Querencia

Chapter Fourteen

It feels peaceful as I sit here on the porch swing. Gentle breeze cooling my face , my angel laying her head on my lap, and the soft creak of the chains as we swing back and forth. In this moment, no words have to be said, we can simply exist.

It was the end of winter break. So far Liam had left us in peace, and her parents have still been absent as ever. It was a relaxing and calm few weeks that left me feeling content. However, school starts up again tomorrow, and drama always ensues.

"I was thinking..." Ariella starts.

I continue to run my hand through her hair "Yeah?"

"What if you went to the fundraiser with me?As my date?"

"You know I would, but your parents are gonna be there."

"So?"

I pause my hand "Angel?"

She sits up "I'm tired Lee. I'm tired of fighting for their approval when their not even here."

"You still have to live under their roof for a little while longer. Do you really want to do this?"

She leans forward to meet my lips softly.

I chuckle and pull back "That's not an answer."

"I love you Lee."

My heart jolts in my chest. I smile and bring her forward to meet my lips again in a firm kiss. I pull back, resting my head against hers "I love you Angel, and I would love to be your date."

. . .

I have never been one to stress over dressing up. Then again, I've never been one to go to nice places or events. So the process of setting aside hours of a day dedicated to finding the perfect dress for an event was unfamiliar to me. Now here I am in the outlet mall in the town over with four girls trying to find the perfect dress for the fundraiser.

Any stress I've ever had on my appearance has been derived from bodily insecurities. Now I'm stressing on how a dress is going to make me look in front of Ariella's parents. Now all of a sudden no dress is good enough.

Too short.

Too tight.

Too flashy.

Too simple.

Too casual.

"Lee." Ariella calls out to me. She comes up to me and wraps her arms around my shoulders. "Stop overthinking the dress, this was supposed to be fun." She giggles.

"I know, I know. I just don't want to embarrass you in front of your parents."

"You won't. They'll be too focused on trying to look good in front of everybody." She chuckles. Then she leans forward and pulls out the sixth dress I was looking at. It was a deep sunset orange mock neck midi dress with no sleeves. It slightly shimmered as she tilted it back and forth. "I think this is the one."

. . .

"Look at you." My moms voice calls out.

I look over my shoulder and see she's standing at the entrance to my closet door. I smile and turn back and finish putting my new dress up in my closet.

"What?"

"Nothin' sugar, just having a mom moment." She laughs warmly.

"A mom moment?" I turn to face her.

"I'm watchin my barefoot comfy clothes daughter who used to keep to herself, put away a dress for her date with her girlfriend. All while lookin' so damn content. I'm proud."

"Momma.." I groan.

"I'm serious, I'm proud of you for comin' out of your shell."

"I'm far from being totally comfortable in my skin, but I'm gettin' there. All thanks to Ariella."

She smiles widly "And you and her are good?"

I sigh "Yeah, I think so. I mean she wants to come out to her parents so..." I trail off.

She furrows her brow "What's buggin' you sugar?"

I shrug "It feels, I don't know, like she's trying something she's not ready for. I feel like it's going to backfire somehow and I don't want her to get hurt."

"Well honey I'm glad you're worried for her, just be aware that it might not just be her that gets hurt. I know you love her but...be careful. Make sure you don't lose this progress over her, no one else's love is more important than your own ya hear me."

I nod, letting her words settle in. "I hear you."

She smiles and reaches out to squeeze my hand before heading back downstairs.

I sigh and fall back onto my bed. I know what my mom said is important, and I've been trying to stand on my own without leaning on Ariella, but it's hard. She feels like my rock and I don't know how I'd react if she drifted away. Would be sad and dejected? Confused and hurt? Would I be able to get back up and move on? Would I fight for her?

My phone pings.

Angel: You're gonna hate me :(

I frown.

Leah: Could never happen. Why would you think that?

Angel: My parents found out that I was going to take a girl as my date to the fundraiser. They want to skip this year to have a 'family talk'. I totally wanted to see you in that dress :(

Leah: This was always more your thing than mine, just let me know how it goes. I'll be home if you need me.

Angel: You're too good to me. I love you <3

Leah: I love you too Angel