Everlasting: A Kamala Harris Sapphic Fanfiction

Chapter Two - California Love

**MATURE CONTENT**

CHAPTER TWO

California Love

The year is 1986. Senior year is here for Tiana and Kamala!

By senior year, the last chapter of our college saga had begun, but every laughter and secret exchanged merely deepened my secret. The way she flung her hair over her shoulder or laughed at my terrible jokes made my heart skip. I yearned to tell her about the feelings that had sprouted, so profound yet so terrifying that I kept them locked inside.

It was during one of our late-night study sessions in our dorm room that I realized something was different. I found myself stealing glances at Kamala as she held focus on her textbooks, admiring the way her eyes lit up, the way her determination filled the room. I was falling for her, and it scared me. I decided to keep my feelings a secret, afraid of how she might react.

Kamala and I were inseparable, moving through the corridors of Howard with a shared purpose. Late nights in the library were deep discussions on life, love, and justice. Our weekends were filled with rallies and volunteer work, and with each passing moment, I found myself admiring Kamala more. She was fierce and intelligent, graceful and articulate. It was all-consuming, and soon, I was becoming more hopelessly infatuated.

Spring break of our senior year arrived sooner than expected, and I was surprised when Kamala announced that she had planned a trip for us to visit her hometown in Oakland.

I still remember the day Kamala delivered the news to me. It was one of those lazy afternoons in our cramped college dorm, sunlight filtering through the sheer curtains, illuminating the stacks of textbooks that crowded the coffee table. I was sprawled out on the couch, balancing a mug of lukewarm coffee on my chest, glancing at a textbook when Kamala burst through the door.

"Hey! What are your plans for spring break?"

I smiled at her. Kamala always had a way of infusing excitement into every moment, a quality I admired more than I could express. I replied back lethargically, "Not much, just catching up on sleep and binge-watching some terrible reality TV. What about you?"

She stood there unimpressed as her favorite playlist played softly in the background. "How about you come to Oakland with me? Let's do something fun before we're thrown into the real world!"

The words struck me like a bolt of lightning. A trip to Oakland? Suddenly, my mundane plans felt suffocating. I sat up, adrenaline surging through me, the hollow emptiness of my spring break aspirations swirling away like autumn leaves in the wind. "Really? You want me to come?" I replied, giddy.

Kamala's response was immediate. "Of course! I'll show you around my hometown. It'll be epic!"

I hesitated for only a second. This was Kamala—adventurous, dynamic, and always a whirlwind of ideas. I couldn't resist. "Okay, I'm in! When do we leave?"

She showed a wide smile that mirrored my own growing excitement. As the days crept closer, I found myself dreaming of palm trees, vibrant street murals, and the tantalizing scent of street food wafting through the air.

The morning of our departure, I stood in front of the mirror, scrutinizing my outfit as if it could somehow capture the spirit of adventure. I packed my suitcase with sundresses, swimsuits, and a journal to pen down my experiences. I wanted to remember every moment of this trip, so I had invested in a Polaroid camera.

When we arrived at the airport, Kamala looked over at me with a bright smile that reflected the sun streaming through the glass structure. I couldn't wait for the captivating stories of her childhood in Oakland. As we boarded the plane, she filled me in on her favorite hangouts, her childhood haunts, and the local treasures we would discover.