An O'Solo Love Story

5.

Hope's POV
I wake up to the sun shining in my face. I stretch my legs. It feels warmer than usual when I wake up, I'm usually pretty cold. I honestly don't even remember coming home last night. I open my eyes. That's why I don't remember coming home last night, I never did. Kelley is sleeping in the center of her bed and I am laying to her left, my arm around her waist and my face laying in her hair that smells of some kind of fruity shampoo.
Kelley opens her eyes and smiles at me. "Hey, how'd you sleep?"
Ew, she's a morning person. That's horrible.
"No." I place my leg over hers and wrap my arm around her waist, resting my head on her chest.
"Still sleepy?"
I nod my head before falling asleep in the arms of the girl that will soon regret all of this. But hey, if we're both gonna crash and burn at the end of this, I might as well enjoy it for now.
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Kelley's POV
We've been talking for hours, never having a dull moment. We went out in the woods behind my backyard. There was this old little shed and a small boat. We're taking a break from climbing around. I turn the camera on and zoom in on her. Hope's leaning against the boat, studying the butterfly that landed on her hand.
"Do you believe in love?"
"I believe in love but I don't think it'll find me."
"Why?"
Hope looks at me as the butterfly flies away. "If I gave away all my secrets in one day I wouldn't be a mystery anymore, now would I?" She smirks and turns around and walks further into the forest.
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Hope's POV
Kelley and I are sitting in Health. She's looking out the window at the mountains. I'm drawing in my notebook, partially listening to my teacher. I think we're starting a new project in here today. Great, two projects and one victim to handle all at once.
"So, for this project you will work in partners. Each pair will have one of these and you will take care of it for the next week. It is 40% of your grade so I suggest you do well."
Fucking dolls. Great. Just great.
"Now, there are twenty-six girls in here but only twenty-four boys. So, there will be one pair with two girls."
Everyone immediately looks at Kelley. Mackenzie, the fucking queen bee, starts talking in her annoying high pitched fake ass voice. "I bet Kelley would love to be in the group with two girls, right Kelley?"
She gives Kelley her signature smirk that has become so popular at this high school.
"Mackenzie, that is unacceptable. Please turn around now and pay attention. I have two hats. Boys, pick from this one. Girls, pick from this one. Whoever has the same number as you is your partner. Come on up."
The jocks race towards the hat, trying to get everyone's attention a usual. I roll my eyes before getting up, looking at Kelley. "Coming?"
She looks up at me with sad eyes. She nods her head, not saying a word. She grabs a slip of paper from the hat. I put my hand on her back and grab mine too.
"It'll all be okay. Wanna come over to my house after school?"
She smiles and nods her head before sitting back down.
I open my slip. 25.
"Okay class, find your partner."
I look at Kelley. "What number did you get?"
"25"
"Looks like we're partners then." I smile at her and then go back to drawing in my notebook. This is such bad luck, how can I watch a doll with Kelley and do ourother project without guilt consuming me? And I'm not sure, but I think I might ACTUALLY like her. Isn't that like unbiblical or something, being gay? Ugh, I'm such a mess.
---
"Here, you girls can have this one." Our teacher hands us a doll. I carry the doll back to my seat. As I head towards my desk with Kelley close behind me, Mackenzie stops me. "Be careful, Hope. You're such a good smart girl, and it really sucks you get stuck with such a disgrace. You must be so worried about dealing with a gay, so if you ever need help just call me."
"I think I can decide for myself whose a disgrace. And it's not her, it's you. Fucking bitch, you don't break people down like that."
Kelley runs out of the room. Before I can control myself, my fist makes contact with Mackenzie's face.
I quickly exit the room, ignoring my teacher who is now calling my name. I head into the bathroom with the dumb doll in my arms. I see Kelley sitting onthe floor in one of the stalls. "Kelley, can you open the stall?"
"No, just go away."
I sigh, before crawling under the stall door and dragging the baby under with me.
"You know, it's okay to cry sometimes. It's just human." Kelley quickly breaks down. I pick her up and place her on my lap. Does she have anxiety? It seems like she's having a panic attack. She is gasping for air and holding onto my shirt so tight that her knuckles are white. My chest is drenched with her tears after just a few seconds. I rub her back. "Shh...you're okay. I'm here. Just listen to my heartbeat, focus on that."
Kelley slightly whimpers but she stops crying. I carefully stand up, holding both the doll and Kelley in my arms.