Cosplayed: A Sweet Lesbian Romance

by Mia Archer

  “Hailey, that’s not what I meant at all. I thought it would be nice to give you a costume like what we have. That’s it, I promise. Not to mention you can show us how to make those amazing wings. We’re getting something out of this, believe me, and it’s nothing like what Natalie was hoping to get out of you.”

  I smiled just a little. Some of that anxiety was fading away. That made sense. It also felt nice to know that these girls who could do so much with their costumes might need my help with something. It was crazy to think they’d need my help with anything, but it was a good feeling.

  “So you weren’t trying to be nice like Natalie was trying to be nice?”

  “Look, I’m not Natalie,” Zoey said, a flash of irritation playing across her face. “I don’t do business like her and I’m definitely not tying any strings to you joining the group.”

  She paused and a funny little grin spread across her face. “Besides, I figured I was doing pretty well without tying any strings. That night at the bar was pretty fucking hot. I’m not gonna lie.”

  I grinned right back at her. It was an infectious sort of grin, and now that she pointed it out she did have a good point. She did already have me before I came out here today. It’s not like she was really dangling a costume in front of me to get in my pants when she was already well on her way there.

  “Yeah, maybe I was overreacting just a little,” I said. “Can you find it in your heart to forgive me?”

  “I don’t know,” Zoey said. “I mean you did compare me to Natalie…”

  I was pretty sure she was joking, but hearing her say “I don’t know” was enough to put some things in pretty sharp perspective for me. She seemed genuinely insulted at being compared to her ex-girlfriend, and why not? Her ex was certainly a piece of work, that was for sure.

  And so even though we were joking I found myself afraid. Afraid that I screwed things up again.

  “I didn’t mean it like that,” I said. “Please don’t be mad. I just came out here thinking about how I was worried I was just a rebound or something and…”

  I stopped. Zoey was giving me another funny look. What did I say that would cause her to give me a funny look? Oh, right. The rebound thing. Did I really just say that out loud? It was like my mouth was moving faster than my brain which wasn’t out of the ordinary but damn it did it really have to hit me right now of all times?

  “I mean… um… I’m sorry?” I said.

  Zoey looked away and let out something that sounded like a growl. I couldn’t be sure. She didn’t sound happy. I could be sure of that.

  “I really am sorry…”

  Zoey held up a hand to stop me. “No, please don’t,” she said. “You’re not a rebound, and I can understand why you’re worried given the experience you had with Natalie back in that hotel room.”

  “I know Zoey, but I know you’re not like that. I’m acting like an idiot.”

  I could almost laugh if it wasn’t so serious. The two of us standing here backpedaling and trying to assure the other that everything was okay.

  “I don’t know,” Zoey said. “Maybe I am like that a little? I mean I did bring you out here to try and impress you with our costumes and stuff. I guess there was a part of me who hoped you’d see all that and want to stick around longer and get to know me. Trying to impress you with something like that was a play right out of the Natalie playbook.”

  “I don’t think it was a play right out of the Natalie playbook,” I said. “You’re reflective enough to realize when you’re doing it and try to make it better, after all.”

  “If you say so,” Zoey said. The grin was gone, replaced by a sad smile. “You’ve given me a lot to think about tonight, at least. I do hope we can hang out another time though? I’d really like another chance to get to know you better. I know the girls would like a chance to see you again at an event or something.”

  “I think a do over sounds like a good idea,” I said. “For us and for the group. We need something where we’re not going to freak out on each other.”

  “I’m almost afraid to mention it, but we do have a charity event we’re doing next weekend for a local children’s organization,” Zoey said. “You could come out there in the costume you made and we could see how things go there. I’m sure you’ll get along great with the girls in the group, but we always have people come out for a tryout run before we formally invite them.”

  “Oh? And if I don’t get formally invited to the group does that mean we can’t go out on a one on one date with each other?”

  “Shut up,” Zoey said. “You know we’re going back out next weekend whether or not you come out to the costume thing. And you know that armor we’re making in there is yours if you ever want it. No strings attached.”

  “Uh-huh. I’ll think about it as long as there are none of those Natalie strings attached,” I said. Then a thought occurred to me. “I know everyone else has told me this like a million times, but I need you to reassure me. You’re absolutely certain Natalie isn’t going to be at this thing next weekend?”

  “If she does show up then she’s going to be in for a rude surprise. She’s not in the group anymore. You’re her replacement if the other girls like you as much as I like you,” Zoey said.

  I arched an eyebrow. “Really? So you’re saying I have the pick of all the girls? They all like me as much as you like me? Because that could get very interesting. How am I supposed to pick just one?”

  Zoey stuck her tongue out, but I surprised her by pulling her in close. She yelped in surprise as I moved in and bit the tip of her tongue, but a moment later my tongue darted out and around hers and we were lost in another one of those moments where we were so preoccupied with sucking face that we forgot all about the troubles that had followed us tonight.

  At least I forgot all about those troubles. Making out with Zoey tended to do that for me.

  “Woo! Go Zoey! Get her!”

  I pulled away from the kiss and looked back up to the garage where Cassie was standing outside her garage cheering us on. I blushed as I realized she and Heather had been watching us. I also glanced around the cul-de-sac to make sure no one else was looking at us and seeing our impromptu makeout session.

  Luckily the coast was clear.

  “I should probably get going,” I said. “Text me the information for that thing?”

  “Sure thing,” Zoey said. She paused for a moment as though she wanted to say something else, but I knew I needed to get out of there like right away or I was going to jump on her again and that seemed like the sort of thing that the little old ladies from Cassie’s homeowner’s association wouldn’t appreciate at all.

  So I turned and made my way back to my car before I could do something really stupid.

  24: Decisions

  Zoey:

  “You know you’re going to get me in deep shit if you do stuff like that,” Cassie said as I made my way back to the garage.

  For once I didn’t care. Cassie could say whatever she wanted, but after kissing Hailey out there on the sidewalk I didn’t care. I didn’t care if other people in the neighborhood saw us and were scandalized. If they had a problem with girls kissing girls they could go fuck themselves.

  My my, kissing Hailey had certainly turned me a little salty.

  “So do you want to tell us what that was all about?” Heather asked.

  “Nothing really,” I said. “Hailey agreed to come out to the charity thing we’re doing next week. I figure it’ll be a nice tryout for the group.”

  “A nice tryout for the group, or a nice tryout for your next girlfriend?” Cassie asked.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked.

  “I’m just wondering if you’re maybe moving a little too fast,” Cassie said. “I know you’re all about this girl, but you saw the way she reacted when you mentioned giving her the costume.”

  “So?”

  “So wasn’t promising costumes and stuff like that a big thing Natalie did? Didn’t that p
oor girl get some alone time with Natalie back at the last con?”

  I crossed my arms and tried to look pissed off, but it was difficult. Especially because I knew she was right. I’d realized that while I was out there talking with Hailey.

  “Okay, so maybe I’ve been coming on a little strong,” I said. “Can you blame me though? I mean look at her! A hot girl who’s into other girls and she’s awesome at making costumes. Do you have any idea how rare that is?”

  “About as rare as hot guys who are into this?” Cassie asked.

  “Oh tell me about it,” Heather said. “Do you remember that guy who was doing that warrior thing at the convention? You could bounce a quarter off those abs, and they were the real deal!”

  “I saw him too!” Cassie said. “I think he was supposed to be the guy from that movie about the Greek dudes or something. Haven’t seen one of those at a con in awhile, but damn was he worth it.”

  “I know! Usually guys draw the abs onto their beer gut, but that guy obviously put in the time at the gym! I can respect that,” Heather said. “It was too bad he was walking around with his boyfriend.”

  “Probably explains why he was in such good shape though,” Cassie replied.

  “Excuse me, but could we talk about my problems here for a minute?” I asked.

  “What about your problems?” Cassie asked. “You went and made up with the girl. We all saw it from over here. Hard not to miss it. Now what about our problems?”

  “Yeah, like why is the sexiest guy to show up at a convention in costume in ages gay? Why are the good ones always gay?” Heather asked.

  “Excuse me,” I said, crossing my arms under my breasts. “I don’t know that I appreciate you trivializing my whole sexuality because of some guy with some nice abs who was there with his very nice boyfriend.”

  “We’re not trivializing your sexuality Zoey,” Cassie said with a grin that told me she was about to say something that would probably piss me off. “He was into dudes. You’re into girls.”

  “Yeah, totally different thing,” Heather said with a grin of her own.

  “You two are terrible,” I said. “And this is why I never want to take you out with me when I go to the lesbian bar or something.”

  Cassie struck a dramatic pose like she was a model or something making her way down the catwalk. “Face it Zoey. The real reason you don’t want to bring us with you while you’re out partying with your lesbian friends is because you don’t want us stealing all the girls and breaking their hearts when they find out they can’t have us.”

  “I’ve been entirely too indulgent with you two,” I said. I clapped my hands together. “Now let’s get to work! We know what Hailey’s size is, so we’re going to have the first run of her costume ready to go. I want the whole thing done and I want it done yesterday!”

  “Wait, I thought you just said you realized you were coming on too strong and all that?” Cassie said. “Isn’t making her a costume the exact opposite of not coming on strong?”

  “She’s joining the group, isn’t she?” I asked. “She’s going to need a real costume if we’re going to do that. The foam thing she put together was impressive for a first effort, but she needs something way more durable if she’s going to hang with us.”

  I leaned back and watched as Cassie and Heather got down to the business of putting together a new costume set. They were pretty good at it at this point. Which was hardly surprising considering how long we’d been working at this and putting together out own outfits.

  “Do you really think this girl is worth it?” Cassie asked as we got out a piece of the good plastic and got ready to do a draw. She flipped on the heating element and its rumble filled the small garage.

  “Are you talking about for the group or for dating?” I asked.

  “A little bit of both,” Cassie said.

  “I was wondering about the dating thing,” Heather said. “She’s been a lot of trouble for you. Seems like she sort of flies off the handle without all that much provocation.”

  I thought about that. Things hadn’t gone all that well between us, but even with all the difficulties we’d had I still found myself drawn to Hailey. I still couldn’t stop thinking about her. Thinking about how much I wanted to see her again.

  I suppose that right there was really all the answer I needed. She was worth it because my brain told me she was worth it even if it was crazy to keep tilting at the same windmill after all this time.

  “Yeah, I think she’s totally worth it,” I said. “I’m going to win her over even if it kills me.”

  “That might actually happen given all the trouble you’ve had so far,” Heather said. “Knowing your luck Natalie will go crazy or something and go after you.”

  “Please,” I said. “There’s not a chance we’re going to hear from Natalie ever again. After the way I yelled at her back at the convention she’s not going to show her face near us.”

  “I heard she was trying to start a rival group,” Cassie said.

  I felt a flash of anger at that. Of course she would try to start a new group. Of course she would be so pissed off about getting kicked out of our group that she would try to turn it around and make one of her own. If she couldn’t be part of our party then she’d make her own and try to tell herself that it was so much better than us.

  Typical Natalie.

  “I’m not worried about that at all,” I said. “Worst case is Natalie makes a group and recruits a couple of people.”

  “That’s called competition,” Heather said.

  “Not for long. As soon as they spend any amount of time with her they’ll realize what a bitch she is and come running for us. That’s not competition. That’s doing our recruiting for us. We’ll keep the good ones and let the weirdos stick with Natalie.”

  “If you say so boss,” Cassie said as she heaved the frame over and brought the hot plastic down over our molds. It created a perfect reproduction of our tops.

  “Besides, it’s not like she’s getting all that far if she doesn’t have a way of putting together costumes,” I said.

  “She never was all that good at the costume thing,” Cassie said. “I expect her to try and get in touch with me as soon as her current costume starts to break down.”

  “Whatever. Could we please stop talking about Natalie? I don’t want to think about her.”

  “No, you want to think about the new hotness in your life, don’t you?” Cassie said with a wink.

  “She’s not the new hotness in my life. There could really be something there and I’d appreciate it if you stopped yanking my chain about it,” I said.

  “Suit yourself,” Heather said. “Go after her if that’s what you really want, but watch out for the universe trying to kick you in the ass.”

  “Seems like that’s been happening to you a lot lately,” Cassie said.

  “Thank you so much for the votes of confidence,” I said. “You two are supposed to be my friends, you know. Supportive and loving and all that.”

  “If that’s what you’re looking for with your friends then you’ve come to the wrong spot,” Cassie said. “Now could we please stop jabbering about your love life and get to work on this costume? It’s not going to build itself.”

  “Right. We’ll need it by at least the event after this one if Hailey is going to wear it,” I said.

  “Careful. You’re sounding an awful lot like she-who-shall-not-be-names when you talk like that.”

  I stuck my tongue out at Cassie to let her know exactly what I thought of that, but inside I couldn’t help but agree with her. Not that I had any intention of ever letting her know that I agreed with her. No, that would just encourage her to never let me live it down, and I didn’t want to deal with that.

  But she was right on some level. I had been walking around acting a lot like Natalie. Sure I was acting a lot like Natalie because I wanted to do something nice for Hailey. I was acting a lot like Natalie because I was so into Hailey and it had been so long
since I’d been with a girl who made me feel the way I felt with her that I couldn’t help myself.

  That didn’t make what I was doing right, though. I needed to tone it down a little bit. I needed to keep myself under control. More than anything I needed to stop coming on too strong just because I liked Hailey so much. That was a good way to lose her forever. Particularly since she had so many issues because of the time she shared with Natalie at the convention center hotel.

  Slow and steady was going to win this race. I resolved right there that I wasn’t going to come on so strong in the future. I was going to let things progress naturally and not screw things up by acting like she-who-shall-not-be-named.

  I felt a lot better about it after making that resolution. Hailey and I might’ve gotten off to a rocky start, but the future was wide open and I had a feeling it was going to be nothing but smooth sailing from here on out.

  25: Realizations

  Hailey:

  I picked at the French fries laid out in front of me, but I didn’t have much of an appetite. I was mostly pushing food around like back when I was a kid and my mom insisted that I would just like Lima beans if I gave them a try.

  I still hated them to this day.

  I was in the middle of making a fun little picture painted with ketchup when I was rudely interrupted.

  “Want to tell me what’s wrong?” Jake asked.

  I put my chin on my hand and rested my elbow on the table. Usually coming to this diner with Jake made me feel better. It’s something we’d been doing for a year now since we first met on campus. It wasn’t making me feel much better today though.

  “Sorry, I keep thinking of everything that’s happened with Zoey over the past week. I keep thinking I screwed something up,” I said.

  “Oh come on,” he said. “You didn’t screw anything up. That girl was crazy, and the girl she was dating was crazy. It’s not your fault you got sucked into their crazy vortex.”