Betty

Rumours, Questions, and Confessions (Part 2)

It was remarkable. Inez was almost never right about her rumours. But for it to be right twice in a row... that was somewhat of a miracle. This 'miracle' came to Betty in the form of texts. (Again).

Inez: Looks like Betty doesn't need to worry about some girl pining after her. Seems like Ali and James hit it off.

Inez: Sent an image.

Betty regretted it the second she clicked on it. It was a photo of James and Ali. Kissing.

She looked up to see a group of kids run past her. It was the last week of her volunteering as a camp counselor. Cabins were lined up in front and behind her. Children were enjoying their free time before the next set of activities for the day started.

The stared back at her phone, as she secretly hoped that it was just her imagination that created what she saw. But no. It was still there, a picture that clearly showed James with another girl.

Betty exited the app and willed herself to ignore the strong wave of emotions that tried to overwhelm her.

It made sense, both girls knew what they wanted. Knew their sexualitites.

Betty? She had no clue.

Did she like (like) James? Yeah. But did that necessarily make her gay? It was just one girl. One crush.

A crush that couldn't be compared to any time she had pointed to a decently nice boy she hardly knew and told her friends that he was her crush whenever she was asked. No real feelings involved. Simple and easy.

She remembered not quite understanding when her friends fangirled over a male celebrity. But she acted along. Got Zac Efron posters, listened to One Direction CDs, and watched all the Twilight movies as she claimed she was team Edward (only because it was blatantly obvious Bella was going to end up with him).

"Betty?" Her head turned quickly at the sound of her name. "Are you okay? You look like you've seen a ghost," Marie asked. Marie was also a camp counselor, they've both been doing it for the last three years.

"Can I ask you a weird question?"

"Go ahead."

"When it comes to a big life decision, like the way you'd live it, would you trust your gut? Even if it defies everything you've come to know."

"Isn't that what living is? Taking the risk on the unknown and seeing what happens. To get out of your comfort zone and see if something new will make you happier. Whether or not it does make you happier, giving it a shot definitely seems like a better way to live. From the way I see it, remaining with what you know is just being afraid of what you haven't discovered it. But things are scary at first because they will eventually give you a thrill. Why do you think people zipline, or bungee jump? It's scary but fun. It's unknown."

"What if I lost my chance to do so?"

"You can't. Rollercoasters and sky diving are very different, but it still gives people the same thrill. Maybe your first chance at it you lose. But it'll come back to you, maybe in a different form or the same one, who knows. The world has its ways."

"Thanks."

"Anytime."

*****

Betty gave it a lot of thought. Days and nights. Soon enough she was back at home and it was like August had slipped away into a moment in time. Betty was back at home and there was only a few days before school when Betty suddenly wanted to do something. It came to her as she was in line with her mom and Olivia for groceries. When she saw raven black hair and thought it was her for a split second. She was saddened when the girl didn't have blue eyes.

So over the past few days she poured herself into this new project. One that was risky, but it gave her this thrum inside, like when you'd feel the bass vibrate through the floor and into your veins.

Finally, it was the night before the first day of school. She had snuck out of the house with the supplies from the paint store she bought the day before. She stood in front of a blank cement wall. A wall that separated the portables from the field area.

She grabbed a bottle of spray paint and began.