But We're Not Normal

Questions

"Ophie, can I talk to you?" Keres murmured nervously, shifting from foot to foot.

After a terribly chaotic day of shenanigans and lighthearted fun that was desperately needed, everyone had decided to turn in for the night, scattering to their respective rooms. Precisely no one at all missed the way Clay practically skipped into what had previously been just George's room, face the epitome of smugness and pride. A few also noticed the way Geo practically sprinted to his new room with his things, attempting to type with one hand.

"Always, bubs, what's up?" Ophelia asked, pulling her shirt up and over her head and working on finding a vest for the night. Keres was silent for a moment, unsure of what to say. Part of her was stuck on how to approach the subject, the rest was staring at the mesmerising design trailing up Ophelia's spine.

"You're um... you're gay right?" She finally got out - the way she said the word was nervous, as though she had sworn or blasphemed in some way, but not hateful -, deciding to distract herself by searching for the oversized pink Minnie Mouse tee shirt that Ophelia had insisted on buying for her. Ophelia froze for a second but quickly brushed it off, picking up a vest.

"Yeah, some would say that." She replied cryptically and Keres nodded, awkwardly swapping her shirt for the tee she had found, removing her bra beneath it. She wiggled from her skirt and peeled off her socks before continuing.

"I just... i was wondering whether you'd talk to me a bit about... about being gay." She asked carefully, looking every bit as small as she was, and climbed her way onto their bed. "The church, they always... they told us being gay was bad and then just... never said anything else. Being gay was bad because God said so and that... that was it. I've never questioned God's word before but... well, it doesn't make sense." Ophelia had pulled on her vest, removed her bra and changed into a pair of red bed shorts, now sat at Keres' side.

She gently tapped Keres' shoulder until Keres turned her back to her, Ophelia carefully gathering her hair into her hands. She had told Keres their first night about this trick for soft, natural waves - sleeping with plaits in, who knew? - and had plaited her hair for her. Keres had asked her to do it again the next night and, from there, it had become routine.

"I just... I always imagined that there would be something... something wrong with gay people and that would explain why God didn't like them. But... but there's nothing wrong with any of you. You're all so... so kind and nice and forgiving and understanding and you... you all care. So much. Even when I didn't deserve it." She continued as Ophelia delicately brushed through her hair.

"And Darryl... Darryl follows and loves and trusts in God even though he's gay... I just- I don't get it." Keres picked at the duvet beneath her before wrapping her arms around her waist. Ophelia tied off the first braid, listening intently.

"I'm... I'm so confused... what's so wrong with loving someone? I thought that that was what God wanted, for his children to love and to cherish one another?" Ophelia carefully tied off the second braid, sweeping them both over Keres' shoulders. Before she had the chance to stop herself, Ophelia pressed a soft kiss to the base of Keres' neck.

She shuffled up to the headboard, encouraging Keres to do the same. Keres followed, cheeks a pretty pink, and worked on tucking herself beneath the covers. After a moment of shuffling and worming, Ophelia lifted the covers with a giggle to let them both under.

They settled easily, Keres slotting herself down Ophelia's side and resting her head on Ophelia's arm. Keres wasn't certain that this closeness she had with Ophelia was entirely platonic but she couldn't find it in herself to mind. After being alone for so long, it felt nice to be held. Keres thought that Ophelia's arms fit quite nicely around her.