Chapter Text
Lena rolled her eyes. "Andrea, please. I told you, I can pay for my own groceries."
"Honey, if I go to the grocery store and see something I know you like, I'm going to get it. And you can't stop me," Andrea sang as she placed the bag of fresh kale in the drawer where they kept their vegetables.
Lena practically pouted. "But you wouldn't let me buy you that bottle of new shampoo. How is this any different?"
"The difference is I wasn't out of shampoo yet, and I noticed last night that you'd finished the last portion of kale. And yes, I did notice that you started portioning your kale because you're worried about not having enough," Andrea replied.
Lena's cheeks flushed red. "I just..."
"You're worried about when Lilian will eventually cut you off and you'll have to learn to ration your food and want to start now. I know. I do hear your existential crisis speeches when you're in the shower. Those walls are not as thick as you think," Andrea called over her shoulder, her tone nonchalant.
Lena honestly couldn't comprehend how Andrea was talking about it as though it wasn't a big deal. "I'm just trying to prepare."
"I don't know why you're acting as though I wouldn't take care of you if and when Lilian does decide to take the final step to becoming the worst mother on the planet," Andrea stated, turning to fix Lena with a stare that made her want to crawl under her bed and wither away. "It's insulting, really."
Lena didn't know whether to curl in on herself or puff up with indignation. "I don't want to become a charity case, Andrea."
"I am your best friend, Lena Kieran Luthor, and so help me, I will tie you to the couch until you stop being stubborn and let me do my duty to our friendship," Andrea warned, brandishing a cucumber at her like a sword.
Lena rolled her eyes, a small smile finding its way to her lips. "Thank you."
Andrea chuckled and abandoned her unpacking to pull the shorter girl into a hug. "Nothing to thank me for, mi vida."
Lena blushed and hid her face in Andrea's shoulder, holding tight to her friend until she was sure it had subsided. That was easier than admitting the truth: her massive crush on her best friend. Lena wasn't stupid, nor was she blind. She knew how the other kids around campus looked at Andrea, like a seven course meal that every single one of them was eager to enjoy. And Lena couldn't blame them. After all, she was no better, gaping at Andrea's cyan eyes and perfect figure whenever the older girl had her back turned.
"You alright? I'm sorry if you feel like that overstepped any boundaries. But I'm serious. I'm not just gonna let you drown if the worst does come to pass," Andrea murmured, her tone softening from its teasing drawl into something warm and beautiful that made Lena want to melt on the spot.
She pulled away just enough for emerald eyes to meet cyan. "No. It's okay. It's nice to know someone cares at least. I don't think even Lex would care if Lilian did decide to cut me off."
"I mean, you still have your father's inheritance, don't you? Surely you would still have access to that?" Andrea pointed out.
"I mean, she's executor of the will. I'm sure she'd find some way to circumvent the legalities of it all," Lena muttered.
Andrea's brows furrowed. "I can have my lawyers look into it, see if there's a way to get your funds discreetly transferred to a secure account without needing your mother's permission."
"I don't want you to have to get involved just because I can't stand up to my mother," Lena protested.
Andrea pulled Lena back to her chest and held tight. "And I don't want to watch you be miserable just because your mother's a bitch. You want me to get what I want, right? You want me to be happy?"
"That's not fair," Lena grumbled, curling her fingers into Andrea's sweater. "You're using my words against me out of context."
"That particular phrase is one whose meaning should stay the same no matter the context," Andrea chuckled. "Now, I need to finish unpacking the groceries before my ice cream goes bad."
Lena snickered. "Did you buy the gross vegan stuff again?"
"It is not gross," Andrea protested. "It has a lower environmental impact, and it's good for you. Besides, it doesn't taste that much different from normal ice cream."
Lena rolled her eyes. "Only a vegan would say that."
"Oh, shut up," Andrea said, sticking her tongue out at Lena as the younger girl headed to the couch and resumed the documentary she was watching. "Is that for McCallister's class?"
Lena shook her head. "No. I already watched the one for her class. This one's just for fun."
"Nerd," Andrea teased.
Lena scoffed. "Says the one writing an anthropology dissertation on the Aztecs."
"Just one village, and it's because of the natural phenomenon that happened there. It's really interesting. I have some books you could borrow if you wanted to read about it," Andrea offered. "I know they're not as thrilling as your books about how to rewire a circuit, but I like it."
Lena made a face. "I don't need books on how to rewire a circuit."
"And I stand by my 'nerd'."
Lena snorted. "Whatever."
"Well, if you're not too busy studying for fun, there's a Halloween party at Brody's house tomorrow night. Lots of cute boys are gonna be there," Andrea sang.
Lena winced. "Drea, you know that's not really my scene."
"Come on. You can't just stay in the apartment all the time. You gotta get out. Live a little. We only have one more year of college after this one," Andrea pointed out. "You'll regret it if you spend all four years holed away with your books and blueprints."
"I probably won't," Lena objected.
Andrea gave her a look. "You definitely will. What kind of a roommate would I be if I just let you sit in your room by yourself all the time."
"A good one that respects my space," Lena immediately shot back.
Andrea rolled her eyes. "Great, well, I've never been that so at least that won't change. Come in, it'll be fun. I'll even help you pick a costume if you want?"
"Drea, I don't want to go to a party with people I barely know. It'll be like it always is. You'll disappear off to a corner to make out with Rory, and I'll end up fending off whatever bloke decides he wants to grope me this time," Lena exclaimed.
Andrea shrugged. "Well, the second part might still be true, but the first part won't be."
"What?!" Lena cried, whipping around to face the brunette.
Andrea nodded and made her way to the couch with a pint of vegan ice cream and two spoons. "Yeah. We broke up. For good."
"You two have been on and off for years! What happened?"
Andrea sighed and dug into the ice cream like it had personally offended her. "He decided he got bored while we were still on, so he made out with another girl on the hood of my car."
Lena winced, knowing just how protective Andrea was about her porsche convertible. "Yikes. How to lose a girl in ten seconds."
"Yeah. It was some poor freshman who ended up in the middle of our screaming match. I kinda felt bad for her. She clearly had no idea she was being used," Andrea murmured.
Lena frowned sympathetically. "Are you okay?"
"I mean, yeah. It had to happen eventually. He was never really marriage material. Or even boyfriend-past-college material," Andrea replied. "Still, I thought he respected me enough to at least end things through a civil conversation. Instead, I spent half an hour wiping her butt print off of my hood."
Lena scooted closer so she could rest her head on her best friend's shoulder. "I'm sorry, Drea."
Andrea leaned over and rested her head on top of Lena's. "Don't be. I should've seen it coming."
"You deserve better than that slime ball anyways," Lena told her.
Andrea chuckled almost sadly. "Yeah, you've told me before. Guess I should've listened."
"Well, now you're available to find better. Is that why you're going to the party?"
Andrea shoved another spoonful of ice cream into her mouth. "No. Apparently, Veronica Sinclair has set her sights on Jaime, so I got volunteered to go help her avoid her."
"And you want me to go because...?"
"Because you're my best friend, and I love you. And because I always get a kick out of seeing you drunk," Andrea replied. "I promise I'll stay sober so you don't have to drive home. I'm already Jaime's designated driver."
Lena made a face. "Why would I go and get drunk if you're not planning to?"
"Because you love me, too, and you don't want me to be bored out of my mind while I watch Veronica try to paw at Jaime," Andrea answered, her voice lilting in that way it did when she knew Lena would end up giving in.
Because she always did.