. The Christmas party.

“Hey so on Friday, As you know, the summer’s are holding the annual Christmas party. It’s a plus one event.. So” You take a deep breath. “Maybe you’d wanna be that plus one?” Carmilla laughs a little while reaching her hand over to lift your chin up to look at her. “Laura, Do you really think little miss TA over there is going to want me at one of her parties? Right after you reamed her out about our friendship?”

(You don't let it show how the word 'friendship' stings a little.) You did wan't to know where you both stood.. Well there's your answer.

“It’s not just her party. It’s the entire summer society’s. And everyone is aloud a plus one so I can bring whoever the hell I want” You grin.

“Well, How can I say no to that response?” She smiles. “It’s a date miss Hollis.” She moves her hand up to cup your- now entirely red cheek. As she leans in you can swear your heart stops. It's instantly rebooted as soon as Carmilla’s lips press against your forehead. How can a heart even beat this fast? You watch as Carmilla gives you a quick smirk and turns to leave.

Maybe this whole 'Friendship' thing wasn't so bad after all, Either way Carmilla was in your life now and you wouldn't ask for anything better.

(Even though you do have such a desire to know what Carmilla's skin would feel like under your finger tips, You can settle for this)

But right now, You have bigger things to deal with. Like attempting to pass this LIT midterm when your very jealous looking TA had just seen yours and Carmilla’s interaction.

Oh this is gonna be super fun.