#ProudLife

Amber Deys

A pale bulb flickered in the living room of the Deys' household. Sitting on a small, rickety table, three people could be heard talking among themselves.

"I'm so sorry honey, I don't think we'll be able to buy you anything for your birthday this year, sweetheart."

"It's alright, mum." Amber said, her eyes downcast.

"I promise we'll get you something for Christmas, won't we, Jim?"

Amber's father put a hand on her shoulder and said,"Yes, of course, we will, honey. I'm sure we'll be able to save up enough to buy everyone presents!"

Amber smiled at her parents. "I'll see you later, mum and dad. Off to school now!"

Saying so, she left their small apartment and made her way to school. While walking, she saw a small, homeless girl beside a shop window and suddenly, she had a flashback to a couple of years ago which made her shudder and walk even quicker, away from the memories.

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Just as she entered the school's gates, a dark-haired girl with a completely black outfit came towards her. "Oh my God, Am, you will not believe what happened today!"

Seeing her best friend and one of her most favourite people in the world, Amber laughed and said, "Something really drastic must have happened, eh? Make you all excited? What is it?!"

"I really never...thought this could happen...but, I came to school in my mom's car today...a-and..I didn't get a panic attack, Am." Her face showed immense relief and pride at having overcome her mental illness for the first time.

Amber planted a kiss on her friend's cheek and hugged her. "I'm so proud of you, Tay!"

Seeing Amber and Taylor in a deep embrace, a tall, blonde girl and her friends laughed and said "So now it's an ace and a lesbian?? I thought asexuals didn't feel love, Deys."

"It would be better it you kept your 'oh I'm so straight' ass out of our friendship, Chelsea, that act doesn't work anymore."

"What act?? What are you talking about, Taylor Lane?!" Chelsea said her voice unnaturally high-pitched.

Amber and Taylor laughed, catching the attention of the students standing near them. "Oh nothing. Just that we saw you and your sidekick Hazel making out pathetically, in the girls' locker room after school yesterday."

Chelsea's face turned a very nasty shade of magenta and she stormed out of the scene with her sidekicks Hazel and Lana following her meekly.

Seeing each other smirking, Taylor and Amber burst out laughing and went to class.

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Later that morning, the six friends of Traverton High School came together and sat on a mahogany lunch table.

"Scott! Hey there, you absolute sweet pie!"

"Anthony! How's your hand now, buddy?"

"Hey Leia! Would you mind not strutting off your Dan and Phil merch for once?!"

Chatting incessantly, six high school sophomores who had literally nothing in common except for their shared bond of love continued their year-old friendship as they tucked into their lunches, their faces elated and without a worry, because come what may, they'll always be as close-knit as ever.