Starshine Academy

Part 1
Perhaps coming to this school wasn't such a hot idea, I thought. Today had been my first day at this academy and I had had an interesting day to say the least. The teachers were nice but the students were... something else. Starshine academy was an all-girl school way off on an island in the Carribean. It was noted for it's excellence in academics, of course, but it had a secret about it that no brochure or pamphlet about the place would say. In class, Everything functioned normally. But in the halls, the girls all looked at me with such contempt, it seemed I was truly hated. But that was before I found out the secret of this school. Because this school was an all girl school, there were obviously no boys.
However, just because there was a lack of male testosterone didn't mean there was a lack of love. It seemed that at this school coupling with another girl was quite natural. Then again, it really was just how far the couple took it. Some acted just like friends and there was nothing odd about it except that they were referred to as girlfriends. However, there were also couples that went the whole mile and were seen, or at least in my eyes, as unnatural. And to top off all the weirdness, I had gotten paired herself. By my own choosing. I grimaced at what had happened today and how I had been so powerless as to stop it...
I had finished with my classes and was going to go to the courtyard to relax. As I exited the building, the gentle breeze of Carribean air and summer heat caressed my face. And instantly my eyes caught hold of a beautiful blonde haired girl of somewhere around my own height and age. Of course, this was before I knew the "rules" of the school, otherwise I would have never approached her.
“Hello, I'm Destiny, I said, what's your name?”
“Hiya Destiny. I'm Vanessa. Pleased to meet you. Are you new?”
She seemed almost anxious at the time.
“Yes, I am. Is it obvious?”
“Well, you aren't with anyone so, I dunno…”
What, not with anyone? Oh, I'm not with any friends, I thought.
“Yeah, well, I haven't met anyone yet so I haven't had a chance to make any friends yet.
“Oh, I see. Hmm, wanna be mine?”
She said this nicely but she was blushing quite a bit. I should have caught it at that but I didn't.
“Sure, absolutely.”
“Great.”
She smiled big and gave me a hug. A long one. And if I remember right, I think I hugged her back. You know, just as a friend.
Right?
“So, what kinda stuff do you like to do?”
Vanessa asked all of this stuff like she was ecstatic. I guess I kind of was as well, how nice it was to finally have a friend.
“Well, I enjoy doing... Stuff. I dunno, I read, write, draw, sleep. Just whatever.”
“Oh, that's cool. I like to sleep too.”
She grinned and we both knew how funny we sounded.
“So, anything about this school I should know?”
“Any evil teachers or something?” Her eyes widened for a moment.
“Wait, you mean you don't know, like... Anything?” I shook my head.
“Is there something I should know? She laughed nervously and then stood up, pulling me with her.
“Come with me, I have something to show you.” I shrugged and went with her. We climbed some stairs and if I remember right, this was her dormitory.
“What are we doing?” I was nervous at this point. She led me into a room and my heart thumped as I looked around. This was definitely a girl's dormitory, as there were about twenty girls in it. But they were all... kissing...
I flipped out as I ran back down the stairs, Vanessa chasing me all the way.
“What was that?” I yelled it quite loud.
“That... that's what this school is like…” I looked at her for a moment and realized that she wanted to be with me.
“No. I am not like that!” I realized I was shaking
“Yes, I know Destiny. Not everyone is like that. Many of us are just friends. But everyone here has a pair.” I shook my head.
“But why? Why does everyone have one?”
“No one knows Destiny, that's just how it is.” I sighed, my anger subsiding.
“So, what about you Vanessa?” I saw she was saddened and I felt like cheering her up.
“Well, I'm not like like that but I do like the pairing system, I guess… I mean, with no boys and no outside contacts, what else is there for fun?”
“Yeah, I suppose... So, are we... you know...?” I looked her in the eyes. Those great big green eyes.
“Yes, I suppose. Just no... none of that stuff. Okay?” She nodded.
“Absolutely. But I still hug.” And that's what she did.
So, I suppose it wasn't all bad but, well, it definitly wasn't enjoyable. That was my first day. How would my second and third and tenth be? I rolled over, my own blonde hair rolling with me. Maybe being with her wouldn't be so bad... Well, I guess I'll just see tomorrow. I closed my eyes for but a moment it seemed. I awoke to see Vanessa face to face with me.
“Wake up sleepyhead!”
“Waaah!” I fell out of bed.
“Hmm, I suppose that's one way of doing it.” I pulled my self up and rubbed my eyes. “I picked out your clothes for today. They match mine!”
I looked at her outfit. A pink, lowcut shirt. Bleah... A pink miniskirt that exposed her white panties. Super Bleah... Long leg warmers that traveled from her white shoes to her mid thighs. Not exactly ugly but...
“I'm supposed to wear that...?” (EXACT SAME OUTFIT...)
“Well, yeah. Is that alright...?” I sighed and figured if I was going to go to school here, I might as well lose myself in it.
“Whatever. Just let me change.” She nodded but didn't move. “Um, privacy...?” She looked funnily at me.
“You are aware this is a dorm, right? There is no privacy.” Once more, I sighed and just shook it off... If I was going to be A: a girlfriend and B: a part of this school, I might as well relax...
If that was possible...
I was sure that Vanessa would classify this as fortunate but I thought it was bad that it was Saturday and that we had no classes. All I really remembered was how uncomfortable I felt walking around with her, hand in hand.
“Do we really have to do this?”
“No, of course not. But it's fun…” She laughed but I groaned. “Oh com'n Destiny, this is a blast! I've never had a girlfriend and I've wanted one for so long.”
“Oh, yeah, and that makes everything so important to me…” She looked at me and saw I was seriously nervous. She let go of my hand and pulled me into another one of those long, loving hugs.
I don't know why but my heart decided to bang against my rib cage as she whispered in my ear.
“I know that you aren't actually thrilled with this whole couple thing but, well, if you give it a little bit of a chance, I'm sure you'll see it's just... Different. Not bad, just different. Okay?” She let go of me and sighed. I smiled a bit and nodded. This time, I was the one who reached for her hand.
The day went normal. I actually realized that every other girl was exactly like that: hand-in-hand. Or, at least the ones that weren't, well, you know...
“Why don't they get a room?” I asked this after I had been fed up with seeing it around every corner we walked.
“Well, not everyone is like you.”
“Obviously; they're all sick and wrong.” I looked at her face to see if she'd laugh with me but she looked almost sad. I stopped and looked her in the face. “Besides being able to claim that you have one, why did you want to have a girlfriend? Don't say that you wanted... to be like them... did you?”
She averted her eyes from mine and pulled me along as we walked. By now we were exploring the far reaches of the beach and there were still many girls around. A true guy's paradise, I realized. Maybe that's why there was the rule of the pure female coupling. Nothing bad could happen here. Well, except for the break-ups, the message it was sending, and then the other... stuff...
“I... I guess I just want someone to be with.... Back at home, nearly a month ago, my mother and father would fight continuously... They would claim they hated each other and... me too... And then... my brother... He…” I looked at her. Tears welled in her eyes. I quickly puts my arms around her and let her cry softly on my shoulder.
“It's alright. You have someone who cares about you now.”
Crap, what did I just say?
I care for her?
Yes, as a friend.
That's right...
“Thanks Destiny. I'm... thankful…”
Anything that has resulted from now on is probably my fault in not stopping what happened next. She lifted her head and kissed me on the cheek. I didn't even flinch really but I was aware at how not far it was from my mouth. But she re-lowered her head and continued to cry. I was already in way too deep.
I had given up feeling unnatural and just decided to have fun. We continued to walk around the campus, the beach, the school, and hand in hand we were. To my dismay, I might add, but for Vanessa's sake, I acted cool. Nearing dinner time, Vanessa led me to the dining hall, a huge room with like a hundred tables or more. And, they were all filled with food.
“So, where do we, um, sit?” I was hungry but a little anxious to make sure we didn't sit with anyone that was, um, how to put it... “Overly enthusiastic about being a couple.”
How's that?
“Where do you want to sit?” I looked around and saw that there were many people in here already...
“Did you want to sit alone, er, well, like, with no one?” I knew what she meant; she wanted to make sure that I was comfortable. I nodded and we went to go get a tray.
“So, how good is the food?” It smelled good enough and looked good enough and...
“It's spectacular.” I smiled; I loved food. I filled my tray and waited for Vanessa.
“Hey,“ a voice yelled out from behind us,” come sit over here.” I turned and saw two girls sitting at a table. Crap! Just what I didn't want... Oh well; Vanessa and I went over and sat down beside them... Only, wait a second... One of them was a guy!!!
“Whoa, hey, you're a--”
“Hey, hey, hey, calm. No need to broadcast it to everyone…” He was wearing quite a bit of makeup, obvious to Destiny's eyes, and a skirt; nothing like Destiny's and Vanessa's but not quite long enough to cover his knees. I leaned in and whispered quietly
“Why are you here? You're a guy…”
“I'm here to protect young ladies from themselves.“ I stared at him
“He tries to keep girls from becoming couples,“ Vanessa said.
“Oh, I see.” So there was some guys here. I suddenly felt like latching onto him for dear life, but that would have blown his cover.
“So, you two together?” He looked almost sad as he asked this and I kinda felt bad for him.
“Yep.” Of course, Vanessa just had to answer.
“Yeah, I guess we are…” I don't know why but it sounded like I was ashamed for admitting it. Was I? Should I have been? He put his head down on the table and acted like he was crying. He then threw his head up and acted dramatic
“Another beautiful damsel, lost to the sea of Sapphism. Alas, I was but too late…”
I think I laughed, although I didn't know exactly what he meant. Vanessa kind of frowned as well as the girl Vaan was with.
“Oh, where are my manners? This is my friend, Melody.” I nodded towards her. “Oh, don't expect her to say hello; she's a mute.” I didn't mean to but I grimaced slightly; I felt bad afterwards. “Hey, it's alright. She's cool.”
“Well, I'm hungry, so I'm gonna eat.” Vanessa dug in, mashed potatoes seemingly disappearing in an instant. I began to eat as well, though I found myself watching Vanessa eat as well. I'm her girlfriend, sue me...
“So, how long have you been going to this school and trying to, um, rescue girls?” asked Vanessa.
“Well, I come here periodically so as to not get noticed. And so far, I haven't gotten caught yet.” I yawned tiredly but smiled. Apparently today had been long with the walking and the emotional stuff. “Tired much?” he asked. I nodded and stood up.
“I think I'll go turn in. Today was fun but it was tiring.” Vanessa stood up too.
“I understand. Let's go to bed.” I think I winced at *let's*.
“Alright see you, um... I realized that through all of this, I didn't know his name.
“Ah, my manners seem to be a little lax as of late... He stood and took my hand and then bowed. “I am Vaan Dexter the third. At your service.” He kissed my hand and shivers seemed to climb up my spine.
“Oh, um, nice to meet you Vaan. Well, good night Melody... Vaan…” I turned around and we began our trek to the dorms.
“So, how were your first days? I smiled, I think.
“They were... interesting, to say the least. And how were your last few days?” She definitely smiled.
“Hmm, well…” She faced me and seemed almost to hop. “I gots a girlfriend! I gots a girlfriend!”
She did it again, rather because I got distracted or because she was way too excited. She dove in and got another kiss on the cheek. I don't know why but I didn't say anything. I just kind of felt shocked but shook it off. I mean, I disapproved of it…
Didn't I?
Part 2
[Night time]
I'm alseep.
Dead asleep. And then suddenly awakened.
“Destiny…” A quiet whisper
“Mm?”
“Destiny?” A little louder. I sat up quickly and saw that there was a figure next to my bed. I clicked on my lights and saw that it was, who would have guessed it, the little girl who would never leave me alone.
“Yawn, what do you want Vanessa; it's really early?”
“Yeah, 2 O'clock to be exact. C'mon, let's go.” I gave her a puzzled look.
“Where? She grabbed my hand and more or less yanked me out of bed.
“We gotta go somewhere.” I yanked my hand back but stood up.
“Does this place happen to have pillows and a blanket 'cause I'm really tired. She shook her head and crept to the door. I hit my lights and followed her, another yawn.
We walked around in the school for awhile, but Vanessa seemed to know exactly where she was going. I followed her sleepy-eyed and didn't ask a single question of where we were going. I should have asked, I realized later. We found a way outside and began a small walk to the beach. She stopped however and faced me.
“Hold your gut.” We crossed a hill and I saw what she meant; it seemed like everywhere you looked, there was a couple sitting and watching the ocean. Many were a little bit more expressive, if you catch my meaning...
I think, and I could be wrong, but I didn’t seem to mind as I walked along the beach. Maybe because I had seen it all day or, well, who knows...
“We have to cross this section of the beach to get to where we're going.
“And that is...?”
“You'll see; just relax.”
I shrugged and tried to focus on her, rather than the girls surrounding us.
“Okay, we're here…” She let me see, as she had covered my eyes moments ago. I looked straight forward and looking me back was the largest and most beautiful moon I had ever seen. And, there was no one around to see it either. “I found this place on the first night I was here and it seems so one else knows about it. It's probably cause it's only here once every month or something.”
That would make sense, I thought. She nodded to me and sat down. I joined her.
“So, was it worth me waking you up? Vanessa looked at me and grinned. I smiled as well and nodded. She looked at the moon and sighed; a big and loud one. “Isn't it just so beautiful...?”
“I guess…” She looked at me and laughed. I think I laughed back but not knowing why.
“What's so funny?” She looked back at the moon.
“Yeah, I suppose it's beautiful…” She put her head on my shoulder and I put my head on hers. “But not as beautiful as you.” I smiled, although I felt kind of embarrassed.
“Who said you could call me beautiful?” I laughed inside and smiled.
“Can I?”
“Sure…” I was tired, obviously. I lifted my head and laid down on the beach. My eyes closed for but a second and I was asleep.
Okay, you may want to imitate this exactly so that you know where everything is:
My right arm: Straight out on the ground.
Her head: On it, facing me, nearly touching my face.
Her/my body: way way too close, our breasts are almost touching
Her right arm: Over me.
My left arm: Over her...
And finally, Her right leg: over me
Oh wait, there's more... unfortunately...
My right leg: ...between her...legs...
And it took me a few seconds to realize this. Another problem.
A big one.
I didn’t move. She was sleeping so soundly and-and...
I just didn't move.
Don't ask why not. No, go ahead, ask. I just won't have an answer.
I laid there and breathed the air she breathed. I watched people run past us, paying us no mind. And I began to realize that maybe...
No, it was still...
Inside, my head was shouting warnings, “don't let it be me…”
My heart... It shouted... something else... I shook off both feelings.
I didn't want to deal with them right now...
Or ever, if I could manage... Right now, I'd love to be able to end this with “what feelings?“ Unforunately...
I can't...
I fell back asleep thinking and awoke once more in the same position...
Why me...? I thought. However, Vanessa greeted my eyes with her own half-open ones.
“Morning sweetie…” I smiled, although I wanted to resent that.
“Morning…” I looked at her for a moment and then closed my eyes again. She removed her leg from the side of mine but decided it'd be alright to hug me. And I kind of realized that she was really warm.
And so I kind of... hugged her back... And, well... we kind of just laid there...together...for, like, awhile...
And...yeah...
Okay, whatever, she was warm!
Whatever you have to say, get it out of your system; c'mon, let's hear it...
...
There, feeling better?
Any who, guess who decides to greet us as we're laying on the beach?
“Ah, hey, it's the couple from earlier!” I opened my eyes (yes, they were closed (she was warm!)) and looked up to see Vaan.
“Hey, it's gender-confused guy!” I kind of attempted to stand up but Vanessa decided I was fine where I was.
No comment... He kind of smiled...a little, but he seemed sad almost. This time I did stand up and I pulled Vanessa with me.
“Hey, where's your girlfriend? He laughed when Vanessa said this.
“Melody? Ha, she's my sister. I was just playin'!” I laughed as did Vanessa but Vaan just posed. “I guess I'm just that good of an actor.”
Yeah, sure, I thought.
Well, Vanessa and I were both covered in sand. I guess it was normal though because as I looked around, so were a lot of other couples. Maybe it wasn't so...unnatural...
No, don't think like that...
“So, what are you guys gonna do today? Another makeout session?” Vanessa laughed a bit too loud and I'm pretty sure my face turned bright red.
“No, I don't think so. But then, I guess it's up to Destiny, not me.” My face went redder I think and they continued to laugh.
“Whatever. Is there anything going on today?” I wanted to change the subject.
Badly.
“Honey, there's always something going on. Obviously, Vaan was acting; he looked, um, that way but there was just something about him that made him seem straight, even if he was in drag...
“Like what?” I asked
“Well,” started Vanessa, “if there isn't anything going on, you can always start something. Like, a party or somethin. And then, there's always the arcade, though not that many people go there.”
“I do.”
“Well oviously Vaan, you're a guy.” We laughed a bit and I kinda lost my nervousness.
Just a bit.
“Well, what are we going to do?” I asked. Vanessa shrugged but decided to slip her hand into mine.
Sigh whatever... Vaan looked away for a moment, seemingly in his own little world. “Any, like, hangouts?”
“There's a bar…” She shrugged I looked at her funny. “No Destiny, there's no alchohol…”
I gave her a relieved look. “Unless you know who to talk too.” I looked back at her and she laughed.
She squeezed my hand and forced me to run. Okay, fine, I ran with her, there was no forcing.
Happy?
There was a bar on the coast; it looked like a little beach hut. Fortunately, there were a only few people there but they seemed...
“Are they, um... drunk? Vanessa smiled. “No, seriously, are they?” She nodded, grinning all the while. She walked up to the bar, a tall girl in a bikini turning towards her
“Oh my gosh; Vanessa, how have you been? I haven't seen you in so long!” She reached over the counter and hugged her as well as she could.
I felt...maybe...for a second...jealousy...?
She was a good foot taller than both Vannessa and Destiny and looked like Vanessa a lot.
“Oh my gosh Karen, I've been so grand. How have you been?” Karen smiled and went around to the other side of the bar.
“Well, I've turned down twelve different girls just last week and I feel like a million bucks. Oh, how 'bout you? You turn any down?” She kind of averted her eyes and Karen caught on immediately. “You didn't...did you get a girlfriend?” Her eyes fell on me and I instantly felt nervous. I decided I might as well walk up.
“Hi... karen. My name's... Destiny.” I outstretched my hand and she took it. I realized my heart was thumping and I was breathing fastly.
“Calm down Destiny, I won't bite.
She smiled for a moment and then turned back to her sister. Is she alsways so nervous?” Vanessa laughed.
“Be nice. She's still finding her footing. She only got here two days ago.”
“Oh, a newbie. So, how do you like Starshine?” I shrugged.
“Well, it's definitely interesting, at least in the couple thing... She laughed.
“Yeah, that's what I thought at first too. Now it seems normal, though I don't have a girlfriend.”
Will it seem normal to me eventually too?
What about when I go back home...?
What then?
“And yet,” Karen said,” you got yourself a girlfriend! I don't know whether to laugh at you or be happy for you.” I gave them a puzzled look.
“I kinda said that I wouldn't ever stoop to having a girlfriend…” Vanessa looked sheepish.
“And then she goes and gets one a month after she gets here. Hilarious!” She began to laugh. Something rose in me, some heated passion. Don't ask why but I was angry.
“Hey, get off her case! What she does is her own affair and you can't approve nor disapprove of this...this coupling thing!” I breathed heavily and saw that Karen looked very startled. Vanessa, however, looked really... really happy.
“Hey, calm down there girl. I have every right to tell her how I feel and it's not that I'm saying it's bad. If anything, I'm happy she chose such a protective girl to be with.” I think I kinda flushed, perhaps because of the leaving of the anger or the embarassment of what she had just said.
Maybe both.
“Destiny, Karen is my sister.”
“…Oh.” Crap, that was retarded of me... I should have caught that...
...
And I felt jealous!!! “I'm sorry…”
“Hey, it's cool. And besides, if your my sister's girlfriend, then your my sister too.”
She hugged me, her warmth filling me. And I guess it's nice to be loved. Hmm...
Yeah, it is.
“So, you got any of the good stuff,” asked Vanessa, smiling.
“Hmm? Oh yeah, hold on…” She turned around and walked down into some sort of cellar. She returned with a couple of red bottles and handed one to each of us.
“What's in it? I wasn't exactly against alcohol but, well…”
“It's just a wine cooler.” Vanessa laughed and popped it opened. I opened mine but watched as Vanessa drank hers down almost instantly.
“Something a little harder please.”
“Vanessa!?” I exclaimed. She shrugged and her sister handed her another bottle, though this one was green. I took a sip of mine and... it tasted really good. “What is this?” I found it was like potatoe chips; bet you can't eat just one.
“It's just a wine cooler.” Vanessa seemed to laugh again, though she was halfway through her second bottle. I figured I'd better catch up.
“So, does this cost anything?
“No,” answered Karen,” it's figured into your expenses you already paid.”
“Hey, what do the colors mean? Is it taste?” She shook her head.
“It's how hard it is, if you catch my drift.”
“Mm, okay.” I looked at Vanessa, her third bottle a purplish-blue. I laughed.
“Got any black?” I didn't expect her to take me seriously, because Vanessa definitely didn't.
Karen handed me one and for a moment I wasn't sure if I should. But, of course, Vanessa was over there guzzling down bottle after bottle so...
I popped the top and drank...
List of things I would never do back at home:
A: Get a girl friend
B: Get wasted
How am I doing?
I awoke sometime during the night. I sat up, or at least kind of, and looked around. No one was really around and I was alone. Well, not quite. I looked down and saw that Vanessa's stomach had been my pillow. I shook her and she stirred.
“Mm... what happened?” I asked. She opened her eyes partially. Then she began to laugh histarically. “What? What happened?”
“Why on earth did you ask for the black?” I froze, trying to think back what had happened. We had woke up on the beach, we'd seen... Vaan, was it? We had walked, I think met her sister, and then...
“Man, you were definitely different.” I turned back to her, my face pale.
“What-Did-I-Do?” She gave me a puzzled look.
“You don't remember? You must have really been out of it.” I attempted to stand and I did with her help. “You did some interesting stuff, that's for sure.”
“…Like?”
“Well, um…” She looked around.
“Hey, were you not wasted?”
“Obviously not as bad as you Destiny”
“Okay, seriously, what did I do?” I laughed a bit but she seemed really nervous.
“You, well, you um...
“Yes?”
“You... kissed me…”
Part 3
We didn't talk the rest of the night. We had walked back to the dorm rooms and had just... slept. She might've said good night and I might have answered but nothing else.
Was it such a big deal? I mean, I had apparently been way out of it. So if I had been drunk, and I know she had been too, just not as bad, then why did it matter so much? I shifted in bed with the answer floating in my head. I could have easily grasped it. I had so many supporting reasons.
Other girls did it.
Heck, everyone here did.
It was alright. But, there was a wall in front of the answer.
A big one. It was labeled “upbringing/moralities“.
And I couldn't reach around it, no matter how much I did or didn't want to.
The night was restless and as I tossed and turned, I slipped into an uneasy slumber. I dreamt that I was back at my old school, before I had been sent to Starshine. Vanessa was there and we were talking when a bunch of girls came up to us. They looked like they were gonna talk to us but they just smirked and sneered at us as they walked by. I felt really sad and confused but each time a group of girls did this, Vanessa would grab my hand and cheer me up. And finally, when every girl had laughed or made fun of us, I smiled and sighed and said “the rest is all downhill.” And Vanessa said “Only if you want to, it's up to you.”
I woke up to bells ringing.
Classes.
Crap, I had forgotten. I forced myself to stand and get dressed. As before, there was an outfit set out on my dresser; no doubt Vanessa's work. I took it reluctantly, my thoughts still cloudy and troubling.
Hmm...
A light blue shirt. Not lowcut, thank god.
Again, a white skirt, though at least it didn't show anything.
I found myself thinking about yesterday and the day before. I would have never wore anything like that back at home. So why had I worn it, especially at someone else's bidding? Once more answers raced to my head but I ignored them. Same kind of leg warmers, just as stylish. ...Another thing I would never where...
I sighed and fell back onto my bed.
I really needed to get my mind in order. But now I didn't have time. I stood back up, picked up my books, and walked out the door.
School, yeah, it was bad. I couldn't concentrate during any of my classes and, although I was new and still learning stuff, I was completely lost. My mind kept lingering back to last night, what Vanessa had said...
“You...kissed me,” she had said...
My mother had once told me that when you are drunk or tired, things you say tend to be more true because you don't have as many moralities attached. Granted, my mother wasn't very reliable for advice but...
Does that mean that I wanted to do it? All along?
Another question: did she kiss me back?
Too many questions, too many emotions.
I put my head down on my desk and tried to sort them all out again.
“Hey Destiny, over here!” Vanessa's and Vaan's voice. I was scared honestly. I was scared of what I might say or do or what she might say or...do. I took my tray and sat down next to her, my mouth closed and my mind relaxed.
Kind of.
“So,” said Vaan, “what didja do yesterday? You guys just kinda ran off…” Well, there went my relaxed concentration.
“I dunno, we just kinda hung out. She met my sister and yeah, that's 'bout it.” Thanks Vanessa, I thought.
“Whoo, good. I was kinda scared you guys were gonna have another make-out session.” My face paled as I cringed.
“And, of course, I can't have that.” My mouth was dry and I reached for Vanessa's hand without realizing it. She took it and squeezed it back.
“So,” began Vanessa, “trying to change the subject, what did you do yesterday?”
“Hmm, well, I suppose I harassed some girls about being together and man did I get an ear-full.” Vaan continued to talk but I didn't hear any of it; I felt sick and despairing and stressed. What was I going to do? Vanessa saw my panic and grabbed me. She pulled me up and ran me to the bathroom. I flew to the toilet and vomited, the alcohol obviously affecting my bodily functions. She stood there and held back my hair for me. Afterwards, I cleaned up and I sat on counter with her.
“What... what really happened last night?” I didn't know if I wanted the answer but I had to ask.
“Well, like I said, you were way gone and you kissed me…” It seemed like it was hard for her almost to say it too.
“Did I say anything?”
She stared off into space for a moment, obviously in deep thought.
“You said that you were sorry you were being like that. That you weren't sure if you were ready. I agreed but you said you were willing to try.” I winced...
“Did I...did you kiss me back...? She looked me once more in the eyes and slowly nodded.
I saw in her eyes that she was like me; thrown into a world that contradicts what we were brought up to know.
“I... I wasn't as gone as you, by no means And when you...when you did kiss me... It felt so good and it was so right…”
I nodded, our eyes still locked.
My hand slipped to hers and we held them together.
I held my breath as she leaned forward.
I could have backed away.
I should have.
I would have if I had any sense.
I didn't.
Our lips met for only a moment and in that second, my wall of indecision faded.
“So,” started Vanessa,” what are we gonna do...?” I smiled.
We were still in the bathroom, on the counter, hand-in-hand.
“I don't know…” We were both relaxed and completely silent. It was funny. I had just kissed her for the first time; my, no, our lips had met. And how I wanted them to meet again. “Whatever we decide to do, I'm with you all the way Vanessa.”
“Why don't we just be open and ourselves?” I realized that the only problem with that was our moralities; and mine had just burnt away.
“I like that idea but how do you think Vaan will feel? She laughed.
“He'll be just fine; I think he already has someone.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, he just doesn't want anyone to know.”
“Okay then, so we're just gonna be completely out in the open about this?” I needed an answer.
“Does that sound good to you? she asked. She seemed just as unsure as me.
“Yes,” I said. “We won't have to worry about anything. I mean, we are at Starshine.
“Yeah, that's true.” Vanessa licked her lips.
“Hey?” She looked up as I spoke.
“Yeah?” she answered I licked my own lips and held my breath.
“Um…” She smiled and moved closer.
“Did you want...?”
“Can we...?”
We leaned in and kissed again, this time our hands crawling behind each other's heads.
It lasted longer than the last one and when we were done, I laughed. “For all the time I spent making fun of all of those couples that...kissed…”
“It's funny that we're one now, right?” Vanessa finished She smiled and jumped down. I jumped down as well and put my arm around her shoulder. She opened the door and then put her arm around my waist.
“Back to the lunch table we go,” I said. And so we did, side by side.
“What was that all about?” Vaan asked as he saw us walk back in. “And what are you two so happy about?” He was puzzled but he looked suspicious after awhile. “You two...what happened?” We both looked at each other, still standing up, and smiled.
“We've decided that through thick and thin,” I started.
“Come hell and high water,” she continued. “That we're together.”
It sounded so...complete.
“So, you two have admitted it then?” Vaan was frowning funnily.
“Eh, sure, why not,” I said nonchalantly. I realized that I was still holding Vanessa tight. She was too.
“Well, say it then.” Vaan crossed his arms and sat back, smiling mildly
“Say what?” asked Vanessa.
“Say it. Say the word.” I was confused but Vanessa knew what he meant. She turned her head and whispered in my ear.
Oh, I see, I thought.
“Are we really?” I asked.
“I'm pretty sure we are now,” Vanessa answered.
“Hmm...I guess so. But do we really need to tell him and everybody else?”
“I think they deserve to know.” We both smiled.
“Fine then,” I said.
“We're lesbians, “we said in unison. It sounded so complete and immediately afterwards, we embraced and we kissed.

My fable for Creative Writing Class

Once, not so long ago, in a small portion of a great forest, there lived a small school of rodents. Now, among this group of tiny creatures lived a small, cute mouse named Ilia. She was extremely dazzling but even more so intelligent. She also had many friends, one of which was Hannah, the closest of all. It seemed like everywhere that Ilia tread, Hannah was sure to follow, and visa versa.
However, as brilliant as Ilia was, that was not to say she was perfect. As a matter of fact, she was quite far from it. But no one knew that, because to all, she seemed elegant and a perfect imitation of a princess. Well, no, there was one who knew who she really was. But Hannah was never going to tell a soul about this, though she herself disagreed with it. And that’s how one fateful afternoon turned into an almost disastrous evening.

Ilia and Hannah were packing their bags when one of “The Rats” approached her. Now, “The Rats” were a gang in school, composed entirely of rats. And as mean and grizzly as they all were, they were all just as popular. Now Hannah and Ilia both knew how mean they all were to all of the other students but really, Ilia wanted to fit in just like they all seemed to.
“Hey Ilia, we’re going down to the lake later. It’s sure to be a blast; wanna come?” This particular rat was named Lector, one of the higher-ups in their “gang.” Particularly, he was one of the nicest looking of “The Rats” but overall, he was also the meanest.
“Uh, sure, yeah! What are we gonna do there?” Ilia was surprised he asked this of her but was eager to be liked.
“Heh, we’re gonna go swimming of course. I mean, you can swim, right?” He had an air of charm about him, at least to Ilia; to others, he just stank.
“Oh yeah, of course, hehe… who can’t swim?” Ilia answered uneasily. In truth, she couldn’t. Nor could any one of her friends, to be honest.
“Well good,” began Lector,” I’ll see you there.” He plodded off silently.

“What?” asked Hannah,” You’re going down to the lake with “The Rats” tonight? What are you thinking?!”
“Oh, you’re making too big of a deal out of it.” Ilia tried to keep cool but she was really nervous too.
“Can you even swim?!”
“Well… no, but-”
“You’re going to drown you idiot! Why did you ever agree with this!”
“I don’t know, I just kinda did.” Ilia felt sick now with anxiety.
“It’s all right, just don’t go.” Ilia looked at Hannah like she was crazy.
“Are you kidding? I have to go! How would I look if I agreed to but didn’t show up!?”
“Well, I’m pretty sure you won’t look so great if you’re dead!”
“Whatever, Hannah, thanks for the help; I’m going anyway.” She trudged off as fast as she could.
“Ilia…” Hannah said quickly but she rounded a corner and was gone.

“Glad you could make it.” Lector was already in the giant lake swimming; all of the other rats were splashing and rough-housing too.
“Uh, yeah, I am too…” she looked around quickly, her knees shaking.
“So, you gonna get in?” He swam to the bank and treaded water.
“Yeah, just… let me get ready…” She went back behind a large mushroom stalled for time. What was she going to do?
“Where is she?!” Ilia jumped out from behind the large mushroom when she heard that. She looked and saw Hannah telling Lector off. He looked shocked but at the same time, quite angry.
“You know mice can’t swim! Why would you even ask her to come?!”
“We thought it’d be funny to see her squirm for awhile. I mean, we wouldn’t let her drown or anything; it was all in good fun.”
“Yeah, let’s all laugh at her as she struggles to swim and stay alive; all good fun, yeah right!”
Ilia could feel her heart beating real fast by now, so much pride and happiness filling her chest she almost started to cry. But instead, she clenched her fists and stepped out and walked towards Hannah.
“Ilia, you’re all right!”
“Yeah, I’m good. Thanks… You were right, I shouldn’t have come.” Hannah just smiled.
“Ha, you’re not gonna swim after all? What a wimp.” Lector began laughing, as did all the other rats. “You know what, I don’t care what you think!” Ilia stormed up to Lector. “You think you can just push me around, make me feel bad and I won’t do anything about it?”
Lector stepped backwards.
“Well I’m through acting! I can’t swim, and I don’t care what you think!” and with that she pushed him into the water. She immediately turned around and walked back toward Hannah, a huge grin on her face.
“Let’s go.”

Moral: You should never act in opposition to your true nature, for you may find yourself in a position worse than you can handle.

Note: A true friend has learned the melody of your heart and plays it back to you when you can no longer hear it.