Gemma Collier

Harley couldn’t help but laugh airily when Gemma began to wipe her tears and push the hair from her face. To everyone else, they would have immediately thought it was so unlike Gemma to be so caring and worried about another, but unlike everyone else, this was a side of her that she’d known for a long time. Much like that hidden side of Gemma, Harley possessed her own that was reserved for a select few; Gemma included. “Thanks, babe.” The brunette smiled as she placed her hand over the others on her shoulder. If people had soulmates, Gemma was surely Harley’s. She always knew what to say to make her feel better and Harley would forever be repaying that debt. Once she came back with a beer, Harley took a long swig and sunk into the couch. “You know that I’ll always be here too. So you better not keep the shit you’re going through private because I’ll slap you. But I don’t know what I would have done without you, Gem. I was freaking out a little bit.” She nudged the other girl, smiling softly. “I love you, bitch. Remember that, always.”

There was a maternal instinct to Gemma that came from always wanting to look out for the people she loved and most of the time that was reflected in her ferocious protective nature but it often times was not something she showed like this. Not with affection at least but with Harley it was different. She was the sister she’d never had and she was probably closer to Harley then she was her own family. No one else had stood by her side with such fierce devotion like Harley. Gemma followed Harley to the couch and sunk down next to her. Glancing over at Harley. “There’s a lot going on.” Gemma admitted and she didn’t want to get into all her stuff when she knew Harley was struggling with this. “You have ever right to freak out, this is a big thing. We’re you starting to have feelings for him again?” Gemma asked curiously as she glanced at Harley. “I love you too.” The words roll off her tongue easily. 

“Are you sure? Because I really hate when things like this happens and the drive just run away, I’m willing to pay. Know that if you need, I can pay for the damage.” She replied, before taking a deep breath for the first time after she left the car. “Yeah… I’m fine, my pride is hurt along with my driving skills. But I should be just fine. Again, I’m sorry for it.”

“Honestly, sweets. It’s really nothing. This old girls seen worst days. She’s literally like one pot hole from death.” Gemma said with a soft chuckle as she shrugged her shoulders. “I’d feel bad taking any money from you knowing that fact alone.” Looking her over Gemma nodded her head. “It happens to the best of us, don’t sweat it. It’s call an accident for a reason right?”

“No, no, no…” Bethany whispered as she leaned her head against the wheel. She heard the noise and could only expect that nothing too bad had happened once she hit someone else’s vehicle. So many things inside her head that she didn’t see it, and now she had to deal with it. Leaving the car, she looked at the person. “I’ll pay. You don’t even need to tell me that I should do it. I know. I’m so sorry.”

Gemma felt her jeep jostle at the impact and she came to a screeching halt. Watching as the driver of the other vehicle got out of her car Gemma did to. Investigating the damage that was done, her dirty old beaten down jeep didn’t look any worse for wear given it was already a piece of shit. “Sweetheart, I don’t think any money you’ve got is going to fix this hunk of junk. You didn’t do any more damage to it then it already had.” Gemma said offering up a smile. “You alright?”

Damn right I’m wearing pink. It’s an amazing color.

“Are you borrowing my clothes again?” Who was she kidding she didn’t own an ounce of pink.

All she could do was hold on tightly to Gemma as sobs began to rack her body – allowing all the kept emotions from pouring over and consuming her at once. It was too much for her; to see him again and then allow herself to confess something she’d been ashamed of for so long. And as always, Gemma’s presence began to calm her as the tears were kept at bay with a few quick blink of her eyes. “I know you’re right, but all I want to do is make sure he’s okay. I need to stay away – I’m probably the last person that he wants to see right now.” She whispered before finally pulling away from her friend and smiling brokenly towards her. “I don’t know what I’d do without you, Gemma. God, you’re the only person I can cry around because I know you won’t judge me.” Just like herself, she knew that Gemma was one to keep her emotions at bay, and she was all the more grateful to be friends with someone who understood her.

Gemma couldn’t even begin to imagine the demons that came with Harley’s struggle but she felt for her. As the other woman pulled back Gemma brushed her hair from her face wiping away any stray tears as she offered Harley a small smile. It was one of those rare maternal moments Gemma had where instinctively all she wanted to do was protect Harley. “I get it,” Gemma said shaking her head. “Give him time, he’ll come around when’s ready and maybe he won’t be okay right away but he’ll get there. This too shall pass.” Gemma said giving Harley’s shoulder a squeeze as she stepped away from Harley and moved towards the fridge. Grabbing two beers from the fridge she handed one to her Harley before opening her own. “I’m always here for you, you know. Through thick and thin bitch. Don’t forget it.” Gemma said cracking a smile. The truth was Gemma knew she was the lucky one, Harley kept her grounded and she’d be lost without her so if being there in these moments was the least that she could do Gemma would go through hell and high water for that girl. 

Avery grinned at Gemma as she spoke. “Nope, I don’t think we’d still be friends if you gave me any other answers than that. I know I can always trust you for an honest opinion.” She said jokingly. “I’ll give him a run for his money, that’s for sure.”

“I think you’d blow him out of the water if were being completely honest.” Gemma said winking at Avery with a grin. “What would you do without me fluffing your ego like this all the time Faraday?”

“Maybe I only did in my dreams.” 

“Clearly, that’s the only place you’d beat me at anything and don’t you forget it.” Gemma said proudly. “We got to work on your pool game buddy, I mean how do you expect to pick up girls like this.”

“I know I know.. Which I am totally cool with doing all those. Maybe I’m just over thinking it. I am, aren’t I? Just being my typical self..  dramatic and too insecure about my own things. But you’re right. I’ll be kept busy with all that, and I’m sure once things get going, I’ll be okay with it all… Now I just gotta think of that fun idea.”

“Baby girl, you got this. Stop doubting yourself and just enjoy the ride. You’re going to do great.” Gemma encouraged her with a smile.