Chapter 1
Amy brushed a stray lock of red hair from her face as she hurried across the college quad. She was running late for her poetry workshop class. As she rushed through the doors of the literary building, she collided with someone, sending books flying everywhere.
"Oh my god, I'm so sorry!" Amy exclaimed, quickly bending down to help gather the scattered books and papers.
"It's okay, don't worry about it," a melodic voice responded.
Amy looked up and her breath caught in her throat. The most beautiful girl she'd ever seen was giving her a warm smile as she reached for a book...
Chapter 2
...Over the next few weeks, Amy found herself constantly stealing glances at the dark-haired beauty across the room during their workshop sessions. Sarah. Her name was Sarah and Amy was mesmerized by her.
One day after class, Amy worked up the courage to approach her. "Hi Sarah, I'm Amy. I just wanted to say how much I admire your writing."
Sarah blushed slightly. "Thank you Amy, that means a lot coming from you. Your poetry is breathtaking."
The two English literature majors quickly discovered they had much in common beyond a love of the written word. A spark seemed to bind them...
Chapter 3
...As their friendship blossomed over the following months, Amy realized her feelings for Sarah had deepened into something more. She was captivated by Sarah's compassion, her intellect, her sparkling hazel eyes.
Did Sarah feel the same? Amy was terrified to make the first move and risk ruining what had become the most important relationship in her life. She resigned herself to struggling with her growing infatuation in silence.
Until one crisp autumn evening, when Sarah invited Amy over to her apartment to work on their poetry portfolios together...
Chapter 4
...Amy's heart pounded as she entered Sarah's cozy off-campus apartment. They settled in on the overstuffed sofa, sipping tea and reviewing each other's latest drafts.
"This one is so powerful, Amy," Sarah said intently, locking eyes with her. She placed her hand on Amy's and gave it a gentle squeeze.
Amy felt her breath catch and a jolt of electricity seemed to arc between their connected hands. She looked at Sarah with unguarded longing. Slowly, they began leaning towards each other until...
Chapter 5
...Their lips finally met in a soft, tentative kiss that seemed to last an eternity. When they finally parted, Sarah caressed Amy's cheek tenderly.
"I've wanted this for so long," Sarah breathed. "I was just too afraid to make the first move."
Amy felt giddy with disbelieving joy. "Me too...I never dreamed you might actually feel the same way."
They came together in a deeper, more passionate kiss, as if trying to make up for all the lost time. Breathless, they finally broke apart, foreheads touching.
"Stay with me tonight?" Sarah whispered hopefully...
Chapter 6
...In the warm bedsheets the next morning, wrapped in Sarah's arms, Amy felt fully content for the first time in her life. She traced the curve of Sarah's cheek with a fingertip.
"When did you first know?" Amy asked softly. "That you had feelings for me, I mean."
Sarah smiled and brushed a fiery tress from Amy's face. "Honestly? Pretty much since the moment I literally ran into you that first day of class. You were just so beautiful and flustered, I was goner."
Amy gave a radiant smile and pulled Sarah into a deep kiss...
Chapter 7
...Over the next few blissful months, Amy and Sarah were inseparable. They spent long hours discussing literature, philosophizing about life, writing and critiquing each other's poetry.
At night, they lost themselves in deep exploration of emotional and physical intimacy. Making love with Sarah was like a revelation to Amy. She had never felt so accepted, so understood, so passionately desired.
Yet Sarah struggled with her own deep-rooted insecurities about fully embracing her identity. Her conservative upbringing made her hesitant to go public with their relationship...
Chapter 8
...Frustrations began to build as Amy grew tired of hiding the most meaningful relationship of her life. She desperately wanted to be open about her love for Sarah, but didn't want to push her partner faster than she could handle.
Things finally came to a head when Amy's parents came to campus for a visit. She could tell her mom picked up on the undercurrent between her and Sarah right away.
In a heated argument after her parents left, Amy pleaded with Sarah. "Why are you so afraid to just be who you are? To be with me, openly?"
Tears streamed down Sarah's face. "You don't understand how hard this is for me...I'm trying, I really am..."
Chapter 9
...A tearful Sarah finally opened up to Amy about the years of internalized shame instilled by her family's bigoted attitudes towards homosexuality. She had fought so hard just to be true to herself, but the idea of fully embracing her identity still filled her with visceral anxiety.
Amy listened intently, reaching to wipe away the streaks of tears on Sarah's cheeks. Her partner's vulnerability allowed her to understand the demons Sarah was battling for the first time.
"I'm so sorry you've had to go through that," Amy said, pulling Sarah into a comforting embrace. "We'll get through this, together, at your own pace. I'm not going anywhere..."
Chapter 10
...After many more open and honest discussions, Sarah decided she was finally ready to love herself fully and embrace her identity. She thanked Amy for her endless patience and unconditional support in helping her find the courage.
At the college LGBTQ poetry slam, Sarah shocked Amy by boldly taking the stage and delivering a deeply personal piece celebrating their love. When she finished, she strode over and pulled Amy into a soulful kiss, to thunderous applause.
In that moment, Amy realized her bond with Sarah truly was one of kindred souls, fated to be together despite the expected challenges life might still bring. Foreheads pressed together, she smiled radiantly. "I love you, my soul."
