Rosa's POV
In the span of 6 months, our relationship has only gotten stronger. Though we aren't public about our relationship at school, we're still confident with each other, and we don't need anyone else to share their opinions about it.
My previous worries about trying to please my family by fulfilling their meaning of normal have gone away. It was a lengthy process, but I made it. I've realized that I can't sacrifice my own happiness just to make them comfortable, and it would be foolish of me to even try to do that. I'm much more content with myself and my sexuality, and I don't think that'll ever change.
It would be a lie to say that I don't still feel some concerns about what they would think if they knew I was a lesbian, but I know now that it's not worth it to stop being who I am because of that.
Aurora and I spend a lot of time together, and she's even become friends with Cameron. I know that at times, Cameron has felt insecure because she worries that I might be forgetting her, so that's when I make an extra effort to make her feel seen and aware of the fact that I love her. Last week, Cameron and I went on a trip to the mall where all we did was stuff our faces in overpriced food and shop at the small stores with a wide range of items. I had come home with a sparkly short dress, much to the dismay of my mother, and I had worn it the next day to school while everyone judged me. You only live once, right?
Now, I'm talking on the phone with Cameron who is going on and on about the upcoming events at school. Specifically, the one event that can define your entire high school experience: prom.
"So, are you and Aurora going to prom together?" Cameron eagerly asks me.
She's always been involved in every school activity, from the debate team to a soccer game, you can find her everywhere. I've never cared much about the high school community, so a dance with a bunch of teenagers isn't exactly my definition of excitement. With Aurora though, I do imagine that it would be different, but I'm still concerned about it.
"Honestly, I don't know. We're both a little hesitant to have our relationship public at school."
"Oh, come on. It's the last year of high school, you won't even see these people again after this year," Cameron says.
She's right.
"We'll think about it."
"I guess that's the best I can get."
"So, are you still going to prom with Edward?" I ask her.
Edward is the awkward computer-obsessed guy that she's been dating for a few months, as hard to believe as it is. Cameron has never been one to bother with relationships, but she said that when they had met at Walmart, it was love at first sight. She hates her job there, but apparently Edward's frequent visits make it all worth it.
I suppose that I don't mind him, but would it be bad to say that I don't exactly know if they'll make it past a year? I've still been supportive though, because he does make her happy and that's all a best friend could ask for. In fact, I recall how at one point, we had gone on a cheesy double date together. It was at a tacky restaurant that Edward had picked out, but I saw in action how Cameron found all of it to be adorable.
"Yes, I was going to suggest we go prom dress shopping but you don't even know if you're going."
"I said that I'll think about it," I roll my eyes, as if she can see me doing so.
"Whatever," is all she says and then she hangs up.
Well then.
I stand up from my bed, and start pacing around, but at that moment, my sister Adriana comes in to interrupt me. People have always said that we look alike, but frankly, I don't see it. She's much taller than me, and it's almost as if she inherited all of the sweeter traits of better hair and facial features.
Besides that, our personalities are completely different, and that's displayed even in our style. She's currently wearing a red crop top with a short black skirt, and black shiny sandals as if she's getting ready to leave the house, but she's not. I always stick to comfy outfits, such as the set of grey sweats that I'm wearing right now, even though it bothers her that I don't always put in a lot of effort.
Even though she's in her last year at a university, she visits home frequently and always finds ways to annoy the hell out of me. Like right now, for example!
"What do you want?" I ask her.
"I need to take you prom dress shopping. Who are you going with? Such a shame you and Ben aren't together anymore," she responds.
My family was not that happy when they heard the news about us breaking up, and I think that secretly, they all still have the hope that we'll find our way back to each other. If only they knew. Even though it's been months, my sister still commonly brings it up and can't seem to let go of the perfect fantasy.
"I'm not going to prom."
"Are you insane? You need to go."
"I don't know. Prom seems overrated."
She glares at me. She never had the chance to go to her prom dance, mainly out of shame because all of her friends had gathered up dates, while she hadn't. She's always hated feeling left out, so she had decided to just not go. I still remember that day and how we spent the evening together, in fuzzy pajamas and without a care about anything outside. I think that if I were to use the same excuse though, she wouldn't accept it.
"Fine!" I decide, "I'll go."
The decision is impulsive, and I'll definitely have to run it by Aurora later.
"Good. Ask someone to prom or just wait until a guy asks you," she instructs.
I'm not going with a guy.
"Tell me when I can I take you shopping."
I nod my head. She's about to leave out my door, but then she turns back around.
"Oh, I almost forgot. Everyone at the school prom can bring someone with them as long as they aren't over the age of 21. I should go to your prom with you."
I wrinkle my nose because of course she would suggest something like that. It's typical of her to insert herself into my life even when there's no need to. I'm not surprised that she's able to dig up some obscure fact about prom for her own benefit. She's persistent and determined when she wants something.
The rule itself has never made sense to me, because honestly, I think that people out of high school should enjoy the fact that they survived this place, and should stay out of it. Not my sister though! She just has to follow this rule as if she's always an obedient follower.
"Just bring me to the prom, and then you can go off with your date or whatever. I never went to my prom so I should go to yours."
She adds that she just wants to have some fun, and enjoy what she never could before. For a second, I even start to feel bad for her which causes me to make a decision that I already know I'll regret.
"Okay, fine, whatever," I finally say.
She's practically begging me, and if I say no, my parents will probably scold me for not being a good sister. Like always. This time though, she smiles which shows how clearly satisfied she is, and she finally leaves. I take the moment alone to start dialing Aurora's number, and I immediately call her.
It rings once.
Twice.
It's picked up.
"Hey, Rosa. What's up?" She greets me enthusiastically.
"I know that this is a really lame way to ask but, uh, will you go to prom with me?" I ask.
A long pause occurs, and I hear her clear her throat.
"Yes! You're ready to be public about it at school?"
"I guess so, are you?" I respond.
I'm not sure about this decision, at all, but Cameron was right about one thing: this is my last year here and it's not as if I'll ever see the homophobic students again.
"If you are, then I am too. I can't wait for prom now," she says.
Aurora had been ready to be public about us since day one, but she was always kind and didn't pressure me to want to be out at school. She also understood that I'm not out to my family, and that carries a lot of risk for us.
"I can't either. Well, I should say bye now, Adrianna is trying to drag me away to go prom dress shopping."
"Pick a pretty dress that's as pretty as you," she adds.
"Only for you. Bye!," I say.
"Bye!" She says before hanging up, and I'm left smiling like a lovesick idiot.
I'm going to prom with Aurora. My girlfriend, the best person in the entire world.
"Adrianna!" I yell.
"Yes?" She shows up at my door and asks me.
"I'm ready, take me shopping."
I might as well get this part of the plan over with.
"Great. Who are you going with?" She asks, pursing her lips together.
"Someone," I respond.
"Fine, don't tell me. Get ready, we're leaving in 20 minutes."
She leaves my room before I can protest about the time. I get up from my bed, and I throw my hair up into a messy bun. I put on a pair of light denim blue jeans on and a white tank top with a purple plaid shirt along with my black Vans. I grab my brown shoulder bag and I run down the stairs.
"Finally," my sister says impatiently.
I roll my eyes and say, "I'm ready."