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"Goddamn it Ophelia if I miss one, <i>one</i> fucking second of Bees &amp; Knees, I will never talk to you again!" Carter growled as her hands beat against the bathroom door.<br/>
"Just one more minute! Fuck!" Carter sighed, throwing her hands up in frustration before turning sharp on her heel, and heading down the narrow hallway to the living room . Noémi looked over shoulder, her lips turned slightly up in the corners.<br/>
"Don't you dare say it." Carter, her best friend of the last two years, pointed her finger at the young woman. She approached slowly, though with a grunt leaned  over the worn black leather couch. They'd found it behind Golden Op, a really high end thrift store that normally they shitted on for being a worst version of the shitty Goodwill but couldn't deny sometimes had the goods. The couch in question had been put out back, the cushions destroyed by an ex-employee. It took two hundred dollars and Noémi promising the two men on their floor she would love them forever, to load it in a U-Haul and up the three flights of stairs to their shared two bedroom apartment. They managed to salvage it after a good cleaning and replacing the cushions with dark blue ones from their old couch. It didn't exactly fit the couch in style, but it was comfy and unlike their old couch, it didn't teeter or totter like a seesaw on its last leg.<br/>
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"I told you so." Noémi crooned, turning her attention back to the fragile joint paper in her hand. "I don't know why you're bothering to bring her. she spends hours getting ready, doesn't <i>ever</i> know the lyrics to the songs and and –"<br/>
"And always ends up somehow yakking on you. I know I know. She is my girlfriend, I love her." Carter hopped over the back of the couch and plopped beside Noémi. She had zoned in completely, her fingers fluidly moving back and forth until each adorable little nug was blanketed and snuggly fit. Her tongue was gentle as it curled against it to seal it before she reached for her keys: the  set had everything a young girl would need in New York: her keys, the small leather wallet containing her id, metro card, and student id with a few bucks as well as the standard taser, brass knuckles, and a cute hello kitty pocket knife that got stuck. The lighter was an additional bonus, attached to a string that guaranteed it wouldn't end up in some bastard's pockets.<br/>
<br/>
She ignored how close the flame got to her fingers, actually enjoying that warmth until the sound of Ophelia stomping out for the bathroom distracted her. <i>Shit</i> Noémi brought her index finger to her lip, suckling it gently to cool the slight scald it received. Both Carter and she looked over their shoulders to see the blonde, standing there as though they were the ones who had been slacking. She had to admit, with all that time she spent in the bathroom, it was always worth it. Ophelia rarely disappointed and her face card never declined. Being a content creator was hard work, Ophelia would never let them forget that. It took her so long because she recorded every second of her life. Though, could they really complain? Noémi certainly had no bother in doing so. It paid Carter's portion of the rent and they got free rolls at RA Sushi. It was a win-win in some cases, but it didn't take away from the stress of being <i>late</i> to see their favorite bands.<br/>
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Even a second too late could guarantee that they were bound to be forced to the back of the crowd and lately Noémi hadn't been in the mood to fight. It was December 12<span style="font-size: 80%;vertical-align:super">th​</span>, Estelle's birthday. The week leading up had been perfect, great actually. But grief wasn't at all predictable and it was no wonder that in just a few short hours, she had gone from so excited to see one of her favorite bands, to so depressed she wanted to die. Had she not been dying to see the indie band since their return to the states, she would've stayed home. But it's been years before she even found the courage to buy tickets to see the group and she wouldn't back down now. Estelle would hate her for it.<br/>
<br/>
Noémi had gone years without her sister and yet when they met it seemed to click so easily. Spending the summer with her felt like she had found a piece of her that she didn't even know was missing. They were alike in many ways, which was probably why Theo had his eyes on her the moment she was introduced. She could still remember the song that played, Bees &amp; Knees breakout hit 'If I Love You'.<br/>
<br/>
<i>If I love you<br/>
It’ll  be forever<br/>
Sometimes forever<br/>
Doesn't mean forever<br/>
But forever, isn't never<br/>
So even, In your absence<br/>
I'll still love you, like I loved you<br/>
I'll still see you as heaven sent<br/>
Oh, my feelings, baby will remain as true<br/>
And as my all we'll be together<br/>
So, If I love you,<br/>
It'll be forever</i><br/>
<br/>
<br/>
[Theo's face lingered over hers, his breath hot and sticky before his lips came crashing down against hers. Noémi turned her head to the side, a small squeak interpreted as a moan which made him growl against her neck. She stared focused, on the video of Hunter Green singing into the mic. . . .how many more seconds until she was free.]<br/>
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_______________<br/>
<br/>
They reached the venue on time according to Carter's standards. That left them with enough time to get a drink, smoke and still manage to be in the front. Noémi was hot, burning up actually but fortunately the slight shimmer to her caramel skin wasn't as noticeable under the soft purplish blue lighting inside. She was nervous, gutted actually like Theo would spring up suddenly. Though, Theo had left the group shortly after Estelle's death and not because of her, but some poor other girl who had much more courage to come forth about what he did to her.<br/>
<br/>
She'd deal with it her own way when she was ready – was there some kind of order when it came to juggling grief? Losing herself and losing her sister at the same time? Maybe the universe was looking out for her, Estelle probably thinking this wasn't the time, but it was a great disappointment when they made their way down to the pit to hear from the venue owner that Bees &amp; Knees had canceled.<br/>
<br/>
"Well, this fucking sucks," Carter said with a huff. They'd headed back outside, ready to spark the joint that she had rolled. "They've been going downhill honestly since October. This could be the last chance we could ever see them!"<br/>
"Is it really so terrible?"<br/>
"Uh yeah – Ophelia are you hearing yourself. They're the greatest fucking –" Carter caught herself and sighed. It was a touchy subject for Noémi she knew. Noémi herself had complicated feelings about a band she loved with a now delicate story attached to it.<br/>
"Does kind of suck," she said, hoping to shield Carter from any guilt. She took a heavy drag and exhaled, trying to relax to welcome the pleasant buzzing high. She was fortunate for once that Ophelia was there, able to distract Carter and convince her to go inside or she'd freeze. "I'll be in soon. Promise." Noémi watched as they headed back inside. It was too early to leave, but it felt like coming out here had been for nothing. Or maybe, just maybe for once the universe was looking out for her.<br/>
<br/>
But she was already out, and it felt stupid to get all dressed up only to go home. Maybe it was some kind of calling as one of Estelle's favorite songs could be heard through the door. She tilted her head back, sighing out and praying for strength before turning on her heels and heading back inside.<br/>
<br/>
She pushed her way as gently as she could through the crowd, struggling not to be groped as she was making her way toward Carter and Ophelia dancing at the front. One hand gripped her tube top, trying to keep it from being pulled down by the rowdy crowd. It'd grown within the last half hour of them arriving. A shaky smile graced her lips as she squeezed through, snapping midway when she felt a very strong grip on her ass.<br/>
"Watch it fucktard!" Her hand came out to grab against the person behind her and she couldn't help the groan that escaped at the wet feel of liquor on her shoulder. Drinks were expensive and she had no intention of buying this guy a new one, whoever he was. "Look I'm sorry, but I'm not paying for whatever <i>that</i> was," she said as she whipped her head toward him, so she expected by the feel of a hard chest against her palm. She was freed from the crazy crowd, but wet and now irritated.<br/>
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