Shall we meet? | Pride Month Flash Fiction Party 2021

Shall we meet?

Author’s note:

Hi!

Before you start reading my text, I wanted you to know that English is not my native language, so you might find weird turns of phrase. If you see any mistake, please just tell me, and I'll be glad to correct it. :)

That being said, enjoy your reading!

Ilona Helianthus 🌻

≻──── ⋆✩⋆ ────≺

Beth had never had many friends. Actually, for a long time, she didn’t even have any. She was what you’d probably call an “introvert”, as even just talking to people she didn't know was difficult for her—that was the kind of thing that made her terribly anxious. She had become used to this solitude over time, and had come to bear it.

*

But all that started to change a few months ago, when Beth signed up for Blue Cherry, which was some kind of social media. It was her sister Lacey who had shown her the platform, saying this “would be a great way for her to make friends”. At first, Beth hardly posted anything—and to tell the truth, she still didn’t—nor did she discuss with other people, whether in the comments or through private messages.

What she found really hard and challenging was to start a conversation. But if someone sent her a message, even if she didn’t know them, she would reply—or at least would try to, because she often felt that her replies were awkward.

Four months ago, she received a message from a young woman her age, who had seen a photo Beth had just posted and wanted to tell her she thought it was truly beautiful—it was a sunrise on a beach where Beth had spent a week's holiday with her sister. Beth had thanked her and after that, the woman, whose name was Alice, had continued to chat with her, trying to find out more about Beth.

By discussing with each other, the two young women had found they had a lot in common: for example, they were both very bad at cooking—by the way, none of them ate meat—but they were, though, very good at photography, music and swimming. Also Alice loved waffles with honey, whereas Beth preferred them with white melted chocolate. It was the kind of stuff Beth had learned about Alice, and the kind of stuff Alice had learned about Beth. She was now totally comfortable with Alice, and she would even often start the conversation, whereas at first she'd just wait for her new friend to text her so they could chat.

*

Beth had finally made a friend—because that's how she considered Alice—and she couldn't have been happier! It was the first time she felt totally free to interact with someone, and it just felt so good. And Alice, who was a supportive, caring and open-minded person, had given her a lot of advice, especially in trying to overcome her social anxiety. It seemed to Beth that without Alice, there were many things she wouldn't have been able to do in the last few months.

The craziest thing Beth had done? Coming out to Lacey, who had hugged her and told her she was so proud of her. And it was largely thanks to Alice, who had listened to Beth and encouraged her relentlessly in doing so.

*

One day Alice sent Beth a message which made her feel both excited and nervous. It was saying: ‘Hi! Hope you’re doing great. I’ve got to go to Mallow City next week for work, and as it is not this far from where you live I was thinking that maybe we could meet each other, like in a café or something? Can’t wait for your answer!’

And then Alice sent something else: ‘Also, I’ve seen there was a Pride Parade in Mallow City the Saturday when I’m here, so maybe we could go? Just an idea though!’ Eventually, a last message followed only a few seconds later: ‘I know what I’m asking might make you really anxious, so if you don’t feel comfortable with meeting me in real life yet just tell me, I won't take it the wrong way, okay? Don’t worry about it. Bye!’

Now Beth’s heart was beating really fast. It was tempting to answer ‘Yes, I’d love to see you’, but in the same time Alice was right—this situation was making her nervous as hell! Beth thought for a while, and came to the conclusion that she had to call Lacey to explain her the situation—her sister could definitely help.

“Lacey? Please, I need your help so urgently!” she cried when her sister picked up the phone.

“You could start saying ‘Hey’,” Lacey laughed. Then she said, with a more serious tone, “What’s happening, Betty?”

“Alice wants us to meet! Like, in real life and all. She wants to go out for a coffee or something. And then go to Mallow City for the Pride.”

“This is great! Betty, I’m so glad for you!” Lacey exclaimed happily.

“Yeah, I know, but… What am I supposed to do?”

“Well, what do you want to do?”

“That’s precisely why I’m calling!” Beth sighed. “I have no idea what I want to do…”

“Do you?”

Beth remained silent for a while. Finally, after a few seconds of consideration, she answered her sister. “I guess I do want to meet her. But… I don’t know, I just… Ugh…”

“What’s the matter?” Lacey questioned with a soft voice.

“I was thinking that—how to say it?… She may be disappointed when she sees me, because you know me and how uncomfortable I am when I’m with new people. What if she finds me weird? And if she doesn’t to talk to me any more?”

“Hey, calm down, Betty. She knows you need time to get used to people, right. You’ve already told her. And she seems to be a nice person who cares about you a lot. I’m sure everything is going to be well if you decide to meet each other, okay?”

And Beth nodded, even though her sister couldn't see her, before hanging up.

*

The next week, Beth went to the café where Alice was waiting for her with a big smile—and a delicious cup of Latte.

And the Saturday, they decided to go to the Pride together, with Lacey coming with them as well.

And Beth was glad she had such incredible persons she could count on.