The week afterwards was like a breath of fresh air around Becca and Freen. That heavy cloud they had experienced from their tentative reunion, as well as the tension from getting to know each other again, had slowly dissipated. In fact, the atmosphere had become much lighter within and around the band as they continued to practice a few hours every day.
They had a new gig the approaching Saturday night that they were actually getting paid for, giving them the opportunity to perform a full set at a local sports bar. The crowd mostly consisted of young adults hanging out, drinking, chatting and playing pool. The band was quite excited to put their list of songs together and getting their set just right to promote their sound in order to get more support for their next performance.
The previous Bandslam left a bitter taste in their mouth when they not only found themselves going up against Scott's band, The Shots, but their pride was also bruised badly when they lost. It was close, but it was a reality check for sure that they needed to up their game before the big performance in a few weeks' time. This weekend they were expected to play a set of cover songs in order to entertain the crowd by giving them what they wanted to hear. The band didn't mind as playing a good set of covers often garnered more attention and a bigger following.
The relationship between Becca and Freen had also progressed slowly but much easier as the two fell into a much more relaxed state around one another after their heart to heart. Their old habits with each other even started to surface in their chats, their banter, and even their actions as they became more playful with each other. It became a common occurrence for them to annoy each other with child-like behaviour, such as when Freen stole Becca's beanie, prompting the latter to chase Freen around the yard, or when Becca would hide Freen's guitar picks around the lawn, causing Freen to wrestle Becca to the ground in order to take them back.
The others would look at each other knowingly, sharing secret smiles and whispers when they observed the two girls. It had started to become obvious that a foundation was starting to form between the two that inevitably seemed like it might lead somewhere. Richie, Irin and Nam were delighted, while Heng would often roll his eyes in jest, complaining how it was unfair to a hot blooded guy like himself to have to face two such incredibly attractive women who clearly only had eyes for each other.
As Friday arrived Irin had made the suggestion that the two siblings spend some quality time together - after the four of them went out for the evening. A new drive-in had opened on the outskirts of town in the fashion of the classics they had only observed in old movies. It had always seemed like a lot of fun and there was a current of excitement in the air. They would take Richie's car, along with some blankets and pillows, and get comfy while watching the classic, and original, Scream. Parking about two rows in from the back, they found a spot that was close enough to other cars in order to not feel too exposed, but also far enough for some privacy.
"I don't get why we had to pick the horror movie to watch!" Irin groaned, staring back at Becca who was getting comfy in the backseat next to Freen. She simply grinned and shrugged her shoulders at Irin, then turned her attention to Richie. "Yeah brother dearest, why is that?" Becca knew exactly why Richie had chosen the horror movie, and that was because he knew Irin scared easily and he wanted to be the one in whose arms she ended up, even if he wouldn't admit it.
"Shut up Becks. I didn't ask you about taking the backseat." He groaned at his little sister, rather afraid of what might happen back there with her and Freen who had gotten so cozy with one another. Becca's cheeks burned a little as she gave Freen a tentative sideways glance. Honestly, Becca hadn't planned on doing anything. She just wanted to be comfortable, though the idea of ending up in the backseat with Freen made her swallow down her drumming heart.
Once the movie started and all the parking area lights went out, a deathly silence settled in all around. Becca was utterly amused as she watched Irin inch closer to her brother everytime things turned tense on the screen and by the third jump scare she was grabbing his thigh as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders. Becca beamed a little. It made her quite happy to see her best friend and her brother slowly getting closer. She knew there was no better girl for her brother, and no better guy for her best friend. It brought a certain sense of calmness to her heart.
Becca was so preoccupied with the movie and the sight of the almost couple before her, that she never even noticed Freen's slow movement as she crept steadily closer to Becca on the seat. Freen wasn't as focused on Richie and Irin as she was on her own itching desire to be closer to Becca. Freen had been using their bidding friendship all week to get closer to Becca because her heart had convinced her that that was what she wanted more than anything.
She knew she had to give Becca some space and time after the shitshow at the club, the debacle at the Bandslam, then their heart to heart in the dark, but she'd be lying to herself if she had to say that she wasn't getting completely tangled up in her feelings for the other woman. Becca was ultimately still the same as she was in school, only more mature but still amazing and Freen could not help but be drawn to her now like a magnet, moreso than ever before. Everytime they playfully got entangled or simply just touched, Freen could feel her insides burning up and she knew... She knew there was no stopping this train of emotions she was steadily riding.
Using her pillow as an excuse, she put it down between her and Becca and lay on it with her elbow, moving closer to the other girl. To her surprise, Becca nudged her shoulders closer to the front seats so that she could lay down herself right behind Freen, using the same pillow and the same position. Becca managed to keep her cool, but Freen could feel the hairs at the back of her neck rising whenever she felt Becca's breath reaching her skin. It was torture. It was even worse when Becca idly started playing with her hair as they continued to watch the movie, and Freen was honestly not sure if Becca even knew what she was doing to her. Was it on purpose, or just another old habit coming to the fore?
"You two look pretty comfy back there. Maybe we should have brought a divider screen!" Irin joked as she looked back and saw how Becca was actually fixated more on Freen in front of her than she was on the movie. Becca got a bit of a fright as she realised she had been caught, but tried her best to play it off as Irin just teasing them rather than Freen know the truth. The truth was that Becca was indeed playing with Freen's hair on purpose, breathing into her neck on purpose, getting close to her on purpose. The goosebumps she could spot on Freen's skin was like the yellow brick road that Becca simply had to follow.
"Oh fuck off." Becca laughed at Irin as she leaned forward to smack her friend on the arm several times in revenge. "Don't pretend like you two aren't!" Becca wagged her brows and stuck out her tongue just in time for her brother to turn his head back and shoot her a glare.
"Come on, let's visit the concession stand and get some snacks before I kill my little sister." Richie groaned and opened his door. Soon enough he was on the other side of the car, opening the door for Irin to get out and join him. The two walked off and Richie managed the courage to actually slip his hand into Irin's and smile sideways at her. "Does it bother you?" Irin asked him softly, though it left him confused. "Does what bother me? Becca and Freen? Nah, I like what I see. As long as Becks is happy." Irin smirked and brought her other hand around to hold onto his arm. "Well that's very sweet of you, but actually I meant her teasing us." Richie coughed as he blushed, thankful for the darkness to hide it as they walked along. "Why would that bother me?" He choked out shyly. "Well because she's implying that there's something going on between us ya know..." Irin trailed off, unsure of herself all of a sudden. Richie inhaled deeply as he came to a halt, slowly exhaling as he pulled Irin into his arms. "Isn't there?" He whispered before slowly leaning in, delivering a gentle kiss to her lips.
Becca, who had been keenly watching them through the window, squealed a little bit when she saw them kissing, delighted to see them actually moving their relationship forward. When she turned back to Freen, she found the other girl's face dangerously close to her own, causing her to gulp. "They're pretty cute together..." Freen whispered, though her eyes were settled on Becca, a flush spreading down her cheeks and into her neck as she stared into the brown pair of eyes in front of her. It seemed like an eternity that they stayed like that, simply watching each other's every little move: every shift of their eyes, every batting eyelash, every quivering mouth corner. They lost themselves in their own little world, not sure whether to sink or swim.
"Becca..." Freen whispered mere inches from her lips and Becca felt helpless to move or look away. "Becca... I want to kiss you..." Freen whispered again as her gaze dipped down to Becca's lips, causing Becca's breath to hitch. Her heart was pounding in her chest, her throat, her ears, everywhere. Did she want this? Was she ready for this? Was this the right thing to do? Was it too soon? Was it too late? Was it the right time yet? A million questions rushed through Becca's mind but soon even the questions got drowned out by the scent of Freen so close to her. Freen was slowly capturing all of Becca's senses and running with them. Becca wanted to chase. She needed to.
The gap started narrowing between them as both girls held their breath for what was to come, everything else slowly being drowned out at the immensity of the present moment...
"BECCA!" Both girls just about jumped from their skin as Irin hit the window behind her friend, aiming to scare them both shitless. "IRIN YOU CRAZY BITCH!" Becca yelped as she yanked her head around and grabbed onto her chest, while Freen jumped back against the door behind her, breathing heavily at the sudden scare. Irin cackled in pleasure as her goal was achieved before getting into the front seat of the car once more, while Richie got in on the other side. "Be nice, Becks. We got you guys drinks and popcorn." Richie said as he passed the snacks back to the girls.
They took what they were handed with shaky hands, glancing at each other quickly. The moment had passed and would not present itself again for the rest of the night. A part of Becca was angry at them for interrupting, while another part of her felt relieved. She just wasn't sure which emotion was the stronger one. The question was how long could she and Freen put it off for and stay apart? But the more important question was whether or not it was actually a good idea. While Becca questioned her and Freen's future, Freen already knew what she wanted and she was not about to let go of it.