Red & White & Pink

Chapter 1

(Note: This story is multi pov)

      LILLIAN- Monday 5:30 PM

      I'm a short girl. Like 5'4. So my relationship with the male species has always been a bit dodgy. As a realized sapphic bisexual I now know why. I've had a few crushes here and there, and of course many celebrity crushes. But I don't think anyone could be prettier than my best friend, Charlotte Moore. She's the opposite of me when it comes to boys, she always has some swarming around her.

      We're at track practice and run different events, so I have to watch her flirt with some boy from across the field with no way to intervene. Her beautiful red hair wrapped up in a ponytail, slowly blowing with the wind. She doesn't fall so easily though so when she looks away from him and locks eyes with me it sets me at ease. I mean I'm her best friend, it's natural to want her attention. Who am I kidding? I'm in love with her and she has no idea. I would tell her, but I don't want to ruin our friendship. And her parents are religious nuts, so I doubt she would return my feelings.

      I raise my hand into a small wave and she smiles brightly and returns the wave. The boy she's talking to barely glances over at me. Typical. Just thirty more minutes and this practice can finally be over.

      When we're in our final huddle with coach Charlotte and I make our way to stand next to each other. I tried to listen to the group's notes but Charlotte's heavy breathing was all I could hear. How quickly her chest would rise and fall as she breathed, her cheeks glowing pink from the exhaustion of running, and the small beads of sweat she hadn't gotten to wipe off her forehead yet were absolutely captivating.

      Almost as if feeling my gaze Charlotte glanced in my direction, causing me to quickly look in the coaches direction. My cheeks began to flush, and I pray she didn't notice. Sneaking a glance back at her I see she's looking at me now. It's almost impossible to read her face, I've never wanted to know more about what she's thinking. Especially since she seemed lost inside of her mind.

      Knocking me out of my trance was the coach's booming clap, signaling the huddle was over and as was practice. We all trudged over to our cars, absolutely exhausted by the afternoon's activities.

      In the corner of my I spotted a boy eyeing Charlotte, so I quickly started a conversation with her.

      "How did you like practice?" I ask, my heart beating out of my chest. What a stupid question!

      "I could've done better, I'm really stressed over this Saturday's meet. I know I can get top three," She responds. Of course she can, she's one of our best runners, but she's always pushing herself to do more.

      "You've definitely gotten faster, JROTC helps with that," I chuckle. That's how we became friends in the first place. Being two of the few girls in the JROTC programs freshman year. Now, seniors, we basically run the program.

      "Yeah, but you've improved yourself. Nothing better than sergeant majors yelling to motivate right?" She giggles and I can't help but smile. She has a small twinkle in her eye and I can't figure out why.

      "Well as battalion commander how can I be encouraged if I don't strive to improve?" I laugh and she nods in agreement. "Oh! I almost forgot, are you going to the military ball Saturday evening? Now that we know it won't conflict with the meet."

      "Of course! I'm just gonna stuff my dress in the locker room and change here and do my makeup at the hotel. What about you?" She asks, and I realize we were in front of my car.

      "Yeah, I had a similar plan, maybe we can ride together?" I take a deep breath, "Unless you're bringing someone?"

      "Yeah I asked a friend to go, Stephen." She responds and my heart leaps into my throat. "What about you Lilly?"