Brides To Be: High School Years

What Is This Feeling?

EJ and Kate picked up Natalie and took her to school so she didn't have to ride the bus with Eddy. As soon as the three of them walked through the door all eyes turned toward them. Whispers and giggles were exchanged as they walked down the hall.
Emma Jane saw worry and fear in her friend's eyes.
A guy in the hall walked past them but purposely bumped into Natalie.
"Watch where you're going, slut." he said to her and walked away with an evil smirk.
Natalie froze in spot, tears threatening to roll down her face. She looked around and saw everyone around her laugh. She thought she heard Emma Jane call out to her, but everything was muffled. What did Eddy do? She felt a sharp pain come from her arm. She looked and saw that Kate had slapped her to get her attention.
"Nat, do you want a ride home?" Kate asked? Natalie shook her head. Her mother would be home and she did not want to tell her what happened. She feared her mother would never let her see anyone again or make a huge deal about it at school.
Natalie's heart began to race. Her vision blurred. She felt weak and alone. She was about to collapse when she felt arms wrap around her. Emma Jane was hugging her.
"You are OK. You are OK. It will be OK." EJ whispered to her friend. Emma Jane knew she had to find a staff Nat could talk to and she knew the perfect person.
Kate went off to see her friends while Emma Jane and Natalie went to see their school counselor Mr. Palo. Nat was so upset she couldn't talk, but with her permission EJ told Mr. Palo everything. He just sat there and nodded.
"Well, Natalie," he said with his thick Spanish accent. "My first advice would be to tell your mom, but seeing as that you don't want to, then I would suggest staying in here until you are calm enough to go to class. Emma Jane, you need to get to class. I understand that you want to support your friend, but Natalie is safe in here. "he said.
Emma Jane looked at Nat to see if she was OK, Nat's head hung and she was hugging herself. EJ didn't want to leave her, but she knew she had to. She nodded and went to class.
Right outside her first class she saw Eddy talking and laughing with his friends, EJ felt anger boil up inside her and she ran up to him and hit him with her text book on his arm.
"HOW DARE YOU?! You ask Natalie to the dance and try to... You are DISGUSTING! And you have the NERVE to go and tell everyone it was her fault?! That she threw herself onto you?! I knew I didn't like you the second I saw you, but this?! You... You... Mother-! "
" Miss Emma Jane Hurt! " EJ was interrupted by her teacher." My office. Now. "she said as she stormed into her room. EJ followed, not looking at Eddy.
The teacher, Mrs. Johnson, sat down at her desk and EJ sat on the other side. "Miss Hurt, I know what is going on. I heard the rumors and heard you yelling. And I am proud of you for standing up for your friend, but I think we both know that violence and foul language are prohibited on school grounds." she said, her voice stern, yet caring.
EJ nodded." I understand. "
Mrs. Johnson sighed."I am supposed to give you a detention, but I will let this one slide. Now, why don't you go sit in your seat."
EJ listened to her teacher and sat down.

Later that day, Natalie went over the EJ's house to do homework together. They were up in EJ's room and alone in the house, everyone else at work. They were alone in the house and the only sound was the scribble of pencils.
Emma Jane wanted to talk about what had happened, but she knew she needed to let it be. She looked over at Natalie and her heart broke. To see her best friend, the most gorgeous girl in the world, so sad was horrendous. She wanted to do something to cheer her up. But she didn't know what to do. Before, whenever Nat was sad a kiss from Eddy would cheer her up, but that wouldn't work know, unless...
EJ took a deep breath. "Hey, Nat?" she said, her voice shaky.
"Hmm?" Natalie asked as she looked at her friend.
Emma Jane quickly leaned over and put her lips on Natalie's cheek with a quick peck.
The touch of her lips on Natalie's face made Natalie go stiff for a second, but then she relaxed, a warm feeling spreading through her. Nat tried not to blush.
"What was that for?!" she asked Emma Jane. EJ shrugged, looking embarrassed.
"I-i wanted to cheer you up, sorry..." she said.
"No, no. Don't be sorry, it-it was sweet, but you understand why it was weird right?" Natalie asked.
EJ nodded, a frown forming on her face. What was she thinking? Girls can't be with girls. That is ridiculous. But if it was so ridiculous then why did Emma Jane feel this way? Why did she feel like she wanted to be with Natalie? Romantically.
Natalie's mind was also racing. She wanted to be with EJ too, but she didn't know if she was ready for a relationship. She had seen gay couples before in England, but she never thought she would be a part of one. Especially the way their families viewed gay marriage. Her heart told her to push those feelings away and to kiss her back. Why should something so beautiful as love be so bad?
Natalie looked at her friend and grinned. "Hey, Emma Jane."
EJ looked at Natalie as Natalie kissed her back, but this time, not on the cheek, on the lips.
It seemed to last forever, they got closer, now hugging each other. Their hearts racing, their minds going blank except for one thought, that they had to be together.