Invisible String [T.S-E.S BOOK ONE]

5

June 4th, 2012

"Good morning Slate!"

Eleanor grinned as she sat down at the table, across from Maisy. She noticed a cup already sitting in front of her and shot the older blonde a confused look. "What's this?"

"Your coffee." She smiled. "Hazelnut latte, right?"

Eleanor raised an eyebrow. Maisy was right, Eleanor hated all coffee except hazelnut lattes. She hated it, but her mom put her onto it when she was fifteen, the last time she decided to be a mom before taking off for the fifth and final time. But she totally loved hazelnut, even if that love came from someone she'd rather not talk about.

"I can't believe you know that." Eleanor chuckled, bringing the latte to her lips. It was perfect.

Maisy leaned forward. "I remember things." She winked.

Eleanor found it hard to meet Maisy's eyes as a blush crept up her neck and into her cheeks. Maisy was very satisfied with her response.

"Slate is speechless. Lucky me for being the one to witness it." Maisy joked, causing Eleanor to blush an even deeper red.

"Shut up, you talk like a fucking grandma."

Maisy laughed, a sound that Eleanor could listen to forever. "I'm not that old, fuck off."

Eleanor whistled and leaned back in her chair. "You kiss your mama with that mouth, damn girl."

Maisy blushed immediately, looking anywhere but at Eleanor. The two of them had built a good report since Eleanor had joined the team and they considered each other their closest friends. It was only natural that it would progress into something more. There were worse people to fall for and they knew they could be the real deal.

"So, is this like a date?" Maisy asked, going straight to the point. She was a couple years older and she didn't really want to waste her time, but she knew Eleanor would be worth it.

The brunette grinned and nodded. "I think it is." She looked up slightly, gauging her reaction. "I'm gay, but like I don't know if I'm ready to come out, you know?" She lowered her voice.

Maisy rested her hand on the table, not touching Eleanor's hand, but just close enough for a little comfort. "I'm gay too and I get it. I'm not fully out, but I'm not fully opposed to it. I get it though, it's pretty scary."

"You're like kind of amazing, you know that?" Eleanor chuckled, her hand itching to touch Maisy's, but her brain not letting her.

"You're the one dating me." Maisy couldn't stop her face from splitting into a grin. "If you're okay with that."

"I'm okay with that." Eleanor took a sip of her coffee to hid her face, embarrassed by having her emotions on display. Two days in a row, must be some type of record for her.

The two continued to talk and enjoy each other's company as they drank their coffee. Eleanor found it so easy to slip into this type of conversation. Of course they always got along easily, they were the closest on the Storm by far, but it honestly surprised how easily they slipped into 'dating.' Eleanor's heart began to race as the date continued due to that very reason. She liked having friends and loved the idea of a girlfriend, but it terrified her at the same time. She wasn't even out and here she was trying to bring someone else in. Isn't that why she pushed Taylor away? No, it was different, right? And don't even get her started on her mommy issues, she'd rather not talk about that woman.

But Maisy's warm brown eyes were comforting. Scary, but weirdly inviting. She could see where this would go. It was easy.

"We should go or Tom's going to kill us." Maisy spoke up, collecting her trash.