You made me ink | Alessia Russo

The one with the breakdown

Cairo shrugged off her thanks, she didn't need it. "Honestly, it's no problem. My pleasure and stuff, yeah?" She replied with a laugh.

Alessia smiled. Despite the current fear running through her body, the site of the girl standing in front of her was still making her smile so much her cheeks hurt. "I'll buy lunch tomorrow, deal?"

"We'll see."

"Cairo!"

"What?! I'll think about it."

Alessia threw her head back and laughed. "Right, stop it. I'll message you tomorrow a time and place, yeah?" Cairo nodded in response, her hands shoved in her pockets, trying to allow Alessia control of the situation.

The blonde stood there for a second before stepping forward and wrapping her arms around Cairo's neck, pulling the girl in for a tight hug and feeling the weight leave her shoulders once she felt Cairo's arms snake around her waist, squeezing her as tight. "Don't get lost in Manchester, I won't be able to find you." She said as she pulled away and walked out the door.

"No promises." Cairo responded as she leant against the doorway, giving the girl a small wave as she watched the girl walk down the corridor and into the lifts.

This was not on her bingo card for this year.

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"Answer, answers answer." Alessia mumbled to herself as she pressed the contact on her phone, allowing the ringing tone to flow through the speakers of the car as she drove towards her flat.

"Hello Less." The thick accent of Ella Toone flooded Alessia's ear.

"Tooney," Alessia paused as she felt the sound of her best friend and everything she was feeling all tumble on top of her. "I need- I need to tell you something." Alessia eventually got out through tears.

"Hang on, Less. Pull over, come on, it's okay."

Alessia followed her best friends instructions, pulling over and putting her hands over her eyes.

"Come on, what's wrong?" Ella asked of a minute of hearing Alessia crying to herself.

Alessia took a breath and dragged her hands down her face. "Remember uhmm, remember the girl from the tattoo shop?"

"Yeah?"

"Well I've been talking to her."

"Right?"

"And she's here...in Manchester,..to see me."

"How come?"

Alessia paused, a slight smile breaking through her tears at the thought of Cairo coming down to see her just because she asked her to. "'Cause I asked her to?"

"Okay?"

"And I went to see her tonight..and I kissed her. And I really liked it, I think I like her."

Ella paused before speaking, not entirely sure she was getting the full picture. "Less, I don't get what you're crying about though? Did she do something?"

"No, no! She was, she was perfect. I'm just-" Alessia paused as she got frustrated at the tightness in her throat as the tears fell down her eyes. "I'm just scared."

"Lessy, what are you scared of mate?"

Alessia through her head back I annoyance. "Of everything! Maybe I like girls, maybe I don't and I just like the attention she's giving me? It's terrifying me. If I like girls, even if I like girls and boys, what will everyone say? What will my family say, my friends, the fans? What if I don't like girls and I lead both me and Cairo on? That's not fair! What if I lose people that I love because I'm too busy chasing after a girl? And then I end up being wrong? It's all just- it's just- just" Alessia couldn't finish her sentence, her tears getting ahold of her.

"Okay, okay. Less listen to me, okay? Take a breath for a second." Ella paused to make sure she could hear Alessia following her orders. "First thing first. Does Cairo treat you right? She respect you?"

"Yeah, like so much."

"Okay, and when you're with her, or when you're talking to her, do you feel all giddy?"

Alessia let out a small smile as she sniffed. "Yeah, it's like I can't get enough of talking to her."

"When you're doing stuff, do you picture what it would be like with her there with you? Or imagine what things could be like?"

"Mmhmm."

"Then Less, you've already answered your own questions. You like her, wait no, listen to me." Ella quickly rushed out as she heard Alessia's breath quicken. "You like her, and who cares? Who cares if you like girls or girls and boys or anyone? Whose business is it? You need to do what you can to be happy. It doesn't matter what people think, Less. Those people who love you? If they really love you, they want you happy, and it doesn't matter if it's a girl or a boy making you happy. Nobody on the team will think different, let's face it in the bloody minority being straight, and neither will your family because they love you. Anybody else? They don't matter. You know?"

Alessia nodded as she sniffed before remembering Ella can't see her. "Yeah, yeah I know."

"Then fuck everyone else, mate! Cairo is fit, end of. Even if it turns to nothing, if it doesn't work out or whatever, you're first experience with a girl is with a worldie. That's impressive!"

Alessia laughed again as she wiped her eyes. "She is unreal."

"Fuck yeah she is. But Less, speak to her. Explain everything to her. Don't shut her out, and just go slow. There's literally no rush. And if she can't' go slow, then she's not as great as she makes out."

"You're right. Thank you."

"I know I am. Right, get off the phone and get home, you've interrupted my face mask and I'm all cracked now."

"However will you cope." Alessia said with a laugh. "Thank you, Tooney."

"I love you, Less. I'm proud of you."