THBGatowrites
Samantha had a Puzzle to solve. Not a Problem. She wasn't sure if it merited that classification yet. A Problem was something that caused her difficulty in her life. A Problem would require Action and Change. A Puzzle was something new that she didn't yet understand, but she needed to understand in order to decide whether a) there was a Problem or b) no Action was needed.
It had taken her some time to become aware that this Puzzle was there in her life. This was unusual: normally new things were jarring, causing a stench in her hearing and a folding in her chest. This Puzzle had crept up on her. That in itself was puzzling.
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Samantha is different. The world is often a loud, confusing and contradiction place for her. But ever since Year 7, Sarah has been there to help guide her through. Now they are in their second year at Bristol University together and Sarah's behaviour towards her has started to change. This is puzzling to Samantha.
However, the greatest Puzzle of all is not whether Sarah has changed: it's whether Samantha has.
"This is possibly, probably, the most affecting story I have ever read on this site. I bit hard on the hook in part one, and then you just methodically, deliciously, reeled me in with part two. Literally two hours ago I was oblivious to what was about to happen to me. And now I'm in the "after Samantha and Sarah" part of my existence." - reader Galadriel_Fan
"This was a wonderful story from start to finish. I echo the comments of another when I agree that this was one of the most original stories I have read. This was a love story but like no other. You did an amazing job of taking me into the head of a neurodivergent woman. I feel like I understand a person like this so much better, while recognizing that this is one person's journey and will be different for others. You also gave a perfect insight into what it means to love someone like this. " - author Ripley