My Star

Chapter 1

Dear Diary...
June 8, 2022

Hello Diary let me introduce you to our little neighborhood crew - the inseparable bunch who grew up together, went to school together, hung out like wet clothes together.

Now that this is our last summer together as we were all heading in different directions come fall. I truly don't know  how to feel.

Picture me, Star, head over heels for Justino (the man of my dreams), alongside Malachi and Alisha, the OG childhood sweethearts. Then there's Infinity and Toni, the junior high lovebirds.

I remember a time when Justino got comfortable showering me with affection in public. Everyone thought we was finally getting together. But...No! Cause it's me and Justino, stuck in the eternal 'you're like a little sister to me' limbo. Oh, how fascinating!

As my senior year unfolded, so did my curves, and I finally found my style. But while other guys started to take notice, Justino remained oblivious, still seeing me as just his trusty sidekick, Star.

Those dreams of us slaying homecoming and prom together? Faded faster than my teenage metabolism.

Fast forward to yesterday, where we strutted across the stage into the murky waters of adulthood. As we scatter in different directions post-summer, here I am, still waiting for that elusive first kiss, that magical first date.

Will Justino ever see me beyond the 'best friend' zone? Stay tuned for the next episode of 'Star's Unrequited Love Chronicles'!"

"I set the pen down and made my way out the door."

                                           
First day of summer break at Justino's house

As I banged on Justino's door, the house was quiet. Well, the whole neighborhood was quiet except for me. I went around to the side of the house and knocked on Justino's bedroom window, hoping he would hear me, which he did.

"Who is it!" he yelled as I stared up at him, proudly showing all 32 pearly whites. Once he saw it was me, he rolled his eyes and raised the window. "Star, what the hell," he yelled. I didn't took offense; it was just his way.

"Today's the boys' first day at that summer camp, and I've come over to help you get them ready... I can go home if you like," I said, giving him the cutest puppy-dog eyes. I hoped.

"Fuck, I totally forgot. I'll go around and open the front door," he said, wiping sleep out of his eyes.

"Or you can hoist me up through the window," I told him, smacking my lips.

And he deadass reached down and snatched me up as if I were weightless.

"Take your shoes off," he said as my feet finally hit his bedroom floor. He waited patiently for me to do so, then carried me to his bed.

The first time he did that, I thought, "This is it," but nope. He just snuggled with me until he fell back to sleep.

I lay my head on his chest, and he inhaled my scent as if I were the very air he needed to breathe. His touch was gentle; he caressed my back, and I melted into him. His sleepy whispers of "I love you, now shush" filled my heart. I knew Justino loved me, but it was the way he said it in this moment that gave me hope.

Then his symphony of snores told me he was in a deep sleep. I only stayed a short time longer than necessary. It was hard to walk away from heaven.

I carefully moved so I wouldn't disturb him, getting out of his bed and quietly tiptoeing to the boys' room to wake them up. The twins were actually Justino's mini-me; they looked so much like him, as if he had cloned them. They were the sweetest 7-year-old boys you could ever meet.