strawberry chapstick

prologue

"Seeing her made everything shine, Her smile, Her small features, Her curly brown hair. Her laugh. Everything, there was something about her that really stood out to me, was it her eyes when they sparkled in the moonlight? Was it her laugh when someone cracks a dumb joke? What was it? I was lost, so lost. The only thing i knew was she wasn't into me like i was into her, seeing the way she fancied the "lovely" boy she called henry made my heart ache. What is wrong with me? I wasn't sure but i know for sure that i was pretty much in love with her, i know its stupid but i cant help it! Everything about her just makes her even more amazing. Sitting with her that day in the grass felt magical until I made the worst mistake of my life. I kissed Violet."

"Now i know its stupid to be writing in my 8th grade journal but this was urgent. Today, Elody kissed me. Now, 8th grade me dont get it mixed up, i still love Henry, but what are these feelings? She kissed me and it felt like fireworks in me, i was gonna say something but she ran away too fast. Henry would understand if i broke up with him for my best friend right? Absolutely not Violet!! He would be even more upset then he already is about the kiss. I mean, I get if he's trying to "protect" me but what's there to protect? He acts like gay people arent real! I can't help but keep thinking of that kiss, her soft gentle lips which tasted like strawberries. Was it normal to be in love with your own best friend? In my neighboorhood no, no gay people were ever accepted. If they got in they were beaten to their death. But yeah, i'm in love with Elody, and I'm going to tell her."

"Hey, Elody..do you want to meet by our tree? Call me back please, i need to tell you something. It's important" Violet shut her phone, checking it every few minutes waiting for an answer, so she tried again. "Heyy Elody..it's me again, it would be great if you called back!! Of course you don't have to but, please..meet me at our tree,"

Violet wanted to answer the phone but she couldn't, it was too hard. Especially after the last time they've seen each other, was she going to have her dad and boyfriend there to beat the shit out of me for kissing their daughter and girlfriend? Or did she really want to talk? After contemplating on going Violet grabbed her coat and shoes getting ready to leave "bye mom! Love you!" no response of course, Violet's mother always cared too much about her hookups instead of her own daughter, was that why she was such a screw up? I mean come on, the poor girl still doesnt know how to put in a tampon, shes seventeen, at that age girls are already driving and changing their tampon when they need to or even having sex, but not Violet. Her whole life fell apart after her dad decided that they were better off without him and left in the middle of the night, leaving a necklace for violet and a watch for her little brother simon, her life wasn't the best but she had herself surrounded by amazing people, Violet still keeps in touch with her dad, he used to take her and her brother for burgers and shakes every friday. They miss his company ever since he moved to California with his famous girlfriend. All she could think about is why did he leave their happy little family? Her thoughts were cut off by the girl, yes the girl.

"Hey Elody." Violet's voice said as the white smoke came out of her mouth from the cold winter air.

"Hey Violet" Elody's voice said, the mint toothpaste had pushed a small breeze into her face,

"So Elody i've been meaning to tell you something"

"And that is?"

"The kiss, i liked it, no no..i loved it. It felt so right, I love you."

The words slipped out quicker than she thought, Elody stood there in shock but in happiness, of course on the inside, her heart felt like it would explode and it felt as if there were fireworks being set off in her stomach."

"I love you too, Violet."

As they both leaned in, Violet tasted it again, Elody's strawberry chapstick.

And that's how their story began.