' Continued '

2.

Kate sat perched up against the headboard on the bed next to Emaline. Her palms were sweating more than they have ever. She hoped Emaline hadn't noticed. Her eyes tried their hardest to focus on the tv. She soon felt a hand reach over to grab hers. Her chest tightened a little.

"Kate?" Emaline asked, turning her body to face Kate.

"Yeah?"

"How did you know you were into girls and not into guys?" Kate raises her brow, Emaline immediately back-pedaled. "Sorry that I asked. We could change the subject."

Kate shook her head and squeezed her eyes shut. "I don't really know I guess I've always known. I've never really had crushes on guys." Emaline nodded and encouraged her to continue. "When Luke asked me out it felt wrong for so many reasons. I mean I still love him as a friend and all but you know. How long have you known?"

Emaline took a moment to think. "I guess I've known for a while but being with Oliver and everything I wanted to convince myself I was one hundred percent straight. I guess when I found my older brother's magazines I was a little curious." A hint of embarrassment crept up on her face. "I've always had a tiny crush on you."

"You're lying, how could you have a crush on me?"

Emaline chuckled. "Kate you never give yourself a chance. You're so pretty, prettier than you'll ever realize."

Kate smiled inclining her head. "Thanks."

Emaline placed a hand under the taller girl's chin and lifted it up slowly to meet her eyes.

"Is it okay if I kiss you?"

"Go for it."

Emaline wouldn't have believed herself if she would have told her fifteen-year-old self she would be into girls. More importantly Kate Messner. The girl she had harassed for years, all because she was scared to admit to herself that she liked her.

Guys were what the world had told her were all she could like. It would be completely wrong to want a girl. Or even have an out-of-the-norm thought about one. So for almost all of her high school years leading up to this, she let guys control her. It was the only way Emaline knew to distract herself from the thoughts of other girls.

"Kate, Emaline Luke's mom is ordering pizza. She wants to know what you want on your slices." Tyler's high-pitched voice called from the other side of the door.

Kate pulled away, a panic expression sat on her face. "Shit, what do we say."

"Will both have pepperoni," Emaline told Tyler.

"Nice, kay- cool bye."

Tyler returned to the kitchen, Luke, McQuaid, Mr. Messner, and Ms. O'Neil were enjoying each other's company. "They both want pepperoni," Tyler announced, interrupting all the conversations in the room.

"I wonder what they've been doing?" Luke shrugged his shoulders.

"Girl stuff I guess," McQuaid mumbled, his hands tugging on the buttons on his shirt.

"Well you boys should get them soon I just ordered the pizza." Ms. O'Neil offered, she held the phone to her chest.

"Okay, mom." Luke gave his mom a thumbs up and ushered McQuaid and Tyler back to the basement.

Luke heard laughter coming from the guest room. It was familiar, a small part of him wished it was him who made her laugh. He still liked her, a lot, something about Kate stuck out to him. She wasn't like other girls. She wasn't obsessed with being popular or having the most expensive shit to flaunt around.

But she wasn't into him. In fact, she wasn't into boys at all. A part of him had known that for some time but the other part didn't want to accept it. He missed having her by his side as his girlfriend.