Evie & Adams | LGBTQ+

"I love you Evie."

Evie blanched and stared at May, incredulous, who had gone silent, as if waiting for some sort of response. "Oh. Um, I'm surprised. Really, this seems unreal." Was all she managed to say.

"Good unreal, or bad unreal?" May squeaked hopefully, eyes narrowed. Evie licked her lips and pulled an apologetic face.

"I'm sorry May, I just don't see you that way. You're my best friend, you mean so much to me, and I wouldn't want anything to come in the way of our friendship." Evie said, pained to see May hang her head in defeat. She is my best friend. And I know now how feelings ruin things, like with Roxy.

"Please May, I cannot lose another friend. I need you." Evie's voice cracked and May looked up in alarm. Evie reached out and pulled her friend into a tight hug.

"So you're not mad?" May asked as she hugged Evie tight, confusion evident in her voice. Evie laughed, the sound only half empty.

"Why would I be mad?" Evie asked stunned, pulling back to look May in the eyes. May looked back, sheepish and dropped her gaze.

"That I'm bi... and I hit on you." It came out a whisper, so quick Evie almost missed it. Evie laughed again, and this time it was a genuine laugh. May looked so confused, it was priceless.

"Not in the slightest." Evie grinned. She felt lighter than she had all week. "Ugh, I could kiss you out of happiness! I won't, but you've just inspired me. May, you are the best friend in this world, I will make it up to you!"

Evie was already barrelling out the door, leaving a bewildered May to stare after her like she'd gone insane. Maybe I have gone insane. Or maybe May just gave me courage, opened up my eyes.

Evie was running, sprinting down the corridors, pushing past students and teachers alike. She burst out of the front doors, raced down the stairs and leapt into her car. Next thing she knew she was flying down the highway, going as far above the speed limit as she dared, heart in her throat.

First she tried the bottle shop, nothing. Then the apartment, the diner and the abandoned park to no avail. Desperate, Evie pulled up to Roxy's Uncles place. A neat looking four by two in a decent area, with a picket fence and a red mailbox.

Tuck opened the front door when Evie knocked and gave her a hug.

"Evie! Good to see you las. How's my niece?" He asked, his smile warm.

"I was hoping you could tell me. I've looked everywhere, do you know where else she could be?" Evie asked, filled with hope, still out of breath from the mad dash.

Tuck thought about it and finally gave an address near Kleppers Senior. "Roxy used to go there a lot, especially when she needed to blow off some steam or clear her head. Hope you find her."

"Thanks Tuck! Me too." Evie called over her shoulder, already on the move back to her car. Within minutes she was outside the place, a huge warehouse with blacked out windows. Leaping out, Evie read the sign above the door.

Morgan's Gym and Fight Rink.

It figures she'd be at a gym. Got to maintain that heavenly body somehow. Evie thought, pushing the door open. Greeted by the smell of sweat and protein powder and the heavy rhythm of music, Evie looked around. She scanned the large space, only looking for one thing.

Found it. She thought, spying a familiar faux mohawk of brown-blonde hair in the back corner. Evie hurtled forward, dodging around gym equipment and mats and patrons.

Roxy, in fitted black pants and a white singlet, was sparring with an older guy. Both had on boxing gloves, and Evie could hear the man – probably in last late thirties – taunting Roxy. Her coach.

Like a dance, when the one attacked the other parried, and vice versa. It was beautiful. But Evie was thrumming with courage and passion, and could not stop herself from calling out Roxy's name.

Roxy spun around, and in shock forgot to parry, landing a hard hit to her gut. She doubled over and Evie watched, chagrined. Oops.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry, I'll come back." Evie started to retreat, but then Roxy held out a hand, grounding her to the spot. She and the coach exchanged a few words, and then Roxy ducked under the ropes. She stood in front of Evie, sweaty and hair messy, a cautious look in her eyes. She looks so damned beautiful.

"Rox. I'm so sorry for last week, for what I said. You were right, and I lashed out at you. That wasn't fair. I'm so sorry I hurt you and pushed you away, I messed up. But-"

"But what? You expect me to just... go okay, fine. Hot one day, cold the next, just ride with whatever mood you're in?" The words were a slap to the face, the coldness in the words a shock. The excitement and energy that had been thrumming in Evie's blood dissipated like steam.

Evie opened her mouth and closed it, like a goldfish, trying to rearrange her thoughts.

"What? No, yes, I mean you're right, that's not okay. What I'm saying is-" Roxy tried to cut Evie off again, but this time Evie kept talking, "No. You listen to me now. I've got something to say and you're gonna hear it."

Evie took a deep breath as Roxy went quiet. It seemed the whole gym had gone quiet.

"Roxy Adams, when you walked into my life, it was the best thing that's ever happened to me. And I was a fool for not admitting that to myself, for letting other people's opinions dictate my life. But I've woken up, and I realised that the only person who matters to me, is you. I want to be with you. And I was scared to admit that. But I'm not afraid anymore. Roxy Adams, will you be my girlfriend?"

The words spilled forth like a wave, right out of Evie's heart. She meant each word she said, and didn't care who heard her. Roxy's eyes widened at the last sentence, jaw slack. This time it was her turn to gape like a fish. Heart hammering, Evie waited for a response.

"Too little, too late." The words were clipped, short and Roxy turned around and got back into the pit. Evie couldn't believe it. Her heart dropped to her gut and one hand came up to cover her mouth.

"Oh. Um, okay." She said, fighting to keep the tears back. Evie turned around slowly, and trudged through the gym. She wasn't even embarrassed. She was shattered, into a thousand tiny fragments.

This is what I get for being brave? I've lost her.

Evie got into her car, numb. It didn't feel real. I really thought we had something. I- No. Stop. Evie, you just came out. Don't let her ruin this moment for you. This is your moment, forget about Roxy.

So Evie did just that. Professionals would probably call it denial or misdirection, but Evie pushed all thoughts of Roxy aside. And instead focused on how freeing it felt to be honest. To let it out.

Evie texted around and found out the twins of trouble had another party at their place tonight. Good thing I'm in the party mood, she thought as she pulled up to their house. Hearing the music and seeing the people, brought on a strong sense of déjà vu.

Evie stepped through the doorway, paused, and screamed out.

"WHO'S READY TO PARTY?!" She threw her hands up as the crowd exploded.