It had started to gently snow in Dublin when Auden and Brigid were out shopping for holiday gifts. The weather had forced the two friends to find a spot inside a cozy restaurant to warm up and grab a bite to eat.

A week had passed since the anniversary of her dads death, and Auden felt like she needed some girl time. She had been spending so much time with Cillian recently and she could tell that Brigid was beginning to take it personally.

But to be frank, Auden just couldn't keep her hands off of her lover. They spent almost every night together, exciting and pleasuring one another until exhaustion. And when they weren't together, it was the only thing on her mind. She couldn't help it — Auden gave in every night and so did Cillian. They needed to be together.

And the love-making was certainly putting Auden in a better mood, which Brigid could tell.

"So," Brigid said, taking a bite of her sandwich, "Hows the sex?"

Auden nearly choked on her french fry, shooting Brigid a surprised look as heat rose to her cheeks. Coughing, she quickly took a sip of water to calm her throat.

"Brigid!" Auden exclaimed. Brigid bluntness was always something that took Auden by surprise.

She giggled, "I'm guessing it's good, because I don't think I've ever seen ya in a better mood."

Auden glanced around, seeing if anyone was eavesdropping. Her eyes returned to Brigid, who was waiting patiently for a response. Auden leaned in very close, a big smile forming on her face.

"Honestly...It's the best sex I've ever had," Auden whispered.

Brigid's eyes grew wide and she let out a howl, slamming her hand on the tabletop, causing a couple seated next to them to jump in surprise.

"I knew it! He couldn't be so good looking for nothing," Brigid laughed. "Seriously it would have been such a shame if he were shit in bed."

Auden took a sip of her Guinness as she grinned. The liquid tasted smoky as it slid down her throat, toasting her stomach. "It's crazy, Brig. Like I've been with a few guys before but the sex never felt so - so heated. We can't keep our hands off one another."

Brigid shook her head, stealing a fry from Auden and popping it into her mouth before she could take it back, "It's always the older blokes that know their way 'round a woman."

Brigid paused thoughtfully before speaking again, this time with a mischievous grin plastered on her face, "Not that I would kiss and tell."

"Right," Auden nodded sarcastically, "Of course not. Proper ladies never reveal their sources."

As the girls continued giggling and gossiping about the details of their intimate lives (though Auden continued to maintain a certain level of discretion out of respect for Cillian), a group of three young girls approached their table slowly, gawking at Auden.

It took them a minute to realize the girls were there since they had been too engrossed in one another's company. It was Brigid who had glanced to the side, only to do a double take when she noticed the group standing creepily a few feet away. They had their phones out, positioned to snap a photo.

"Oi!" Brigid called out to them, "Can I help ya girls with somethin'?"

Auden followed Brigid's gaze, her eyes locking on a small petite girl in the middle. She had short brown hair and was bundled up in a puffy white coat. Red ear muffs covered her ears and her brown eyes grew as Brigid pointed them out.

The girls said nothing, looking at each other nervously until someone in the group nudged the brown haired girl a step closer to their table.

She cleared her throat, her hand shakily pointing her phone at Auden. "A-Ah Are you the girl d-dating him?" she asked, flipping her phone around to show Auden a very young picture of Cillian.

Auden shot a look at Brigid, who was squinting at the young girl's phone. Auden was genuinely surprised that the girl was old enough to know who Cillian was, and the fact that she recognized her. Auden found that she was a little flattered by it, but also had no idea what to say.

She rose her eyes back up to the girl, who was biting her lip. The young girl kept shooting glances back at her friends, who were now snickering amongst themselves, causing Auden to grow annoyed. Auden was beginning to suspect that they had set up their friend to embarrass herself in front of Auden, and she wasn't going to have it.

Something in Auden told her to just deny it and move on. She shouldn't engage in the publicity if she wanted to keep their relationship private. But Auden also thought that maybe this girl was a fan of Cillian, and perhaps Auden could brighten her day. It was worth a shot and she was feeling especially generous.

"Yes," Auden smiled, "That would be me."

The girl's mood shifted suddenly as she rose an eyebrow and placed a hand on her hip, as she shoved her phone back into her coat pocket, "How does it feel to be a home wrecker?"

Auden's smile fell instantly, "Excuse me?"

The girls behind her burst out into laughter, grabbing their friends arm and tugging her away. She saw Brigid stand up out of the corner of her eye, stepping a step towards the group.

"Aye! Fuck off you slags!" she yelled, causing restaurant goers to turn their heads as the young girls ran out of the restaurant.

Shock mixed with embarrassment ripped through Auden, causing her to feel nauseous all of the sudden. Brigid huffed as she sat back down, throwing her napkin on the table. Brigid looked around at all of the stares before announcing: "Right, shows over. Go back to fucking eating, ya nosy pricks."

Auden placed her head in her hands, staring down at her food. What the hell just happened?

"Let's just leave," Auden mumbled, looking through her fingers at her friend. Brigid was chomping away at her meal, completely unfazed by the whole ordeal.

"Hell no. I paid for this food, and I'm going to eat it," she replied confidently.

Auden's hands fell away from her face. She was utterly shocked at Brigid's cool demeanor. Auden was  furious over the young girl's comment, as if she even had a clue what went on between her and Cillian. Yet Brigid continued on as if nothing had happened.

"I want to leave," Auden hissed.

Brigid looked up from her food defiantly before tossing her red hair over her shoulder and leaning forward, "I'm not leaving. I'm not letting those slags ruin our meal."

Auden gave her an incredulous look. The last thing Auden wanted to do was sit here. What if the girls came back for more? Auden didn't know if she could control herself if they did.

"I'm leaving," Auden stated. As she started to gather her things, Brigid grabbed her wrist.

"Auden," her voice came out stern and tough, causing Auden to pause what she was doing and look down at her friend. Brigid had never used that tone before. "Don't let those girls get to you. If you let them ruin this, then they have won."

Brigid's bright eyes were staring up at her intensely as Auden began chewing her bottom lip, contemplating her next move. As she looked around once more, she realized no one was even looking at them anymore. It was like the confrontation never happened, and everyone was back to their normal routine.

Auden nodded slowly, sitting back down. Brigid had a point. Auden couldn't let people like that control her mood or her day. Though it was easier said than done.

"I'm sorry, okay?" Brigid spoke again, this time with a softer expression as she let go of her wrist, "I know it's difficult to hear that stuff, but it's not who you are. You know it. I know it. Hell, even Cillian knows it. It's all just pointless words, because people like that don't have anything better to do with their lives than tear others down."

Auden felt herself release a sign. She wasn't aware that she had been holding her breath as Brigid spoke. It was as if Auden was anticipating she would say the worst thing possible.

She feared Brigid would agree with those young girls somehow. Auden knew it was crazy — Brigid was her best friend and would never succumb to those thoughts about Auden. But nonetheless, Auden was becoming more fearful that those around her would begin to believe what those on the outside were saying about her and her relationship.

After all, if you hear something long enough, you start to believe it.