For complete disclaimers see part 1.
If you’d like to tell me what a wonderful writer I am or that I royally suck, feel free at: XenaNut@hotmail.com or auth2b@hotmail.com
Abel inhaled the early morning air, arms wrapped tightly around her shins. The sun was just coming up over the tops of the hills surrounding the lake, and it was breathtaking.
She felt the small tingling sensation all over her skin from the early morning chill and basked in it. Her days at the cabin for the summer were numbered, and she wanted to be able to absorb as much of it as was possible.
Letting out a long, satisfied sigh, she turned to her left when she saw a figure coming toward her. Without a word, Zac sat next to her, their shoulders brushing. Together they watched the birth of a new day.
No words were needed between them. Anything they had to say had been said over and over again during their nights that summer. Through the magic of touch and emotion, they had conveyed all that could be uttered in breath.
The brunette reached her hand out and began to trail her fingers through the golden locks of her Spinney, made even more brilliant from the intense golden rays of the rising sun. She watched as the individual strands danced in the slight breeze, and a smile spread across her face.
"Beautiful," she said, her voice no more than a breath upon the morning. Abel turned to her, meeting the steady gaze, and smiled back. She said nothing, but instead laid her head upon Zac’s shoulder.
"I love you," the blonde whispered.
"I love you, too," Zac said, kissing the top of the blonde head. Zac had been struggling over a single question during the past weeks. She wanted Spinney to stay with her. She knew there was no way this could happen, but it still did not stop her from wishing. She opened her mouth to ask, but quickly shut it again. She could never do that to her Spinney. Never sentence her to a life of isolation and intimidation. Never take her from what she knew and loved. Never take her from her education and family. Friends. Advantages. Car. Syrup at the ready. None of it.
Instead she held the little blonde closer to her, inhaling her fragrance and counting her blessings for having her as much as she had.
*****
"Mom, can I talk to you?" Abel asked, her fingers playing with the hem of her shirt. She watched as her mother knelt on the ground, planting wildflowers around the front of the cabin. The blonde always felt that was such a strange thing to do – plant wildflowers in the wild.
"Of course you can, honey," Sherry answered, a quiet sigh following her words.
"Cool. Oh, never mind." Abel turned, prepared to bolt, when she felt a garden-gloved hand on her arm.
"Hold it. That is the fifth time today you’ve asked if you could talk to me, and the fifth ‘never mind’ I’ve gotten. You plant your butt right down there and bury those bulbs. While you’re doing that, you will talk to me."
Abel nodded, taking the spade she was offered. Plopping down, she used her hands and the tool to make a little mound of dirt over the planted bulbs. To her it looked just like a little cemetery minus the headstones.
"I want to talk to you about Zac . . . and me." Shy green eyes darted up to meet interested ones.
"Okay." Sherry opened another packet of bulbs and began to divide them, then started digging graves, er, holes for them. "Go on."
"Well, you see, as you know, we’ve gotten very close over the past year." Those eyes flicked up again. "Very close." Sherry looked up, meeting the gaze and tilting her head slightly.
"Uh huh,"
"I love her, mom," Abel said, her voice quiet, nearly a whisper. It was partly out of fear of her mother’s reaction, and partly out of it hurting to say it.
"I know, honey." Sherry gave her daughter an understanding smile and patted her hand, leaving a slight dirt smudge on the back of her hand. "Oops."
"Yeah, thanks. How did you know?" Abel asked as she wiped the dirt onto her shorts.
"I’ve watched you two together. It’s quite endearing, actually."
"Oh." The blonde looked down, patting a newly-made pile with the spade. "But, um, do you understand what I mean? By saying I love her?"
"I think so." Sherry sighed, looking out over the beautiful late July day. "Romantically, you mean?" Abel nodded.
"Are you completely grossed out?" She could not meet her mother’s gaze, but she felt it.
"I’m not sure what I feel. I have had some time to mull this over though. I’d been seeing things for a little while, but just didn’t know what to make of them."
"And now?" Abel gave up the pretense of burying the bulbs and just looked at her mother.
"Now, I’m not sure. I could see things getting pretty heated." Sherry was surprised by the sudden blush that crept up Abel’s neck and cheeks. "Oh."
Abel ducked her head, peeking at her mother through golden bangs. Sherry smiled and ruffled the bangs in question.
"I do have some concerns, honey. I mean, what will you do once you go back to school? You’ll be there, she’ll be here. You’ll be so busy this time next year, chances are good you won’t be back. You have to keep all these things in mind."
"I know." Abel picked up a dirt clot and threw it, watching with satisfaction as it exploded against a rock. "I don’t know what to do."
"I honestly don’t know what to tell you, honey." Sherry looked at her daughter, seeing the worry and despair reflected in those emerald eyes. She wanted to talk to her about this physical aspect that had evidently developed in her and Zac’s relationship, but decided this was not the time. "What do you want to happen? I mean, what are you hoping for? Expecting?"
"I don’t know. I guess if it were up to me, which it is clearly not, Zac would come back to Boston with me. God, I want her there so bad." Abel slammed the sharp tip of the spade into the dirt, stabbing at a clump of clots. "I worry so badly about her, you know?" She looked at her mother with pleading eyes. The older blonde nodded.
"So do I. But keep something in mind, honey. Zac has been doing this on her own for a long time now. Even when her father was alive, it sounds like it was just Zac."
"I know. But, hell, I don’t know." The blonde looked at her mother. "Are you disgusted?"
Sherry sighed, unsure what the right response was. She was not disgusted, but was so confused as to how her daughter’s relationship with the beautiful brunette had gotten to this level.
"No, honey. I’m not disgusted. I worry and don’t understand, but I am not disgusted."
"Please don’t tell dad," Abel pleaded, knowing that her father would never understand.
"It’s not mine to tell. I’m sure you’ll fill him in when you feel it’s right."
"Thanks, mom." Abel leaned over and gave her mother a hug, closing her eyes at the comfort and support she felt from her mother. She was so grateful to have her in her life.
*****
Abel walked toward the lake where she saw Zac swimming with Becky. The brunette and the little imp had gotten so close over the summer. Becky absolutely adored Zac, and Abel figured the same was true for her love.
The two frolicked in the water, the blonde standing on the shore watching.
"Come on, Becky. Climb on up here." Zac grabbed the small girl and easily lifted her onto her shoulders. She waded out a little further into the water, and then with a growl, threw the small, squealing girl into the depths. The little blonde giggled as she surfaced. She had always been a little fish, taking to swimming like most took to breathing.
"Hey you, be careful with her!" Abel yelled to the pair.
"Nah, she’s fine," Zac yelled back, once again becoming a jungle gym.
"Who said I was talking about Becky?" The blonde grinned, crossing her arms over her chest. Blue eyes twinkled as they shared a look, communicating without a single word.
"Come out and play, Spinney," Zac said, dunking Becky.
"Yeah! Come on, Abel!" Becky encouraged once she surfaced. Finally the blonde relented, and stripped out of her shorts and shirt, green bathing suit coming into sight. Zac watched, her eyes scanning over Spinney’s body. She loved to look at her, now knowing what that body felt like underneath her fingers and mouth.
She shivered from the thought.
*****
Abel grabbed Zac’s hand, holding it tightly in hers as they headed down the hill, down into Spectreville. She wanted to show Zac that it was not haunted, and that there was nothing to be afraid of. So many of the things that Bud Lipton had told his daughter was wrong. He had created a woman who was terrified of the simplest things, and Zac had never had anyone to tell her any different.
The brunette was hesitant in their adventure, but she trusted the little blonde with all she was, and would not deny her anything.
She could feel her heart pounding faster and faster as they got closer to the dilapidated old town. The buildings, which had once stood proud, housing the timber men, now stood empty and falling apart. Very sad, their windows and doors drooping like the lids of sorrow-laden eyes.
"So sad that this town was just forgotten. It was abandoned. Makes me want to cry," Abel said, her voice quiet and wistful.
"Yeah. It’s said that the ghosts of the men roam around these streets," Zac said, her voice just as quiet. Her eyes were wide, taking in everything, and looking out for her Spinney’s safety. They had run into a transient the last time they’d been here, last summer. She didn’t want that to happen again. She’d do whatever it took to keep her love safe and sound.
"Tell me all about this place, Zac." Abel began to gently swing their entwined hands. "What did your father used to tell you about it?"
"He said that it was filled with evil spirits. He said that if I were to wander over here, they’d catch me and take me away. They’d lock me up in a cave in the hills and no one would ever hear from me again," Zac said. The matter-of-fact tone of her voice made the blonde so sad. She looked up at the brunette, brows drawn.
"Oh, sweetie." She reached up and caressed the side of Zac’s beautiful face. "You know he only told you that so he wouldn’t get into trouble, right? Because he didn’t want you to be seen." Zac looked down at her, conflicting emotions running across her face. "It’s not true, honey. You don’t need to be afraid here."
Zac relished the feel of Spinney’s fingers on her face and closed her eyes, absorbing it. She nodded.
"I want this place to be a happy place for you, Zac," Abel whispered, bringing her hand down to the back of Zac’s neck. "Let me show you that it’s not bad." She brought the taller girl’s head closer to hers, closing her eyes as their lips made contact. "Please?" When she felt the small nod from Zac, she deepened the kiss. Zac sighed into it, wrapping her arms around the slim waist of her Spinney, allowing her mouth to be explored by the passionate tongue.
Abel broke the kiss, taking the taller girl by the hand and leading her into a building. As they entered through the arched doorway, the blonde noted the post office sign above it.
Zac followed the blonde to the corner of the small first floor, moaning as her hand was placed on a soft breast. She squeezed it through the tank top that covered it, letting her fingers take in the texture and heat. Their mouths met with a passionate fury, Abel’s hands immediately going to Zac’s hair, pulling the taller girl into the kiss, holding her close.
As Zac touched Abel, removing her clothing and bringing her down to the ground, she could not help but want to cry. She wanted this to last so much longer than just the few weeks she had left in Maine.
This realization made her passion rise like a vengeance. She rolled Zac over, and began to devour her body with mouth, hands, tongue and teeth. Zac was driven to the edge within moments, and the little blonde wasn’t about to stop there. She wanted the brunette to somehow know that she belonged to her, that she was staking her claim.
Zac was overwhelmed by the power of her Spinney. She was trying to keep up, but having a hell of a time. The ferocity which the blonde displayed was almost frightening.
The brunette stopped Abel, turning them over so she was pinned to the floor, a panting Zac above her. Blue eyes bore into her, brows drawn in concern.
"Spinney, baby, what is it? What’s gotten into you?" She was stunned when she saw those green eyes that she loved so much fill with tears. "Oh, Spinney. Don’t cry." She wiped one away before it could roll down into the blonde’s ear.
"I’m going to miss you so much, Zac," Abel cried. She looked pleadingly into her lover’s face. "Please come with me?" she said, her voice a whisper, before beginning to cry harder. Zac gathered her up in her arms and held her. She rocked her, kissing the top of her head, murmuring words of encouragement to her.
"I hate this!" Abel cried, gripping Zac with talon-like fingers. "I hate the fact that I have to leave you! It’s not fair." She swiped at her eyes to no avail. They just kept coming, draining down into her hair and ears, making her shiver.
"I know, Spinney. I know," Zac said over and over again, her heart breaking right along with her Spinney’s.
*****
The weeks passed, and the girls were even more clingy to each other than usual. They spent their nights awake, talking and making love, and their days with the Cohen family. Zac felt comfortable with just about all of Spinney’s family now. Adam still made her slightly nervous, but that was mainly because she didn’t think he trusted her.
As the days of summer marched on, Abel felt her heart get more heavy. She was excited that it was her senior year in college, but it had somehow lost a bit of its specialness. She would have to leave Zac to get that degree. Then it was back for more school. She was torn.
She packed her bags slowly, a soft smile on her lips as she folded her clothing. Each shirt, each pair of shorts and socks, had their own special memory for her. They told her of her days rolling around in the grass of the hillsides with Zac. Their stains from food fights, or from the dark, rich soil of the forest floor, attested to the girl’s antics. She did not want to leave.
Tomorrow morning she would pack up her car and drive away, not to see her love for far too many months. Christmas seemed like an eternity away.
Abel was in love. She knew it from the bottom of her soul. She loved Zac so completely, she did not know what to do with the overwhelming emotions attached to it. She needed to talk to Jess.
Abel grabbed a flashlight, just in case, and headed out into the woods. She wanted to walk around in the dark, seeing the natural beauty that would surround her. This is what Zac saw every single night of her life. This was what drew the brunette there, and kept her. What did it have that the blonde did not?
She looked up into the trees that acted as a canopy, shielding the moon and stars from her sight most the time, only peeking through now and then. She could feel the cool, fresh night air on her skin, and hear the sounds of the night. Birds called to each other, and small, unseen animals scampered as they caught sound or scent of her approach. She loved to listen, knowing that though she had come by herself, she was not alone.
She felt, more than heard, Zac walk up behind her.
"What are you doing?" the brunette asked into her ear, stirring the soft hairs.
"Absorbing." Abel said, her voice just as quiet. "Memorizing. I leave in the morning."
"I know." Zac sighed, wrapping her arms around Abel from behind. The blonde fell back into her, head resting against her shoulder. Abel sighed with contentment.
"Come with?" Abel asked, though only half-heartedly.
"Spinney . . ."
"I know, I know. I had to try. "
"Are you coming back for Christmas?" Zac began to run her fingers over Spinney’s skin, feeling the soft smoothness of it.
"Of course. I’ll be here as soon as I can, okay?" She looked back over her shoulder, eyes meeting the blue that were turned silver in the night. Zac nodded.
"Okay."
"Kiss me, Zac." Abel closed her eyes and sighed as lips lightly touched hers. She turned in the circle of the brunette’s arms, and wrapped her own around Zac’s neck.
"Come on." Zac stepped out of the embrace and grabbed Spinney’s hand. She led her toward her bluff, where they climbed in silence. "This is my lookout point. Whenever I hear something I come up here. It’s how I always know you’re coming." She grinned at the blonde.
"Oh yeah? You watch out for me, do ya?"
"Yes, ma’am. Always."
"Good. You keep looking out for me, gorgeous."
"Oh, I will." Zac grinned, and took Spinney in her arms again. "I want you, Spinney."
"Then take me."
And she did.
*****
Abel could barely see, her eyes were so filled with tears. She looked up at Zac, who swam in her vision, and hugged her. Zac closed her eyes, a tear slipping out, nearly crushing the blonde to her.
"Please be careful, Zac," Abel said, kissing the side of her neck and pulling away.
"I will. You, too, okay? Drive safe." Zac placed her hand on the side of the tear-streaked face. "I love you, Abel."
"I love you, too, my Zac." With one last watery smile, Abel got into her car and drove away. Zac turned to see Sherry standing in the open doorway of the cabin. The older blonde gave her a soft, understanding smile. Zac nodded in acknowledgement, then scurried off into the trees. She needed to be alone.
Hiking off toward her lean-to, the tears began to fall in earnest. Her heart had been turned to mush, and it was draining out her eyes.
Crawling into the doorway to the lean-to, she curled up around her pillow, which still smelled of Spinney. This made her cry even harder while at the same time comforting her.
She was heartbroken, and had no idea what to do with the pain in her chest and hole in her heart.
Raising her face to the ceiling, she squeezed her eyes shut, opened her mouth, and let her anguish come out.
Sherry pulled open the lid to the dumpster, about to toss the bag of garbage into it, when she heard the most awful sound. She listened, trying to identify it, then felt pin pricks behind her lids.
It was an almost inhuman sound. It was a sound of pure devastation.
"Oh, honey, what have you done?" she whispered, and went back inside.
*****
"Abel, honey. Are you okay?" Jessica leaned her shoulder against the closed door to the bathroom. Her roommate had been in there for more than an hour.
"I’m fine," Abel said, though her voice was thick from tears.
Jess knew that wasn’t the case. Ever since the little blonde had gotten back from Maine three weeks ago, she had been moody, temperamental and extremely emotional. The girl had had her period during that time, so it wasn’t like it was PMS.
The darker girl was worried. She thought back to that first night when Abel had gotten back. The girl had been nearly inconsolable. With Jessica’s persistence, Abel had finally revealed the whole story.
Though Jess was not so pleased to be right this time, she figured it had something to do with Zac. She had no idea just how involved it got. Her little friend was in love. And with a girl.
"Damn." She whistled between her teeth. She had no problem with such things, but it was so strange to think of Abel, guy-crazy Abel, that way. Was she a lesbian now? Jess had no idea. She didn’t really care, either. Right now her friend was in pain, and that was all that mattered. "Honey, please let me in." She knocked softly, hearing the sniffling stop. But, to her surprise, the door opened.
Jess started at the sight before her – Abel’s face was red and puffy, eyes startlingly green from the cry. Her hair was a mess, and she just plain looked like hell.
"Come here, bud." Jess took the sniffling blonde into her arms and pulled her to her chest. The blonde began to cry again, and the darker girl stroked her hair. "I know, honey," she cooed. Jess remembered her first heartbreak, but even still, there just seemed no way to help Abel. She had no idea what to tell her friend to make her feel better. So, she wisely chose the road of comforting silently.
Finally, Abel pulled herself together and looked into her roommate’s face. With a final sniffle and a deep breath, she said:
"I’m going to go to her."
"That’s great, Abel. Christmas will be here before you know it–"
"No, I mean go to her, now. As in, I’m leaving, Jess. You’ll have the place to yourself." As she said this, she marched into her bedroom, all hers now that their third roommate had graduated and left. She flung open her closet doors and grabbed her suitcases.
"Whoa! Hang on, chickie." Jessica followed the feisty blonde into her bedroom, watching with stark horror as more of Abel’s clothes were thrown into the open bags. "What the hell are you doing?"
"I told you. I’m going. I want to be with her, Jess. I have to be with her." She began to rifle through some papers on her desk, tossing some to the floor, others on a pile for their trip to Maine.
"Abel–" Jess grabbed the blonde’s shoulder. "Please stop and listen to me." When she saw she had Abel’s attention, she continued. "Honey, look, you’re a senior this year. You’re so close to being done." The blonde was surprised by the passion in Jessica’s voice. It made her really listen. "You can do so much more for Zac if you’re educated or at least know how you’re going to get a job. What can you do in the woods? At least by finishing school, you can do what you’ve dreamt of doing for so long: helping other people."
Jess searched the green eyes for any sign of understanding and acceptance to her words. She cupped the side of the blonde’s face.
"Don’t blow it, Abel. Please think this through."
Abel stared into concerned dark eyes, at first feeling her anger building inside her. How dare Jess try and stop me! Where does she get off!? Then the voice of reason struck. She cares about me and doesn’t want to see me fuck up my future. Damn, she’s right.
Abel sank down to her bed, hands grasping her own thighs as she sighed. "Shit." Jess sat next to her, clapping her on the back.
"Are you okay?"
"I guess." The blonde rested her head against her darker friend’s shoulder. "I have to be."
"For Zac."
"For Zac."
*****
The colors would be changing in the leaves and grasses soon. Animals were already beginning to react to the subtle changes in the air. Aure played in the few leaves that were already starting to fall. He’d see one blowing across the forest floor, his golden butt in the air as he prepared to pounce.
Zac sat on her bluff, chin resting on her hand. She didn’t see any of this. Her mind was months ago and miles away. Headed for Boston on a midnight freight train. She could hear the whistle blasting in her head, almost smell the smoke and feel the cold air blowing into the metal boxcar.
Blue eyes glanced over at the frolicking dog, thinking of how he’d handle traveling like that. She’d need to get some sort of leash for him. Maybe a rope? Pack everything, including the tent in its handy carrying case. Pack up her life. Pack up everything she’d known for the past twenty-two years. Pack up her memories, her loves and joys. All that meant anything to her. All but one – Spinney.
Zac sighed, again. She stood, calling for Aure to join her. The dog bounded up beside her, tail wagging fiercely to be by his mistress’ side.
Without a sound made, the two companions made their way through the forest, Zac brushing her hands over the rough surfaces of tree trunks, eyes searching out for the squirrel that followed her everywhere, via the trees. She smiled when she spotted him right where he normally was – about two trees back, and high above their heads. Aure had long gotten used to the little guy and made no note of him anymore. Zac was glad of this. She thought her dog was going to scare the squirrel permanently away for awhile there.
She crested the hill that looked down onto the old town. All was quiet, and though the brunette felt her heartbeat speed up slightly as childish fears began to surface, she held her ground. A piece of litter was blowing through the abandoned streets of Spectreville, swirling in an endless circle, caught in a little vortex between two buildings.
Zac could feel Aure’s hot breath on her hand as he looked up at her expectantly, waiting for her to do something. Anything. He hated waiting and standing in one place. There was so much of the world to explore.
Blue eyes met reddish brown and Zac smiled. She gently patted the top of the golden head and began the descent down. Aure made his way carefully, avoiding rocks and partial roots that stuck out of the ground.
Zac watched as the old logging town got closer and closer. She could hear the howls of the dead moaning quietly on the wind. She kept her mind focused on the task at hand, not allowing her fear to best her. She grabbed a loose branch that lay on the ground, using it as a walking stick, and something for her hand to control, thus taking up some space in her brain. This would make less room for fear.
She reached the start of the street that led into Spectreville. Stopping there, she looked around, taking in the old, falling down buildings. She often thought how sad it was to see this once proud, prosperous little town so dead and half buried in years and mud. Taking a deep breath, she crossed its borders.
Aure followed, tail wagging slowly as he took in this new place. His nose was working overtime as so many new smells assaulted his acute senses. He stayed close to his mistress, sensing that she needed him to, though he really wanted to go bounding through this new world. His personal space had just doubled!
Zac peeked into a few buildings, noting the broken furniture and left-over trash. She hated that transients used Spectreville as their personal dumping ground. Maybe some day she’d clean the place up.
She came to the building where she and her Spinney had made love. She could still see them in the corner, and a soft, sad smile curled her lips. The blonde had been so passionate, possessive and utterly sad that day. It had taken the brunette by surprise. She walked to their corner and sat down, running her fingers along the dirt beneath her. Aure sat next to her and automatically her hand went to his head. He whined a little then plopped down next to her, chin resting in her lap.
You don’t scare me anymore. Zac looked around, noting that indeed her fear ceased to consume her. I am free, dad. No longer a prisoner to your selfish fears and beliefs. I live for me now.
Zac spent half the day in that town, wandering its streets, marveling at all the missed playground that had been at her feet as a kid. She was beginning to see the ghost town as a special place, a place for her and Spinney. She took out her knife from her boot and carved Zac was here into the wood paneling that covered a wall in what was once the saloon.
Smiling with pride and acceptance, she left that old ghost town, never to be afraid of it again.
She made her way back to the forest, closing her eyes as she raised her face to the late summer day. It was mid-September, and a beautiful day. Just a slight chill in the air, but still t-shirt weather, as long as you wore pants.
Aure realized that the time for quiet seriousness was over and happily continued his pouncing on the poor, unsuspecting creatures of the forest. Zac never let him kill anything, but he certainly did play. His long, velvety ears lopped around with every movement.
Zac suddenly realized something as the bright colored tent next to the Cohen cabin came into view. This didn’t seem like home anymore. It didn’t give her the same sense of peace that it used to. Didn’t make her feel like nothing could bring her down, or make her sad.
It used to be that all she had to do was look into the lush green of the forest, and all was well. Now, she needed to look into the beautiful green of Spinney’s eyes to feel that. She had not felt at peace since the blonde had left in August. Zac was restless and unsettled. She felt as though all her future happiness rested on the slender shoulders of the beautiful girl.
She shoved her hands into the pockets of her cargo pants as she thought about this. Her earlier thoughts returned. Looking at Aure, she figured he’d travel well, as long as she had plenty of food for him. He loved adventure as much as she did. Maybe?
Zac shook these thoughts out of her head. The forest was her home, and always would be. She could wait until Christmas. She had to.
*****
Classes were on in full swing, and Abel was glad for it. It helped keep her mind on her studies and dedicated to finishing them. It was exciting as newsletters and emails were sent out to seniors with early news on graduation. She’d wanted that for so long, always wanting to follow in her parent’s footsteps. Now it was so close she could almost taste it.
Daily Abel was grateful that Jessica had stopped her from making what would have amounted to be the biggest mistake of her life. Leaving school would have killed a part of the blonde, and she would have resented Zac for it. It was better this way.
She plowed away at the first month of school, doing everything she could to ensure her final grades stayed as good as they had over the past three years. She wanted to go to grad school, get her masters in psychology and work with underprivileged youth. Maybe she’d even go further and get her doctorate. She wasn’t sure, and decided to wait and see how sick of school she was by time she finished her first graduate degree.
Abel tried to keep her mind on school and work only, but Zac filtered in every couple seconds or so. She was literally counting down the days until Christmas break. She tried to get Zac to keep her cell phone so she could call her, but Zac was afraid that Aure would find it and bury it.
So, alas, she had no contact with her. That’s okay – Zac was there in enough of her dreams.
The blonde got an evil little smile on her face as she thought of that. She had to admit, it had been interesting since she’d been back at school. Guys asked her out all the time, and she saw an ex of hers. She was trying valiantly to reconcile the fact that she slept with a woman all through the summer and was in love with her. She wanted to spend her life with Zac. She had no idea how this was going to happen, but still wanted it. Whatever it took.
"What’s the daydreamer look for?" Jess asked, plopping down on the grass next to Abel. They were in the park across the street from their building. The blonde loved to go there and study. Especially now when the air was crisp but not cold.
There were a few people out walking their dogs, as well as one couple with a baby in a stroller. She watched the happy little family of three, a small smile lining her lips. They looked so happy.
"Do you think about that kind of stuff?" Jess asked, seeing where the blonde was looking. "I mean, if you go forward with this thing with Zac, kids are kind of out of the question, right? I know you’ve always wanted them."
"Adoption, maybe?" Abel said, running a hand through her hair. "Who knows what will happen, Jess. Right now Zac is the most important thing to me. I want to deal with one thing at a time. I mean, who’s to say she even wants to be with me that way?" The blonde looked at her friend.
"Are you kidding me? You really have to ask that? From what you’ve told me of your summer and how things went when you left, shit, I don’t think that’s a problem."
Both girls smiled at the couple as they pushed their stroller past them.
"What about you? What do you think you’ll do after grad?" Abel asked, turning to look at her friend.
"What, other than miss all your life dramas?" She grinned when she was smacked by a smiling blonde. "Nah, seriously, I don’t know. I mean, I’ll have my graphic arts degree. I guess get a job somewhere."
"No grad school?"
"God, no! I’m so damn burnt out." Jess rested her head against the trunk of the tree behind her. "I can’t wait to get my career started. Personally, I think you’re addicted to school. That’s the only bit of craziness I can think of for you wanting to continue."
"Yeah, well, you’re just jealous." Abel scooted down until she was laying back in the grass, hands behind her head. "I’ll be big and rich and you, well, won’t. Ow! I’m only kidding!" Abel exclaimed, rubbing her arm. "It’s just that for what I want to do, this is really the only way around it. I wish I could get Zac to go to school. She’s so smart."
"What would she do?"
"I don’t know. Something with forestry or animals I’d say. She’d make a fantastic vet." Abel smiled, thinking of the beautiful brunette with the forest animals. Her very own Snow White.
"Then maybe it will happen my friend. Think positive."
"Thanks Tony Robbins." Both grinned, enjoying their day off.
*****
Abel grabbed her backpack, tugging it onto her shoulder. She swore that by time she was finished with school, she would be permanently walking at a slant. Adjusting the bag for balance, she grabbed her fleece and headed out.
The blonde was happy, acing her first quiz in Models of the Mind. Whistling softly, she headed out into the late September day, thinking about the party she was going to that night. It was Friday, and she didn’t have to work until Sunday. Glory be!
She strolled out of the building, saying hi to people she passed, many of them friends or acquaintances from the Psych Club.
"Hey girl, you going tonight?" a tall, lanky red head asked.
"Yup. I’ll see you there, Meryl."
"Awesome! My brother still wants to meet you!" With a flash, the girl was bounding up the stairs, leaving a bewildered blonde by the front door to the building.
"Well, he’ll be waiting awhile," she muttered, and pushed on. Jessica was waiting for her outside so they could grab lunch together before Abel’s senior seminar.
"I am so hungry," Jess said, tugging her backpack strap higher onto her shoulder.
"Me, too. Where do you want to go?"
"Hmm. Good question." The girls began to walk, students all around them as the noon rush had started. "How about Arby’s?"
"Nah. I’m roast beefed out."
"Kaaaay," Abel looked around, seeing if anything would inspire her. "Oh! How about that new place they put into the student center?"
"Oh, good call." Jess grinned. They turned in the direction of the large old building when the blonde stopped, wrinkling her brow. "What’s up? Come on." Jess began to walk again, but noticed that her friend was not following. "Abel?"
The hair on the back of the blonde’s neck stood on end as she became besieged with a . . . feeling. She looked around, but saw nothing out of the ordinary. She began to walk again when she felt it even stronger than before.
She felt it. She felt her.
"Zac?" she said quietly, unable to shake the feeling that the brunette was there. Green eyes strayed to a large oak when someone stepped out from behind it. The blonde wasn’t sure until she saw the golden dog that bolted out from their hiding place.