Prologue

I never had a sudden realization that I liked girls. I guess I was just never against the idea, even though my family was super religious. I’m a naturally open person and that includes sexuality, although recently I’ve identified mostly as a lesbian. (Vaguely important note: I’m not out to my family). I never had a crush on Charlie. First of all, I didn’t know she liked girls at that time (at least not concretely). Also, she was a little too out of my league for me to do that to myself. We were friends for most our freshman year of high school: not terribly close but I hung out in her dorm all the time, particularly with her roommate. And then one May morning changed (at the very least) the rest of my high school experience.

*to be continued in Chapter 1*

Hugs

Compatibility is something that just can’t be altered. You have it or you don’t. And when it came to our hugs I could stay there until winter came and passed so many times that we were gray and wrinkled. It felt as if we were holding on for dear life; neither of us wanting to let go of the other. I would absorb the smell of her shampoo mixed with the undeniably unique aroma of Starbucks that always followed us home. Every time a hug ended I would wish that I had held on just a minute longer. No words had to be said, yet our entire relationship was easily summarized in one sweetly innocent action.