bekahgomez

[bekahgomez]

rebekah wasn't known for pleasing people, she liked being loud, she liked people to look at her, but one thing everyone knew about her was how brutally honest she could be—except when it came to kirby, who she’d never admit her feelings to. she knew sawyer was angry, and maybe she would’ve liked to tell him everything was going to be okay, that things with his dad would get better, but it wasn’t true. she knew how that story ended—not the same plot, but close enough. when sawyer called lacey a trainwreck wrapped in lip gloss, rebekah shook her head. “she was a massive bitch. you won’t say it but i will—she was an asshole who didn’t deserve someone like you, and let me tell you, if someone ends up with her, i hope they make her suffer the way she made you suffer, or she ends up dating someone as stupid as her,” she muttered under her breath. if rebekah was anything, it was a little revengeful. hearing sawyer talk about how learning sign language for the girl was worth it, how she made him feel worthy, softened rebekah a little, a small smile tugging at her lips. “rules were made to break,” she nodded, “just be sneaky enough her sister doesn’t kill you,” she added, sticking her tongue out at her best friend. “i wouldn’t say mischievous, i’d say chaotic. i’m a sweet piece of chocolate wrapped in chaos—and that’s what brings people in, what can i say,” she grinned, brushing her hair back dramatically. “you should let me come help you pick out your suit. i wanna get a dress...” she teased, nudging his side with her elbow, smirking. “i’m real with you because i love you,” she said, “you’re my best friend,” she added, knocking her knuckles against his in a soft fist bump. “of course,” she mused, wrapping an arm around his shoulder and guiding him outside. “what are you feeling—burgers?” she asked, glancing at him. “i know a place ki—” she caught herself, “a classmate told me about. doesn’t sound bad, honestly.”

Sawyer listened to Bekah, his jaw tight, trying not to let his frustration show too clearly. He knew she was right. Knew it deep down in that quiet, stubborn part of him that didn’t like being told what he already understood. His dad wasn’t going to change. Hell, he never had—not for Sawyer, not for anyone. But hearing it out loud, from someone who cared about him, still felt like someone was peeling off a scab he hadn’t meant to pick at. He let out a slow breath, hands digging into his jacket pockets as he kept his eyes forward. “Yeah,” he said after a long beat, voice lower than usual. He glanced over at her, catching the wink, the way she tried to keep it light. He appreciated it—even if part of him wanted to scream instead of smile. He gave her a crooked half-grin, trying to meet her tone. ” When the topic shifted, Sawyer’s shoulders dropped a little. It was easier this way—laughing about Lacey, rolling his eyes when Bekah called her a bitch like it wasn’t still an open wound. “Lacey was a trainwreck wrapped in lip gloss,” he said, "hot but a lot to handle." He laughed—actually laughed—when Bekah teased him about having better luck with girls, and when he showed her the picture of Daphne, there was no hiding the way his expression softened. “She’s... different,” he said simply, because he didn’t have the words for what Daphne meant to him. But Bekah’s reaction made something in his chest ease. He liked that she got it, that she saw the effort. “Yeah, learning ASL was... hard, but it felt worth it. She makes things feel worth it.” Then, glancing at Bekah with a smile that was a little more sheepish: “And yeah, her sister might kill me, so... lowkey is definitely the move. I'll continue to sneak into the room for now." Her comment about him not playing by the rules earned her a grin. “Rules were never really built for people like us, huh?” he said, giving her a light nudge with his elbow. “You’ve always been my mischievous friend." But when she teased him about being in love, something flickered in his eyes—brief, almost too quick to notice. He rolled his eyes, but the smile stayed. “Okay, calm down. I’m not proposing, idiot” he said, bumping her shoulder. At her joke about needing food to balance out his overly romantic energy, he laughed again—this time easier, freer. “Yeah, alright. Let’s get food. Nothing sweet. I’ve clearly hit your emotional limit.” He paused, glanced at her sideways, a little more sincere this time. “But hey... thanks. For being real with me. Even when I don’t want to hear it.” He glanced at Bekah, the corner of his mouth lifting in that crooked way that always gave him away when he meant something. “You know,” he said, voice a little softer, “you’re one of my best friends, Beks.” He held her gaze for a second, then extended his hand, offering his knuckles for her to bump. “You’re a real one.” His grin widened, something sincere tucked beneath the usual Sawyer charm. “I always know who’s got my back. And it’s you.”

[bekahgomez]

the tension between them was undeniable. undeniable in a way rebekah couldn’t shake kirby off her mind, even if she wanted to. the way her hand held her tight, the way the blonde’s lips curled slightly in the dim light was enough to make her heart race, her mind blur—she couldn’t believe it was happening, out there, where people could actually see them. she wanted to stay, even if people stared, even if kissing kirby meant she'd be teased about it later. that kiss felt too good. and when the other didn’t pull away, they just stood there, foreheads pressed together, breathless. rebekah’s eyes stayed closed, not ready to look at her just yet. “i never do,” she whispered back, only opening her eyes to meet kirby’s. when kirby genuinely asked how she’d act if she liked her, rebekah scoffed. “you shouldn’t be scared, i’m not going to like you. i know you’re obsessed with me, but the only one in love after this kiss is you,” she said, though her focus shifted as kirby’s fingers trailed along her side, goosebumps rising all over her skin. when kirby admitted she was glad she had followed her there, the surprise was written all over rebekah’s face—she hadn’t expected that. she was speechless, which was rare, and honestly, she didn’t know who she was trying to fool in that moment, kirby or herself. at her own words, rebekah shook her head. “i will regret this,” she whispered, closing the distance between them, her hands cupping kirby’s cheeks as she pressed a short, fiery kiss to her lips—just enough to make a point, not enough for kirby to enjoy the full satisfaction. “happy?”

Kirby hadn’t meant to lose herself in the kiss—not completely, anyway—but the moment Rebekah’s lips pressed against hers again, slower this time, full of something dark and deliberate, she couldn’t help it. The moan that slipped out of her was quiet, barely there, but it betrayed everything. She kissed her back like she’d been waiting for it, like every moment they’d spent dancing around each other had led exactly here. Her hand held tight at Rebekah’s waist, fingertips curling slightly in the denim of her back pocket, and she leaned in, letting their bodies align naturally. It wasn’t rushed—just urgent in a different way. Warm, magnetic, impossible to ignore. By the time they pulled apart, Kirby was breathless. Her cheeks were flushed, her smile a little lazy, a little stunned, like she was only just catching up to what had happened. She didn’t pull away—forehead still brushing Rebekah’s, her voice low and laced with flirtation. “You really don’t fight fair, huh?” she murmured, lips barely an inch away from Rebekah’s. “Because if that was you hating me…” she let out a breathy laugh, “I’m a little scared to see what happens when you actually like me.” She tilted her head, her grin turning playful again, more composed but still undeniably affected. Her fingers trailed along Rebekah’s side, subtle, teasing, like she wasn’t done touching her just yet. “And for the record,” she added, eyes flicking down to Rebekah’s lips before meeting her gaze again, “you absolutely followed me here.” She smirked, leaning back just a little—only enough to make Rebekah chase the space if she wanted to. “But I’m glad you did. Really.” Her voice softened then, just enough to slip past Rebekah’s defenses. She let that hang for a second, then raised a brow with mock curiosity. “So… are you gonna keep pretending you hate me, or should I kiss you again until you forget how to lie?”

[bekahgomez]

bekah was trying to be honest, telling sawyer what he needed to hear, not what he wanted to. his father wasn’t going to change—she knew it, and deep down, so did he. but if she could help him move past that, she’d be proud to say she helped him dodge a bullet. those kinds of parent-child relationships were the ones that slowly killed you from the inside, and she didn’t want to see sawyer go through that. maybe she wasn’t being completely honest with herself, but if that little lie helped him leave his dad’s place, she was okay with it—it wasn’t like she was lying in court, nothing bad could come of it. “i think that helps you forget things,” she said, “maybe not the best way, but the happiest,” she added with a wink. “i’m buying the drinks—I want to build a reliable career as a lawyer, make people see they can trust me... and i really don’t want to get arrested, even if men in suits and handcuffs do something to me,” she chuckled. “i’ve watched too many emergency shows,” she added with a laugh. when the conversation shifted away from heavy family stuff, she noticed how sawyer relaxed—that was the version of him she liked most. “jesus, rebekah, no—lacey was a fucking bitch, that wasn’t my fault,” he said, throwing his hands up in mock defense. “you better have better luck with girls,” she teased, raising an eyebrow. when sawyer showed her a picture of daphne, she smiled—she looked sweet, genuinely kind. “that’s really cute of you, and such a thoughtful gesture,” she said, honestly impressed. learning ASL just to talk to someone? that was real effort. “so what i’m hearing is, you can survive the parents but not the sister—keep things lowkey,” she grinned. “yeah, you don’t really play by the rules. that’s probably why we’re friends,” she said, winking. hearing how daphne made him want to be better made bekah smile, though a small part of her ached—because the girl she wanted didn’t make her feel that way. “ugh, just propose already, you’re making me sick with how in love you are,” she teased, giving him a playful shove. “can we get something to eat? nothing sweet though—you’re giving me diabetes with all that daphne talk.” she joked.

Sawyer listened, back pressed against the wall, one leg kicked up casually, but his shoulders were too tense for how laid-back he tried to look. Rebekah's words weren't sugarcoated—nothing she ever said was—but that was exactly why he heard them. She didn’t try to tell him it would get better. She didn’t give him false hope. She just got it. When she said she’d cut her parents off, his jaw tightened—not out of disagreement, but because the thought lived in the back of his head more and more these days. Her voice was steady, matter-of-fact, but Sawyer heard the weight under it. He didn’t believe that, not completely. Not when her eyes flicked away like that. But he didn’t call her on it. Instead, he offered a quiet, “Yeah... I get that.” He didn’t mean just the part about the parents. He meant the whole thing. That ache of pretending not to want something. When she nudged him and said she'd get him drunk until he forgot, he huffed a laugh. Shook his head. “You really think it’s that easy to forget, huh?” he asked, glancing sideways at her, but a ghost of a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “You buying or stealing the drinks? Or am I going to be your accomplice?" Then she mentioned Daphne — and it was over. Sawyer’s whole face changed, like someone flipped a switch and the light came on behind his eyes. His mouth tugged upward without thinking, a grin he couldn’t hide even if he tried. “Yeah, well, neither did I,” he muttered, running a hand over the back of his neck, sheepish and a little flushed. “Didn’t exactly see it coming.” When she brought up Lacey, he winced, laughing despite himself. “Jesus, Rebekah,” he said, shaking his head. “Tell me how you really feel.” “Yeah,” he admitted, quieter this time. “I know that now. I think I always did.” He grinned, pulling out his phone like it was a badge of honor, thumb tapping through photos. He held it out to her with a proud, almost bashful look. “That’s her. And yeah, I’ve been learning ASL. Started a few months ago—she doesn’t even know how much yet.” He paused. “Her parents are deaf too. Whole house signs. Her sister, Este, is the only hearing one in the house." He chuckled, rubbing his face. “I climbed up her porch pipe and through her open bedroom window. I don't think she's allowed to have boys in her room but I don't play by the rules, you know that." When Rebekah laughed and teased him about being loud, he rolled his eyes but couldn’t stop smiling. “I’ve been working on it, okay?” he said, nudging her back. “You think I’d mess this up after all that? Nah. She’s… different. Real. It's kind of a bonus that her parents can't hear me anyways." He glanced down at his phone again before locking it - smiling at Daphne's face. “She makes it easy to want to be better.”

[bekahgomez]

rebekah wanted to roll her eyes, flip the other off, and walk away—that’s what she wanted to do when kirby pointed out how she had followed her there like a lost puppy. she had, of course she had. after that kiss in the library and after trying so hard to ignore her, she had ended up on the bleachers, exactly where kirby was, and she didn’t know if she hated kirby more for saying it out loud or herself for making it true. “i didn’t, i was promised something—that’s why i’m here, don’t get the wrong idea,” she snapped, even if she didn’t know what she was saying anymore. kirby had completely disarmed her with just a few words. rebekah wouldn’t have been able to pull away even if she wanted to—the way kirby’s hand slipped into her pocket, the way her lips claimed rebekah’s in a kiss that wasn’t soft at all—it left butterflies in her stomach, and she hated how good it felt. hated that it might’ve been one of the best kisses she’d ever had. it left her just breathless enough to make her dizzy, and as kirby stepped away, promising not to leave but still keeping her hand in rebekah’s back pocket, the brunette looked away—not out of shyness, because she wasn’t shy, but because she couldn’t stand how badly she wanted to stay. when kirby teased that her knees gave out, rebekah turned to her, fire flashing in her eyes. “i really hate you,” she muttered before cupping kirby’s face and kissing her again—slower this time, in her own wicked attempt to make kirby’s knees actually give out.

Kirby watched Rebekah scan the place like it had wronged her personally—eyes sharp, jaw a little too tight for someone pretending not to care. It amused her, how loudly Rebekah’s indifference protested. She knew the game. Knew it well enough to let the silence stretch until Rebekah cracked with that half-scoff, half-admission of denial. Kirby tilted her head, letting the smirk remain just beneath the surface, unreadable but present. She didn't need Rebekah to say it—she already had, just not with words. "You don't follow me like a lost puppy yet here you are." That was rich. Kirby could’ve laughed, but she didn’t. Her gaze dropped, deliberately, catching the flicker of Rebekah’s hesitation when their eyes met again—when her stare lingered too long on Rebekah’s mouth. Kirby’s response was quiet action. Her hand slipped into Rebekah’s back pocket like she’d always belonged there, anchoring her without permission or apology. Then the kiss—sharp, claiming, devoid of fluff or romance. Kirby didn’t go soft. She knew exactly what she was doing. She felt the other girls hands curling around her neck like she forgot what boundaries meant, pulling herself in like gravity had switched polarity. She was all in. Kirby felt it in the tremble of her breath, in the way she melted into her like surrender was muscle memory. The control she held in that moment wasn’t about force. It was about inevitability. When she finally pulled back, Rebekah exhaled, looked anywhere but at her. "You can go," she said, stepping back half an inch—just enough to remind her she could. "But you won’t." Kirby didn’t move far—just enough to let the air between them cool a degree, though her hand still rested in Rebekah’s back pocket like a promise. She watched the other girl try to collect herself, pretend nothing just happened, pretend her mouth hadn’t chased Kirby’s like she needed it. "You say that kiss was not a good one' but I felt the exact second your knees gave out."

[bekahgomez]

rebekah wasn’t the best person to talk about family, she hated her own, but her grandmother—the old woman—was living in buenos aires, way too far to be there for her like she wished. that’s why she wasn’t going to tell sawyer things would get better, because that’s not how things worked. his dad was an asshole and nothing was going to change that, rebekah knew it too well. she was speaking from experience; things didn’t magically get easier, not when someone like that was involved. but if she sounded harsh, it was only because she understood, and she’d be there for him regardless. “i make it sound simple because i was like you, and i decided to cut that mess off. now i have my abuela, and yeah, it sucks she’s in argentina, but not having my parents around? that’s the best thing i ever did. i don’t miss them at all,” she said, even if deep down she kind of did. “you’re not alone like i was. i’ll be here to get you drunk until you forget,” she teased, nudging his side. the way his face softened when he talked about his girl told her everything—he was in love. she hadn’t felt that kind of thing before. “i never thought i’d live to see sawyer actually loving someone,” she chuckled. she’d hated lacey; she knew that wasn’t love. “okay, sounds like a fucking keeper. don’t screw it up with her, sawyer, or i’ll flirt with her myself,” she joked, though they both knew she wouldn’t. “lacey was a fucking selfish bitch. how was i supposed to like someone like her?” she scoffed. but when he mentioned the new girl’s name, her whole expression softened, a small smile pulling at her lips, an open invite for him to keep talking. “can i see how the cute cute girl looks like?” she asked gently. “you’ve been learning asl? that’s crazy. wow, how did i not know that?” she smiled, clearly impressed. “you climbed up a pipe to see her? full-on rom-com move,” she laughed. “wait—her parents are deaf too, right? i mean, you can be pretty loud sometimes,” she added with a smirk.

Sawyer sat there, quiet at first, soaking in everything Bekah was saying. It hit different, coming from her. She wasn’t just talking at him—she got it. Not in a fake, pitying way. In the real way. The lived-through-it way. The still-standing way. When she said “you’re all you’ve got,” something cracked in his chest. Because yeah, he knew that. Deep down, he’d always known. But hearing it from her, soft but solid, made it harder to ignore. And when she followed it with “you have me”, his jaw clenched just to keep everything else from falling apart. He didn’t know how to say thank you for something like that, so instead, he just nodded once, slow and heavy, his eyes locking with hers like he was trying to make her feel it—how much it meant. He swallowed hard. “I don’t even know what that looks like,” he admitted, voice low. “But I’m starting to think maybe I want to find out.” He let out a breath he didn’t realise he’d been holding. She wasn’t trying to fix him. She wasn’t handing him a lecture or sugarcoating anything. She was just there. In it with him. And that meant more than anything else. “You make it sound simple,” he muttered, almost smiling. “Just… move on, huh?” And when she brought up her, the girl who saw him, the one who made him feel something good and not broken, his face changed. His whole energy softened. Sawyer didn’t answer right away, but the answer was already written all over him. “I think I do,” he said quietly. “It’s like... she sees right through all the mess, and still wants to stay. Even when I try to push her away, she doesn’t go. I screwed everything up and she still held me afterwards even when I really didn't deserve it." He let himself sink into the mattress beside Bekah, finally allowing the weight of everything to settle just a little. “And yeah,” he added with a crooked grin, “I know Lacey wasn't your favourite person." He glanced over at Bekah, a flicker of vulnerability in his eyes. Sawyer’s grin tugged at the corners of his mouth before he even said her name, like just thinking about Daphne lit something up in him that nothing else could. “She’s called Daphne,” he said, the words soft but full of something real. “She’s the cutest-looking girl. Like—cute cute." He rubbed the back of his neck, suddenly aware of how stupidly smitten he sounded, but whatever. “She’s deaf,” he added, eyes flicking up to meet Bekah’s. “So we sign. Or write stuff to each other if we’re lazy. I’ve been learning ASL—still kinda suck at it, but she thinks it’s adorable when I mess up.” And then, with a sheepish, too-honest laugh, he added, “I keep climbing up her drain pipe. And no, that’s not a metaphor—like, literally scaling the side of her house to sneak into her room so her parents don't know I'm in there."

[bekahgomez]

rebekah scanned the place—it wouldn’t be the first time she’d ended up there. if she was honest, she didn’t get why everyone thought it was so perfect and cute; they were literally standing on the same ground people used to sit and watch football. nothing about it felt special, at least not to rebekah. she glanced at her, annoyed at how calm and in control the other looked, and yet, she liked it too. kirby was a mystery she couldn’t figure out. "well, if you're waiting for that, i’m not going to tell you," she said, shrugging and crossing her arms. "i don’t follow you around like a lost puppy, what kind of sick fantasy are you living in?" she asked, knowing full well she had followed her—of course she had, and of course she’d deny it. when kirby’s gaze dropped to her lips, rebekah instinctively looked at the blonde’s, leaning in slightly before stopping herself. kirby had her exactly where she wanted her, and rebekah hated how much she loved it. "good, i don’t like cute," she muttered, her breath catching as kirby’s hand slid into her back pocket like it was nothing. the moment their lips met, her hands wrapped around kirby’s neck, pulling herself closer. there was nothing cute about that kiss—just heat, and she was all in. she was at kirby’s mercy now, and deep down, she knew it. she didn’t want to admit it, but drunk on that kiss, she’d do whatever kirby wanted. when she pulled back, rebekah sighed, looking away before glancing back, avoiding the smirk she knew was there. "yes, you kissed me," she said, "i’m smart enough to know that was a kiss. not a good one, but a kiss," she added with a shrug, lying through her teeth. "is that it? can i go and get on with my thing now?"

Kirby leaned back against the bottom of the bleachers, her one hand holding onto one of the metal bars underneath, one boot crossed over the other as if she had all the time in the world. Dominant. Unbothered. But her eyes? They were fixed on Rebekah with that calm, calculating heat—the kind that always made it hard to tell whether she was about to laugh or ruin your whole night in the best way possible. She let the silence hang between them for just a second longer than necessary, smirk tugging lazily at her mouth. Kirby tilted her head, amused, letting the words replay in her mind like she was savoring them. And then, finally, she spoke—slow, low, steady. "Maybe I am," she said, voice all edge and control. "Maybe I like watching you follow me around like a lost puppy, pretending like you’re not gonna do whatever I say anyway." Her gaze dropped for half a second to Rebekah’s mouth before trailing slowly back up. "Cute and cliche place to make out, huh?" Kirby echoed with a chuckle, pushing off the bleacher with the kind of swagger that said yeah, I brought us here on purpose. She took a step closer, crowding Rebekah’s space with that quiet confidence only Kirby could pull off—like the kiss was already hers, and they were just waiting for Rebekah to catch up. "I didn’t bring you here to be cute," she said, eyes not leaving hers. Kirby just smirked, one hand slipping into Rebekah's back pocket. Another step, chest almost brushing hers. "But since you’re asking..." And then she kissed her. Not tentative. Not soft. Like she’d already decided Rebekah was hers, and now she was just proving it. The kiss was fierce, unapologetic, hungry in a way that left no room for doubt. Kirby poured everything into it, not just passion, but that silent, undeniable need to show Rebekah who was in control. She didn’t need words now—every second of the kiss spoke louder than any argument they’d ever had. When she finally pulled back, it was only to look at Rebekah with a small, satisfied smirk, her chest rising and falling just a little faster than usual. "That answer your question?"

[bekahgomez]

this shouldn’t have happened. rebekah should be ignoring kirby, trying to get her grades higher so she could kick the blonde’s ass in class. she shouldn’t be up late at night wondering what her words would be, or if she’d glance at her when they were arguing about who was right. that wasn’t how it was supposed to work. she needed to be better than her, not sharing glances and letting kirby make her whole world tumble so damn easily. she didn’t want to give in, but the way kirby looked at her, the way she leaned in and smirked when she got close—it made rebekah’s heart race and her breath hitch. she had always hated kirby, but now she hated her for making her feel like this. she hated that stupid smirk on her lips every time she teased her, and how pretty it looked when she did. it was a love-hate mess, and she didn’t know what made her want to be near her, but it was there, and it all shifted the moment she kissed kirby. that kiss was the beginning—of them talking, of her spiraling, of wanting to see her again. it was chaos, and it was kirby’s fault. "you’re admitting it," she shot back, a smirk of her own tugging at the corner of her mouth. as they gathered their things and walked out of the library, rebekah slowed down to wait for her, and that somehow felt like giving kirby power—power over her, and she hated it and loved it all at once. but she’d never say that out loud. she turned, watching kirby sling her backpack on like she was about to run off, and if that’s what she wanted, rebekah knew she’d follow. when kirby announced she knew the perfect place, rebekah just nodded. she wanted to argue, to have the last word, but kirby had already started walking. with an eye roll and a sigh, rebekah followed. at some point, she caught up to her side, but kirby was still leading, and rebekah found herself watching her, waiting for the next turn, the next move. as they stepped outside, she realized where they were going. "well? you picked the most cliché place ever," she muttered, raising a brow at her. "what? what do you want me to say? oh yes, kirby, this is the cutest place to make out? well, it’s not bad, but i’m not gonna say that," she added, her hand dropping her bag to the ground. "are you going to kiss me or what?"

Kirby had never imagined she’d be in this position—so close to Rebekah, yet so far. The rivalry they’d shared for so long had always been easy to navigate, predictable. They fought for the top, tried to outdo each other, always with a sense of control and purpose. There were boundaries, and neither of them ever crossed them. Until now. Kirby had seen it, felt it. The way Rebekah’s breath would hitch when she got too close, the way her pulse seemed to race. It wasn’t hard to notice. But what was difficult—what made this whole thing impossible to ignore—was that Kirby could feel the same thing. There was something magnetic about Rebekah that she couldn’t shake, no matter how hard she tried. Kirby wasn’t about to back down. Not now. Not when she was this close. Kirby could see the way she hung on every movement, every word. It was almost too easy to get a reaction, to make her squirm. It was just too tempting to push Rebekah’s buttons, to make her admit what they both already knew. And when she leaned in closer, when she could feel Rebekah’s breath catching, she couldn’t help but smirk. She wanted to see how far she could push, wanted to test how much Rebekah could take before she broke. "Your kiss might've altered something," Kirby said, voice low and teasing, enjoying how the words made Rebekah twitch just a little. It was fun, the way she could make her squirm without even trying. And maybe there was a bit of satisfaction in knowing that she had this kind of control over her—this pull, this connection that neither of them had asked for, but both were caught in now. As they moved, their steps seemed in sync, almost as if they were dancing without music. She watched Rebekah grab her things, never breaking eye contact, always trying to stay just a little ahead but never really moving fast enough to get away. Kirby could feel the tension in the air, could see the way Rebekah was fighting with herself. When they stepped outside the library, Kirby paused, letting the moment linger. She could tell Rebekah wasn’t going to answer right away, not verbally, but she had that look in her eyes—the one that meant she was waiting, ready to follow. The words were almost a surrender, a challenge, maybe even an invitation. Kirby could feel the shift between them, like the lines they’d drawn in the sand had finally blurred. And for the first time in a long time, she wondered what would happen if she really did take the lead. The thought lingered, tantalizing, just out of reach. She gave a small nod, a silent promise to take them wherever this thing between them was heading. Rebekah was too close to walk away from now. Kirby knew that, and maybe, just maybe, she didn’t want to. With a smooth motion, Kirby pulled her backpack over one shoulder, the action fluid and almost casual, but it was as deliberate as everything else she did. "I know the perfect place," Kirby said softly, voice low and just for her. It wasn’t a question—it was a statement, an invitation. Her hand brushed lightly against the strap of her bag as she turned, starting to walk toward the back exit of the library. She could feel Rebekah’s gaze on her, a mix of confusion and curiosity in the air, but Kirby didn’t slow down. She led the way, not glancing back to see if Rebekah was following, though she knew she was. Underneath the bleachers—the place where everything could be forgotten, hidden away from the rest of the world. It was a space where rules didn’t apply, where people could be who they wanted to be, and maybe, just maybe, where they could stop pretending. As they neared the old, abandoned spot, the atmosphere shifted. The air felt different here—quiet, private, and for once, it seemed like there were no games, no boundaries. Kirby stopped, turning slightly to face Rebekah, a smirk still playing on her lips. "Well?" she asked, her voice a challenge, but her eyes softened, just for a moment, like she was waiting for Rebekah to finally stop fighting whatever this was.

[bekahgomez]

she got sawyer on a deeper level. she knew what it felt like to be betrayed by family, to realize she didn’t belong, and to make the choice to walk away before they could hurt her again. the only person she still considered family was her grandma, and even then, their relationship was long-distance, not ideal. when she looked at sawyer, she saw a version of herself—someone still hoping things would change, someone who didn’t want to give up on the people who were supposed to love him. but the truth was, they weren’t going to change, and if he didn’t look forward, he’d get dragged under by the same weight she barely escaped. she didn’t want to be harsh, but she also didn’t want sawyer stuck in a cycle with a man who treated him like a punching bag. “it’s hard, i know it is, but you need to start thinking about yourself. you’re all you’ve got, and you can’t count on a man who treats you like that,” she said, her voice firm but gentle. “and you have me. i’m not going anywhere.” loyalty was everything to her, and she meant that with every fiber of her being. “just think about it, but remember—this pain? it won’t last. you won’t always feel this way. you deserve a real life, sawyer.” when the topic shifted, all she wanted was to keep him from drifting back into thoughts of his dad. that man didn’t deserve space in sawyer’s head, not after everything. and she wasn’t going to judge him, not when she was a mess herself, using people to get what she wanted, chasing after chaos like it gave her oxygen. she couldn’t judge him, not when she got it in a way most people wouldn’t. “don’t dwell on the past, it happened,” she said with a shrug, “and you’re still here. that’s what matters.” when he started talking about the girl who made him feel seen, made him feel loved, rebekah had to bite back a smirk. “you love her?” she asked, voice softer now, a rare gentleness in her eyes. “tell me about her—forget the mean bitch, i never liked lacey anyway,” she added, dragging him toward her bed. “she was selfish as hell, queen bee attitude and all. i wanted to knock her off that throne so bad,” she mused with a grin. “so come on, tell me about the love of your life.”

Sawyer, grappling with his own tangled family dynamics, found himself drawn to her words. She had always been a beacon of resilience, navigating her fractured relationships with a quiet strength that he admired. Her parents had sent her away, accusing her of betrayal, yet she had carved out a life of independence, tethered only to her grandmother in Argentina. Her advice to Sawyer was heartfelt, tinged with the wisdom of someone who had walked away from the pain of familial rejection. She was urging him to consider his own happiness, to step away from the shadow of his father’s disapproval. Her voice, soft yet resolute, carried the weight of her own experiences. She didn’t claim to be wise, but her words resonated with a truth Sawyer couldn’t ignore. "I know but he's all I have." Sawyer's family was broken beyond repair. He didn't have family bonds or attachments to anyone. He was alone if not for his dad. When the conversation shifted to relationships, her candidness caught him off guard. She spoke of her own unconventional approach to intimacy, unapologetic and pragmatic. "If it works, it works, right?" But when Sawyer admitted to cheating on Lacey, her reaction was unexpected. She didn’t judge him; instead, she offered understanding and encouragement. Her hands, warm and steady, held his as she told him he mattered—that he deserved to feel alive. Her advice was practical, urging him to end his current relationship to avoid future complications, delivered with a smirk that lightened the gravity of the moment. Sawyer couldn’t help but feel a sense of gratitude for her presence in his life. She was his confidante, his anchor, and in her own way, she was helping him navigate the storm. Her words lingered, a reminder that sometimes, walking away was the bravest thing one could do. "I shouldn't have cheated but I did. I can't go back and change that. I will break up with her when the timing is right. I love her, always will, but things with Lacey don't feel like they once were. Daphne makes me feel seen."

[bekahgomez]

family relationships weren’t her thing. her parents had sent her out of the country because they thought she had broken their trust. the only person she talked to daily was her grandmother. the lady still lived in argentina, the time zones were crazy, but at least she could still talk to her. her family? yeah, she visited them from time to time, but it wasn’t the same. she didn’t feel like she could trust people who had accused her of something and turned their backs on her. now, she lived on her own, had her dorm, and kept her life separate from theirs. she was happy, and she wished sawyer could do the same—walk away and live his life without having to deal with the asshole that was his father. "i don’t feel like i’m the wisest. in fact, i have someone in my life who keeps reminding me how stupid i am or how dumb my choices are, but sometimes you just need to walk away," she said softly. "i'm here, and i want to be by your side, but i don’t want you hurting, sawyer. that asshole doesn’t deserve you." she felt bad, knowing her best friend—the one person she could talk about anything with—was going through so much. "it’s not my fault people are more receptive after sex. they tell me what i need, and that’s it. my mentor gets her information, and i have a good time," she mused simply. but his next words caught her off guard. "you cheated on lacey?" she blinked. she knew their relationship was bound to fall apart, but cheating? that sounded more like something she would do, not sawyer. still, she wasn’t going to judge him. "i’m not going to scold you for cheating. i’m just going to say i’m happy you found someone who makes you feel alive," she said softly, her hands moving to hold his. "you actually matter, and if that girl is what you need to believe that, then go for it," she mused. "but you should break up with your girlfriend, just so it doesn’t come back to bite you in the ass," she added with a smirk.

Sawyer watched her closely as she teased him, the familiar banter between them providing a slight relief from the weight of everything that had been building up inside. There was no judgment in their friendship. They didn’t need to explain themselves to each other—they both came from messy backgrounds and embraced their flaws. That’s how they worked. They understood each other in ways that no one else seemed to. When she mentioned his black eye, though, her words hit home, and his mood shifted, the anger simmering beneath the surface. He could feel the familiar knot in his stomach—the blood boiling at the thought of his father. She was right. His father didn’t deserve anyone, least of all Sawyer. Her anger, her concern—it mirrored his own, but he couldn't express it the same way she did. He tried, though, in small ways. As she suggested he disappear, her voice firm, it struck him harder than he expected. He had thought about it before—escaping, leaving it all behind. But he didn’t think he had the strength, the guts. She always made it sound so easy, like she knew exactly how to take control and carve a way out. "I don’t know if I could just… leave," Sawyer muttered, his voice quieter than usual. But she was right. His father was a fucking drunk who didn’t care, who never had. "But maybe you’re right," he added, the weight of her words settling on his chest. "Maybe it’s what I need to do. Just walk away and to stop making an effort for someone who refuses to do the same for me." When the conversation shifted and she started talking about how good she was at getting information after sex, Sawyer smirked, the tension in his body easing just a little. "Yeah, yeah, I know you have your ways," he teased back, giving her a sideways glance. "I’ve... I’ve cheated on my girlfriend," he confessed, the words leaving a bitter taste in his mouth. It felt strange saying it out loud, but at the same time, there was a sense of relief. It was something he had never been able to say to anyone, even though he knew it wasn’t fair to anyone involved. Sawyer exhaled sharply, his eyes flicking to the floor as if trying to avoid the reality of what he was about to say. "I met her a while ago—this girl, Daphne" he continued, voice growing quieter, more vulnerable. "I know it’s messed up, but... she’s different. When I’m with her, I don’t feel numb, you know? I don’t feel like I’m just... existing. With her, everything’s clearer. I feel like I actually matter." Sawyer paused, swallowing hard. "I learned sign language for her, for us. And it... it’s peaceful. More than anything, I didn’t realise how much I needed that—how much I needed something that just made sense. I don’t feel like I’m trapped in my own head with her."

[bekahgomez]

rebekah: i see, you're boring af rebekah: i don't need to ask myself that, i don't like you rebekah: do you need anything else?

kirby: not really kirby: i have never been a party girl like that kirby: ask yourself that kirby: oh yeah i know that already

[bekahgomez]

they were supposed to hate each other, so why was she so confused about what she felt for kirby? it was supposed to be easy, they were just classmates, always competing to be at the top, they never should have gotten involved. so why couldn’t she stop thinking about kirby when she was supposed to hate her? she felt that rush every time kirby looked at her, that desperate need for her attention. she craved it. but at the same time, knowing kirby had some kind of control over her made her so angry she wanted to pull away. "that's what i want? i want you to stop looking at me," she mused, even though deep down, she wanted the exact opposite. she wanted kirby to look at her, to press her against the nearest surface, to kiss her like she belonged to her. she wanted all of kirby’s attention. "you texted me so confused about it, people would have forgotten, but you didn’t. that kiss probably altered your brain chemistry or something. admit it, smart girl," she smirked, raising an eyebrow, just wanting to get a reaction out of her. as kirby leaned in closer, bekah hated how her breath hitched, how her heart skipped a beat. but she wanted to cave, she wanted to kiss her so bad, and she was sure kirby knew it. "you think you're in control?" she whispered, leaning in dangerously close. "you're not in control as much as you want to believe." they were only inches apart now, close enough for bekah to feel kirby’s breath. she grabbed her things, eyes never leaving kirby’s as the other did the same. she nodded at her words—maybe she wasn’t the only one willing to keep whatever this was going. she pressed her laptop against her chest as she stood up, letting kirby lead the way, just enough to remind bekah she wasn’t in charge. she didn’t answer, just walked fast enough to reach her side. "stop," she murmured as they stepped outside the library. rebekah waited, letting kirby choose their destination, maybe really letting her take the wheel this time. "lead the way."

Kirby could feel the tension in the air as Rebekah leaned in close, her breath sending a shiver down her spine. Her eyes remained focused on the girl beside her, but the challenge in Rebekah’s voice had her fighting to keep her composure. She knew exactly what Rebekah was doing—playing the game, teasing her, pushing her to the edge. And damn it, it was working. She couldn’t help but smirk when Rebekah whispered those words, her pulse quickening despite herself. The memory of their first kiss—a mix of confusion and raw heat—flashed in her mind, and she couldn't deny the rush that came with it. But this? This was different. It was more than just the kiss now. There was something deeper, something that made her heart race. "Is that what you want?" Kirby shot back, her voice low and steady despite the sudden rush of desire coursing through her. "To remind me of how confused I was?" She couldn’t help the playful edge to her words, but underneath, there was an undeniable intensity. Rebekah’s smirk only made things worse. Kirby’s fingers itched to reach for her, to close the distance, but she held herself back. There was no way she was going to give in here, not in front of everyone. "Not happening, huh?" Kirby whispered, her lips curving into a teasing smile. She leaned in closer, just enough to make the air between them crackle with tension. "You sure about that? Because I don’t think you’re as in control of this as you’d like to believe." Her eyes locked with Rebekah’s, the playful challenge still there, but with something more lurking behind it. Kirby raised an eyebrow, her smirk widening as she slowly closed her laptop with a soft click. She placed it carefully into her bag, taking her time, her movements deliberate. She could feel Rebekah’s gaze on her, the tension between them thickening with every second. Kirby stood up, her eyes never leaving Rebekah’s as she adjusted the strap of her bag over her shoulder. "Well," she said, her voice low and flirty, "if you’re going to make me work for it, I’ll have to find a more private spot to… finish this." Kirby took a step away, her posture confident and deliberate as she glanced back over her shoulder, her eyes locking with Rebekah’s. The teasing smirk never left her face as she slowed her pace just enough to let the words hang in the air. "Are you coming?"

[bekahgomez]

there was no judgment in their relationship—she was there for him, and he was there for her. that’s how they worked. they both came from messy backgrounds and were messy themselves. maybe that was why they clicked so well. "i didn’t take you for a voyeur, bay. you sometimes disgust me," she teased, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. seeing his black eye, knowing his father had been in one of his moods again, made her blood boil. her own relationship with her parents wasn’t good. in fact, after they refused to believe her and sent her to argentina to live with her grandmother because they didn’t trust her with their money or opportunities, she gave up on believing in parenthood altogether. she wanted nothing to do with them. in her mind, sawyer needed to do the same—kick his father’s ass and get as far away as possible. if necessary, she’d let him live with her. maybe they’d get in trouble, but she’d find a way out. she always did. "sawyer, that asshole doesn’t deserve someone like you. you should just disappear one day—leave a note and find somewhere else to live," she shrugged. "i’ve done it. it’s hard, but you have to think about what’s best for you. he’s a fucking drunk who was never a real dad. fuck him," she said, exhaling sharply. "you don’t deserve that," she promised. families were complicated, and unfortunately, neither of them had much luck in that department. it was sad, but they’d just have to deal with it. as the topic shifted, she felt herself relax. it wasn’t her favorite, but she didn’t want to sit here getting angrier at his father. "in my defense, i’ll say it’s not my fault i’m good at getting information after sex," she shrugged. "my future mentor is going to love having me digging up everything about our cases," she chuckled. "just me and you, bud," she grinned. at his mention of a secret, her eyebrows lifted. "i love secrets," she smirked, sitting on her bed and tapping the spot next to her. "what did you do, bay?"

Sawyer stepped into the room without knocking, as usual, and immediately felt Bekah’s eyes on him. He knew she wasn’t bothered by him barging in, but her comment made him smirk. "Yeah, well, maybe one day I’ll get lucky and walk in on that. She's hot, right? Guess I'll take my chances," he said with a half-shrug, his voice light despite the annoyance gnawing at the back of his mind. When she mentioned his eye, he glanced at the floor for a moment, avoiding the concern in her voice. "It’s nothing," he muttered, not wanting to draw attention to it. But his best friend was already stepping closer, her gaze softening as she took in the full extent of the bruise. He couldn’t help but wince as she spoke, and his shoulders tensed. "Yeah, Dad got in a mood again," he said quietly, his tone growing more resigned. Bekah’s anger was palpable, and he could feel the familiar weight of her frustration. She’d said it before—leave, stand up to him, get out. But Sawyer just felt stuck. "I know. I should’ve done something by now. I just... I don’t know," he admitted, his voice trailing off. "It’s easier said than done." Her next words hit him hard, though. The way she always saw through him made it harder to ignore the truth she was pointing out. He shifted uncomfortably but met her eyes. "I don’t wanna put up with it either," he replied, though there was a weariness in his voice. "But it’s hard to just walk away from everything. You more than anyone knows that." When the subject shifted to girlfriends, he couldn't help but roll his eyes, but there was a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Yeah, yeah, I know you don't do girlfriends. That isn't stopping half of the world's population from direct messaging you though." He just sighed. "Guess it’s just me and you verses the rest of the world still though, huh?" he muttered, the familiar comfort of her presence settling in again. "Hey, do you want to know a secret?" he asked, the words slipping out before he could really think about it. There was a hint of curiosity in his tone, but also a quiet nervousness that he couldn't quite shake. He wasn’t sure why, but something about the way the conversation was going made him feel like he needed to share something, anything, that wasn’t just about his father or his mess of a life.

[bekahgomez]

rebekah: yeah sure, don't you kiss people at parties? rebekah: why would i like you exactly? rebekah: that's the only trusth you've said

kirby: uh, no kirby: you kissed me kirby: i think that means you might like me kirby: which is weird because you hate my guts

[bekahgomez]

rebekah wanted to stay away. she still remembered her first day of class—she was put on the spot, and kirby was there to steal everyone’s attention. she was good, way too good. at first, rebekah thought the blonde was really attractive, and hearing her talk only confirmed it. but the more she got to know her, the more competitive they became, and the more she started hating her. she didn’t know when that hate turned into something else, but now she was too into kirby to deny it. she knew exactly how to push her buttons, and rebekah hated how good she was at it. "you’re the problem," she shrugged. "i'm able to concentrate, but you keep looking at me," she pointed out. she wasn’t going to admit that the real reason she couldn’t focus was because she couldn’t stop looking at her. at kirby’s whispered compliment, rebekah groaned a little too loud, earning a few shushes. when kirby asked if she wanted her to shut up, rebekah was ready to answer—until she had to add more to that question. make me. those two words could drive her crazy if she was completely honest. but they were in public. bekah smirked and leaned in dangerously close, but their lips never touched. instead, she moved just enough to whisper near the shell of kirby’s ear. "is that what you want? to kiss me again? do i need to remind you how confused you were the first time i did that?" she teased, her whispers dripping like honey. "not happening, blondie," she mused. "if you want me to kiss you, you’ll have to find another location." she smirked.

Kirby couldn’t help the mischievous smirk that crept onto her face. She knew exactly how to push Rebekah’s buttons, and she loved it. There was something intoxicating about the way Rebekah acted around her—so angry and flustered, yet so drawn to her at the same time. It was a weird mix of frustration and attraction, and it made Kirby’s heart race a little faster. She couldn’t hold back a small chuckle when Rebekah muttered about being distracted. “Oh, really? I’m the problem?” Kirby teased, her voice laced with playful sarcasm. “You sure it’s not your inability to concentrate, or maybe the fact that you can’t keep your eyes off me?” She raised an eyebrow with a sense of satisfaction. Kirby’s grin softened, but she still couldn’t resist. “You’re too cute when you’re mad, you know that?” she muttered under her breath, though not quiet enough for Bekah to miss. It was confusing, how Kirby felt—she wanted to keep teasing Bekah, but she also wanted to be closer to her. It was like a battle of wills inside, one where she couldn’t figure out if she wanted to make Rebekah blush or kiss her again. Either way, the tension between them was undeniable, and that smirk of hers? It wasn't going anywhere anytime soon. "You want me to shut up? Why don't you make me."

[bekahgomez]

10 Things I Hate About You (1999), dir. Gil Junger

[bekahgomez]

that smirk on kirby's face made rebekah want to smack it right off. how could she feel so many things at once? she wanted to kiss her, yell at her, maybe even shove her—all at the same time. she had no idea how they ended up kissing like that in the middle of the library, but now she couldn't focus, and it was definitely kirby’s fault. "you keep looking at me, so you're the reason i'm distracted," she muttered, crossing her arms over her chest. "that's not..." she started, then immediately realized what she'd just admitted. her face burned. "i don't need your help studying," she added quickly, though the frustration in her voice gave her away. that was what really got under her skin—kirby knew she was better at this than her, and it pissed her off. still, rebekah gave in, pulled out the chair beside kirby, and sat down with a huff. "shut up," she grumbled, refusing to look at her.

Kirby looked up from her book with a smirk, her blonde hair falling loosely around her face as she glanced at Rebekah. The awkwardness of the situation wasn’t lost on her, but she couldn’t help but find it amusing. That kiss—how did it even happen? One moment, they were both reaching for the same book, and the next, she’d pinned the other girl up against the shelf, their lips meeting like it was something out of a fairy-tale moment. Kirby hadn't expected it, but now, thinking back, she couldn't entirely regret it either. “Me?” she teased, raising an eyebrow, her voice light but with an underlying challenge. “I’m distracting you? I sat over to give you some space.” She leaned back slightly, glancing at Rebekah's closed book. “Maybe you’re just too focused on me right now." Her tone softened ever so slightly, but her eyes never left the other's gaze. “You could always stay… or I could help you with whatever it is you’re studying. If you’d like?"

[bekahgomez]

rebekah: that's what i said rebekah: that means you're obsessed with me, which is a you problem rebekah: you're confusing me

kirby: a hate kiss? kirby: i can't just forget about it kirby: my mind doesn't work like that kirby: do you maybe wanna make the same mistake again?