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WARNING: Contains sensitive material for those uncomfortable with or unapproving of same sex couples.
Marshmallows. Fluffy treats that bring back so many memories of a time trapped between the pavement of childhood, trying to step off the sidewalk where she stood stagnant, aching for adultdom…Nine years later, her lips still quirk as she reminisces finding the stoplight that inspired—more like forced—her to take that last stride towards the other side of the street.

Tangerine dresses fluttered around her, interspersed with the occasional olive or eggplant flair. She sighed at how unimaginative her classmates were…and at how annoying they were turning out to be. Shuffling steps, screeching at inopportune moments, formed awkward backdrops to salacious music. Teachers and administrators tried, in vain, to separate raunchy students. Students tried, in vain, to perform the horizontal tango both upright and fully clothed. Food tried, in vain, to taste good; but then, she figured that wasn’t exactly their fault.

Nor was it anyone’s fault but her own that she wasn’t enjoying herself. Her eyes kept falling wayside, skirting over the scuffed gym floors, scaling the faded pea green bleachers, and gazing at the figure draped in sanguine blue. The dress skimmed gentle curves, dipping slightly between cleavage, flaring gently at the knees, and dripping dainty diamonds to the calves. Shimmering silver heels framed graceful feet, delicately arched. Rhinestones framed a soft collarbone as dangling diamonds drew attention to a face alit with joy. She could just barely hear the jingles of diamond earrings over the music.

She gave a soft shake of her head. Her wheat-colored dress could never compare. Her flats covered her feet but for her atrocious ankles. Her knobby knees stuck awkwardly from her dress. How could anyone ever find her desirable? She abandoned her train of thought, sending it to the back her mind. She decided to go outside.

Her school was one of the rare few in the country with a second floor balcony. The rewards of being a boarding school, she guessed. For once, there were no couples stealing clandestine kisses or teens trading whipping blows or toilsome remarks. She was alone with the night sky.

She delighted in the rare glimpse into the night sky. No matter how far from New York City the school was the town’s lights still overcame the star’s glow most nights. A full moon sent its beaming smile onto the school’s property. Bathing the emerald grass in beige rays, the orb captivated the brunette leaning against the balcony’s rails. So engrossed was she in absorbing the nighttime wonders, she failed to hear the doors to the balcony open.

“Hey, where were you in there? I was looking for you!”

A small shiver crawled down her spine. The speaker’s lilting voice froze her mind and shocked her heart into beating every time it met her ears. She turned around. Samantha was just as gorgeous up close. Now, she could notice the freckles bridging her nose and dusting her shoulders. She couldn’t meet Sam’s eyes.

“I was in there for a bit…then I had to get some air.”

“Oh, okay. Are you ready to come inside?”

“No, I think I’ll stay out here for a few more minutes.”

“Alright…I’ll see you later.”

She didn’t reply, she couldn’t. Sam walked back into the ballroom. Minutes after Sam had gone, she could still scent the vanilla perfume Sam was wearing. Her heart was racing. Goosebumps rose on her arms. She released a heavy sigh.

A simple conversation with Sam left her disoriented and confused, though no fault of Sam’s she wished they could share a decent word volley. She walked back into the ballroom.

Hours later, the scene still looked the same, except for a few things. Someone had managed to spike the punch without anyone noticing. Students were stumbling around, slurring their words, and in general, not acting much different from before. The administrators were on the prowl, searching for the culprit and sending any unconscious teens to the main area. Samantha was dancing with a throng surrounding her.

She shimmied and jived in the midst of open space, anyone who tried to enter her personal zone founded themselves turned away. Until, that is, she walked to the front. Samantha beckoned her. Her knees quaked as she walked forward. Sam joined their petite hands, moving the two of them so they were back to front. Sweat slid down her brow. Her eyes widened. Sam moved in closer.

“What was wrong on the balcony?”

“Noth—”

“Don’t lie to me, we have known each other too long for that…and you know it.”

She couldn’t deny that, three years at a boarding school with only two hundred students makes everyone either really close or enemies.

“It wasn’t anything to worry about,” she could feel Sam’s grip tighten, “I’m serious Sam, don’t worry about it.”

Warm breath ignited the hairs on her neck as Sam sighed. Sam’s cleavage brushed her shoulder blades. She was dying from sensory overload. Perhaps that is what made her say what she said next.

“But…” Sam shifted behind her, “there is something I want to talk to you about.” She took a deep breath. “I have desired you since we first saw each other at freshman open house. I have liked you since you first stuck up for me against Greg and his gang during Literature. I have—” Sam tried to interrupt, she shushed her, “Let me finish. I have flirted with you ever since our sophomore homecoming dance when you danced with me to ‘Bleeding Love’—you never did realize how apt that song was. I have chased after you from the shadows ever since our sophomore Secret Santa when you gave me those mixtapes from each of the seasons…I listen to them every week. I have done everything since we first met but tell you how I feel. If I don’t do that tonight, then it will never happen. Samantha Lorraine Simmons, I have loved you for the past year.”

She ran away. Everything was welling up inside, if she didn’t escape now then she would cry in front of the entire student body. She refused to shed a tear in public.
She fumbled her into an empty classroom; teachers here never locked their doors, they never had to. She sat on top of a desk, balling her dress skirt beneath her. A few sobs fell from her mouth as tears cascaded from her eyes.

She just barely heard the door squeak open. She didn’t look up. Warm hands gently moved her hands from her face. Petite fingertips graced her cheeks, erasing the tears and running mascara. She knew who it was before her eyes started tracing up delicate arms.
They didn’t trade a sound, she was too embarrassed to speak…Sam was still wondering what was going on. Sam released a breathy sigh.

“ I love you too.”

Her eyes widened as she intimated Sam’s words. “W-wah.”

“I said, I love you too.”

Sam let a small smile grace her lips, leaning down; Sam allowed their lips to brush.
The couple stayed in the room until the curfew bell rang two hours later. The two traded first, third, and fifth kisses.

They basked in each other’s presence...She reveled in the fact that Samantha tasted of marshmallows.