Even the prettiest flowers wilt away

9:33 pm, Sept. 5

    
Maybe TW, slight moments of homophobia

      Zoe had begun to worry, it was late and her brother still wasn't home. She had spammed him with texts and calls for the past 30 minutes, but not a single response. The house was silent, the lights off, well not really, Zoe was in her room, on the facetime with her best friend, Alana Beck. Who was trying to calm her down.

"Listen, Zo' you know I love you, but it's fine, doesn't he do this all the time? You rant about it to me at least once every week..."

Yeah, sure, he did this a lot, why did it bother her this time. And what was that about Alana loving her? Was her face heating up?! (pls, don't ignore the gay)

"You're right, I shouldn't worry, but I am...Alana, it's been hours. I just want him to come back. If not for me, for mom. She still has hope in the son of a bitch."

Alana scoffed at the curse, she hated when Zoe cussed, but Zoe didn't care, she was cute when she was angry. But even though she was, that didn't stop tears from drawing at the corners of her eyes.

"No, Zo' don't cry, he'll be back, he never strays for long. You shouldn't have to worry about that guy, he's only caused you pain, I love you more than he ever could."

Her voice was melodic and peaceful, Alana always knew how to make her feel better, her voice is too pretty for her own damn good.

"You're right, I shouldn't worry, still, if he isn't back soon, I'll start to get seriously angry..."

She wiped the tears and smiled slightly at Alana. Alana smiled back.

"Thanks, Alana..." she hesitated at how to end the sentence, "I  love you..."

"YOU DO!" Alana basically screamed on the other end.

"Yeah....what about it?" Zoe was confused now.

"I never expected you to like me back!" Alana walked away from the phone but you could still see her in the background squealing and jumping for...joy. Wait. Wait wait wait wait wait! Does Alana like her in a romantic way! Oh no, no no no no, her brother was the gay one, not her. She couldn't like girls, could she? Of course not! She's only had crushes on boys, she could never like a girl. Even if Alana was always there for her, and if she was the nicest person she knew, and if she had the prettiest smile, and if she made her laugh when she wanted to cry, and if sometimes, only sometimes, she wished that they could sleep in the same bed and cuddle, falling asleep in each others arms. Ok, now even Zoe admitted that sounded gay.

"Omg, I've been waiting years for this! I'm coming over." She was about to interrupt but Alana hung up before she could even say anything. She waited in panic as she waited for the dark skinned, big eyed, intelligent girl to knock on the door, she'd have to explain that she never meant it...that she said it cause' she never thought it would be in a romantic way. But was it? No! It couldn't be, images played through her head when Connor had come out,

     It was about 2 or 3 years ago... they were all eating, it was before Connor had fallen into a deep depression, and had began doing drugs. The room was silent as they ate their mom's casserole, until Connor said blatenly,

"I'm gay." And continued to eat. The family just stared at him.

"What was that? I could have just sworn you said you were gay, my age must be starting to get to me."

"No, that's what I said, I like boy's." Larry's jaw seemed to druop onto the floor.

"Could you repeat that one more time, cause' you can't be saying my only son doesn't like girls, that he's a disgusting, little, fag."

Connor slammed he table at the last word.

"YEAH, OK, IM A FUCKING FAG, DEAL WITH IT!"

Then there was a deafening slap, Connors face had a red hot mark across most of his face...Mom and Zoe had to pull Larry off him before he hurt him, badly.  If that's what happens when you love someone if the same gender, then Zoe wanted noting to do with it, she could stay in her heterosexual bubble forever. She couldn't love Alana, it would only cause her pain. She was wrapped up in her own mind that she never heard the door bell ring until her mother yelled up, "your friend's at the door." Zoe stood up and headed downstairs to be greeted by a shining smile.

"Hey, Zo'," she couldn't hide the glee in her voice. She was wearing an indigo dress with flowers all over, it was pretty. Zoe couldn't help it, she spoke,

"Hi, Alana..."

Alana waved to Mrs. Murphy and proceeded to grab Zoe by the wrist, leading her upstairs to her bedroom. She dropped her on the bed, and stood in front of her, after locking the door...

"Zoe, we need to talk." Alana turned to her with those beautiful eyes. Oh fu......
Alana snapped her fingers in front of Zoe face.

"Hello, pay attention!" Zoe shook her head and said,

"Listen, I have something to tell you..." Zoe slumped her shoulders, she had to tell her.

"Me first!" Alana smiled brightly and then proceeded to lift her dress. (And don't worry, she had shorts underneath like a good, pg, child)

"Whoa, whoa, hold up, listen, I'm you're pal, you're sweet but I can't-" that's when she saw the orchid.

"Don't worry, I'm not trying anything like that, I'm just showing you my flower, you see, we're soulmates!" She wrapped her arms around Zoe's neck. Zoe felt heat rise up her neck, she couldn't, no, she must have seen wrong, her and Alana, oh god. But it was, oh god, it was. She released her and Zoe got a good look at her ochid, and it was, in deed, the exact same one she had. Alana pulled her dress back down and sat on the bed beside her, suddenly blushing.

"I'm sorry, was that not okay..." Zoe didn't know what to say, it was just a hug afterall.

"Its fine...but," this was the moment, she had to tell her. "You see, I-"

"You're right, this must be a lot to digest, and you must be wondering why I didn't tell you, well, I wanted to, I really did, especially once I began to fall for you, but I wanted you to fall for me before I told you and now you finally have so, and this is extremely straightforward, but could I, uh, kiss......you....."

Zoe's face dropped. How could she respond to that. She wanted to tell her no, that she really didn't love her, and never would since she was definitely straight, but a small part, so tiny she wondered if it had been imaginary, wanted to say yes. To wrap her arms around her and kiss her until her lips were blue. She guessed she always had this part, when they touched slightly, or when they hugged. But, right now it was becoming louder, and louder, until she gave in,

"Sure."

(Sorry for the cliffhanger, and I know, this escalated quickly, but I was stumped on the treebros part, and I really wanted to write romance, but I have a slowish burn for that part, so I wrote this, and sorry for not updating for so long...1222 words! Pretty good, hope you enjoyed!)