Freshman year of high school. I fell in love.
It was band camp and I had joined the color guard because it looked like fun, little did I know that it would be the figurative death of me. I walked in to the first practice extremely nervous because I went to a different middle school than everyone else here. They had already formed friends. I was a lone girl, until I heard two others start talking about a musical I loved. They were playing the musical and I went over to them, starting to sing the lyrics. The two looked at me a bit shocked but befriended me.
The two were Nala and Alex, the latter being the one I ended liking. Her personality was inviting, also being awkward, I could relate. Lunch was fun. I sat with her and her friends, some being my friends. Over the next several months my feelings deepened. I was up late with a friend and realized I had a crush on a girl who was bisexual. She, unfortunately, leaned heavily towards males. I was very drawn to her. Alex also left color guard after a season to join winter drum line and she ending up loving it; she never rejoined the color guard as she had originally intended. I didn't see her nearly as much as I did during fall season. I told her that I liked her, she rejected my feelings. I understood she wouldn't like me so I refrained from bringing up my crush near her.
Soon came June first, a Friday. The day of color guard recruitment. My mother left late to pick me up. Apparently, Alex stayed to learn more about rhythm. We were alone. Her grandpa had a flat tire so he was late. We waited outside the band room, where both of us got picked up. It was almost five in the evening so we headed inside. We sat rather close.
"It's been a while since we've had time to talk alone... " I merely nodded in. "I've been wanting to talk to you. Remember how in December you told me about your, um, feelings?" My cheeks flushed as I nodded again. "Well, um, how do I say this, I think I like you... A lot." I just laughed.
"Nice one Al! I almost believed you!" I glanced over to see a blushing girl with a serious face. "Oh, you're genuine."
"Yeah I am." I inhaled, then spoke.
"Well, l never stopped liking you, I just fell harder." Alex's face lit up and she smiled at me. Good god that smile killed me every time I saw it. She leaned forward and pecked my cheek gently, causing a giggle to escape from my mouth.
"You're so cute Lia."
"You're cuter!" I laughed but soon stopped.
"What is that?"
"I don't know Al..."
Then my eyes shot open. It was my alarm.
"Get ready for the performance mija!" That was my mom, and it was 6:30 am, June first.
