Opening their door, Charli pulled Adelah inside. She grabbed Adelah's bag and sat her down on the couch, picking up the remote and turning it on. Adelah kicked her legs up. Charli handed her the remote and headed into the kitchen.

"Do you think it will work?" Adelah asked her. Charli pulled out a pot and glanced over the counter.

"I don't know. You know Farrah more than I do. Do you think it will work?"

Adelah stared at the television for a moment with a blank stare before replying, "I'm not sure. Love is kinda confusing to me. I never know how it works." Charli ignored the ache in her chest. She knew Adelah was clueless, to both her own feelings and Charli's.

Uncomfortable, Charli chuckled, "Yeah, it's kinda confusing to everyone, even after you find that one person made for you." Adelah sauntered up to the counter. She hopped up on the chair and watched Charli cook.

"How do you know when you found that person?" Charli looked at Adelah in surprise.

Averting her gaze, she said, "Well, it depends on you, but I think there are a few common feelings that will tell you." Please, let this be over.

"Such as?" Adelah asked, leaning closer.

"You know, when you wish for them to stay by your side, to never leave you. You're chest flutters every time you see them. The things they do become adorable, even if they weren't before. You've grown to like all the repulsive things they do. You don't want them to ever stop." Charli halts from stirring the spaghetti sauce. She looks into the distance, to a world she can never have. "They become your everything. Without them, you are nothing. When you realize that, you are too far gone."

Adelah nods, thinking to herself, Do I have a person like that? Will I ever have someone like that? As she plodded back to the couch, Adelah recognized one thing. She was nothing without Charli. Her eyes peeked over to Charli as she stood over the stove. Does she count?

Adelah shook her head, refusing to believe it. No, it can't be. She plopped down on the couch and focused on the fantasy show playing.

~

Charli placed two plates down on the kitchen table. She poured a glass of fruit punch for Adelah and a glass of water for herself.

"Adelah, let's eat," Charli called, strolling into the living room. Adelah looked up from her show and stared into Charli's gray eyes.

Charli is someone I care a lot about, and I don't ever want to stop being friends. But, I never really thought she was cute, that the things she does is cute. I guess I never paid attention to it. I've always just accepted it.

Adelah sat down at the table in silence.

She knows what I like and has always taken care of me. Adelah watched as Charli sat down across from her. And she never asks for anything in return. Charli does all these things for me, but I've never returned the favor. I'm such a crappy friend...

"Adelah, you haven't said anything. Are you okay?" Charli asked her, seeing as Adelah didn't touch her plate.

"Sorry, I was just thinking about something for school." I shouldn't make her worry. Adelah took a bite. I'll do something for you, I promise. I'll repay you for everything you've ever done for me.

Charli stared at Adelah as she ate. Adelah seemed off. Usually, she would scarf down the food and go take a shower. Why was she taking so long tonight?

Seeing a smudge of sauce in the corner of Adelah's mouth, Charli reached out, making Adelah flinch. Her eyes locked onto Charli as long, slender fingers neared her face. There was a thundering in her ears that Adelah couldn't control. It sped up as Charli's fingers touched her lip. Adelah held her breath, growing hot, incredibly hot as Charli pulled away and licked her finger.

"You had some sauce on you," Charli told her. Adelah nodded before wolfing down her food.

Running to the bathroom, Adelah said in a hurry, "Thank you for the food."

Surprised, Charli froze. The memory of what just happened replayed in her mind. Her fingers touching Adelah. Adelah's supple lips. The taste of them on her tongue. Charli hid behind her hands, her cheeks feverish. She wanted to scream. She wanted to record this moment on a hard drive where she could replay it over, and over, and over. She wanted more.

Charli stared at the bathroom door, the sound of the shower vibrating in her ears. She touched the hard wood. Her heart raced at the image of Adelah's reddening cheeks. Charli wished to see her.

~

Adelah dressed and escaped to her room. Her mind thought of Charli's actions, the way she claimed her breath and stopped time. Only one word came to Adelah as she thought of Charli: sexy.

With a knock at the door, Adelah flinched, pulling the blanket over her. She could hear Charli's voice from the other side, begging to come in. Adelah gripped her blanket.

"Sure," she heard herself say.

The door opened to reveal Charli, dressed in only a long t-shirt. Her eyes scanned Adelah's body, stopping for a second on the tight tank top and the short shorts.

Adelah could hear Charli's breath tremble as she said, "I just wanted to say goodnight. Sleep well."

"Um, yeah. You, too."

Charli paused at the door in thought. Her long legs stepped forward until she stood before Adelah. Charli leaned forward. Her fingers, grazing Adelah's cheek, brushed a strand of hair behind Adelah's ear. Her face inched ever closer. Adelah closed her eyes, a gentle touch startling her. Charli had placed a tender kiss on her forehead.

"Goodnight," Charli whispered, tickling Adelah's ear.

In a breathy mumble, Adelah replied, "Goodnight." Her gaze followed Charli out her door. Maybe, she thought.