Poppy Seed

When someone asks me what I love most about my self, the answer is always a lie. I alway say the things I love most are that I'm smart, beautiful, athletic, and the most popular girl in school, but in reality, I don't really know myself.  I don't even have any real friends, just a group of popular kids who don't actually care about me. We call ourselves the Poppy Seeds, or Poppies for short. We're named that because we're the Poppy Seed cheerleading team.  We're supposed to be the coolest people at Evelyne High.  The thought of that lie makes me smile sadly.

It's the first day of senior year and me and the Poppies stare in shock from our seats.  Sashaying into the classroom ten minutes late is Rachel Sluner, my ex-girlfriend.  I had loved her, but our relationship was a secret.  She had wanted to come out about us, so I had pushed her away.  She told her parents anyway.  They thought she was crazy  for accusing a Poppy of being lesbian. In our school that was a big no-no.  They sent her away to boarding school for junior year.  I felt so bad and would have done anything to get her back.

I want to run up to her now and hug her and kiss her and ask her with all my heart for forgiveness. Instead I just sit there, gawking, with the rest of the Poppies. As she passes by she turns to me and I get scared as she hisses, "I'm back and theres nothing you can do to protect your secret. To protect our secret."

I don't see Rachel again until lunch when I pass by the library. She is sitting alone and nobody's around so I went over to her. I fully planned to go over there and slap her, but when I get there I fall on my knees and start begging for forgiveness.

I never had to beg for anything in my life before, but that's what Rachel does to me. She makes me a better person. So I beg.  I tell her, "I'll do anything. Please just forgive me!"

Rachel is obviously shocked but she recovers quickly. "Will you tell the school about us?"

I grab her hand and pull her towards the caff, though she resists.  I burst through the doors, jump up onto a table, and yell at everyone to shut up.

"I have an announcement to make!" I pull a reluctant and stage frightened Rachel up after me. "I love this girl! She makes me complete."  I leaned towards her and kiss her flat in the lip.  It felt magical. Like I've been waiting my whole life for this moment. Then something extraordinary happens.  The caff fills with cheers. They cheer for me, for us.  I never knew a place so cold and cruel could be so kind and understanding.  For the first time in my life, I finally love my true self.