Wanderlust

Chapter 1

Status (for me): basic editing complete, no advance editing yet, no revision yet

⚠Trigger Warnings⚠

Homophobia, eating disorders

     I don't want to lose her, I can't lose her. It isn't fair, you know? How the world works. It always feels like it's out to get me.

     If I had it my way, Liv and I would be attending the same college, in the same state. But I don't have it my way because she's attending the Fine Arts Academy in California, and I'm attending community college in Maine.

     At least we have this summer, three whole months to travel the world, just the two of us. We've been planning this trip out since Christmas Eve, when we found out we aren't going to college together.

     We're going everywhere, Paris, Spain, London, and Italy. Okay, maybe not everywhere, but everywhere that's been on our bucket list since we were seven.

     I remember the day we made the list, we were sitting in the treehouse at Liv's Dad's house. It's always been her and I against the world. We met when we were two when our moms became coworkers. We became closer and closer as the years went on.

     Liv was the first person I came out as a lesbian to when I was thirteen. And of course, I was there for her when she came out as bi two years ago.

     That was a really hard time for her, her dad wasn't supportive. He kicked her out of the house and cut off all contact with her. Now she lives with her mom full time, who loves and supports her no matter what.

     I glance over at the clock, oh shoot, I thought, it's 7:15, Liv will be over to pick me up to go to the airport in fifteen minutes. I hop out of bed and take a quick shower and get ready for the day. At exactly 7:29, I hear Liv come in. "Good morning sunshine," she says, heading up the stairs to my room. "Are you ready to go?"

     "Yep, I just have to grab my bags."

     "Great, do you need help carrying them to the car?"

     "Sure, could you just take these two?" I say, handing her a small backpack and a suitcase.

     "Yeah of course," she says taking them from me and we head downstairs.

     We load all the bags in the car, then head inside to say one last goodbye to my mom. Soon we're on the highway on our way to the airport. "I was thinking we could pick up food there?" Liv says, "Or do you want to get food from somewhere else?"

     "There's fine, I think they have a Starbucks."

     "Sounds good!"

     Once we get to the airport, we check our bags and head to security. "See the thing you want to do is not just go into the line with the least amount of people," Liv says, "Instead you want to go in the line with the people who don't have much luggage or kids."

     "Bonus points if they're earing business suits," I say as we wait in line, "Because that usually means they travel a lot."

     "That's my girl," Live says nudging my arm. I blush and look up into her eyes.

     "Next!" a security guard calls. Liv and I laugh and go through security.

     "There she is," Liv says, pointing to the Starbucks, "In all her glory."

     "Truly is a beautiful sight to see at 8 am."

     "Indeed it is."

     We head into the Starbucks to place our order. "Can you please order for me?" I ask Liv.

     "Yeah of course, do you want your usual?" she asks, "And oh! They have bagels! What kind do you want? I think I'm going to get an iced coffee and an everything bagel."

     "Um yeah, I'll just have what I normally get," I say, "But I'm not really hungry, I don't think I'm going to get anything."

     She gives me that look, and I remember she can read me like a book. "How about I split my bagel with you?" She says.

     "Yeah ok." Liv places our orders and we grab them and head over to an empty table to eat. I slowly sip my iced coffee.

     "Here," Liv says, handing me half of the bagel.

     I take a small bite, "Thanks," I say, trying not to make eye contact with her. I'm so ashamed of myself, I don't know why I am acting like this. Why can't I just be a normal human being who has a normal relationship with food?

     "Hey," Liv says, snapping me out of my thoughts, "Listen, sweetie, I know it is hard but you got this I'm right here, okay?"

     "I'm sorry."

     "Stop, you don't have to apologize for anything," she says, reaching out to grab my hand. "How about we take bites together? On the count of three, we'll both take a bite."

     I pick up my bagel, "Okay."

     "One, two, and three," she says and we both take a bite of our bagel. "Two bites down! Look at you, you're doing great!" She continues to encourage me until our bagels are gone. "I'm so proud of you," she says giving me a hug, "You are so strong."

     "I love you Liv," I smile. 

     We throw away our trash and walk to find our terminal while finishing the rest of our coffee.

     "This is it," I said as they call us to board.

     "Here we go!" Liv says grabbing my hand, and together we step onto the plane, ready to have the best summer of our lives.