Promise Kept [Celia]

[Anjali Kedar]

By the time Anjali got home there was already three fresh inches of snow.  The snow from the last storm hadn't melted, so it simply accumulated, except for on the streets.  The streets were, luckily, pretty clear.  Anjali had to give Pilot Ridge credit; they were excellent at working through the bad weather.  Rarely had she driven on icy roads, the town quick to brine the streets before a fresh flurry fluttered to the ground.

The apartment was empty which suited her fine, though she wouldn't mind someone to talk to about what had happened at the gym.  She ended up calling her brother but Nikhil hung up with her before she had a chance to even spill her guts out.  He was busy with something and promised a call back later.  She could wait..  She pulled out her books while heating up the kettle for a cup of tea, deciding to use homework as a distraction from the thoughts racing through her mind.

It failed.  The tea was cold before she finished her lab work, the assignment taking easily twice as long as it should with how distracted she would become.  Every five minutes she found her mind wandering.  Should she have invited Celia over? What would have happened if she did?  A long look in the mirror made her feel insecure and hopeful at the same time.  She supposed she wasn't bad looking.  Maybe a little thin these days, and certainly pale, though much darker than most of the towns inhabitants.  The lack of sun was certainly showing on her cheeks.  After making faces at herself for a while she went back to the other room and warmed her tea up in the microwave.  She looked her phone over as she waited for the timer to beep, debating if she should message the other girl.  She said she would, and she wanted to.  What harm would it be to do it? It wasn't like she was right there..  Gathering her courage she pulled up a new text.


Hey, its Anjali from yoga. Did you make it home alright? It's crazy out there, like 8 inches!


Innocent enough, Anjali thought as she hit send, anxious and excited.

[Celia Gaines]

It was probably best to just go home. Take her stuff and stop begging for random people to take her in, Anjali had made it pretty clear that, even if there was just a tiny risk, she didn't want to get snowed in with her. Made sense, she supposed. She wasn't gonna lie, something would have happened between them if she invited her over that day, but that had nothing to do with the snow.

As the white substance fell (by the way, this was the only white substance allowed to touch her skin) she made her way to her house and got in, taking off whatever she had protecting her from the cold and trying to get some much needed warmth in. Did she text yet? Celia sat down on the couch and snuggled under a blanket, turning the television on as only her eyes peeked out of the blanket. Oh what she would give to finally have someone by her side she could share those kind of things with.

She found herself guilty of checking her phone a bit too much during.. whatever she was watching, and slowly the covers slid off of her and she took it as a sign that she should do something ese, like make hot chocolate to help warm up. But as soon as she made her way over to the kitchen her phone chirped and, she was hesitant to admit she rushed back to it.

A message from.. who? She knew who, but there was only a number to accompany it. Still, the promise made earlier was enough for her to know who it was.

Hey Anjali! Just got home, was about to make me some hot chocolate, but obviously you take precedence over other stuff.

Too forward? Maybe. She hit send anyway.

It's not that bad, really. I've had worse. Not that I'm bragging or anything.

[Anjali Kedar]

Anjali was a little surprised at how quickly a text came back.  Her stomach twisted with anticipation, picking the phone up and reading the text.  Did she really take precedence over hot chocolate?  No one had ever hit on her like this.. or was this even being hit on? She had no clue.  It was innocent.. The words spoken to her earlier at the gym settled in her mind.  She was toying with her.  Celia was just flirty is all.  How she wished her brother were here, or Kate! Her roommate would know what to do in this situation.  Right? Maybe..

Then it hit her; she had left the gym a couple hours ago.  Had Celia really just gotten home? Had she done something else in this weather? Maybe she'd had classes or errands or something. Anji didn't know the other girls schedule..

Had worse what, weather? And what did you do after the gym that you just got home?

She hoped everything was okay..

[Celia Gaines]

She left her phone alone for a while to go and get some hot chocolate action going when her phone chirped once more. Her head turned instantly and she spilled some hot water over her hand, obviously she turned her head back and pulled away her hand, turning on the cold water and throwing her hand under there. Now she was very eager to read the text but unable to leave her post as she was in the process of not having as much pain. At least she could finish making her beverage now, though the distraction in the form of her phone flashing every few seconds made her very curious. Finally, when she thought her hand was done soaking in the cold water she dried it off and almost ran over to her phone.

Yeah, worse weather. The snowfall tends to really be bad when you have a gig in Norway or something.

I had a rehearsal to go to. Singing exercises and stuff like that.

[Anjali Kedar]

The reply didn't come so swiftly this time, which was fine for Anjali, but it certainly left her waiting.  Maybe she should have let Celia over.. what if something had happened to her? She would feel responsible then, like if she'd just let the girl come and hang out nothing would have happened and Celia would be there and she would be blabbering like an idiot and making a fool of herself all at the blue haired girls amusement.

When her phone chirped she reached for it, looking at the words written.  She could tell the girl was playing.  Surely she didn't have a gig at this hour, especially in Norway.  Why would she play in Norway anyway? Anjali realized she was thinking too much on it when her phone chirped again, this time explaining what Celia had really been up to.

Well then it's a good thing you didn't come over! You would have missed your rehearsal.

She couldn't help but think it odd that Celia would want to come over if she had rehearsal, and a little more surprised that it wasn't canceled.  Then again, little was ever canceled for snow up there.  Not until they had a couple feet dumped onto them.  Vermont was known for its snow, after all.

What're you up to now?

[Celia Gaines]

Ofcourse she didn't have a gig in Norway.. not in the past few months anyway. Bah, she needed a record deal and fast, get some more money in. There was so much she wanted to do, but for that she needed a bit more money which she would get if the record guy stopped beinng so picky and just took her on. With or without her band, she'd do it. It'd be hard to say goodbye but not impossible, or she could do like she knew some people did and promise to pay them out of her own pocket. Just meant she'd need to make a bit more. Just a little demand.

I guess I would have.. it was just for me though, and only one guy was there, and I knew he would. I think he's into me. He's creepy.

She could have not showed up at all and it would all be fine and dandy. Not like her voice wasn't perfect already. Besides, tea helped, Anjali said so didn't she?

Now? I'm sitting around, just texting with you. Nice and snug on the couch with a cup of hot chocolate.

And you?

She was starting to get curious. Maybe...

[Anjali Kedar]

She didn't feel so bad about pushing their get together until the weekend now.  Celia obviously had other things to do and it was for the best that she hadn't come over.  Though she had to laugh a little at her text.  Creepy guys didn't sound fun, but she could easily see why a guy, or anyone, might be interested in Celia.  She was charismatic, flirty, and let's face it, beautiful.  Not only in the traditional way women were beautiful with her deep blue eyes, smooth, pale skin and shapely body, but also in the less traditional way with her blue hair and piercings.  They weren't strange looking on her, as they were on others.  They suited her and certainly made her more attractive.

I'm sure you could fend him off.  You don't seem afraid to kick a guy where it hurts if you had to.

Though she was teasing she wondered if Celia would think so.

I mean, not that you would, cause that might be mean, but, you know what I mean..

Smooth.. she thought to herself, rolling her eyes at her own stupidity.  She was such a spaz.


Drinking tea, which is cold now, and finishing up some homework.  Just got done with my lab stuff, probably going to chill for a bit.  Maybe TV or something.

[Celia Gaines]

The mug was inches from her mouth as she had just taken a sip when the message came in. She swallowed and put down the mug, picking up her phone and reading the sent text. She nodded silently because, she totally would. Given the guy was trying to get physical or something. And it wasn't like that was the only thing she could do, the fact she was a girl in metal meant having to deal with some fucked up fans, she knew her shit.

Then a second message chirped the moment Celia reached for the button to make a reply. This one was a follow up to the first one and made her chuckle a bit. She rolled her eyes.

I'm going to call that an ''Anjali comment''. I don't know you very well, but you seem to talk a lot about every side of the story. But no, if he got handsy I would just grab him where it hurts, not kick him. I keep wondering how high he can go vocally.

Then, just when she hit send the third message rolled in and she read it, creating a new message on the fly.

Homework? Are you by any chance in college, or do you have some brushing up to do on the female anatomy? xD

[Anjali Kedar]

Anjali wasn't sure it was such a bad thing that she saw every side of the story.  She liked cheering for the underdogs, not that it was what she was doing now, but still.  If there was no hope for them, who was there actually hope for?

Well I hope you never have to find out.

She shot back, smiling a little.  She put the phone down just as it chirped again.  Agile fingers lifted it back and scrolled through the text.  Even from a safe distance Celia could make her cheeks warm.  She wondered if she should be studying more about the female anatomy.  No, she reminded herself Celia was teasing her.  She wasn't really planning to do anything.  Or was she? She wished she knew..

I'm a female, I know enough about the female anatomy tyvm! I'm in college. Junior year, nearly done! yay!

[Celia Gaines]

The phone was now nearly glued to hed hand as she sat back on the couch and caught herelf staring at the screen of the phone. She began a slight yawn when a message was received and she stopped mid-yawn to enter a state of half-smile and half-yawn. If anyone saw it it would be awkward. So awkward.

As do I, actually. Being gay doesn't mean castrating men, I think.

Then the second message came and Celia smirked widely. Oh how she managed to make her defend herself even from this distance, which was.. where did she live anyway? She'd just settle for a simple chat over the phone for now. The home bit would come later, she hoped.

Even your text looks cute when defensive, do you think you're going to need the info then?
College? Good times, that. Decided on a major yet?

[Anjali Kedar]

Anjali brought her mug to the couch, leaning down on it and pulling her knees up.  She settled the phone on her chest, hearing it chirp just as she'd laid her mug down on the coffee table.  She lifted the phone over her face and read the text before replying.

It doesn't.  I have yet to castrate anyone, I'm pretty sure it's not in the requirements.

She laughed a little to herself.  This was the first time she so easily admitted she was gay.  Was she? She supposed she was.  She'd battled with this all long enough to know she didn't really have much interest in men, though she didn't see anything wrong with them.  She liked men, she just didn't like the idea of being intimate with them, in any sense of the word.

I don't think I'll need any info.  What kind of info would I even need?  And yes, I've known for a long time what I've wanted to major in. Bioengineering.  I'm not as dumb as I sound.

[Celia Gaines]

If it wasn't clear before, ignoring the fact she'd flatout said she liked women, it was now. The sent message made Celia laugh silently as she read it again just to take it all in. Requirements? Oh, she was just priceless. And that was without counting the fact she said she rarely told anyone she was gay. This could be something major.

There are requirements?! Holy hell, I never knew that. What are they? Pretty sure boobs are among them and I must say I have a pretty nice pair of those if I believe all those men.. xD

Just a sly little way of perhaps getting Anjali to think about her body, see if that did anything. And maybe, just maybe she'd drop the 'coming over' line once more. If she didn't do that first though, she seemed pretty interested by what Celia read up until now, though her last message made her doubt a bit. ..or give her something to work with.

Maybe how to please one? I don't know. You've never been with a woman right? Might help to know those things.. ;D
And bioengineering? You really aren't as dumb as I thought (honestly though, if I thought you were dumb I would have never hit on you.)! Seems like you'll end up knowing way more than I do.

[Anjali Kedar]

With every text that came through she was more glad Celia wasn't there to see how embarrassed she was getting. She'd be babbling like an idiot by now, stumbling over her words and probably dropping things and acting like a complete moron. No, it was better this way, though her curiosity grew, as did her desire. Especially while trying to remember what the other girls chest looked like.

Boobs are a requirement, yes. I think just being female in general and all that entails.

She toyed with the idea of complimenting Celia's breasts but thought better of it at the last minute. She couldn't do it naturally, and just thinking about it made her strangely uneasy.

The next message made her bite her bottom lip. Should she know how to please a woman? Did she really need advice on the topic? She supposed she could, tho she didn't want to admit it. Especially to Celia who seemed more than willing to offer it, especially since she had just admitted to hitting on her. Her heart fluttered; she was being hit on!

I figured I would learn as I went. I don't think I need lessons, right? I men, it comes with practice.

Her cheeks flared again, unsure if she'd just invited Celia to be her teacher or not.

and glad to know you didn't think I was dumb, and that I'm not crazy for thinking you were hitting on me! And I'll know more about bioengineering than you, but that's probably it. Except yoga. I don't think you'll ever know more than me in that (:

[Celia Gaines]

Well, I got being a female down!

Her response to Anjali made her chuckle lightly as she scanned over her own form briefly. Definitely woman. Most men were more rugged than her and a bit thicker.. Which she kind of liked because they were awesome for cuddling. Sometimes. When trusted enough. If a random man tried to hug her she'd twist his chinhairs off one by one.

Thinking of my magnificent rack yet? I'd totally hold that against you if you did.

Yeah, simplest line in the book but reversed. So what? She had to begin- err continue somewhere!

The next message she sent though, was her response to knowing how to please a woman, that she figured she'd learn as she went. Well, it kind of sounded like she had plans. Woo! Something to look forward to! She was already contemplating mentioning Anjali to those band members of hers, but somewhere she figured she might not like being seen as a trophy. Perhaps a picture..

NO, Celia!

Ohohoh, someone has plans. Tease. You don't know you're teasing right? Well, you're teasing. Slightly.

Maybe she needed someone to practice on.. Celia wouldn't say no to that one.

Crazy? You? Baaah, never! Crazy people don't teach anything. Except Dumbledore. Dude was crazy with a capital M. I don't even know what bioengineering is though. Mutating mice? Yeah, you'd probably know more about that. And the yoga too. Unless I get a gig in India or something.

..man I need to get signed.

[Anjali Kedar]

She loved and hated the way Celia was pushing her to think these dirty thoughts.  Not that trying to think of the other girls "rack" was necessarily a dirty thought, but it was something she didn't want to admit, especially to the other girl.

I'm pleading the 5th.

She shot back, deciding it was safer to not answer, but knowing it was rude to ignore the comment all together.  Because honestly she was thinking about what lie under the shirt of the girl with blue hair.  She looked down at her own chest, her phone sitting on it as she typed.  Was Celia thinking about hers? She supposed that was very likely..

Tease? Was she really being a tease? Anjali didn't know she could be a tease, then again Celia might see anything as a tease since she was constantly teasing Anjali, who got the impression that most of the teasing went over her head.

Well, I guess we can add tease to my repertoire.

It was a joke, but it made her smile none the less.

Dumbledore was not crazy! Dumbledore was brilliant.  Didn't you read those books?!  And no, I don't go anywhere near the animal labs.  I focus more on air pollution.  Lots of chemistry.. I like breathing.  And if you get a gig in India, let me know.  I'm coming with you! I haven't been there since I was a kid.