Before You Go

New Friend

(time skip to junior year)

It was the first day of being a junior. Natalie woke up to the sound of her alarm, determined to turn it off. "Wake up it's the first day of school you don't want to be late" her mom said, knocking on her door. She refused to get up, but ended up doing it anyways. She brushed her teeth and changed into her clothes. The girl had the same fear in her eyes, like she does every year: Bullying. Her sophomore year was pretty bad, but it was also the year she met Riley. It was already months since they got together, but it hasn't been a year yet. They were pretty much in love with each other, but Natalie's parents do not know. Her parents are homophobic, and she would get kicked out if they knew. The only person she came out to was her sister. Sophia didn't care that she has a girlfriend, or that she's pansexual, as long as she's happy. Natalie ate her breakfast and walked to school like she does every year. As she arrived to school, she took a deep breath before opening the double doors. With trembling hands, she slowly pushed the door and walked to her locker. She was looking around, hoping to see Riley, but all that she saw were familiar faces and faces she never seen before. Suddenly, she feels a hug from behind. It was Riley. "Oh my god don't scare me like that" Natalie laughed. "Well how am I supposed to surprise my beautiful girlfriend?" They both giggled and kissed each other.

The bell for 1st period rang and everyone rushed to their classes. Natalie was not ready. She could feel her heart beating out of her chest, worried about who's all in her class. She opened the door and walked in. It was mostly filled with unfamiliar faces. Sitting in the back, a girl was looking at her. "What?" she said. The girl looked away and didn't say a word. Few minutes were passing by, and all that the class has done was introduce themselves on a piece of paper. "Ok class, now pick someone and share your interests." the teacher said. Natalie was looking around, but all she saw was the same strange girl in front of her. She sighed and decided to deal with it. "So, what's your name?" She asked. "I'm Reagan, you?" "I'm Natalie, nice to meet you." She said in a formal tone. Both of them had some of the same interests, and they immediately became friends. They talked all class period about their favorite stuff nonstop. They both liked old music, and liked some of the same movies and tv shows. Natalie finally had a person to talk to in class, but mostly a friend. Riley was also her friend, and lover at the same time. Suddenly the teacher said that it was time to sit in their seats. "So, did you meet someone different? Someone with the same interests as you?" "Did you make a new friend?" "If you did, make sure you known them well enough to trust them." The teacher explained. "Trust is important. If you break that trust, they could never trust you again, or any other scenario. So tell me, how do YOU let someone know that they can trust you?" "Well you can trust me... hi, I'm Mrs. Hilton. And I'm glad to be teaching you. The students had a smile on their faces, knowing that this might be the best year they had.

Class was almost over, waiting for the bell to ring. Natalie and Reagan had the same class again, which that class is German. The bell rang and they walked together talking. Natalie saw Riley standing in front of her locker, waiting. She walked faster and went into her arms. "I missed you" She said. "I missed you more" Riley said back. The girls were hugging each other long enough to make Reagan feel like a third wheel. They both suddenly stopped hugging to only realize that there were people staring at them. "Oh uh Riley this is Reagan, she's a friend I made in 1st period." She was proud. Her girlfriend made a friend. A friend that she can talk to in class without feeling lonely. "Hi I'm Riley, Natalie's girlfriend!" Reagan looked at the beautiful girl. Trying to say hi back, she stuttered. "W-Wow, Natalie must be very lucky" She said nervously. They both agreed and laughed.

The bell to 2nd period rang and the two friends walked to German together. They walked up 2 flights of stairs, feeling tired afterwards. With only a minute before they are considered late, they ran to their class and made it in time. They were both breathing heavily, making the students look at them weird. They sat by each other and listened to the teacher talk doing introducing activities the whole period. In fact, all of her 7 classes were just doing "introducing yourselves activities"

It was the end of the school and everyone either took the bus, drove home, or walked. Riley had a car, so she can drive herself home. She saw Natalie walking home, so she offered her ride. She accepted and got in the car. They talked all car ride about Natalie's new friend. She explained how she's really sweet and fun to be around. They arrived at Natalie's house and gave each a kiss and telling that they love each other.

Natalie went inside her house and her mother greeted her. "How was school?" her mother asks. "It was good." She answered back. Her dad was drunk, as usual. She walked to her room until her mom stopped her. "Hey you have to eat!" "You're so skinny so you have to eat."She said. Natalie sighed and obeyed her mother. After she finished eating, she walked to her room and looked over and Daniel's. She still missed him. It was months since he died, and she still hasn't recovered from the pain. She checked her phone to see Reagan and Riley in a group chat with her.

Reagan: There's a fair tonight, do you all wanna go?

Riley: I just asked my parents and they said yes.

*Natalie asks her parents*

Natalie: I just asked too. They said yes.

Reagan: Great! Can't wait to see you all!

(time skip to the fair)

"Wow... it looks amazing" Riley said. "It really does" Natalie said. The three girls went to get food, and hopefully get to ride the rides. They were having the time of their lives. They walked on a bridge, where a nice little river was below it. While her friend and girlfriend was admiring it, Natalie had flashbacks again. Flashbacks to when she was about to jump off a bridge, and drown herself to death. But that didn't happen. Her brother stopped her from ending her life just like that.

"Don't you dare jump off that bridge!!"

She stopped. The tone in her brothers voice sounded serious, and Daniel ran to her. "What the hell were you thinking? Ending your life? I would be DEVASTATED if you died. I'm pretty sure mom and dad would think that too." They both cried and hugged each other. She always wondered what it was like to fall, either off a bridge or building. Would she feel happiness that she would be free? From everything that has happened to her? She probably will never know.

Until she snapped back to reality.

"Hey baby, are you ok?" Riley asked, concerned. "Yea I'm ok." she answered back. Looking at the fair lights, they decided to go to the ferris wheel. When it was their turn, they all sat together, amazed by the view. The fair lights, city lights, everything. Riley held Natalie's hand and rested her head on her shoulder.

"I want to spend the rest of my life with you, I will wait for you... no matter what."

Her eyes widened. She looked into her lovers eyes, and kissed her. Fireworks were shooting out of the sky at the right moment. It felt perfect. "Awwww" Reagan said. They all looked at each other and laughed. They had fun for the rest of the night, exploring the fair.

As Reagan's parent's picked her up, Riley drove Natalie home. "I had fun tonight, with all of you. And Reagan is a really good friend." Natalie said happily. She looked over to her girlfriend, only to see that she looked down. "Babe is everything alright?" Feeling worried, she held her hand. Riley looked up at her. "There's something I have to tell you."