As the movie blared in the background the two girls sat on the couch silent and still in the darkness. Dana had chosen Notting Hill. She figured that it was light hearted enough that they could handle it after the madness of their day yet romantic enough that As Hugh Grant was feeding Julia Roberts ice cream Alice was contemplating making a move on her best friend, no wait her girlfriend? Well, what if I just move my hand over a little towards hers? This is stupid, I should have just sat closer. Theres no reason I cant just reach over and take her hand. Well, maybe she isnt a cuddler nahhh she must be shes so shes a cuddler. Okay, Ill just slide my hand over and brush it against hers and see what happens. Alices thoughts trailed off as she attempted to subtly shift her weight on the couch and coincidentally have her hand land on top of Danas. Dana didnt know what to do. She wanted to touch Alice, just to know she was there, but she didnt want to seem needy or clingy. Shed spent most of their time together on the couch trying to figure out how to approach cuddling with Alice. I could grab the blanket and ask her if she is cold, shes sure to cuddle under the blanket. I could go get a drink and when I come back, Ill just sit closer and see what happens. Ugh, I really am not cool why is this so hard? Does she want to cuddle with me? Maybe shes not a cuddler Just as Danas thoughts were beginning to make her dizzy Alices hand brushed up against hers. Without looking over at Alice, she simply spread her fingers and took Alices between hers. She slowly started brushing her thumb over Alices fingers, making small swirling patterns and for the first time realizing how soft Alices hands were. Of course theyre soft, all she does is type all day. Dana laughed and peeked over at Alice, who was putting up a good front of being totally involved in the movie. Hum the shift trick seemed to work rather well. Okay, I guess Ill try it again but this time yeah this time Ill fain fatigue and just kind of lean up against her. Perfect! Alice again began to adjust herself, and then spotted the blanket beside Dana. Nice Props! Alice gave Dana her best sleepy face and wrapped them both up in the blanket and cuddled up to Dana. She wrapped their arms together and put her head on Danas shoulder. Their legs were not really comfortable; all wrapped up at odd angles, but for some reason neither of them moved. They were cuddling, on the couch, and despite the dim lighting, the late hour, and the feeble attempts to remain calm, they were both exploding with nervous energy. Dana was so happy that Alice had moved closer. Alices advances, (Dana knew this was a calculated move by Alice, she wasnt totally oblivious) Anyway, Alices advances had given Dana some confidence, and she slowly, very slowly and very lightly, began to trace her hand along Alices stomach. Alice let a faint hum escape from her throat, almost as if she was purring. Neither of them said anything but they each became a little more bold. Danas hands began making bigger circles around Alices stomach, just beginning to brush up against the soft skin covering her ribs, so close to her breast but still so far away. Alice had begun stroking her hand up and down Danas thigh. Shed weave her way up in back and forth movements, then come back down in little spirals. Both of their hearts were racing. The anticipation of not knowing what would come next. How far was this going to go? Could they really touch each other like that? Suddenly the credits were rolling, and their excuse for lying together began to disappear before either of them could come up with a plan. Okay ***** can I ask her if I can stay. Alice didnt know what to do. She didnt want to rush Dana into anything she wasnt ready for. Dana didnt just jump into things like this, and Alice wasnt about to take advantage of Danas innocence and inexperience. Um I dont know what to do. What happens next? Should I ask her to stay? Dana was near panic state. She wasnt good at things like this, she still needed to be led and cued, given guidelines and fed confidence What do I do now? Dane yeah This this was really nice. I I should probably go. Um okay, well thanks for dinner Oh, and the flowers. Yeah Yeah Yeah youre welcome. They both got up from the couch and Alice found her jacket. They met back up at the door. Kiss her Dana. Just do it. Its okay, shell kiss you back Dana looked at the floor and then lifted her eyes to meet Alices. Something was there, something she couldnt put her finger on. But that something felt like it was actually pulling Dana toward Alice. And then she did it. She kissed her. She gently placed her lips over Alices, and she did it well. That soft, warm, moist part of their lips met, the part that was just out of sight to the casual onlooker and it was over, they both knew it at that same moment – they were in love. Al, will you call me in the moring? Ill call you when I get home, hows that. Thats good. Al? Yeah? Um Thanks Alice just smiled back at Dana, and knew she was a goner. After calling Dana and saying goodnight Alice climbed into her bed and wondered why she hadnt seen this coming. Of course shed loved Dana. In some ways, over the course of their friendship she hadnt given Dana enough credit. Shed always thought of her as someone who needed to be shielded from so many things. Alice had been to busy protecting, educating, and in some ways, babying Dana that she hadnt taken the time to really examine what Dana had to offer her. Well, she knew now. She knew all she wanted to do was kiss Dana, hold her. She needed to be the most important person in Danas life, that was her role, no one elses. What a shame it took Tonya to make Alice realize just how important Dana was to her. Oh, well. Sometimes in the game of life people are sacrificed. Alice laughed a little to herself at the mental image of Tonya being sacrificed to the gods of love, mouth going a thousand miles and hour, trying to con her way out of it. Ugh, thank god shes gone. Then Alice remembered. TINA! Alice ran to check her messages. Al, hi. I spoke to Bette today. You know I think what really gets me is that I cant just blame her for what she did. We both fucked this up. She says shes done with Candace. I dont know if I believe her yet, but Ive checked into a Spa for a couple of days, I think I deserve it. Bette and I have an appointment to talk to a therapist next week. Listen, thanks for last night. I I dont know but thanks. Ill be here for a couple days, but Ill call you, I promise. Bye. *****, thats insane. Okay, well she sounded okay. Shes fine, wow. I mean, shes not fine but well, maybe theyll be fine. Okay, gotta go to bed. Alice got back in her bed feeling pretty good about the day that happened between yesterday and tomorrow, not bad not bad at all.