Heavy is the Head

IX

I want you to be my girlfriend.

Fantasia stopped in her tracks as she tried to digest what was just uttered to her. At first, she was ecstatic. She had never been a girlfriend before, and she couldn't think of another person who's girlfriend she'd rather be. Then, she recalled Taraji's words from the day before, making it very clear that it was too early to be putting labels on what they had.

"Taraji, I thought you said it was too early to be girlfriends?" Taraji frowned, taking the question as rejection. Fantasia noticed the shift in Taraji's mood, and quickly clarified herself. "I'm not saying no by any means. I'm so happy that you want me to be that for you and I will. I will be anything for you at this point. You cannot imagine how happy you have made me this week. I thought I was going to have a really hard time here, but you've made everything so easy already." Fantasia took Taraji's hand in hers, holding it close to her heart. Taraji's eyes watered, the reassurance and relief washing over her. "Please don't cry. I'm sor-"

"-Happy tears, pretty." Fantasia took a napkin from the bag their food was in and wiped at Taraji's eyes, kissing over her face wherever she could. "I know what I said yesterday, but after our date last night and talking to my parents this morning, I realized I shouldn't have to wait. And I shouldn't have to make you wait either. You are so important to me already and making us official can't hurt. You're so good at communicating your feelings with me that if anything were to go left it could be solved, and I'll promise that I'll do the same." Fantasia blushed, picking around at her plate to hide her face. Taraji shook her head and lifted Fantasia's head by her chin, bringing their lips together. "So, does that mean you'll be my girlfriend?"

"Yes. I will be your girlfriend." Taraji squealed, jumping onto Fantasia with a hug. Fantasia squeezed her tight, taking a deep breath and relishing in the moment. Taraji pulled back, giving Fantasia another kiss, this time a little longer, before pulling away to eat.

They sat side by side, picking at their food in between painting their frames. They discussed everything from their classes to their childhood, enjoying getting the time to know each other. After sitting for a while, Fantasia decided to get up and run through the field, Taraji joining after a while, and their running became a game of tag. Exhausted, Fantasia ran back to their blanket, laying down to catch a breath. Taraji came over, laid next to her and took her hand.

"You make me happy too," Taraji said, caressing the back of Fantasia's hand with her thumb. Fantasia sighed, smiling as she looked up at the clouds. They laid there in comfortable silence until the sky began to dim, letting them know that it was early evening. Taraji got up first, kissing Fantasia's lips and beginning to clean up. "You look tired, pretty. If you wanna go get in the car while I clean up you can. You went through the trouble of getting everything set up so the least I can do is help get it packed and back in the car," she offered. Fantasia sat up, looking at Taraji with so much wonder. Taraji constantly surprised her with her giving and kind nature and Fantasia didn't know if she'd ever get used to it. She hoped for their sake that she didn't, so that she wouldn't ever take it for granted.

"You sure?"

"Absolutely," Taraji stood up, helping Fantasia up. "And I'll even drive back, because before I went to sleep I saw this really cute ice cream shop that I'd like to stop at." Fantasia pouted, but Taraji wasn't having it. She kissed Fantasia's pouty lips, turned her around and shooed her in the direction of the car. "Go. We'll be on the road in a few minutes." Fantasia got into the passenger's seat, checking her phone while Taraji worked. True to her word, Taraji got into the car only a few minutes later, starting them on the road.

"Did you have a good time," Fantasia asked, laying her hand palm-side up on the console for Taraji to take when she had the chance.

"I did! Thank you for sharing such a fond memory with me." Taraji reached down, taking Fantasia's hand in her lap and setting the car on cruise. Taraji heard a familiar song come on the radio that she had heard Fantasia singing before. "Will you sing to me?" Taraji loved to hear Fantasia sing. She had the most beautiful voice, which was to be expected coming from a kingdom of music. Fantasia blushed, picking up on the song and turning the music up to hear it better.