is it that sweet, i guess so

The bass vibrated through Lydia’s body as she tried to manoeuvre her way through the crowd. The whole place was like some gigantic sensory overload — the sticky floors, the flashing lights, the overwhelming scent of cheap alcohol and sweat. It was a college party, alright.

She didn’t want to go tonight, but Suzie and Arrietty had practically dragged her out of bed, throwing clothes at her as they insisted she had to come. Lydia had protested, she already had Friday night plans and everything, but they weren't having it. What she wanted to do instead was stay in, eat takeout, and watch a David Lynch movie. Ignore Suzie's incessant teasing about Kori. Forget about Kori.

“Wow, sounds killer.” Arrietty had deadpanned.

Instead, her friends forced her to come to some frat party so arrietty could talk to her new crush. It was very typical of Arrietty and normally she would be completely supportive of the whole thing, but she just wasn’t in the mood. Her head was in another place.

She finally caught Suzie’s eye through the crowd and quickly made her way over. The party was loud and lively — there were people dancing, drinks flowing, and Lydia felt like she was getting swallowed in it. She was bumped multiple times as she fought through the masses, cheap alcohol spilling on her favourite pair of heels. She clung to Suzie tightly the moment she reached her.

Suzie paused her conversation with another girl and raised an eyebrow. “Girl, you don’t look like you’re doing too good.”

Lydia resisted the urge to bite back. No, really? she wanted to say, but decided to keep it civil. It wasn’t Suzie’s fault she was here, Lydia could have refused to come if she really wanted to. Deep down, there was a small part of her that truly wanted to come tonight. Whether it to be with her friends or perhaps the small chance that she might run into a certain some, well, that was kept her from hightailing it out of there.

“I’m fine,” she said instead, giving the girl next to Suzie a small nod of greeting. She gave her a little wave back.

Suzie smiled. “Good. Just relax a bit, okay? Loosen up.”

“I am very loose,” Lydia replied, feeling anything but.

Suzie rolled her eyes and handed Lydia her cup. “Here. Please take this. I’m going to get another drink.”

Lydia gave it a quick sniff and wrinkled her nose. Gin. “No wonder you don’t want this.”

“I was saving it for you,” Suzie grinned innocently. “Jewels, do you want anything?”

The girl next to Lydia shook her head quickly. “I’m all good for now! Ask me again later though, I think I will definitely need something stronger soon.”

Suzie just nodded, disappearing into the crowd. Lydia turned to the girl beside her. “I don’t think Suzie even introduced me. I’m Lydia.”

“Oh, I know!” Jewels replied, her glittery make up shimmering in the neon lights. “She told me all about you.”

Lydia cocked her head. “Really? Only good things, I hope.”

Jewels laughed. “Of course. You guys are really cute together.”

A small smile made her way to Lydia’s face. Being two alternate girls in an arts major, Suzie and her got mistaken for a couple more times than she could count. “Thank you, but we’re not actually together. We’re just really good friends.”

Jewels let out a dramatic sigh, clutching her chest. “Oh, thank god!” she declared. “I thought Suzie was totally into me, which is amazing because I’m totally into her, and then you come along and I got all confused.”

Lydia’s smile widened, interesting. Maybe this will make Suzie stop messing around in Lydia’s love life and focus on her own. Not that Lydia even had any in the first place.

A loud cackle erupted from a group of people, capturing Lydia’s attention. She looked over to the crowd and saw a familiar face — Kori’s, shinning brightly as her friends joined in on the laughter around her. She felt a sharp tug in her chest and it was like she was back in that coffee shop, feeling that magnetic pull all over again.

Jewels followed Lydia’s gaze and rolled her eyes fondly. “One thing about Kori? You always hear that girl before you see her.”

Lydia continued watching Kori. She was the centre of attention, but her eyes flickered towards the crowd, landing on Lydia. A small smirk formed on Kori’s lips, and Lydia felt her chest thud.

She turned to Jewels, trying to calm herself. “Do you know her?”

“Well, yes! We’re on the same cheer squad.” Jewels waved excitedly as Kori made her way over. “Do you?”

Lydia hesitated. “No, not really.”

Kori approached them with her easy, confident stride. Lydia tried to remain composed, painfully aware of how silly she was being. Kori looked great. In a tight pink mini dress and wavy hair, she looked like a barbie doll.

“Kori!” Jewels greeted. “This is my new friend, Lydia!”

Kori’s gaze shifted to Lydia, a mischievous glint in her eyes . “I know. Almost didn’t recognise you without the headband.”

Lydia’s breath hitched. “Oh, that ugly thing?”

Kori laughed, her arm slipping easily around Lydia’s waist. The warmth of her touch sent a jolt through Lydia, and she found herself stiffening slightly at the contact, heart racing. “I thought it was cute."

Lydia’s skin heated at the proximity and she tried to ignore the way her heart fluttered. “Well, at least that makes one person.”

Kori hummed and leaned back a bit, hand slipping down Lydia’s lower back. Did she know what she was doing? “I gotta say though, I’m a much bigger fan of the outfit you’ve got tonight.”

Heat rose to Lydia’s cheeks. In that moment, she was extremely grateful Arrietty had picked out something decent for her to wear.

Jewels looked between both of them with wide open eyes, mouth held open in a little ‘o’. “Oh wow! Looks like you two already know each other. ”

Lydia stammered for a response, but Kori just laughed and squeezed her side. “We only met yesterday.”

Jewels eyebrows shot up. “Yesterday? Oh my God, is this coffee shop girl?!”

Kori slapped a hand over her forehead. It was an endearing change to her normally confident persona.

Jewels tried to quickly backtrack. “Right! I mean, well— I’m just going to go find Suzie.”

“Please do,” begged Kori, turning back to Lydia as Jewels made her way back into the crowd. “I don’t know how it keeps happening, but I feel like have to apologise for my friends every time we meet.”

Lydia chuckled shyly, feeling an unexpected warmth in her chest. “It’s okay. I appreciate her honesty.”

“Yeah,” Kori stated with a wink. “That girl has no filter.”

Lydia raised an eyebrow, trying to regain some composure. “I have to ask, though — coffee shop girl?”

Kori grinned, voice lowering . “What can I say? I met this cute barista and couldn’t shut up about her.”

Lydia’s chest fluttered. She wasn’t used to someone being so… forward. She had girlfriends before, but this, whatever it was, felt different. It was like Kori had her eyes set on her and wanted to make it known. It was almost enough to send her reeling. Suddenly, everything around felt overwhelming — the thumping music, the voices of so many people, the way her shoes were still wet with alcohol.

Maybe it was the gin catching up to her, but Lydia felt every emotion hit her at once.

It was like Kori could sense her inner turmoil. ”Hey, you okay?”

Lydia just nodded, trying to push it down. “I’m just not a big fan of these kinds of things.”

“Parties?” She asked with a smirk.

Lydia laughed, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Yeah. Can you tell?”

Kori smile softened. “A little bit, but I think it’s cute. We can go somewhere quieter if you want.”

Lydia nodded and let herself be guided by Kori, her hand still firmly wrapped around her waist. She caught Suzie’s eye from the drink table and pointedly ignored the smug look on her face. She just needed to step outside, and then she would be fine.

“You know,” Kori said as they walked. “I’m not really a big fan of these things either.”

Lydia looked up at her in surprise. “Really? I don’t mean to be rude but this totally seems like your scene.”

“Careful, Miss Lydia,” Kori teased, bumping her hip. “If I didn’t know any better I would say that you’ve been making assumptions about me. But no, I can’t think of anything worse than spending my night in a frat house.”

As they made their way out onto the porch, Lydia let herself breath as the cold air finally hit her face. Both of the girl leant on the bannister, looking into the yard. Minus a guy puking in a bush, it was almost peaceful.

She turned to Kori, finding the other girl already looking at her. She opened her mouth to say something witty, something flirty, but the words caught in her throat.

“Thank you,” she said instead, voice soft. “For coming out here with me.”

Kori shrugged easily. “It’s no big deal. I’m happy to.”

Lydia smiled. “So, you’re not a frat party girl?”

Kori laughed, blonde hair cascading down as she tilted her head back. “Oh, hell no! I am like, a raging lesbian. Like I said, this is not my ideal Friday night.”

Lydia’s felt her heart race, and she took a chance. “So, what is your ideal Friday night then?”

“Why?” Kori retorted with a grin. “You’re going to ask me out or something.”

Lydia hummed playfully. “Or something.”

“Well, let me think then.” She turned her gaze to the yard, searching for her answer. “I don’t know, I guess I would normally work on a drawing or something.”

Her answer piqued Lydia’s interest. “You draw?”

“I mean I try! I was going to study animation but changed last minute.”

Lydia cocked her head. “What are you studying now?”

Kori laughed. “Pharmaceutics, which is even more random. What about you?”

Lydia wanted to dive more into it, but let Kori shift the focus. “I’m a film major.”

Kori looked at her. “I can see that. You’ve got that vibe to you.”

“There's a vibe?” She raised her eyebrow.

“Oh, totally. Quiet, mysterious, hot.”

Lydia blushed. “You match the cheerleader vibe, too.”

"And what's that?"

"Funny, pretty, hot."

Kori laughed and then was quiet for a moment, studying her. “You know, you’ve surprised me.”

“Me?”

“Yeah. When I first saw you I thought you were going to be all Hot Topic goth girl who can’t stand to be around me, but you’re actually quite sweet.”

Lydia looked down and chuckled. “Who wouldn’t want to be around you?” There was a beat, and Lydia spoke again. “You’ve surprised me, too.”

Kori lighted up with inquisition and moved closer, the new position making her look down a little on Lydia. “Oh yeah? How so?”

Lydia looked up. “I don’t know, you’re not a typical cheerleader.”

Kori grinned. “It’s true. I turned the cheer community on their heads.”

“No, I mean in the way I thought you were going to be all high energy go-go-go all the time, but you’re being quite gentle right now.”

Kori in further, her presence encompassing Lydia. She could smell her perfume. Strawberry and vanilla. “Maybe it’s you that brings it out of me.”

It was quiet for a moment, the only sounds being the muffled sounds of the party behind them and the occasional retching. Lydia forced herself to get it together. If she was going to say something, now would be the time to do it. She turned to Kori again, noting the way the porch light casted a gentle glow on her, making her seem softer, more approachable.

“Kori, I-“

“Lydia-“

They both stopped and laughed. Kori gestured for Lydia to continue, her hand tapping mindlessly on the railing. Lydia felt a sudden, unexpected urge to reach for it, but her hands remained firmly by her side. As if Kori could sense it, she gently held Lydia’s hands in her own. Her heart fluttered.

Lydia cleared her throat. “I just wanted to say, that. Well.”

Before Lydia could gather her thoughts, the door flew open with a bang, and in rushed Suzie, Arrietty, and Jewels. The sharp noise of the door slamming behind them was jarring, pulling Lydia’s attention back to the chaos, their hands separating in shock. She barely had time to process what was happening before Jewels’ frantic voice cut through the air.

“Kori!” Jewels yelled, running up to her. “You gotta get Lana! She was about to get into a fight!”

Both the girls looked at each other in shook, the tender moment from before being put on hold by the chaos in front of them.

“Fight?” questioned Kori, struggling to pull her eyes away from Lydia’s. “You’re not being dramatic, are you?”

Suzie gave them an apologetic look. “Just a little bit."

Arrietty shot them a determined stare, already grabbing Suzie’s and Lydia’s arms and pulling them toward the stairs. “Let’s go,” she ordered. “I never want to see that girl again.”

Lydia looked to Suzie in confusion, then over her shoulder to Kori, but Jewels was already pulling the cheerleader back inside. She felt a twinge of disappointment — both at how abruptly the moment ended and how she lost her chance to say something. Still, there was something bubbling under the surface, leaving her eager for their next encounter.

She dejectedly let herself be pulled by Arrietty until they got to the sidewalk. The girl stormed off ahead, muttering to herself as she did so.

“What was that?” She questioned her friends, ignoring the feeling of how empty her hands felt. “What the hell happened in there.”

“I don’t want to talk about it.” Arrietty snapped, back firmly kept towards them.

Lydia turned to Suzie instead. Well?

Suzie rolled her eyes. “You know that girl that Arrietty had a crush on? The whole reason why we came here tonight?”

Lydia nodded. It was something she had secretly become grateful about, but she wouldn’t give them the satisfaction of admitting it.

“Well, Arrietty saw her flirting with another girl, and—” Suzie paused, changing her tone to an exaggerated whisper. “She totally lost it.”

“I didn’t lose it!” Arrietty yelled over her shoulder. “I just said some pointed words.”

Suzie gave Lydia an amused looked look. “They were very pointed words.”

Lydia winced, suddenly sympathetic for this Lana girl. When her friend got mad, she got mad.

“Oh, whatever,” Arrietty replied, pausing on the sidewalk to let her friends catch up with her. “Let’s just get back home, okay? Whilst I’m glad you two apparently had a good night, I’m ready to let it be over.”

As they continued walking back to the dorms, Lydia let herself get lost in her thoughts. She did have a good night. Great even. It was no secret to her anymore that she was attracted to Kori, and she was confident to say that Kori felt the same. She felt that familiar fluttering in her chest. She thought back to the look of concern in Kori’s eyes when Lydia began to panic, at the way she didn’t hesitate to leave the party with her. There was more to Kori than she knew, and all she wanted to do right now was know more.

Lydia let out a little sigh, looking up at the moon above them. It was bright and full, illuminating everything around her. Maybe she could let herself feel this. Let herself be consumed by it. University plans be damned.

“Lydia?” Suzie called, noticing how Lydia had drifted behind. “Everything alright?”

Lydia cleared her head of thoughts. “Yeah,” she replied, catching back up. “I’m fine.”

“Is it anything to do with a certain someone?” Suzie teased, trying to pull an answer out of her. Lydia just blushed and looked away.

“Wait,” Suzie continued, picking up on her shyness. “Did something happen? Oh my god, tell me right now.”

Lydia rolled her eyes. She wanted to keep what was happening between her and Kori to herself. Something about it felt sacred to her. “Not unless you tell me about you and Jewels.”

This time, it was Suzie’s turn to blush. “Touché. I’ll get it out of you one day.”

“And my little dog, too?”

Both girls laughed, bumping into each other as they walked down the sidewalk to catch up to their other friend.