The Only One (Revised and Updated Version)

Our Beautiful Friendship

Naomi's POV

I've had a crush on my best friend for a long time now and we've known each other since we were six. Now we're in high school together. Whenever she gets a new boyfriend I'm there for her and I support her just like a best friend should even though I get really jealous. She's my world, my everything, I need her, if I lost her for any reason I wouldn't forgive myself.

Her boyfriend's name is Jack, he's a lot like me, a rebel, and one of my closest guy friends. He came to me a few months ago and asked me if it was okay to go out with Emma. Of course I said yes but I didn't think that Emma would ever say yes to him but I guess it's to be expected.

Emma has always been the one with a boyfriend to keep her company. Me on the other hand, I'm waiting for the day that I can get the courage to tell her that I love her in more ways than one. She's honestly the most amazing person I have ever met.

You may have been able to tell by now but I'm gay and I always have been if I'm being honest. I've always known I just didn't come out until 5 years ago and I'm now 16. Growing up I was never attracted to the boys on the screen like my friends were. They were always talking about how hot the celebrities were but I always secretly liked the girls and I kept that hidden from them pretending that I liked the boys. 

When I came out to Emma I was horrified because her family is full of homophobes and she's a little homophobic too but she accepted me anyways. I always thought that was weird but I don't question it because I don't want to make her mad. My parents on the other hand never cared about anything I did or do and who I am. The only reason they have a roof over their heads is because I work all night at the grocery store to at least pay the bills. 

My parents are gone most of the time so it's like I live by myself and it's actually pretty nice. Emma comes over a lot and stays the night so she makes it so much better and she doesn't even know it. 

Emma's POV

My best friend is everything to me, she's my support system, and her approval means everything to me. I am straight and my boyfriend is so perfect I can't point out one flaw in him. Jack and I have been dating for a few months and it's been going really well so far. He's the sweetest but I can't help but have this empty space like I'm missing something. 

Jack told me that before he asked me out he asked Naomi if it was okay for him to and she said yes. Obviously I said yes because Naomi was okay with it. If I'm being honest if Naomi wasn't okay with it then I probably wouldn't be dating him. 

Naomi has never had a girlfriend but she's gone on a couple of dates, I guess she's just waiting for the right person to come along and sweep her off her feet. Or would she be the one sweeping them off their feet? I never knew how that worked. I'm not really a homophobe like she thinks I am. She thinks that I'm like my parents and I think every gay person is going to burn in hell but I don't believe that. I just have to keep that image that way my parents don't suspect anything.

My parents aren't the nicest people. We always have to make a good impression and always look like the perfect Christian household. We're the exact opposite of that but my parents would never let anyone know enough to ruin our reputation.

My brother smokes weed, my mom constantly drinks, and my dad is abusive towards my mom. But they put that all aside when it comes to family gatherings and holidays. My brother hides the drugs, mom hides the booze and brings out the fancy wine, and dad acts nice towards mom. It's an endless cycle. They don't really like my best friend either. I still find ways to go spend time with her and stay the night though. 

Naomi is an amazing person. She might be the school rebel but she's definitely smarter than she looks. My parents would kill me if they knew I was still friends with her after all this time.