"Hey tootsie roll." Jane says as she sits on my bed.

I groan loudly before turning over my page and once again tried to complete my homework.

"How is it that you have so much homework and what not when you're not even in class to understand what happened?"

"For your information, this is for a large part of my grades since I'm missing most of the tests."

"Oh... You sound mad. Are you mad at me?"

I sighed deeply as I closed my book and turned the chair to face her. "I'm not mad at you Jane."

"So why is it that I've been home five days and you still haven't had a decent conversation with me?"

"Because there's nothing to talk about."

"Bull shit!"

I roll my eyes before turning back to my work.

"Come on Carrie, don't do this to me. I'm literally leaving tomorrow and we haven't talked about anything."

"Jane, it's not like we used to, you know! We don't have anything in common anymore."

"We both have vaginas!" She shouts and throws her hands up in defeat.

"Jane!" I snap. My dad was in the next room.

"Look, I know you got a girl now and so we can't talk about all the hot guys with huge bedonkies and what not but I'm sure there's lots of other things we could talk about. And if for one second you think you can't talk to me about that girl of yours, you're wrong."

"I don't want you to judge or pity me, J."

"And why would I do that? Look, we're more than just cousins... We're best friends and we tell each other everything. Just because you like girls now doesn't mean that our relationship have to change. I love you just the same."

I drop my pencil as I rub my temples. There was so many things I wanted to tell her but I wasn't sure how she would react or how freaked out she'd get. She was the only person that I could be free around and I couldn't risk the chance of ruining that.

"Just talk to me Carrie... Please."

I look up at her and I knew she was being genuine. "Where do I begin?"

"How bout the start?" She smiles at me as she sits on the edge of my desk.

We spend the remainder of the morning talking about everything; from Anthony to Roni and even Brian. I told her that I hadn't seen or heard from Roni since she was here five days ago and every time I sent her a text she would just send back 'Ttyl, busy'. I didn't know if it was because she was indeed busy, if she changed her mind about being with me, if she couldn't stand to see me this way or if my family scared her away.

When it was close to lunch, we finally decided to ease up with the gossip and she helped me with my projects until my dad called us out for lunch. I walked out of my room, thankful that I was able to walk a bit on my own and I stopped dead in my tracts when I saw the people in the kitchen. Jane bumped into me and I vaguely heard the 'oof' sound she made.

"Hey."

"Hi." I stared in shock as I saw Darcy standing in my living room, dressed in a very nice sky blue dress and flat pumps. "Nice dress."

"Thanks."

I walk further into the kitchen and smiled my thanks when Jane helped me to my seat. Dad was already seated so Jane and Darcy helped set the table before joining us. No one was saying a word about the strange girl in the house and I just sat perplexed.

"So." I began cautiously. "What brings you all the way out here?"

"Well my mom decided that I was away long enough so she sent for me. We just live a few miles away and well, since you didn't know I visited at the hospital I decided to drop by here... Brian told me where you were staying."

"Oh..."

"I hope it's okay."

"Yeah, yeah it's fine." We continued to eat in awkward silence and I was relieved when my dad and his sister finally excused themselves.

Jane continued to sit near me and I rolled my eyes at her when she refused to leave. I kicked her beneath the table and winced a bit at the pain.

"What the hell?" She said, clearly annoyed.

"Leave." I responded through gritted teeth.

She rolled her eyes at me before taking her plate to the sink and then taking her precious time to leave. Just as I was about to pelt her with my half eaten food I caught Darcy staring after her as she bit her lips. I'm sure she was doing it subconsciously but it was still funny to observe.

I cleared my throat and then laughed as she tried to act like she wasn't just caught ogling my very straight cousin.

"Like what you see?" I teased.

"I wasn't looking." She defended.

"Mmhmm. You know I'm pretty sure you used to watch me like that"

"Whatever." She said, failing to hide her smile. Gosh, she was easy. I always enjoyed making her squirm.

"So you're back for good?" I ask in hopes of changing the subject.

"Yeah, I've been back a while now, I go to college over the interstate? I just didn't have a reason to see you until now."

"You don't need a reason to see me."

"Tell that to your girlfriend."

I look away at the mention of Roni and she saw.

"Please don't tell me... Trouble in paradise?"

When I didn't respond she continued. "Why do you keep allowing her to treat you this way? You deserve better than her."

"Darcy-"

"I should go. I'll see you around, tell your folks I said thanks for an amazing meal."

I rub my temples as she gets up to dispose of her leftovers and wash her dishes. She gives me one last look before heading towards the front. I watch as she says something to Jane and she get up to walk her to the door. They stand there for a while and I shake my head to how oblivious my cousin could be. Darcy was clearly flirting with her but she probably just thought she was being friendly.

I waited until she locked the door and came back into the kitchen before I struck.

"She likes you."

"What?" She says absentmindedly as she takes the chair near to me and props her feet on the table.

"That girl, she likes you."

"Haha, what? Are all your friends gay?"

"Hey! That's not nice."

"Whatever." She picks her teeth before flicking it off her nails. "So I've been thinking-"

"Oh no!" I say sarcastically.

"Oh shut up."

I laugh as she narrows her eyes at me. "You were thinking?"

"I was thinking of getting an apartment in the city here."

"Really? Why?"

"I don't know, it was just an idea. I mean, it is closer to campus and mom and my roommate are driving me nuts. Do you know she smokes every weed known to man. Ugh, she's annoying."

I laugh as her face morphed into total discomfort. "I'm sure it's just horrible."

"It is! You're just lucky your roommates your girlfriend."

"Of course I am." I wink at her and she feigns disgust. "Don't worry, soon you'll know what pure pleasure is."

I get up and tap her shoulders before walking out.

"Eww, if you think imma do what you think imma do, then... Eww."

I laugh louder before heading back to my room. "That's what they all say!"