A/N:

Hey everyone! Sorry again for the long wait, uni is really busy at the moment. Hope this chapter is worth the wait and thank you so much for sticking around and for the support <3 I don't plan on putting this story on hold or putting a stop to my writing, so no worries for that <3

Anyways, have a good day/night and take care!























"Okay, we start here." Lupita said with a proud smile on her lips as she and (Y/n) stood in front of the first thrift shop on the list Lupita had prepared. It was a five minutes walk away from the city center and located in the middle of a bustling pedestrian street.

The perfect spot for them to find what they were looking for and then grab lunch. And for Lupita to cheer (Y/n) up after her last interaction with Tobias and Marcus two weeks ago.

(Y/n) didn't look too confident though, and as comfortable as a fish out of water. Not that Lupita could blame her, the store was packed with clothes and trinkets of all kinds, which could be a tad bit intimidating for someone who had never thrifted before.

"This place is... huge." (Y/n) remarked apprehensively, swallowing back her anxiety. This was her first time stepping foot inside of, not just a thrift shop, but a clothing store all together. An experience that was half excitement, half nerves.

Lupita gave her an encouraging smile, spiced up with the sparkle of excitement in her eyes. "Right? Isn't it exciting?"

Well, exciting was certainly one word (Y/n) would use to describe it, along with nerve wracking and overwhelming. How was she supposed to navigate all these racks? And how was she supposed to know where to even start?

"It'll be fine." Lupita placed a reassuring hand on (Y/n)'s shoulder and gave it a squeeze. "We've got plenty of time so make sure to look everywhere. You'll find something you like, for sure."

But that was the thing, (Y/n) didn't even know what she liked. Lupita had such an awesome style and knew exactly what to search for, but (Y/n) had no idea what even fit her. To say that she was at a loss was an understatement, and she'd strongly need Lupita's help on this one.

"How-How am I supposed to know what I like? Or what fits me?" Gods, this was so embarrassing, and (Y/n) prayed that Lupita wouldn't laugh at her for her blatant lack of fashion knowledge.

Fortunately, Lupita did nothing of the sort, and instead started leading (Y/n) over towards one of the racks that was packed with dresses and overalls.

"Well, I guess you just look at the clothes and if you like something, you try it on. If it fits, it fits." Lupita said with a smile, fishing out an oversized denim overall that would probably fit her perfectly. "It's pretty simple, really."

Alright, it indeed sounded pretty simple, or at least more simple than (Y/n)'s anxious mind had made it out to be. Lupita's reassurances even prompted (Y/n) to start looking for her own selection. A simple white cotton dress with lace trims and puff sleeves, a pair of simple denims, some simple tees and a pretty white button up blouse. She even found some accessories to go along with it, a pair of leather boots, a simple suede bag to replace her old backpack, a belt and a fluffy (f/c) scarf for the autumn chill.

Nothing too over the top, but things that, in (Y/n)'s opinion, were kinda pretty and kinda her style (although she had no idea what said style was).

On the other hand, Lupita had found a grey pleated miniskirt, a black turtleneck, a beige trench coat, and a pair of black kitten heels. She turned to (Y/n) with a pensive frown, taking out two jackets from one of the racks.

"Denim or leather?"

(Y/n) tilted her head to the side, taking in the two jackets with great consideration before finally settling on the brown leather jacket. It reminded her of a jacket she had seen on one of their customers a few days ago.

"This one." She pointed at said jacket.

"Good choice. Leather jackets are such a staple." Lupita smiled, "Okay, now let's go try these on."

(Y/n) was incredibly happy to see that most of the things she had found fitted her well enough, apart from some of the tees that proved to be either too big or too small. Still, she had gotten her hands on some good pieces that she liked. Which was a huge win for her.

She nervously stepped out of the dressing room, wearing the white cotton dress and leather boots. She didn't know if these were meant to be worn together, but she thought the result cute. And so not like what she was used to wearing.

A gasp from Lupita forced (Y/n) to raise her head in said girl's direction.

"You have to take these. If you don't, I'll buy them for you." Lupita said, stepping closer to (Y/n) and gently adjusting the dress on her shoulders, her fingers lightly grazing (Y/n)'s (s/c) skin as she did.

A shiver of warmth coursed through (Y/n)'s veins at the simple touch, just as Lupita flinched and took a step back.

It wasn't the first time she was so close to (Y/n), the two of them had hugged before. But this somehow felt more... intimate. Something that both set Lupita's heart on fire and made her nerves tingle.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to-"

"It's fine." (Y/n) reassured, closing the distance between the two of them. "I-I didn't mind."

It was true, and not only did she not mind, but (Y/n) actually found herself craving more. Not just because she was touch starved, but also because it was Lupita.

It wasn't the first time (Y/n) thought a woman was pretty, but something about Lupita was different. It wasn't just that (Y/n) thought her pretty, there was something more. Something that had her heart squeezing in her chest and her fingers aching to graze Lupita's cheek.

Lupita wasn't just pretty. She was so much more than that. She wasn't just (Y/n)'s best friend since coming to the city, in spite of their short time knowing one another.

Lupita had turned out to be (Y/n)'s first crush. The first ever person (Y/n) felt like kissing on the lips, the first ever person she felt like saying 'I love you' to in a non platonic way. And the first person that had really seen her for who she was and encouraged her to live for herself.

And fortunately for (Y/n), her feelings went both ways.

"(Y/n)?" Lupita breathed out hesitantly, and only then did (Y/n) realize that her hand had left her side to cup Lupita's cheek. And before she could retract her hand, Lupita held it there.

"I don't know why I did this, I'm-"

"Don't apologize." Lupita cut her off with a shy smile, "I like it."

"You do?" (Y/n) blinked incredulously,her heart violently batting its wings in her ribcage. Not because she was scared, but because the closer Lupita leaned in, the more (Y/n) found herself aching for a taste of her lips.

"I do."

Until finally, Lupita's lips pressed against hers, soft and sweet and warm. (Y/n) had imagined her first kiss many times, but nothing in her mind could have ever come close to Lupita's kiss, to the way Lupita's lips so perfectly molded with hers and to the way their lips moved together like they were one.

(Y/n) didn't know how much time had passed before they parted, with jelly knees and lungs gasping for air, but she didn't care.

These had been the best seconds of her life.

A few beats of awkward silence hummed between the two of them, before Lupita gave (Y/n) another shy smile that showed off her dimples and took her hand, leading her to the cash register. "Let's pay and get out of here. I wanna take you somewhere for lunch."

After this, neither of them mentioned the kiss again, but there was an undeniable shift in their relationship. Something as simple as them holding hands as they walked together down the street, or shy smiles exchanged when one caught the other looking. It wasn't anything too big, but just enough for (Y/n) and Lupita to know that they had gone from a platonic friendship to something romantic.

"You did well buying that dress. It looks gorgeous on you." Lupita complimented as the two of them finally sat down for lunch.

(Y/n) heaved a sigh of relief, placing her bags on the floor next to her chair. She hadn't realized shopping would be this exhausting, but it was well worth it for all the things she had found and for the kiss she had shared with Lupita. Unfortunately for her and her poor feet, they weren't done though, because Lupita still had two thrift shops in mind.

"Thanks." (Y/n) said with a small smile, leaning back in her chair. "Not only for the compliment but also for... everything. You've really done so much for me, more than you know."

Lupita's hand found (Y/n)'s on the table, her thumb smoothing over (Y/n)'s skin in soothing circles. It was weird how in such little time so much had changed. A month and a half ago Lupita had felt so lonely and isolated due to her own self protection mechanisms that she had developed over the years, she had felt so blank and tried so hard to come to terms with the idea that she'd probably spend the rest of her life by herself.

(Y/n) made such a point of thanking her for all she'd done for her, but the truth was, (Y/n) had done as much for Lupita by barging into her life and breaking in through Lupita's carefully built up walls. (Y/n) had changed Lupita's life too, for the better.

And it was this reciprocity that made their relationship so precious and beautiful in Lupita's opinion. The fact that slowly, they were healing one another's wounds.

Lupita couldn't imagine a life without (Y/n) in it anymore. Both as her best friend, and if (Y/n) wanted too, as something more. Though, judging by the kiss they had shared, Lupita had a good idea of (Y/n)'s feelings for her. The thought of (Y/n) returning her feelings had butterflies soaring in her chest.

"I'm glad." Lupita said, "You might not realize it, (Y/n), but you've done so much for me as well. And I'm forever thankful for that too."

A comfortable silence stretched between the two of them, soon interrupted by the waiter who came to ask them for their order.

Lupita looked down at the menu thoughtfully before flashing the waiter a smile. "I'll have the chicken and avocado burrito, with an iced latte, please."

(Y/n) anxiously gazed down at her own menu, she had been so caught up in their conversation that she hadn't even checked what this place served, and judging by the way the waiter was impatiently tapping his foot on the ground, it was very obvious that he didn't have the time of day. So (Y/n) settled on ordering the first thing that caught her eye.

"I'll have the... spicy bone broth?" Well, that didn't sound too filling, and (Y/n) was famished.

The waiter didn't stall though, and by the time (Y/n) had spoken her order, he was already collecting the menus and walking off to another table.

Lupita shot her a doubtful gaze, "You sure of that order? We can ask them to change if you want something else."

Honestly, (Y/n) would have rather ordered anything else, but she really didn't feel like stirring up a fuss over her order. The waiter already looked plenty overwhelmed without her adding on top of his workload. It's not like spicy bone broths were bad either... Right?

"I'm fine." (Y/n) said with a smile, though judging by Lupita's raised brow, it probably wasn't too convincing.

Lupita gave her a gentle smile in return, "We'll share, okay? You can't have ordered bone broth willingly."

"Spicy bone broth." (Y/n) corrected, which only made the two of them explode in laughter.

"Yeah, spicy bone broth." Lupita repeated, "Anyways, we'll share my burrito, you'll see it's the best."

"I never tried a burrito before." (Y/n) mused, which prompted the two of them to settle in a comfortable conversation as they waited for their food.

"Well, it's basically..." Lupita continued, but something else caught (Y/n)'s attention. Or rather someone else.

For a long second, (Y/n) remained frozen to her seat, eyes wide as she stared at the back of a young woman walking down the street hand in hand with another woman, the two of them barely visible amongst the large crowd.

But (Y/n) would recognise her sister anywhere.

Grey?

Many people had long curly brown hair, but (Y/n) had always been confident that she'd be able to pick up on her sister's hair out of a thousand others. It wasn't just about the hair either, which had been gathered up in a high ponytail, much like Grey often did. No, it was about the posture, the way this woman carried herself and...

(Y/n) shot up from her seat, mumbling a quick apology to Lupita who could only stare at her with wide eyes as (Y/n) ran off to mingle in the crowded pedestrian street.

She had waited so long for this moment that this almost looked too good to be true. And although (Y/n) knew there were chances she was mistaken, she couldn't pass up on this chance of finally reuniting with her sister. Maybe it wasn't Grey, and just a random woman, but (Y/n) couldn't risk not seeing for herself.

"Grey!" She called, trying to fight her way through the crowd, hoping her sister would hear her in spite of the distance. "Grey!"

But (Y/n) wasn't fast enough in entangling herself from the jungle of people and before she could even reach half way through to the mysterious woman, said woman had vanished. (Y/n) swore she had seen the woman turn around and stiffen at her calls though.

This was Grey. This had to be her. Why else would she have turned around at the sound of (Y/n)'s voice?

"(Y/n)! Are you alright?" Lupita's worried call stirred (Y/n) from her thoughts, concern written all over Lupita's features as she placed a hand on (Y/n)'s shoulder. She must have taken their things and run after her, judging by her rapid breathing and their bags in her hands.

Guilt lumped its way in (Y/n)'s throat. She really shouldn't have run off like that, without telling Lupita what was the matter or where she was going... But she had been so scared of Grey running off and disappearing in the crowd that she hadn't thought twice before speeding off herself. Not that it had been any use though, for she still hadn't been able to catch up with Grey.

"Sorry. I'm so sorry, Lupita." (Y/n) started, gathering Lupita's hands in hers, "I just- I think I saw my sister."

Lupita's concerned features morphed to surprise in a flash.

"I know, you must think I'm crazy or delusional or something." (Y/n) clarified and scratched the back of her head. "But it was her, I'm sure of it."

"Okay, screw our orders." Lupita said, "What does she look like? And where did she go?"

(Y/n) surveyed the crowd and every direction in which Grey could have disappeared with a frown. "Well, I don't know. She was right ahead and then suddenly she wasn't anymore. But I think she might have turned left, right around that corner over there."

Lupita pondered for the time of a silent beat, before she finally met (Y/n)'s eyes, a determination like (Y/n) had never seen before brewing in Lupita's gaze.

"Okay, let's go. If we run in that direction, we might have a chance at catching up to her." Lupita said, taking (Y/n)'s hand and sprinting off, pushing people out of their way as she did.

If (Y/n) had a chance at being reunited with her sister, Lupita would make sure it happened.