Nerve-wracking. That was the only term, Quinn surmised, that could be used to describe the daunting situation in which she found herself in.

It had only been a few days since Ross had escorted her to the doctor to take her pregnancy test and every day since had been practically unbearable. She hadn't anticipated that she'd have to wait for the results of the test or more appropriately termed, the possible demise of her future.

The not knowing was by far the worst, waiting while the thought of her possible fertility hung over her head, tarnishing any pleasant thought within seconds.

Quinn lifted her chin, granting Charlie more access to her neck. Unlike usual, she found it easy to keep her dull eyes open. She ensured that the distant look that was apparent in her gaze rested elsewhere, never meeting her boyfriend's piercing green eyes.

His fingers grazed across her stomach and she fought the urge to jerk away from his gentle touch. While just a week ago the feeling of the boy's hands against her sensitive skin made her wither and squirm in delight, with each passing second, the lies that she fed Charlie weighed heavily on her, not allowing even the smallest part of her to relax.

A piece of her couldn't help but wish that the simplicity that once came with her lies would return and grant her some relief, but, ever since she began seeing Charlie she found it infinitely more difficult to feed him, or anyone, even the smallest of fabrications.

It wasn't until she felt the kisses, that the other teenager was trailing up and down her neck, cease that she noticed Charlie's eyes fixed on hers. Even so, it still took the boy two tries to get her attention.

"Hey."

After a moment, the redhead snapped her eyes to his, he chuckled in response.

"What were you thinking about?" he whispered.

Once the tingly feeling, she typically inhibited at the feeling of her boyfriend's bare skin against her own, failed to arise, Quinn shrugged her shoulders and forced a small chuckle, "I don't know. Nothing I guess."

"Nothing?" Charlie muttered with the playful roll of his eyes. "You were definitely thinking about something, I mean, you weren't thinking about...this." He motioned between the two of them before grinning, his cheeks dimpling in the process.

Quinn swallowed thickly and mentally cursed herself for being so transparent. "Yeah, I'm just, uh..." She pressed her hands against his chest, forcing him to sit up and create some space between them.

Charlie creased his brow once the girl slipped her shirt back over her head and shrugged her shoulders.

"I'm not that into it," she admitted timidly. "Sorry."

Charlie nodded his head in understanding while absentmindedly running his hands over his pants. He studied the redhead carefully. Quinn buttoned her salmon colored polo in its entirety before pulling her legs close to her chest and granting the boy a tightlipped smile.

Her boyfriend cocked his head, his narrowed eyes accompanying his perplexed expression. "What's wrong?"

Despite the inquisitive look plastered on his face, Quinn was still taken aback by his direct question. She fought the urge to fidget under his relentless gaze and instead keep her voice steady.

"Nothing," she assured, however, she couldn't help but grimace at her own lies. She failed to even convince herself.

"This is about my grampa firing you," Charlie challenged with the vigorous shake of his head. He scooted away from the girl and uncrossed his legs in attempts to rise from the bed. "I'm gonna fix this." It wasn't until he felt Quinn's familiar small hands firmly grip his wrist that he actually stopped in his tracks.

"No, stop," she asserted. "It's not about that. Nothing's wrong," she swiftly corrected. "Please, just leave it alone."

Charlie expunged a heavy sigh while reclaiming his spot on the bed. His jaw tensed in vexation. "I hate that he did that. I'm gonna tell him we're a package deal. Either he hires you back or...I quit. Then he'll be short two workers and he won't have anyone to run the diner when he's gone. He'll have to take you back."

For the first time that evening a genuine smile spread across her lips, she couldn't help but find the protectiveness that was radiating from her boyfriend to be the sweetest thing. Even so, she still didn't want to come between the boy and his only family member.

"Charlie, it's okay, I promise. There'll be other jobs. I don't want you to mess things up between you two over me."

"Don't act like it's not a big deal, it is a big deal."

Quinn sighed heavily, "No...it's not."

"It is to me," came Charlie's immediate assertion. "He hurt you and that hurts me."

The redhead chuckled, "I'm not hurt, a little disappointed maybe, but not hurt. It's okay." She smiled warmly and gingerly ran her hand along the other teenager's jaw. "Really."

Charlie continued to study her intently as he spoke, "Then why have you been acting so weird?"

Quinn immediately retracted her hand and recoiled further into herself. "I haven't."

"Yes, you have. I know you and for the last few days you haven't been acting like yourself."

The girl cocked her brow. "How so?"

"You've been distant...and kinda quiet."

His gentle tone made a part of her want to tell the truth, even so, she opted for a simple shrug.

Charlie pressed on despite the lack of response from the girl, "I thought it was because my grampa fired you but you say it's not about that."

"It's not."

"Then what is it about?" he coaxed.

"Nothing, okay?" She bit back the snarkiness that threatened to dominate her assertion. "There's nothing wrong, I already told you."

"Yes, there is. I mean, you barely let me touch you or you do but it's not real. It's like you're putting up with it or something. We both know that's definitely not you."

Quinn scoffed, "So, just because I don't want to fool around then something's wrong with me?"

"Yeah," Charlie giggled. "I know you...better than anyone. You never say no, I mean, you want it more than anyone I've ever met." He laughed as Quinn shoved his shoulder, however, his lighthearted demeanor slowly dwindled when he continued, "And I don't just mean sex. You're uncomfortable just holding my hand or being around me in general. I can tell...but I don't know why. Not to toot my own horn or anything, but I think I'm a pretty good boyfriend. I didn't do anything to cause this...right?"

"Of course not," Quinn assured. "I'm good, nothing's up...I don't know how many more times I can say it."

She felt his eyes travel over the entirety of her face, studying it intently and she wasn't surprised when he refused to drop it.

"Did something happen with that guy that lives next door to you? Uh..." He tilted his head to the side in attempts to bring the name to fruition. "Michael. Did he bother you?"

"No...okay? No."

Charlie scooted closer to his girlfriend and lowered his voice substantially, "Are you sure?"

"Yes!" Quinn snapped through clenched teeth. "Now can you drop it? I didn't come over to be grilled, alright? You're driving me insane."

The fierceness her glare held finally dispersed once Charlie's concerned expression transformed to one of frustration. He tangled his fingers in his curly hair and planted himself down on the other side of the bed.

Quinn shut her eyes and sighed, "I'm sorry, alright?"

Charlie gritted his teeth. "Look, I don't consider myself to be a pushy person, but we've been together for a while, so if I think something's wrong then I'm gonna ask. And...I'd hope that by now you'd trust me enough to tell me."

The redhead averted her gaze. "I know."

"If something was wrong, you'd tell me, right?"

Quinn simply nodded her head.

"You promise?" he coaxed.

Quinn knew that, as much as it pained her, she'd have to meet his gaze if she truly wanted to sell her fabrication. So, she did just that. "...I promise."

Just when the eye contact grew to be too much, the rapid vibrations produced by her cell phone rumbled against Charlie's desk. She couldn't be more grateful for the distraction. She removed herself from the bed and scurried to phone.

Her eyes scanned the unknown number, even so, she knew exactly who it was. She pressed her phone protectively to her chest and turned towards Charlie.

"I should take this," she uttered.

Charlie looked on as she dashed out of the room, not allowing him to object.

Quinn secured the lock on the bathroom door before resting her back against the frame. She sucked in a deep breath, slid right on her iPhone, and pressed the device to her ear.

"Hello?" she squeaked.

"Hi, this is Shannon Edmunds I'm calling from Dr. Stevens' office. I'm looking for an Alexandria Sullivan."

The eye roll that typically resulted from hearing her first name failed to come to fruition. Instead, she frantically tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. "This is she."

"Okay, well, the results of your pregnancy test have recently come in."

"And?" the girl demanded.

"Your test came out inconclusive," the woman relayed.

"What?" Quinn whispered. "How could that happen, I don't understand."

"Well, it typically means it's too early to tell."

Quinn sat on the edge of the bathtub and shook her head. "So, you're saying I could be..." Her eyes darted towards the door and she instantly lowered her voice. "Pregnant?"

"Possibly," the woman uttered. "But, nothing is for certain. We'll need you to come in next week for another test to confirm. Would you like me to schedule you another appointment?"

"Quinn?"

The girl in question snapped her eyes to the bathroom door at the sound of Charlie's curious voice.

"No," the redhead quickly asserted. "No, it's fine, I'll just...I'll call back." She ended the call as swiftly as her trembling hands would allow.

She quickly opened her messages and sent Paloma a simple text: At Charlie's. Pick me up now, please!

She placed her phone in her back pocket and attempted to calm her nerves before pulling the bathroom door open.

"Who was that?" Charlie pondered.

"Just my sister," Quinn muttered. "She wants me home. She's been kinda lonely since her and Ava broke up, you know?" She was unsure how the lies were able to swiftly fall from her lips, but she was grateful.

Charlie slowly nodded. "...Okay. I'll drive you."

"No, it's fine, she's coming to get me. I know you have to get ready for practice soon, so..."

The boy opened his mouth to speak, but once the words that he longed to set free failed to fall from his lips, he allowed his mouth to close and even though Quinn was relieved, she couldn't help but be a tad bit curious as to what he was going to say.

Charlie scratched his head. "So, we're good?"

"Yeah." Quinn nodded with a strained smile. "We're good."

Paloma extended her pointer finger, pressing it against the silver doorbell that protruded from the wall next to Ava's apartment door.

It had been a while since they casually hung out like they used to and she missed just simply being in Ava's presence outside of work. Paloma was absolutely ecstatic when Ava assured her that it was okay for the two of them to hang out alone. Before the woman could change her mind, she swiftly sent the woman a quick text and made her way to her apartment.

While the brunette still hated the thought of Ava being with someone else, as the days went by, she found the pain to be slightly more bearable. And the fact that Ava herself dwindled her new relationship down to nothing more than casual sex, she was absolutely certain that she could get back in the other woman's good graces, thus winning her back completely.

She was done feeling sorry for herself and even though she didn't know how long it'd take to execute her plan, she was more than happy being patient because once she got Ava back she knew she'd never be careless enough to lose her, not again.

Paloma ran her hands through her hair and smiled once she heard approaching footsteps. As the door quickly came open, her genuine smile dwindled away, leaving her mouth agape in disbelief.

Her eyes scanned the entirety of the woman that stood before her. The woman's hazel eyes, that matched her lengthy hair, immediately snapped to her's and Paloma was certain that the woman was just as surprised to see her as she was. Her soft hair kissed her shoulders delicately, her lightly tanned skin radiated under the light.

Paloma looked her up and down, her eyes narrowed at the sight of the low cut top that made the woman's chest infinitely more apparent. Her shorts, in contrast, were so short that Paloma was certain they could pass as underwear. They tightly clung to her tan thighs as she shifted awkwardly on her feet.

For a second, both women were silenced by the unsolicited familiarity that greeted them both but only for a moment.

"Sandra?" Paloma whispered. Although she wanted to say more, a distant voice erupted from deeper within the apartment.

"Babe, who's that?"

Paloma tensed her jaw after Ava crept up behind Sandra and peaked over her shoulder.

Once Ava saw the brunette standing across from her, she immediately drew her hands to herself, her fingers wrapping around the silk robe that clung to her body as she pulled it impossibly closer.

Paloma noted how tousled Ava's dark-red hair was and she couldn't help but scoff.

"...Paloma." That was the only words Ava could summon.

"I should go." Just as soon as the words slipped past her lips, Paloma turned on her heels and scurried down the hallway.

She picked up her pace, hurrying down the hall. She impatiently pressed her pointer finger against the golden button in front of her in attempts to summon the elevator. Despite her swift movements, Ava still caught up with her. The mahogany-haired woman gripped Paloma's arm.

"Wait," Ava pleaded. She expunged a soft sigh once Paloma snatched her arm away from her grip.

"Don't," the brunette growled.

Ava grimaced at the fury in Paloma's eyes as they bored into hers, but it didn't stop her from pressing on, "I know what that looked like, but...it's not like that."

"It's not like what? Like you two just got finished screwing?"

"You knew about that," Ava asserted. "I told you, remember?"

"Yeah." Paloma nodded. "But you didn't tell me the girl that so-called means nothing is actually my ex," she snarled.

Ava shook her head in confusion. "Wait, you know Sandra?"

"Of course I know Sandra!" she yelled. "I told you about her, it was just before I got Quinn before I really started seeing Michael. I told you about her just like I tell you about everyone I date. This isn't news." She clenched her teeth. "Don't act like you didn't know."

"What?" the redhead scoffed. Her narrowed eyes slowly widened in realization. "Oh...shit," she whispered. "That's Sandra Sandra?" She queried.

"Don't bullshit me, Ava," Paloma demanded. "This wasn't an accident. What, you saying everything's cool between us was just an act? You're still mad? You did this to get back at me or something?" she yelled.

"No!" Ava challenged. "You know I'd never do that to you. There's a code. You're my best friend, if I knew you and her were ever a thing I would've backed off, you know that."

Paloma let out a bitter chuckle, "Bull!" She repeatedly pressed the button again in annoyance. "Where the hell is the elevator?"

Ava was nearly silenced by the brunette's words, but not entirely. "How is that bullshit? You know I care about you more than anyone. Why would I lie to you? How would I benefit from that, huh? Why don't you believe me?"

"Maybe because you knew I was coming over!" Paloma spit back. "I texted you and still you waited for me to come here so you can flaunt her around. You humiliated me! I mean you were practically screwing her with your eyes right in front of me! I can't believe you," she hissed.

"Paloma, I texted you back. I told you now wasn't a good time because—." She motioned back towards her apartment door that was now much further away from them.

Paloma tensed her jaw and glanced down at her phone. It wasn't until then that she noticed the text in question. Her eyes then traveled to the notification that suddenly appeared on the screen: At Charlie's. Pick me up now, please!

"...I'm sorry," Ava whispered. "Really, I am. You know I wouldn't do shit to hurt you."

The brunette shrugged and bit her pink lips. "It's whatever, I don't care. I gotta pick my sister up." Although there was so much more she longed to say, she was grateful for the distraction.

"Paloma, please." Ava pulled her robe closer to her body and carefully studied the woman across from her.

Paloma fought to keep her voice steady, "You told me that you and this mystery girl were nothing. Now I come here and not only are you and my ex not nothing but you're living the domestic life. How lovely," she snarled, her words dripping with sarcasm.

"It wasn't like that at first—."

"At first?" Paloma chuckled. "You told me about this a few days ago! Are you telling me that in a matter of days, you're in love with her too?"

"It's not like that!" Ava promised. "I don't love her, alright? She's cool, I like her, but..." her voice trailed off for a moment before she continued, "You're my best friend, I didn't know about the two of you and I don't wanna do anything that'd mess up our relationship."

"Our relationship has been fucked for so long...way before this," she sneered. "You can do whatever you damn well please. I gotta go."

"Paloma—."

"Go back," the brunette commanded through gritted teeth. "...You don't wanna keep your girlfriend waiting."

As if on cue, the elevator made its presence known as it finally came open. Paloma quickly stepped inside and smashed her finger against the button leading to the lowest floor. She forced her face to maintain its hardened state even as Ava's light green eyes silently pleaded with her. It wasn't until the elevator doors came to a close that she finally allowed the tears to spill from her eyes, blurring her vision entirely.

Pretty intense chapter am I right? Just in case y'all forgot, Sandra was introduced in the very first chapter and we haven't seen her since, until now. What do you think about this new development? Let me know. Thanks for reading! 🤗