Annie: "Hey! Didn't expect your text :sweat_smile:. Guess I'm free, too"

The beep for Annie's text arrived a few minutes after Giselle had sent hers. She had wondered when the response would arrive and ended up surprised. Another beep and the chat window extended as her neighbor sent yet another message.

Annie: "It'll be awkward, but do you want to come over?"

The brunette's heart started pounding louder in her chest. Last time she had visited the blonde woman, they had ended up in bed together. Images and memories flashed before her mind's eye. She bit her lip and glanced back at the screen.

Giselle: "It's warm outside and it won't be completely dark until 9, how about we go for a walk?"

Annie: "Sure, meet you in five!"

A grin unfolded on her lips as Giselle pushed herself up and realized, she was still wearing her work outfit. In a jiffy, she whirled through her bedroom and came out in a pair of thin leggings and a casual tee. It gave her a vacation-style look. With her pair of sneakers, she opened the apartment door and found Annie waiting for her. The blonde wore a white top with a rather deep cleavage and a loose, long skirt. The bob haircut was starting to grow too long. Both smiled at each other, seemingly distracted and feeling awkward.

Walking somewhere would take the edge off, or so the brunette hoped. On the sofa in one of the apartments, they'd just stare at each other and smile uncomfortably. At least she'd do that and if Annie was able to overcome her own obstacles, that'd make her feel even worse.

Down the stairs, out of the building, across the street and behind three houses into a stretch of greenery that'd eventually lead onto the fields behind the suburb. They walked next to each other in silence until they reached the greenery. Everything was blooming or in a satisfying, full green. "How have you been?", Giselle asked softly as they walked. "It's okay, I guess. Wasn't exactly a fan of how that dinner went", the blonde replied and the brunette chuckled, "Yeah, that was really fucked up".

The neighbor nodded and thoughtfully looked over while they walked beneath an old oak that harboured at least twenty birds. They were chirping and singing as if their life depended on it. Then the woman wondered, "Why'd you leave me there?".

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Giselle sighed and knew that this question would come sooner or later. And since she didn't have a good answer, either, she explained, "Ian was pissed. I haven't seen him this angry in a long time. He wanted to leave on his own. Guess he waited for me when he saw me stumble and fall...". "You fell? Did you hurt yourself?", the blonde asked in concern, the brunette shook her head and said, "No, not really. Just a bruise, it's already healing". "Good, I'm glad", her neighbour smiled over and she smiled back. It felt good being with that woman again, the smile, the voice, the presence. She liked her.

"So once I got into the car, Ian didn't exactly look like he was about to calm down and sort it out. I couldn't let him leave alone. I'm sorry", she continued her story and paused until she whispered, "Not that it did me any good".

Annie's head jerked over, "Why do you say that?". Giselle sighed and her eyes went up to look at the clouds. They had just walked out of the park area onto a small trail into the fields. Finally she said, "He left the next morning to stay with his brother. He hasn't been the same". Her neighbour looked at her with concern and empathy, "I regret that happened".

Giselle shrugged, "After what happened at the restaurant... Guess I shouldn't smack-talk Cel now, you're with her, aren't you?". The other woman nodded shyly, "You know about that, huh?". "We heard both of you last night. It's hardly a secret. Is it serious?", she asked and smiled weakly. This was a tough question, one she needed to know the answer to, but didn't want to hear it anyway. "Not really, I'm not sure she's even interested beyond having a good time?", Annie said, almost nonplussed and scratched herself on the neck, more to relieve the tension than actually scratch an itch.

"From listening to you over the past few days, I'm surprised she isn't with you today", Giselle laughed and glanced at her neighbour teasingly. "She was going to, but cancelled maybe an hour ago? Maybe something came up, who knows", the blonde admitted, frustration ringing through it. Obviously that hadn't been the plan.

Instead of poking further, she changed the topic, "So where does all of this leave us? I didn't expect us to blow up like this". Suddenly she became aware of her sweaty hands and the pounding heart.

"Not sure? I am still angry for leaving me there. That wasn't a nice move! But then again, I do like you a lot", Annie said sheepishly and looked to the other side, into the distance. "I'm sorry I did that. I'll try to do better, alright?", the brunette said apologetically. It made the neighbour's head turn and tilt. Blue eyes glared at her for a while. It was so intense that she had to look away. Finally Annie said, "Whatever you might think, this was always going to explode one day. You and Ian I mean. You are... were cheating on him with me. You realise that, don't you?"