If only you were a boy

WLW If only you were a boy.

Church was always a safe place for me. It was the place where I was practically raised. My dad was a pastor which led my mom and I to attend the ceremonies every Sunday. Our town has always been very close so when someone new entered, we could tell. This was the case with Charlie. She moved right down the street from us. My parents and I took a freshly baked berry pie, which my mom had made, to welcome the latest family that has moved to our community. My parents invited Charlie and her family to the church the next day for our Sunday service. I noticed their hesitation, but they ultimately agreed.

Charlie looked to be around my age and she had short brown hair. We were almost complete opposites. I have long blonde hair and light green eyes. It was ironic because we got along so well. This time, she wore a lengthy pair of jeans, a button-up shirt, and her hair was styled. When I first saw her, she had messy hair. Charlie and I started hanging out more. She finally invited me over, and my parents were very happy that I was making her feel welcome in the community. We started hanging out almost every day and we were so close that many people thought we were sisters.

Almost half of my closet was sweatshirts of hers, and she would get me flowers when we would hang out. The last time we were able to was the night that she told me she liked me more than just a friend. I told her that she didn't feel that way. I thought I liked her too but my mom reminded me that God can create love but not between two girls. Charlie understood and I cuddled her to sleep before my parents saw us in the morning. They made her leave and convinced me that she needed saving from her sins. She tried to come back, but she wasn't welcome. I gave her back her clothes and the flowers that I dried for safekeeping. I even sent her a little note back in the pocket of her sweater. "If only you were a boy."