Never Trust Anyone :)

The next day, you woke up -and Tara, too- to the sound of your phone ringing. You sat up and looked at your phone.

Zhanna.

You rubbed your left eye with one of your hands to get rid of the sleepiness then answered the phone. “Yes?”

“Y/N! Oh thank god, you picked it up!”Zhanna’z voice was shaky as she spoke which immediately made you stand up from your bed- making Tara alert as she silently watched you- and furrow your eyebrows.

“Zhanna? Is everything alright?”

“No! Yes…I don’t know..” She sounded like she was on the verge of tears and you clenched your jaw.

“What happened?”

“I-I..” You could hear she took a deep breath before continuing.” Bao…an-and Andrei. Th-they got into a car accident this morning. “You felt your chest tighten upon hearing her words. “An-and I’M in the hospital right now. They told me..they. “She let out a sob and you swallowed before springing into  action and rushing to get your coat and boots as Tara got up, too. 

“It’s okay, Z. Just calm down and continue.”

“They told me that Bao is in surgery as well as A-andrei. Y/N, I–I can’t do this. I can’t lose them.” Your eyes welled with tears as one of your shaky hands went to open the door.

“Al-,,god, alright, Z. I’ll- I’ll be right there, okay? Just hold on.” You tried assuring her, but your own voice betrayed you.

And that's when Tara spoke up. “Y/n…..” You looked up from the doorknob. “You know you can’t drive in a state like this. Come on, I’ll give you a ride.” She said, walking over to you, now fully dressed.

You bit your lip, hesitating before you heard Zhanna’s loud sobs from the other line and slowly nodded, going right after Tara as she opened the door and started walking out of the building.

Once outside, you felt yourself shiver as the cold winter breeze hit you as you rushed towards Tara’s Ford Thunderbird with Zhanna still on the line.

You and Tara got in and the moment the car was out of the parking lot, Tara sped across roads to get to the closest hospital.

You pushed the doors of the Lenox Hill Hospital, immediately looking around for Zhanna while Tara followed behind you. You sighed shakily before sailing Zhanna’s number once more. After a few seconds, she picked up.

“Z, where are you?”

“I–I..uhm..I think the-the third floor.” 

“Okay, okay. Just hang on. I’ll be there in a minute.” 

With that you hung up and darted towards the elevator, Tara still hot on your tail. When the doors closed, you slowly glanced at Tara before mumbling a small “Thanks for the ride” to which she nodded.

After about 30 seconds, the elevator stopped and you rushed out of it, running down the corridors until you found a curled up Zhanna on one of the waiting chairs.

“Z” You said quietly before walking up to her and hugging her.

Her body tensed first before she relaxed into your hold and hugged you back. After about two minutes of hugging-and Tara just standing awkwardly-, you pulled away, before Zhanna pulled you down on the chair next to her and sat you down. That”s when she noticed Tara and her soft, crying turned into glaring atTara.

“What the fuck’s she doing here?” Zhanna almost spat as you rubbed her arm while looking up at Tara before turning back to Zhanna. “Sh–she just gave me a ride. That’s all.” 

“It better be just that. I’m not in the mood for her.” You swallowed thickly before glancing up at Tara who was just standing, staring at the floor.

After about an hour and a half, Zhanna was asleep on the waiting chair due to you soothingly rubbing her back for so long. When Tara noticed this, she took the opportunity and sat down next to you, to which your immediate reaction was to scoot away from her. “Just ‘cause you gave me an emergency ride, we are still not on talking terms.” 

Tara sighed heavily.”I’ve told you…I’m sorry.”

You looked at Tara with an almost disgusted face. “Sorry is not going to fucking cut it, Carpenter.”

By the way you looked at her, Tara almost thought about giving up. Giving up on you. Giving up on the two of you. But she won’t.

“I know.” She closed her eyes and turned away from you, tilting her head up to face the ceiling.

“God, I already lost too much.” You mumbled as you looked towards the doors that one of the surgeries were held in.

“I can’t lose you guys, too. I wouldn’t be able to…handle that.”

Tara’s closed eyes filled with tears and a lump was starting to form in her throat upon hearing your words, knowing that she indeed, a part of the ‘too much’.

But if only you knew. If only you knew that you still had her. But you didn’t. And she hated it.

You, Zhanna, Andrei and Bao are sitting in their kitchen, having dinner and talking about random stuff until Andrei speaks up -as he was pretty quiet until now-. “So, Y/N..” He starts and all of you turn to him. You cock your head to the side, awaiting his question. “Are you… or are you not moving in with us? Cause like, you taking your sweet time deciding and it has been a while so you must’ve made a decision by now.” Andrei raises his eyebrows while looking at you as he puts down his fork.

“Well, I mean I already told you guys that I don’t wanna be a burden and I’d rather suffer with……….Tara” You swallow thickly while avoiding Zhanna’s gaze.

“OH come on!” She exclaims. “You  can’t be serious! That bitch doesn't deserve you, not even your presence!” Zhanna huffs angrily while looking at you.

Bao sighs and places a hand on Zhanna’s forearm. “Babe,  calm down. She didn’t say she forgave her, she said she’s willing to share a dorm with her. Not the same thing.” She tries explaining to Zhanna who’s still glaring at you. Zhanna just huffs again and looks away from you, deciding to glare at the table instead.

“Yeah, Z. And if I really can’t tolerate it anymore, I’ll come here. First thing” You try reassuring her to which she responds with only another huff and a turn to the side. You shake your head softly while sighing deeply before getting up. “Speaking of… I need to get back. By this hour she’s probably asleep which gives me enough ‘me’ time in the dorm.” Andrei raises his eyebrows at your statement to which you only react with a roll of your eyes before going around and hugging everyone then saying goodbye before walking out to the streets.

Although it’s only November, the streets of New York City are covered in snow. The snow that's currently crunching underneath your boots as you walk.

After a good 20 minute walk, you found yourself back on campus and walking to the dorms. Once you’re at your door, you stop and stomp a little to get rid of the remaining amount of snow on your boots before hesitantly opening the door. As you step in, you see -to your dismay- Tara by her desk. You suck in a deep breath and that’s when she looks up.

“Y/N. Hi. Where’ve you been?” She asks, turning to you as the orange light of Tara’s desk lamp illuminates on her face.

You blink once. Twice. And three times before answering her while turning to take off your winter coat and boots.

“I don’t see how that’s your concern and business.” You bluntly blurt out, walking over to your wardrobe and taking out your pajamas.

Tara huffs and bites her lip. “Why not?” But, oh, she knows all too well why not. But, nevertheless she still asks, which results in you turning to glare at her before storming into  the bathroom. Tara watches with sad eyes, biting her lip before shaking her head and looking back down at her book.

About half an hour later, you return from the bathroom and sit down on your bed while drying your hair with a towel. You stared at the back of Tara’s chair for a while before speaking up. “ Did ….Chad come around today?” You say his name almost like it’s a disease. One that can not be cured. A virus that can not be killed.  

Tara pauses her reading for a moment before looking up at you. “No. He didn’t”

You wouldn’t admit it out loud, but that kind of relieved you. You let out a small ‘hum’ of acknowledgement.  Tara looks at you a minute longer before looking back down at her book. The atmosphere is awkward. The tension can be cut with a knife as silence falls upon the two of you.

The silence only lasts about 3 minutes before Tara speaks up.”So, I know we have a lot to talk abo-” Before she can finish her sentence you cut her off.

“Night, Carpenter.” And with that statement you turn off the lamp on your bedside table and lay down.

Tara sighs and closes her eyes, trying to keep her  tears in as her lips tremble.

Why did I even think she’d wanna talk about it?

stupid.

Tara thinks to herself before swallowing thickly and letting out a shaky sigh. Her head turns to the direction of your -now- sleeping form. You have always been fast to fall asleep. Her eyes scan your body before shaking her head and looking away as she gets a text. She looks down at her phone.

Chad 😊💕

-hey, Tar. You up?

Tara sighs and hesitates before texting back. 

Tara 🤭

-yes. why?

Chad 😊💕

-wanna meet up? 😎😉

Tara feels her jaw clench as she looks at the screen. Ever since you’ve been living in the dorm, she’s seen Chad less and less. She knew why. He knew why. Even you knew why. And Chad is still trying to save what’s worth saving. And..maybe Tara should, too. But she just couldn’t bring herself to. Not when you’re a part of her life again. She’s not gonna let go this time. She’s gonna keep holding you until she physically can’t anymore.

Tara 🤭

-no. sry. Have to study for midterms.

Chad 😊💕

-okay.  that’s fine.

But then again, are you going to try coming back to her again? Do you still think about her when you’re alone? Do you still think about that night?

Cause she does. And even Chad can’t bring her mind to peace about it. How could he? He wasn’t even there, nor does he care enough.

You honestly never thought you’d see her again. Not after what happened. But here you were, standing in front of the door to your dorm. A name was already on it just above yours.

Tara Carpenter

Your stomach tightened as a lump began to form in your throat the longer you stared at it. After a while, you lifted your hand, ready to open the door to hell but it suddenly opened. 

“Yeah, I-” Tara stopped dead in her tracks and her words died in her throat when she saw you.

“Tara.” You breathed out, her name was like venom on your tongue.

“Y/N” Her voice was much softer than yours, her eyes, too.

“Tar-?” Chad’s loud voice echoed down the empty hallway as he appeared behind Tara and you looked up at him. “Oh, shi-” He cleared his throat. “Y/N. Hi. Wh-what’s up?”

You glanced at Tara, realizing the situation only when you saw Chad only in his shirt and underwear  while looking down. You nodded. “I…I live here now, so..” YOu trailed off before roughly walking through them, dropping your bag beside the empty bed. “But… I see you’re busy, so I think I’m gonna go..”

“W-wait, Y/N” Tara’s voice makes you stop right away. “Wh..what happened with your old dorm?”

“None of your business, Carpenter” And with that, you walked out of the dorm room, the door slamming behind you forcefully.

“AN-and I can’t believe it! Like how? And that douchebag, Chad was there, too! In his fucking underwear and a shirt!” You sighed in frustration, waving your piece of fry around as you talked angrily. Zhanna, your life-long best friend, was looking at you with a concerned face until you finished talking and she reached for your hand, holding it still. 

“Hey, hey, I..know that this is definitely the worst thing that could've happened right now, but it is going to be fine. I’ll be here. Always. And I told you, you can come live in my apartment” Zhanna smiled warmly at you. 

“I know, but I don’t wanna disturb you, Andrei and Bao. That’s already too many people, might I add.”

“You won’t! They are happy with it too” Zhanna bit her lip, some of her blonde hair fell in front of her face. She let go of your hand and pushed the strands of hair back behind her ears, also pushing her light purple glasses further up her nose. 

“Yes, because you guys are too good people.” You giggled,  getting up from your booth at the  best restaurant near Zhanna’s apartment, The Flavour Club. It serves the best coffee and pizza. Odd combo but still good. Zhanna sighed before getting up after you, throwing some money on the table and walking out after you. 

“And, it’s either having to hear my best friend and her partners banging or having to hear my ex girlfriend and ex best friend banging.” You grumple, throwing a paper napkin into a trash can that you walked by.

“Oh, hey now, I was your best friend wayyy before that jerk.” Zhanna frowned.

“I know, but he was like my brother until….” You trailed off and Zhanna’s face softened, taking your hand and giving it a quick squeeze.

“And if you -and I know you do- want some more time to think about moving in with us, then feel free to do so.” Your hands swung back and front as you walked, your fingers still interlocked. You nod softly. “And I already told you to get over that bitch.”

You frowned and bit the inside of your cheek. “She’s not a bitch. Don’t call her that” You mumbled under your breath. 

Zhanna stopped suddenly. “What was that? What did you say?” You knew she knew exactly what you said.

“Nothing”

“Right”

-------------------------------------------------------------

“Agent Carpenter! Watch out!”

Agent Reyes shouts out to Sam, his gun held high as he fires towards the person in the ski mask behind Sam. Sam spins around, her eyes wide and breath heavy as she aims and shoots the person. The person’s body hits the ground with a thud and Sam lets out a relieved breath. Agent Reyes or, as his friends call him, Mark runs up to Sam and breathes heavily.

“Shit. You okay?” Mark asks, putting his gun away under his belt. A little bit of blood has coated his brown blazer by a wound on his side.

“Yeah.” Sam breathes out as she pushes her hair out of her face, sweat droplets littering her forehead. 

Mark nods and looks around at the multiple corpses of the murderer’s sidekicks. “Great job, Partner” Mark chuckles dryly.

Sam rolls her eyes and puts her gun back in its holder before adjusting her vest and turning around to walk back to her car when she hears sirens. “Not yet, Reyes. We haven’t catched him yet.” Sam opens the door of her Grey and White Dodge Charger. She starts the car and rolls down the passenger side’s window to look at Mark who’s standing not far from the car with furrowed eyebrows. “I have somewhere I need to be. You’ll take care of the press.”

Mark scoffs when he sees Sam’s smirk “Oh come on!” He shouts but Sam just laughs and drives away.”Fuck You!” He groans as the police cars and various numbers of vans from different TV News channels  arrive at the scene.

— —

“Baby? Tara? You guys here?” Sam shouts out when she returns home, hanging her coat up before taking her combat boots off .

As soon as you hear your girlfriend's voice, you throw your uno cards at Tara and bolt out of the dining room, running to Sam and jumping into her arms.

“Oh thank god you’re okay!” You exclaim as Sam catches you and wraps her arms around you tightly.

Sam chuckles and buries her face into the crook of your neck, breathing in your scent. “Of course, baby.”

Tara quietly pads into the room and smiles at the two of you before slapping your back gently. “Hey, come on. She’s my sister who’s just looked death in the eye today, my turn.” She huffs.

Sam gently puts you down and places a chaste kiss on your lips before turning to Tara and wrapping her arms around her.. “Oh don’t exaggerate, Tar. I did not look death in the eye.” 

You giggle before turning around and walking to the dining room, resulting in both the sisters following after you. “I made dinner, ‘cause the twins were here earlier and they were complaining about how they can’t eat normal food in their dorms…” You explain, pointing to the pot of food on the stove.

Sam nods softly and Tara goes to gather the uno cards that are scattered around on the dining table so that Sam could have her dinner.. After you heat up her food, Sam sits down with you while Tara goes into the bathroom to take a shower after looking at the time and noticing that it’s past midnight. 

“So? Did you catch him?” You ask, sitting across from Sam while slurping on a cup of tea.

Sam huffs and swallows her food before answering. “Nope. Only more of his little ‘sidekicks’ showed up at the meeting spot which resulted in a bloodbath.” Sam sighs, her eyelids feeling heavy before she continues eating. “Food’s delicious by the way.” 

You nod and mutter a small ‘Thank you’ before standing up and putting your now empty cup away. Sam soon finishes her food and you wash the dishes while she goes showering, but not before confirming that Tara is already in her room. 

About thirty minutes later, you and Sam are laying in your shared bed, your head on her chest and leg thrown over her front as she strokes your hair.  Sam softly kisses the top of your head before closing her eyes and sighing.

“Goodnight”

You smile softly and your hand strokes her stomach under her pajama shirt. “Goodnight, Sammy” 

– –

The next morning -which for you is around 11 AM since it’s saturday- you wake up to a feeling of coldness and throw your arms around the bed, trying to look for Sam. You sigh and grunt when you realize that she’s already up. Opening your eyes, you hiss at the brightness of the sun shining through the window.  

Stupid Tara. What was she doing in your and Sam’s  room, anyway?

After your eyes adjust to the bright sun, you sit up and look at the clock on your bedside table.

10:47 AM

You sigh heavily before standing up and walking out of the room, walking into the kitchen still in your pajamas. You see Tara sitting on the counter, munching on a NERDS rope. You roll your eyes at her.

“Aren’t you supposed to eat lunch in like an hour?”

“Yeah. So?” Tara glances at you, her legs swinging back and forth.

You shake your head and look around. “Where’s Sam?” 

“At work”Tara answers, still chewing on the candy.

“What?! It’s Saturday!” You exclaim, eyebrows furrowed. Tara nods, finishes the candy before hopping off the counter.

“Yeah. But since it’s an important case, she has to go in and work on it” Tara says, standing in front of you. You raise your eyebrows, arms crossed. Tara puts her hands up, the paper of the candy still in her left hand. “Sam’s words. Not mine”

You sigh. “Man, I’m gonna be soooo bored” 

“Hey! What am I? A roach?” Tara exclaims, slightly offended by your statement.

“Well….”You trail off: “You sometimes act like one.”  You hear Tara grumble and she crosses her arms as well,  looking up at you slightly  with a deep scowl on her face.

“No I don’t”  

“Oh yes, you do!” You smirk, enjoying her annoyed state.

“No, I don’t!” She fires back.

“Whatever. At least I know you’re not self-aware.” You smile and turn around, walking away and into the living room.

Tara gasps and quickly stomps after you in a hurry. “Hey! That’s...you know that’s not true!” She stands in front of you when you sit down on the couch, now a frown on her face.

“Oh come on! You’re such a crybaby!” You whine out, now being the one looking up at her. She bites her lip and pouts.  You let out a loud sigh and stand up, gently pushing her before holding out your arms and looking at her softly.

“Forgive me?”

A wide grin spreads across Tara’s face and she hugs you tightly. You wrap your arms around her and shake your head, chuckling.

Suddenly, the front door  opens and Sam walks in with a grunt as she drops her bag on the floor. You and Tara look up and you let go of her.

“Sammy? What’s up? You’re home early?”

Sam looks up and her gaze immediately softens. “Yeah. Brad told me and Mark to go home. That we shouldn’t work on our rest day” She mumbles and you walk up to her and she hugs you tightly, her arms around  your lower back while yours are around her neck.

“And you shouldn’t. Baby, I know you really want to catch this guy but you can’t if you overwork yourself, okay? You need to rest” 

Sam sighs into your shoulder and nods. “I know.”

You rub her back softly. “Come on, I’ll give you a bath.” Sam sighs and nods.

Tara perks up and shouts after you as you and Sam walk into the bathroom after she placed a soft kiss on your lips. “I’ll make lunch!”

You reply with an ‘Okay’ before shutting the door behind you and Sam.

— —

Later, after everyone’s finished their lunch and Sam had her bath, Tara is already out, deciding to pay a visit to the twins for a small study-date. You and Sam are laying in your bed, her head on your stomach as your fingers thread through her softly, silky hair. Sam wraps her arms around your waist and buries her face into your stomach.

“God. I just..wanna catch him” She mumbles and the sensation makes you hold back a giggle.

“I know, baby. I know.” You whisper softly, your other hand rubbing her back gently. “And you will. I’d say there’s no need to rush it, ‘cause he’s killing people but….you still don’t have to do this to yourself.” Sam sighs and nods into your stomach softly, “You promise me you won’t do this again?” She nods. “Words, Sammy. I need words”

---------------------------------------------------------------

“Baby?” Jenna’s soft, honey-like voice calls from the door of your bedroom, making you momentarily turn around and smile at her before going back to typing on your computer. Jenna sighs and walks over, leaning down slightly and putting her chin on your shoulder.

“What are you doing, hon?” 

You take your fingers off the keyboard and lean back against your chair. “You know what.” Jenna takes her chin off your shoulder and stands next to you, her hand replacing her chin on your shoulder. 

“Oh, I thought you had uh…..”Jenna looks up, taping on your shoulder as she thinks about the word.

“Writer’s block?” Jenna grins and nods “Yeah, I did. But…I don’t anymore.” You say, a small smile on your face. You crack your wrists and fingers before finally looking up at  Jenna. 

“That’s good to hear, baby. “Jenna smiles.”Uh, and even though I love that you’re finally writing your book again, I was thinking that we could…just cuddle and watch a movie or something?” Jenna asks, biting her lip as she looks at you.

Your eyes meet her deep brown ones and you feel a flutter in your chest before you grin. “Of course, Jen. It’s okay.” You stand up and push your chair back, groaning quietly as you stretch your legs and crack  your back which are sore and hurting after hours of sitting by your desk.

Jenna grins excitedly and starts walking out the room, with you following after her quietly. “I was hoping you’d say yes.” Jenna says to you as she reaches out to hold your hand. You soon arrive at what you call ‘Chill Room’. On the right side of the big room is a line of bookshelves, full of yours and Jenna’s favorite books. On the left is a line of arcade games that your cousins or Jenna’s sisters play most of the time when they’re over. In the middle of the room is a circle of armchairs and a table in the middle. At the end of the room is the ‘comfiest couch in the world’ as Jenna would say. 

The two of you walk to the couch and Jenna smiles as she sees the leg rest pulled out and fluffy blanket and pillows she set up prior to visiting you in your bedroom. “Because I already set it up.” You shake your head, smiling playfully at her before slumping down on the couch, your hoodie riding up from the mid of your thighs in cause of the action. Jenna giggles and grabs her laptop from the small table next to the couch and sits beside you, bringing the blanket over the two of you.

“So? What are we watching?” You ask softly, pulling the fluffy brown colored blanket up to your chin, you knees pulled up against your chest as you watch Jenna type in her password.

“I was thinking……..the Candyman. The first one” 

You snap your head to face her, noticing her already looking at you, batting her eyelashes at you innocently. “Jen! Come on! I thought we were going to relax ... .watch a good comedy and eat chips, not sit down to watch one and half an hour of gore and murder!” You whine, pleading with your eyes.

“I know, baby, But ... .halloween is coming soon and you know I like horror movies. They’re…my escape! “ Jenna bites her lip.

You sigh and shake your head. “You know, If I didn’t know you, I’d think you’re a psychopath.” 

Jenna smiles softly and giggles, which makes your heart flutter. “Is that a yes?” 

You exhale heavily before closing your eyes and nodding, but it was all worth it because the way Jenna lets out an excited ‘yes’ in victory then giggles is more than enough to make you open your eyes again and look at her lovingly as she sets up the movie.

“Done” Jenna exclaims and looks at you, seeing  you staring at her with that kind of look in your shining eyes. She blushes and places the laptop on your left and her right thigh. 

You snap your eyes away from her and blush too, looking down at the screen. She moves closer to you and wraps her right arm around your shoulders, your head falling onto her chest as you have already stretched out your legs for the laptop.

You inhale softly, her scent relaxing you as you place your right hand on Jenna’s stomach and the movies start to play. Your relaxation doesn’t last long as the opening scene plays, your heart thrumming in your chest.  Jenna giggles which makes your head shake a little.

“Calm down, baby. Nothing even happened yet.” 

Jenna’s little attempt in assuring you seemingly fails as you nod ‘Yet” Jenna just shakes her head at your response and brings her hand to your hair, playing with it to make you a bit more relaxed.

— —

After the movie ends, your head stays on Jenna’s head, processing what happened. Jenna is looking down at you with a small smile on her lips as her hand is continuously stroking your hair. After a while, you look up and blush under her gaze.

“So, what did you think?” She almost whispers.

“I’m never watching that again.” Your response makes Jenna laugh and you frown as your head shakes but it disappears when you focus back on her heavenly laugh. When her laughter dies down, she looks back down at you, your head still on her chest. And for a while, the two of you just lay there, staring at each other like there’s no one else on earth. Like nothing else matters at that moment. Only each other.

Jenna swallows thickly before leaning down briefly and kissing you on the lips before pulling back. You grin and push the laptop  off the two of you softly before sitting up higher and cupping Jenna’s cheek, leaning in and placing your lips on hers. You hum against her soft lip as you kiss, now both of her hands in your hair.  

You pull back after a couple of seconds but not too far so that your noses are touching, her breath fanning over your lips as she opens her eyes and looks into yours.

“I love you” She breathes out softly, a smirk on her now red lips.

You wet your lip subtly and your heart rate picks up further. “I love you too, idiot” 

Rolling your eyes, you lean back again and kiss Jenna passionately. 

And at that moment,  she knew it. You’re the one.