"ITS PERFECT FOR NOW." michaela said as her and rue entered the hotel room they had just payed a couple nights for. rue slumped onto the double bed in the small room.

the room had a lovely double bed with a medium sized TV hanging on the wall opposite. the bathroom was small, with a toilet, sink and shower. the window of the room overlooked new york.

the view was truly beautiful. they had arrived around 3am. both girls had visible dark circles under their eyes due to the lack of sleep.

rue stood from where she was sat and made her way to where their bags were placed. michaela watched her begin to unzip the bags and rummage for some comfy clothes.

she picked out two oversized t-shirts and leggings for them to wear. after passing michaela her clothes to change into. she then went back to the bags to start unpacking.

"we can unpack in the morning." michaela told her as she wrapped her arms around her middle, her head resting on her back. rue nodded in response and michaela grabbed her hands leading her to the bed.

rue wrapped michaela in her arms as the two girls locked eyes. slowly moving in closer their lips met. the kiss deepened quickly, michaela kept her hands comfortably on rue's hips. with a fluid motion michaela pulled rue onto her lap and enjoyed the night they most definitely, would remember.

_____

RUE WOKE UP before michaela did. when she laid on her side she took a moment to appreciate the view. well, her view of michaela.

in rue's eyes, michaela was perfect. as she laid there looking at her...whatever she was, she realised that maybe she didn't need drugs to be happy.

maybe love was the only drug rue needed.

but rue's happy thoughts turned sour when she looked over at her phone; 20 missed calls from mom, gia even jules tried to call her.

taking a deep breath, rue got out of bed and made her way to the hallway outside the room. she knew the phone call would get loud, and she didn't want to wake michaela.

the phone rang a couple times before her mom picked up. "rue bennett! where the hell are you!" she screamed from down the phone. "mom i-" rue began to speak only to be cut off; "do you know how worried i was? course you don't! you are a seventeen year old girl who doesn't want to do anything with her life!" her mom screamed again into the phone.

"leaving me a lousy letter saying you're moving out to live with some friend! no details! no permission! seriously what has gotten into you!" screamed her mom.

"if you would just let me speak." said rue, sarcasm in her tone. "go on." her mom pushed. "i'm with michaela." rue told her, earning a sigh from her mom. "we both know i don't have a bright future, you of all people do. michaela has friends where we are, i can get a job. make something of my life." rue said calmly although it felt as if there was fireworks in her stomach.

"you want this?" her mom sighed. "i really do mom." rue said. "like you really want this?" her mom questioned, emphasising the 'really'

"i- i love her." rue said for the first time out loud. "then we'll make this work, somehow." her mom sighed.

truth is, she knew rue was fragile. and if this was making rue happy and she genuinely wanted it. this could be the event that stopped rue's addiction.

"i love you mom." rue said her voice a little croaky, trying to hold back tears. "i love you too baby."

_____

ONCE MICHAELA was awake, they both decided to spend their day relaxing watching tv shows. michaela had her own netflix account that her dad payed for. he also forgot he was still paying for it.

rue wasn't sure if michaela had heard from her family yet. and michaela didn't know about rue's early morning phone call with her mom.

michaela told rue they would visit the bookstore one of her old friends owned tomorrow. right now, all michaela wanted to do was stay with rue.

the two girls ended up watching a whole season of the crown in a day. eventually they turned the television volume down to background noise. and laid together while rue played with her hair.

"i..um, wanted to uh tell you something." rue stuttered as she slowly stroked her fingers in michaela brunette locks. "sure, what's wrong?" michaela asked her sitting up slightly.

"you don't have to say it back or anything, and i don't want this to change things, but i uh, i love you?" rue told the girl, the last part coming out quietly and almost as if a question.

michaela sat there, her mouth slightly gaped open and her eyes wide. she had never been told i love you, well never been told by someone she truly loved back.

"okay i know i shouldn't of said it bu—" rue was cut off by michaela's lips on hers.

"i love you too."

____

THEY FINALLY SAID IT