Chapter Text
"It's gonna be a lot of fun!"
Anne knew that something usually happened to them after these words from her girlfriend. She gulped.
The day actually started calmly.
Marcy didn't come to school that day. She was so tired from studying for the big Olympiad exam that she was sick the day after. When Anne and Sasha visited her yesterday, she still had a fever. But she was so happy that they came. She hugged Anne and Sasha so much that it would have been a miracle if Anne and Sasha hadn't gotten sick.
Mrs. Yves' math class was as stifling as ever. Anne couldn't remember when she had fallen asleep with the numbers flying in front of her. Sasha hadn't even gone to class. Anne found her outside the window of the girls' restroom with a pack of cigarettes.
"Sash?"
It was strange. Sasha wasn't the type to shut up easily. You'd hear a joke or two. But if she was quiet...
"Something happened at home?"
"House." She corrected her in a cold voice. Anne knew her friend well enough to know that this attitude was not against her. She put her arms around her body and rested her head on her chest. Sasha let out a sigh of relief.
"Thanks."
She never said out loud what she needed. She thought it was shameful for him to show weakness. But Anne knew. Just by looking into her eyes, she knew exactly what she needed. It had always been like that. Even in kindergarten, when the Waybrights first started fighting.
Then she grabbed Anne by the chin and turned her to herself and said those words.
"I have a better idea actually. It's gonna be a lot of fun!"
And they came under the bridge. Anne didn't like it being there. Her mother had mentioned many times that it was a very dangerous place. There was a strong smell of smoke and paint thinner and it looked a lot like the places the police raided on the news.
Her girlfriend put aside the bag they had filled at the supermarket they had visited before coming there and opened her bag. 2 paint cans. One pink and one blue. Anne flinched and turned to the blonde girl.
"Sash, I–I don't want it."
"Relax. If something happens, I'll take full responsibility. You're not 13 yet after all."
"But–"
"Anne, do you trust me?"
Yes, Anne trusted Sasha. They had never once gotten into trouble under Sasha's watch. Even at the unauthorized party on the roof, she had taken the disciplinary action so that the two of them wouldn't be expelled. Everything they did scared Anne a little bit, but it was fun at the same time. Sasha always had the best ideas. At least that's what she said.
"Yeah, I trust you."
"Then let's do it!"
Anne picked up the blue-coated can and shook it two or three times in her hand, as Sasha had done. She made a small heart as a test and smiled when she saw the shade of the color.
Ocean blue. Anne's favorite color. Just like Sasha's eyes.
When they were finished, both of their names were on the wall. Sasha's writing style was stiff, and even if it had been written smaller, it would have stood out. Anne's was softer. It would really fit if bubbles were drawn around it. But the two graffiti looked good together. They complemented what each other lacked.
Sasha put the paints back in her bag and picked up the bag that she had set aside instead. She handed her favorite strawberry juice to Anne, who was sitting next to her, catching her breath. She put the straw on her apple juice and took a sip.
"You were pretty tense, huh?"
"Of course I was nervous. Don't the cops come here all the time to check? What if someone had seen it?"
"People who pass by here have enough sense not to want to get in trouble. Cops and stoned maniacs don't come here before nightfall. Calm down a little."
Anne took a deep breath. Sasha always knew what she was doing, of course. She rested her head on the blonde's shoulder and pulled herself against her. She lit another cigarette.
"Does it lessen the pain?"
Surprised, the girl turned to her girlfriend who was looking at her curiously.
"Let's say it calms you down."
"Can't you calm down on your own?"
"It's very difficult at the house."
"And here?"
"Huh?"
Anne turned completely to her girlfriend. There was not even a meter between them.
"I don't want you to use something that's bad for you. But I can't interfere with your decision. Still..."
She put her arms around her neck. The smell of cigarettes and rose perfume mingled.
"...if it's just to calm you down..."
She gazed into the ocean-colored eyes she loved so much, looking at her mesmerized.
"...I can help you. Voluntarily."
"Yeah?" They were whispering, as if if if they spoke a little louder everything would fall apart.
"Yeah."
Sasha tilted her face a little and their lips finally met.
Anne didn't think she would ever get tired of this feeling. Her fingers found the girl's ponytail and removed the hairclip. Sasha's hands pulled her closer. Their bodies were locked together. Anne murmured happily. Sasha increased his pressure and more murmuring was heard. Sasha felt her muscles relax. She loved this sound. It was familiar and soft. It was making her dizzy.
They seperated for some air. The blonde's eyes were shining. Anne laughed.
"Feel better?"
"Incredibly. You're the best. If every day was like this, I don't think I'd smoke even a little bit."
Anne felt warm at the compliment. Her cheeks turned red. But she didn't retreat. On the contrary, she pressed their foreheads together. Being close to Sasha was addictive.
"Then I'll have to make it a habit."