Miss Americana and The Hearbreak Princess

Chapter Twenty Two - I Knew You Were Trouble

The week and a bit until Freen got home for Christmas seemed to drag. It wasn't just the fact that they had to wait longer to see each other again, but the fact that every time they spoke on the phone, their conversation was stunted and uncomfortable. 

Yet, even still, the day that Freen flew in, Becca was waiting with a packed bag and nervous anticipation. She was excited, yet she couldn't deny that a part of her was worried. More worried than she cared to admit.

But there was the eventual sound of tyres on the gravel driveway, and Becca was on her feet in a heartbeat. 

Smoothing the fine knit of her sweater, running her fingers through her hair and quickly turning the coffee pot on, before rushing through the house and opening the door a moment before Freen knocked. 

Hand half-raised, she blinked in surprise at the sight of Becca suddenly before her, and Becca felt her worry dissipate at the smile that spread across Freen's face. She wanted to throw herself at her, but as excited as she was, something held Becca back.

Freen was reserved too, hovering in the doorway with an apprehensive look on her face, a backpack slung over one shoulder and a bulky guitar case in hand. 

Her expression darkened for a moment as she brooded on the porch in the mild December weather, the wind snatching at stray strands of her blonde hair before her expression softened into a small smile.

"Can I come in?"

Becca choked on a laugh, before she stepped aside and let Freen in, watching as the blonde's face lit up as Bonbon came running down the hallway, tail wagging and tongue lolling as he sniffed Freen's boots. 

She laughed quietly, bending down to pet the puppy while Becca stood there watching her with a tender look in her eyes, cold air blowing in from outside as she held onto the door handle.

When she straightened up, Becca blinked herself out of her stupor and shut the door, hand pressed against the wood as she made eye contact with Freen. 

As if it were the most natural thing in the world, which it should've been, Freena stepped forward and cupped Becca's cheek with a cold hand and pressed her warm lips against hers. 

Becca melted into her touch and felt the lingering worry fade as her body relaxed and she smiled into it.

"Hi," she whispered against Freen's lips when they pulled back slightly.

Forehead resting against hers, Freen let out a quiet laugh as she smiled, her nose gently bumping against Becca's. 

"Hi."

"Coffee?"

Pulling back, Freen let out a heavy sigh, running a hand through her limp hair and giving Becca a tired smile. She had dark circles under her eyes and Becca wasn't sure if that was due to the long flight, or the fact that she had been working too hard and sleeping too little. 

Without commenting on it, Becca reached out and gently touched her arm, before walking down the hallway, whistling softly for Bonbon to follow after her.

In the kitchen, Becca pulled two mugs out of the cupboard and poured coffee into them both, adding milk and sugar to them both, while Freen set down her bag and the leather guitar case. 

Becca glanced at it as she set the mugs down on the counter and folded her arms on top, raising one eyebrow in question.

"You didn't tell me you'd taken up guitar."

Mouth curling up into a lopsided smile, Freen hefted it up onto the counter and pushed it across to her, propping her chin up in her hand. 

"It's for you."