Exposure • Tamber

Chapter 6: Car Ride Home

Amber exhaled and dropped her arms down on either side of her, her phone bouncing out of her hand and onto the mattress. Since last night she couldn't help but wonder how the night may have played out if Tara's giant girlfriend hadn't shown up. They were definitely having a moment— at least it felt that way to Amber, even if she didn't know what kind of moment it was.

She wasn't even sure why she was even thinking about it still. It lasted all of 5 minutes. Plus, Tara had a girlfriend. She wasn't sure why that mattered either. She was just her tutor, after all. They weren't even friends, not really.

Despite all that, when she received a text that evening, she half expected (half hoped) it was Tara. When it turned out to Lily, she didn't really care one way or another. Sure she liked Lily well enough, she had fun with her, but that was it.

Lily: i'll look for you at the okb party ;)

Amber: won't be there blondie

Lily: aww :( just in case you change your mind

Lily: (...Incoming photo...)

That was when Amber dropped her phone and sighed. It had been a while since she had spent time with any of her study buddies. Except Tara. But that was different, they actually studied. Also, Lily did have on quite the outfit. It would be a shame for it to go to waste.

—

"You guys sure you don't want to come?" Tara walked into the kitchen, tucking some hair behind her ear and going straight for the package of cookies on the counter.

"Yeah," Mindy shrugged and nodded at Tara, asking for a cookie, "Anika was being weird and said something about Chad and art and naked. I'm not sure if it was an actual sentence or if her brain was short circuiting but I think we are just going to stay in and order pizza and watch a movie or something."

"Well, I may be home early and join you." Tara shoved a whole cookie in her mouth and still managed to pout.

"Trouble in paradise?" Mindy chuckled and took a bite of their cookie.

"Tell me what to do?" Tara whined, slumping over onto the counter.

As if on cue, Amelia knocked twice on the apartment door before opening it and letting herself in. Tara immediately stood up, eyes wide looking at Mindy, while they just stifled a laugh.

"Hey Carpenter, you ready?" Amelia walked in and wrapped her arms around Tara in a hug.

It was awkward. Everyone in the room felt it.

"Uh yeah, let me just grab my phone." Tara forced a smile and disappeared down the hall towards her room. She walked in her bedroom and shut the door behind her, leaning her back up against it and letting out a sigh.

What was up with her? She was actually looking forward to this party. She needed a break, desperately. She's been staring at a computer screen and texts books so much for midterms she's sure her brain has started to melt. And earlier that day, she had actually been looking forward to spending it with Amelia.

After whatever had happened the night before at Anika's art midterm thing, Tara really thought about her relationship with Amelia. She even made a pros and cons list. No joke. Ultimately she realized that Amelia was a great girlfriend— Caring, smart, driven, thoughtful, and the list when on. She figured whatever awkwardness or distance that had been building was just because of stress, and a party was the perfect way to get over that.

So why as soon as she was around Amelia, did things feel so off still? She had made up her mind to make it work. So why wasn't it working?

Tara grabbed her phone and mentally talked herself back into giving it a go and not letting the small things bug her, to focus on the great things and just have a good time. Reconnect. So as soon as she was back in the kitchen with Mindy and Amelia, who were doing everything possible not to talk or even look at each other, Tara laced her hand with Amelia's and pushed up on her toes to greet her with a kiss.