Tinn sighed, adjusting her glasses for the hundredth time that morning. She sat cross legged on her bed, notes and textbooks strewn across the floral patterned sheets...College exams were a pain in the ass, and the last thing she needed was a distraction. That’s why Gun was the worst and best thing in her life.
Gun had barged into her room like she owned the place, plopping onto the beanbag with her guitar slung over her shoulder and a lit cigarette dangling between her lips. Her wolf cut was messy, strands of her short hair falling perfectly into place like she’d just walked out of a photoshoot.
“Jesus, Gun,” Tinn groaned, waving her hand in front of her nose. “Could you not smoke in here? My mom will freak out if she smells it.”
Gun smirked, taking another drag and blowing the smoke out the window. “Relax, nerd. I’ll cover for you. Besides, your mom hates me anyway.”
“That’s because you’re you,” Tinn muttered, pushing up her glasses and looking away.
Gun grinned, setting her guitar down and leaning closer to Tinn. “What’s that supposed to mean, hmm? You saying I’m a bad influence?”
Tinn’s heart raced. Gun was close enough for her to see every mole on her face, every little imperfection that made her so goddamn perfect...“I’m saying you’re obnoxious,” Tinn managed to say, her voice weaker than intended.
Gun laughed, a carefree sound that sent shivers down Tinn’s spine. “You love me anyway,” she teased, flicking her cigarette out the window.
That was the problem, wasn’t it? Tinn did love her. Or something dangerously close to it. Gun’s playful flirting was harmless...or at least, that’s what Tinn told herself every time her stomach flipped at one of Gun’s winks or her casual touches.
But this wasn’t harmless anymore. It was a full on fucking crush, and Tinn didn’t know how to deal with it. Not with her parents words ringing in her ears every time they saw a news story about someone being gay..."Disgusting", her mom had spat just last week. “How can people live like that?”
Tinn had stayed silent, her hands clenched under the table.
Now, Gun was sprawled on her bed, propped up on her elbows, watching Tinn like she was the most interesting thing in the world.
“Earth to Tinn,” Gun said, snapping her fingers. “You’re staring.”
Tinn blinked, her face heating up. “Am not!”
“Are too,” Gun said, grinning. She reached out and tugged on a strand of Tinn’s long hair. “What’s going on in that big nerdy brain of yours?”
“Nothing,” Tinn lied, pushing Gun’s hand away. “And stop calling me a nerd.”
“But you’re my nerd,” Gun said, her voice dropping an octave.
Tinn froze, her breath hitching. Gun’s teasing smirk softened into something… gentler. “Tinn, you okay?”
“I’m fine,” Tinn said quickly, grabbing her notebook and pretending to study. “Just… stop distracting me.”
Gun didn’t push, but Tinn could feel her eyes on her. She wished she could snap out of it, but how was she supposed to when Gun was everything her parents hated, everything Tinn was terrified of wanting?
And yet, here she was, wanting her anyway.
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Tinn didn’t mean to snap. She really didn’t. But it was late, her parents had been on her case all week, and Gun had just come back from band practice, her leather jacket slung over one shoulder, guitar case in hand, and a goddamn smirk on her face.
“Hey, nerd,” Gun said, pulling out a cigarette and lighting it without asking. “Miss me?”
“No,” Tinn snapped, slamming her book shut.
Gun raised an eyebrow. “Whoa. Someone’s cranky. Did you fail a test or something?”
“No, Gun, I didn’t fail a fucking test,” Tinn said, standing up. “Not everything’s a joke, you know? Some of us actually care about our futures.”
Gun blinked, taken aback. “Okay, ouch. What the hell’s your problem?”
“My problem is you!” Tinn shouted, her voice shaking. “You don’t care about anything! You just flirt and smoke and play your stupid guitar while I’m over here trying to keep my life together!”
Gun stared at her, the smirk completely gone. “Tinn…”
“And you don’t even realize how hard it is for me to-” Tinn cut herself off, realizing what she was about to say.
“To what?” Gun pressed, stepping closer.
“To be around you!” Tinn said, tears pricking her eyes. “To be around you when I feel like this and I can’t-”
Gun’s eyes widened. “Tinn…”
“Just forget it,” Tinn said, turning away.
But Gun grabbed her wrist, spinning her around. “No. Tell me.”
Tinn looked at her, really looked at her, and realized she couldn’t keep it in anymore. “I like you, okay?” she said, her voice breaking. “I like you, and it’s killing me because I know I can’t-”
Gun didn’t let her finish. She closed the distance between them, her lips crashing against Tinn’s.
For a moment, Tinn forgot everything..her parents, her fear, all of it. There was only Gun, her lips warm and her hands gentle as they cupped Tinn’s face.
When they finally pulled apart, Gun rested her forehead against Tinn’s. “For the record,” she said softly, “I like you too.”
Tinn let out a shaky laugh. “You’re such a pain in the ass.”
“And you’re my nerd,” Gun said, smirking.
For once, Tinn didn’t mind.