Her - A Short Story

Her

Helen. She'd been Gemma's best friend ever since the two met at the start of secondary school. Complete opposites, but they were the only two who didn't already have friends. It made sense they'd find each other.

Helen was cute back then, but now, in Year 11, she was stunning. Gemma had always been average; she was a little chubby, but not overly so, with brown hair and brown eyes, and she stood at average height. Helen was tall and blonde, with green eyes and a perfect figure. Since she was 14 she'd had a string of boyfriends, never really being single for more than a few weeks. Yet she still made time for Gemma in all of it. Gemma who, unlike Helen, had never been in a relationship. Nobody had ever caught her eye, and she suspected that she had never been looked at twice either. She didn't mind though.

It was in Year 11 that the 15-year-old finally figured out why it was she had never liked anybody in that way, or should I say it was in Year 11 she figured out she'd liked somebody in that way for a long time. By this point, she was in love with Helen. But this wasn't like the love she'd always been taught of. It didn't make her feel care-free and happy, and all lovey-dovey. It made her feel sick, and scared, and stupid. Being gay wasn't something her parents would ever accept, and Helen was clearly straight. This was so utterly wrong. And hopeless. And awful. She would have to see that beauty every single day, and hide inside of herself. She would be alone until she could finally tell her parents this secret, and until she could stop feeling this way about Helen. It felt like she'd be alone forever. No, that couldn't be an option. Even if she couldn't tell her parents, she could tell Helen. Helen would understand, and maybe Helen would be open to- no, she had to be realistic. Honest with Helen, but herself too.

8:45am

She took a deep breath before entering the school that morning. Gemma had gone over the plan in her head many times already; she would pull Helen aside at lunch, take her to an isolated area, and tell her what was going on. Then she'd prepare herself. For anything. A hug, a look of disgust, acceptance, or a string of homophobic slurs. Whatever happened, she was ready. Seeing Helen smile and wave at her as she entered her form room was difficult that morning, and made her feel nauseous, but she drew a smile on her face and waved back. They sat on opposite ends of the room, as the teacher had seated them at the start of the school year, but at least they were in the same form. Although, also in that form was a boy now going over to Helen's desk. Paul, an attractive guy to say the least. Smart, too, but you wouldn't be able to tell from the way he acted in social situations. He seemed like another dumb football player. A dumb football player that was perched on Helen's desk making her laugh, and flirting with her. Gemma had to stay strong throughout this. It was definitely not the time to have a breakdown. She just needed to make it to lunch, and maybe Helen would at least be sensitive. It was likely she'd be accepting, just slightly uncomfortable to think she was the love interest of a fellow girl, Gemma had decided. But, until lunch, nothing was definite.

12:50pm

After a long wait, it was finally time. Gemma started pacing slightly. She had told Helen to meet her at the start of lunch in an alley a street away from school. It was well-known, and usually used for drug deals, but it would have to do. It was private at least. The girl checked her watch. Helen should be here by now. Had she forgotten? Panic set in, before...

"Gemma!" Helen called over from the other end of the alley, jogging over to meet her, "I'm so sorry I got caught up, and I had to make sure nobody saw me leave or it'd have been mayhem."

It was true, they weren't meant to leave school technically. Had a teacher seen Helen she would have received an automatic detention. A student would have wanted to tag along.

"It's fine, really. I just needed to tell you something, away from everyone," Gemma started.

Concern grew in Helen's face, "What is it, are you alright?"

"I- I don't know. It's just, I don't know how to say it," Gemma stumbled over the sentence, as if tasting every word. 

"Whatever it is, you know I'll always be here for you Gem," Helen reassured her friend.

"I- I think I know that but, it's weird and I'm scared. I'm scared you'll find it weird," Gemma continued, "But I need to tell you, so here goes. I'm- I- I like you Helen, as more than a friend."

Gemma saw the slight widening of Helen's eyes and instantly regretted this decision, "I'm so sorry Helen I just, I thought I should-"

She was cut off as Helen lifted her head up gently with her hand, "Gem, you have no idea how long I've wished for you to say that."

To Gemma's surprise, Helen then kissed her. Not just a peck, but passionately, and deeply. She grabbed the back of the head as if she was scared about what would happen if they broke apart, and sank into the kiss. Gemma began to kiss her back after the initial shock wore off, but she soon pulled back. 

"Helen, it- what about Paul? Everyone you've already dated? I don't understand."

Helen looked to her side slightly, and her blonde locks blew ever so gently in the wind, as if she were a character in a drama. 

"I don't know Gem. I was attracted to them, I admit that. But, I've always felt so strongly about you. I can't explain it. All I know is I want to be with you, if you want the same. I want to walk into school holding your hand, and to go on dates, and be romantic. I want to love you and hold you. I see a future for us, not a fling. And I've never felt that about anybody before," Helen confessed as a delicate tear dripped down her cheek.

Gemma wiped it away, "If you want that, we can make it happen."

She then kissed Helen once more, but this time it was quick and close-mouthed.

"Now, we walk into school, and we face whatever comes our way. We'll do it together," Gemma encouraged.

Helen nodded slightly.

"Together," she agreed.

With that, she offered Gemma her hand, and the pair walked into the school grounds exactly as they'd planned: ready for anything.