Thursday afternoon, Rose was going to meet up with Sam at the movie theatre after school for their date. It was her first real date and she was more nervous than she would care to admit.
She took a deep breath, combed her fingers through her auburn hair and stepped out of her car. With each step she took, she felt a little less inclined to run back to her car and drive home and just as she got to the door of the theatre, her phone buzzed with a text.
Good luck babes! -Yasmin
Yasmin's text was the pep talk Rose needed to walk through the doors of the theatre and meet Sam.
"Hey Rose." Sam greeted her with a hug that felt a little awkward, but Rose pushed past the feeling and greeted him with a warm smile.
"Hey, you ready to go in?" Rose asked, cocking her head to the front desk of the theatre.
"Oh, yeah sure." Sam replied, quickly taking the lead to the desk where he bought the tickets, despite Rose's protests.
"At least let me buy us some popcorn." Rose offered, leading him towards the concession stand.
***
The movie was scarier than Rose would care to admit and at a particularly terrifying scene, Rose shut her eyes tight and grabbed onto Sam's hand that was lying on the arm rest next to her, curling her body around it.
"Tell me when I can open my eyes." She whispered into his shoulder, any nerves she had for the date had been replaced by her terror and she didn't feel awkward being around Sam anymore.
"You can open your eyes now." Sam whispered in her ear, mindful of the people around them.
"Oh, thanks." She answered, she moved off of his shoulder, but when she went to remover her hand from his grasp she found that he was holding it too tightly. So, with a smile she settled back in her seat with her hand in his.
***
With the movie over, Rose's butterflies came back. She had no idea what she was supposed to do next, so she awkwardly followed him out of the theatre to the parking lot, their hands still lightly clasped.
"I had a really nice time, we should do this again soon." Sam said, stopping at her car and turning to face her.
"Me too." Rose smiled shyly at him.
"I'll text you after you get off work ok?" Sam said, his voice getting quieter.
"Ok." Rose whispered, finding herself getting closer to him.
"Bye Rose" Sam whispered.
"Bye" Rose murmured, before her lips met Sam's in a sweet, short kiss that still left her feeling breathless.
***
Rose felt like she was floating as she entered the studio half an hour later. Hillary, who was cleaning up after her afternoon class, pulled Rose over to her station.
"So? How was the date? You can't just leave me hanging." Hillary exclaimed, her eyes searching Rose's face.
"He kissed me." Rose answered quietly, with a smile.
"He did? Was it a good kiss?" Hillary prodded.
"I think so, I don't have anything to compare it to, so I think so." Rose answered.
"You guys are so cute!" Hillary cooed, her hands squishing Rose's cheeks.
"Stop!" Rose batted Hillary's hands away from her face, pouting. "Have you asked Dawn out yet?" She asked, attempting to change the topic.
"Yeah," Hillary looked a little dejected, her fun mood instantly dissipating. "She said yes."
"Then what's the problem? That's usually a good thing." Rose said, instantly concerned.
"My dad somehow found out." Hillary answered.
Rose instantly understood. Although Hillary had told her dad she was bisexual when she graduated high school, he hadn't accepted her and refused to see her anymore.
"Fuck, what happened?" Rose asked, putting her arm around her friend's shoulders.
"You've got a class, why don't you come over to my dorm later and I'll tell you everything, I'm not sure if I'm completely ready to tell you yet anyway." Hillary answered, her eyes brimming with tears.
"Of course, want me to pick up Chinese food for you?" Rose asked, her eyebrows close together in concern.
"No, I'll eat something in the dining hall. Thanks though. I'll see you later." Hillary wiped her eyes quickly before heading out of the studio and out of Rose's eyesight.
***
An hour and a half later, Rose signed into the dorm hall as a visitor, two hot chocolates in her hands. She knocked on Hillary's door, being let in quickly.
"Hey, how're you doing?" Rose asked, handing the older girl one of the hot beverages.
"Ok, I guess." Hillary answered, taking off the to go lid to blow on the hot chocolate.
"You ready to talk about what happened?" Rose asked, dragging the chair from Hillary's desk next to the bed.
"Sure," Hillary took a sip. "I don't even know how he found out, but he sent me this huge email about how I was making the wrong decisions in life and how I'll never be happy in life because 'I'm going against nature' or something." She said, her eyes trained on her hot chocolate.
"He seriously said that? What the hell is wrong with him?" Rose asked, her heart immediately going to her friend.
"I think even though I told him I'm bi, he always thought I'd date guys and get married with the whole suburban life he had. It sucks to know that he'll probably never accept me." Hillary said, a single tear escaping her eyes before she burst into full sobs. Rose abandoned her drink and wrapped her friend in her arms, trying to give her any strength and comfort she had.
"I'm so sorry honey, you don't deserve any of this. You're perfect just the way you are, no matter who you love." Rose said, her eyes shut as she held her friend tightly.
"My mom invited me home for thanksgiving to try and patch things up with my dad last week, but she emailed me and said that it wouldn't be a good idea. What if I lose her because of this too?" Hillary sobbed.
"Your mom supports you and loves you, she'll always be there for you even if your dad can't get over his own stupid prejudices and ideals. Plus, no matter what happens I'll be here to support you and I'm sure Yasmin will be too." Rose assured her, never letting go of her crying friend.
"Can you stay here tonight? I don't want to be alone."Hillary whispered once her tears had calmed down.
"Of course, whatever you need." Rose said, rubbing Hillary's back.
That night she laid awake after Hillary had fallen asleep, wishing she could kick some sense into Hillary's dad and force him to see the wonderful person his daughter is, but she knew some people were just purposefully ignorant. No matter what, she promised Hillary would always have her as family.
YOU ARE READING
The One They Left Behind
Romance"If you loved me, why was it so easy for you to walk away?" Rose was used to being forgotten. Her mother had left, then her brother. The one person she never expected to leave her was Diana, her best friend. Diana left in 10th grade, leaving an opt...
