Ash had made a conscious effort to avoid Maddie ever since the event of Sunday. The last thing she wanted was for Maddie to unintentionally or—most likely—intentionally use her raging hormones to drag her back into a relationship as over as yesterday. With Thursday drawing near, she was hoping her date would come with some clarity.

Unfortunately, her luck ran out when Maddie found her hiding out in the library after school while she waited for Caleb.

"Found you!" Was how she announced her arrival, showing up right in front of Ash's desk like she had appeared there.

From the far end of the hall, the librarian's assistant stared fire and brimstone at Maddie who had disturbed the peace with her usual rowdiness.

Ash shot an apologetic look her way before addressing the ex-girlfriend from hell.

"Jesus Christ, Maddie! People get heart attacks from less." Ash scolded.

"You have been avoiding me." Maddie accused.

Well duh!

"That's not true." Ash lied shamelessly.

"Then why are you in here?"

"For regular reasons people visit libraries, Maddie," She pointed at the open book before her, "Obviously."

Perfect. Her lie was solid.

Maddie was not fooled one bit. She leaned across the table, totally unblinking.

"Really? What book are you reading?"

At that exact moment, Ash realized she had fucked up.

She could not remember the name of the stupid book. Halfway through, she had drifted off to thinking about Hailey and the freckles beneath those lenses.

Sneaking a glance down to jog her memory was not an option. Maddie had locked her in a staring contest. Breaking away was a sign of weakness. Still, she had no choice.

She looked down but Maddie was ahead of her. She shut the book and slammed down on the title with her hand.

The librarian's assistant cleared her throat loudly and when Ash looked up, she put a finger to her lips and shushed her.

"You have very large hands." Ash commented, looking back down at the man-hand before her.

"They're hereditary. Don't change the subject."

"Okay, fine! Yes I was avoiding you, but you'd avoid you if you were me."

"You're not making any sense. I just want to talk."

Ash reached for the book and Maddie hesitantly let go.

"Are you fucking kidding me?" she exclaimed, "'Butterflies'? That's what I couldn't remember?"

But of course, she could not. She had started out flipping through the cute butterfly pictures and spaced out somewhere between choosing a possible new tattoo and wondering if butterflies were Hailey's thing.

"Look, if you're gonna be here, be quiet. This is a library, people are trying to read." the girl at the desk said.

Before Ash could try to pacify the petite authority figure, Maddie spoke up.

"We're the only ones in here, Harriet. Don't you have better things to do?"

"Get a room already!"

"Sure thing. After you get a life."

Harriet stared furiously at them but said no more.

And this was why Ash had been drawn to Maddie. The mouth on this girl.

"Look, Maddie, I don't know what I'm feeling for you but it's not love. Not the romantic kind at least."

"I know. Me neither."

"I'm sorry. What?"

"Yeah. I talked to my mom," Her mom the therapist, "and she helped me sort things out. Besides the fact that I really want to fuck you because you are smoking hot, I kinda just want to be your friend. At least I'll take that over what we are right now."

"And what about Hailey? If things actually work out, will we be alright?"

"Let me rephrase. I want to be your overprotective friend. When we were together she was moving in on my territory. Now I'm good. It will definitely get some getting used to but I'll be fine."

"Well as long as you don't go all 'thou shalt have no other friends beside me', we're good here."

"So, friends with benefits?"

"Don't push your luck."

"Worth a shot. Do I get a proper goodbye kiss? For old times sake."

No harm there.

"Fine. It's the last you're getting."

Ash kissed her full on the lips and discovered she felt nothing.

So while she was yet to realize what she wanted, Maddie had helped her realize what she did not want and for that, whatever she no longer had in love, she had earned in respect.

She pulled away and Maddie hugged her tight, her face buried in her hair.

"This feels right."

"Enjoy it while it lasts, Maddie." Ash said.

Then she noticed Maddie's perverted fingers creeping where they did not belong.

"Touch my boobs and you'll play tomorrow's game with your arm in a cast."

Her hands dropped and she pulled away.

Everything she said about respect? Scratch that.

*****

Seven thirty was drawing near and Hailey was between picking out a dress and polishing her glasses when Cait called.

She received the call and stuck it between her ear and shoulder.

"Hey Cait, red dress with the jacket you gave me for my last birthday or jeans and the beige cashmere sweater you said makes me look like a cute lump of sun-dried mucus?"

"Er...red dress. Why would you even ask? Definitely red dress."

"You sure? Isn't it too showy? Besides I thought you said you would come over to help me get ready."

"Yeah. Hailey, about your date..."

"What about it?"

She had the dress raised, admiring it against the ceiling light.

"I was in the library to return a book and I saw Maddie and Ash behind the shelves. They were kissing."

The dress fell from her hand.

She held the phone tighter.

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure. I didn't know how to tell you or even if I should but I figured I'd want to know."

"I'm glad you did, Cait. Thank you."

"I'm sorry, Hailey."

"It's okay. It's not like you didn't warn me."

"Come on, H. I did not want to be right about this."

"Should I cancel?"

"Is there any other option?"

"I think I'll go. Just to get it over with. But, I'll tell her to meet me there instead."

"I understand. At least try and enjoy the food and the movie."

"No promises there. Later, Cait."

*****

Ash was already inside when Hailey arrived at the restaurant, seated at a table for two in the corner. The table had a small candelabra in the centre with two lit candles.

She was dressed like herself. T-shirt, jeans, jacket, sneakers, all dark colored.

She raised a hand when Hailey walked in and Hailey smiled in return. It was a genuine smile, she realized. Just seeing Ash was enough to make her forget her heartbreak even if it was for a short while.

"Hi." Ash said when Hailey took her seat.

"Hey." Hailey said, her voice coming out a little hoarse.

"I don't know if I should have waited for you outside or something. I didn't order yet though."

"It's fine."

"You sure? I've never done one of these."

"What? Eating at a cheap restaurant?"

"A date, Hailey. I've never been on a proper date."

For a second, Hailey forgot that she was supposed to be upset.

"That's not possible. You've had—"

"More flings than I have limbs, yes, but only a handful of actual girlfriends and none of them have ever been interested in the date thing."

"So you said yes when I asked you out out of—"

"Curiosity? Yes."

"Why? To know what going on a date feels like?"

"Oh yes, that," She cast the thought aside with a careless wave of her hand, "But also curiosity about you."

"Me? Why? I can't be that interesting."

Ash leaned across the table, elbows propped on the table with her chin balanced on her intertwined fingers.

"You are the most interesting girl I've ever met, Hailey."

"That's not possible."

"Most girls are easy to read. They have more words than they have thoughts. With you, it's different. I find myself wanting to know what you're thinking all the time. What are you hiding behind those glasses?"

Hailey reflexively pushed the glasses up her nose.

"Eyeballs, just like everyone else." she muttered nervously, her cheeks burning under Ash's intense stare.

She was certain no girl had ever looked at her so intently before.

A waiter came up to their table.

"Hello. I hope you're having a lovely evening. Are you ready to order now?" he asked.

Ash didn't break eye contact for a couple seconds more, and, without meaning to, neither did Hailey. Then like nothing had happened, Ash leaned back with a little laugh.

She turned to the waiter.

"Sorry, could you give us one more minute?"

"Sure thing."

He pivoted and walked to another table.

"There is something I need to tell you. It's nothing but I like to have all my cards on the table and I've seen enough terrible romance movies."

"Okay...?"

"I kissed Maddie earlier today."

"Oh."

Hailey had not seen that coming.

"It was a goodbye kiss, the last of its kind. We finally sorted out our issues and we're good now. Just thought you should know."

Without thinking, Hailey reached across the table and placed a hand on Ash's.

"I knew. Cait saw you two in the library. Thank you for clearing that up."

"Oh. So it was going to end up like the romance movies."

"Don't get mad at Cait."

"Why would I? She's a good friend," Ash said, "But if you knew, why did you still come?"

"I don't know honestly. You could call it faith."

"Thank you."

"It's nothing."

"I forgot to say. You look beautiful, Hailey."

And Hailey's smile went full megawatts.

*****

Sharknado 3 was probably not the most romantic movie choice for a movie date but Hailey had the stomach for blood and gore and, as she had rightly predicted, Ash found it entertaining—amusing even—so while the other girls and a few boys in the cinema hall shrieked and shuddered at the violent deaths, Hailey and Ash laughed their heads off while commenting on the gore, and by the time the end credits came, Hailey was certain there had been no better choice.

They were still talking about the movie by the time they got back in the truck for the journey home. Hailey mentioned her crush on Ryan Newman and Ash agreed with a laugh.

"So, which way?" Hailey asked, putting the key in the ignition.

"Your place. Caleb will be on his way home in thirty minutes or so driving past your house so he'll pick me up."

"Oh." Hailey said, unable to completely hide her disappointment.

"I'll take you to my house another time."

That brought a smile to her face.

"I guess we have some time to spare then. Alright. Seatbelt."

Ash obliged and put some music as Hailey backed out of the parking lot.

*****

"You're not going to come in, are you?" Hailey asked as her house came into view in the distance.

"No." Ash said.

Hailey pulled up a few blocks away and killed the engine. She did not want her parents getting suspicious of her sitting in the driveway with a girl they did not know. They were strict about those kinds of things.

"So, how was your first date?"

"There's not really a benchmark to measure against, and I think I like it that way, but it was great. I'd like to do this again soon."

"Me too." Hailey admitted.

"But one thing was missing."

"What?"

Ash leaned in and kissed her.

It was a chaste touch of lips against lips then she pulled back and looked into Hailey's eyes like she was seeking approval to proceed.

No doubt she found what she was looking for because Hailey had been waiting for this for a long time. She drew closer once again and their lips met.

This time, without hesitation, Hailey gave back as good as she got.

It was different from the other times. There was no rush. No aggression. It was not a kiss stolen or a kiss given. It was a kiss shared if that made any sense.

She heard a click—barely, considering that her mind was in the middle of being blown—and her seatbelt came off.

Another click sounded as Hailey broke off the kiss to move the belt completely out of the way.

Spurred on by an impulsive bravery Hailey had never felt before, she moved across to Ash's seat and straddled her.

As the kiss deepened, Hailey started to take her jacket off but Ash stopped her. It was obvious from her heavy breathing that it had taken a lot of self-control.

"Wait. I'm really serious about you, Hailey. Let's take it slow. You're worth it."

Hailey had expected a rejection to take its toll on her self-esteem but the way Ash put it, she felt...special.

She nodded, shortage of breath preventing her from speaking.

She could wait.

They went no further but Hailey didn't get off of her. She didn't even feel the slightest bit of self-consciousness which was new.

For the few more minutes before Caleb arrived, they sat like that and talked about little insignificant things, and when they weren't talking, they were doing other things with their lips.

Ash's final words when her brother eventually pulled up across the street, punctuated with a goodbye kiss were,

"I'd love to do this again soon. Not tomorrow though. Tomorrow I've got a match to win."

*****