Chapter 1: Introduction
"Faith! Anabelle! Order up! Bakery order three is ready." Shouted Kara, her voice smoky and rich like whiskey and cigarettes, ringing out from the pick-up counter. With her shoulder length brunette hair styled in a perfect bob, a sculpted face, fiery green eyes, and a curvaceous, tall body that filled out her work polo, the 30 something carried herself with a self-assured dominance and grace even in the bakery setting.
Every movement she made was fluid and deliberate, her body moving in a dance that was achingly familiar to the two girls.
"Two large lattes!" Anabelle called out, placing two Styrofoam cups on a tray with the bakery box, a sweet smile on her lips as she turned to wink at Faith. With her long dark brown hair pulled back in a ponytail, her more petite frame, and her bright green eyes that sparkled when she laughed, Faith was the polar opposite of Kara.
She had a kind, playful attitude that was impossible not to love. She was a breath of fresh air, and she knew exactly how to keep the customers entertained while Kara prepared their orders.
Anabelle, on the other hand, was the reserved and introspective one. Her long, wavy blonde hair was always neatly styled, and her blue eyes had a serious, thoughtful look about them. She took her job at the bakery more seriously than Faith, cutting fewer corners and ensuring every order was perfect.
And yet, despite their differences, they had formed an unlikely bond. They spent countless hours together, stocking shelves, filling orders, and stealing moments of solace and laughter in the back room. Their friendship had become a lifeline in the otherwise monotonous and demanding world of fast food.
The chain bakery was a sterile, brightly-lit space, filled with the sweet aroma of freshly-baked pastries and the steady hum of machinery.
As the lunch hour rush subsided, Anabelle and Faith took the opportunity to grab a quick lunch and a much-needed break. The tables and chairs in the employee break room were empty, save for a couple of coworkers playing cards in the far corner.
"I swear, I don't know how we do this every day," Faith sighed, rubbing her temples as she slid into the chair across from Anabelle. "I'm beat."
Anabelle's blue eyes softened as she reached across the table to squeeze Faith's hand.
"It's okay, Faith. We've got each other's backs."
Faith smiled gratefully at her friend, her green eyes shining with appreciation. "You're right, Anabelle. I don't know what I'd do without you."
As they sat there, sharing a quiet moment of camaraderie, Kara walked into the break room. She leaned against the wall, her arms crossed, observing the two of them with a keen eye.
"Alright girls?" She said with a smirk. "Coming out for a cigarette?" Kara asked, her tone jovial enough that neither Faith nor Anabelle took offense. They looked at each other and shrugged, nodding their consent. The three of them exited through the backdoor, into the alleyway, welcomed by a gush of cool, unfiltered air and a patch of sunlight. Kara removed a pack of menthols from her apron and lighted up, inhaling deeply as she leaned back against the brick wall. With an arrogant exhale, smoke cascaded through her lips, forming whimsical clouds that scattered into specks in the sunlight.
Faith, routinely as ever, reached into her handbag and began to roll. "Belle? Want one?" She asked.
Anabelle hesitated.
She never smoked, but she'd tried one of Faith's once or twice, just for the hell of it. "Sure, why not?" She replied, with the slightest hint of uncertainty, as Faith handed her the roll-up.
Faith grinned, already beginning to light the end. "You know you want to." She taunted, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively.
Kara watched them, her eyes flicking back and forth. Her gaze alternated between the mischief in Faith's smile and the hesitation in Anabelle's.
Kara's own lips curved upwards as she watched them, enjoying the dynamic between the two young women.
Faith rolled her own roll-up cigarette and lit it.
Smoke billowed out from her lips as she giggled at their shared rebellion. Kara continued to watch them with an amused smile, noting the spark that danced in their eyes.
"So," said Kara, turning her gaze to Anabelle, "What's the deal with you two? You've been working together for what, four months now? And you're still thick as thieves."
Anabelle blushed, but held Kara's gaze. "We're just good friends.
Isn't that right, Faith?" Anabelle quickly responded, her eyes still holding Kara's gaze.
Faith's eyes sparkled as she inhaled deeply from her cigarette, a playful smirk tugging at her mouth. "That depends on what you mean by 'friends,' doesn't it?" She shot a knowing look over at Anabelle, who quickly averted her gaze, blushing deeper.
Kara arched an eyebrow, a sly smile spreading across her face. "Oh, I see how it is.
You think I'm blind, don't you?" Kara said, her lips curling into a mischievous smile. She took a drag from her cigarette, and let out a content sigh. "But let me ask you something, Faith. How do you really feel about your co-worker?"
Faith, taken aback by Kara's sudden turn of attention, stumbled over her words. She met Kara's eyes, her own gaze wavering and uncertain.
She opened her mouth to speak, but found herself unable to form the words. And Anabelle, sitting quietly next to Faith, looked on with curiosity and expectation.
Kara's eyes narrowed slightly, and she took a slow drag from her cigarette, her gaze lingering on Faith's flushed cheeks and wide eyes. "I've been watching you two, Faith. And I can see the way you look at her." She gestured to Anabelle with a casual flick of her wrist, a smirk playing on her lips.
"You've got this intense, passionate look that you only give her. And I've seen the way she reacts to you. It's not just in the workplace either. It's in the way she laughs at your jokes, holds your gaze a little too long, and blushes when you speak. I can see the pull between you two. It's electric. And it's hard to ignore."
Faith's cheeks grew even hotter under Kara's scrutiny, and she looked away, taking another drag from her cigarette.
She knew Kara was right. She had felt the pull towards Anabelle for weeks now, but she didn't know how to articulate it, or even how to process it.
"I mean...it's kinda true" Faith admitted.
She bit her lower lip, contemplating the weight of her words. She glanced over at Anabelle who sat next to her, with a blush on her cheeks. Kara leaned forward, intrigued, knowing she had struck a nerve.
"What do you think about it, Anabelle?" Kara asked, her tone curious.
Anabelle hesitated before answering, avoiding eye contact with both Kara and Faith. "I don't know what you mean," she replied softly.
Faith turned to look at her, her eyes pleading. "Belle, come on.
You know what Kara's talking about," Faith pressed quietly, her voice low and earnest. "I see the way you look at me when you think I'm not looking. And I feel it too, this pull, like we're magnets and our energies are constantly trying to connect us. It's been like that since the day we met, and it hasn't gone away. I think...I think maybe there's something there."
Anabelle, silent all this time, looked back at Faith, feeling the vulnerability in her words.
"I'm straight" Anabelle said.
"I've never even thought about girls before."
Her voice wavered, and she couldn't meet Faith's gaze.
Faith nodded, understanding.
"Okay, that's fine," she replied softly, reaching out to gently take Anabelle's hand in her own.
"But I still care about you, Belle. A lot. And I thought I was straight too, once upon a time."
Kara gave a half-hearted laugh as she stepped forward to rest her hand reassuringly on Anabelle's shoulder. "But then life has a funny way of broadening your horizons, doesn't it?" Anabelle stiffened under Kara's touch, the weight of her words settling heavily on her shoulders. She searched Kara's eyes for some hint of jest, but found none, only sincerity and an understanding that made her uneasy. Kara leaned in closer, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I've been in your shoes before, Anabelle. I know how scary it can be to question everything you thought you knew about yourself. But trust me, it's worth exploring. The world of pleasure, love, and desire is vast and wondrous - and sometimes, it's right under your nose."
Faith watched as Anabelle's eyes widened at Kara's words, an eruption of emotions dancing in their depths. It was clear that Kara had struck a nerve.