Jessica
"Do you think she'd like this porcelain frog?" Ava asked.
She and Jessica were roaming a dollar store in search of an appropriate birthday present. The musical tickets were already ordered and should arrive in the mail sometime during the following week, but they were still in need for something small to add to the gift bag.
Jessica knew Ava wasn't looking forward to the party. And she also knew her homophobic mother was the one to blame for it. Part of her wished her father would at least be there, but since the divorce, he refused to be so much as in the same room as his ex-wife. Jessica couldn't blame him, but she also refused to feel guilty for her anger at his absence. He'd always been the supportive parent, yet he'd knowingly left her with her abusive mother when she'd been at her most vulnerable.
"I doubt it," Jessica answered and pushed thoughts aside. She focused back on the birthday card selection in front of her and aimlessly pulled one out.
Ava put the frog back and came closer as her fingers trailed along the shelf. "You know what?"
"Hm?"
"I still have to buy something for my mom as well."
Jessica looked at her with a smile. "Yeah. Got anything lined up for that?"
"Nope. But I'm sure I could arrange some musical tickets."
"We're gonna be that uncreative, huh?"
"Yep! We're gonna be that couple." Ava grinned as she put an arm around Jessica's waist and rested her head on Jessica's shoulder. After a beat of silence, her free hand lifted to point at one of the cards. "I'd pick the one with the fossil."
"I'm sure you would," Jessica teased.
"Or something with rainbows, just because."
Jessica reached up to pat Ava's cheek. "Let's not provoke the demon, croissant."
Ava lifted her head and pulled back to smirk at Jessica. "We've moved on to pastries now, huh?"
Jessica shrugged. "I ran out of the other stuff."
"I win that round?"
Jessica bumped their shoulders together. "When did this turn into a competition?"
"Since I won the first round."
"Okay, okay. Fine. Have it if it makes you happy."
Ava pumped her fist. "Yes."
Jessica rolled her eyes but didn't try to hide her fond smile.