Helen... A short story

‘Do you love him?’ Tricia asked her.
Helen turned away as if to reflect on the question. As she stared sightlessly down the street, a playback of how she got here slowly flashed through her mind…
As a kid she had desired the same things as most little girls her age did; Barbie dolls, flowered dresses, and a pink themed room. Unlike other little girls however, she never wanted to be seen or identified with these things. She’d stay in bed all day and avoid the company of those her mom always called her ‘friends’, just so she wouldn’t have to change out of her pajamas into something ‘girlie’ to play with these kids. Her mom sometimes got worried about her peculiar behavior, but her dad was always there with a suitable explanation.
‘She’s only an introvert’, he would say.
‘And look, she’s got Charles playing with her.’

Charles… One half of her current worries. He had been her closest companion since they were kids. He was different; he never demanded she play dress-up, and he never complained whenever she wasn’t into some fancy new game he had picked up from the other kids. Through kindergarten to high school, they had attended the same schools in the neighborhood. And for the most part, they were classmates too. When they entered into their teenage years, their bond had grown stronger, and she had developed a soft spot for him. He was her one true friend, her shelter in a confused world. He was the only one who didn’t judge her when she chose the wild gothic look and decided to start piercing her body. When she desired a tattoo, he had offered to help her pick one. The only time they had come close to having a misunderstanding was when he had tried to kiss her at prom night. He wasn’t happy she had stopped him, but he had taken it in stride. She’d told him she wanted her first kiss to be perfect and special. Prom night was what ‘normal’ kids did, and she was by no means a ‘normal’ kid. She wanted something different. He had believed her, and she had believed herself at the time too. Until she met Tricia.

Tricia... The second half of her current worries…
Their friendship had begun tentatively from a chance meeting at the grocery store. Tricia had complemented her tattoo, and she had surprised herself by replying warmly. It turned out Tricia also had a similar looking tattoo on her left thigh. A few more chance meetings had led to longer conversations, and a friendship was formed. Whenever they met and talked, she had felt a strange but pleasing tension in the air. Then one day, Tricia came visiting. That was the day she discovered her true self. Far from the perfect first kiss she had dreamt of from childhood, she had gotten a different experience; the experience of her life. The only way she could describe that day was by a picture of the mild ripples of a tropical river, being suddenly engulfed in the turbulence of a waterfall…

And she had kept it all from Charles. Partly because when it started he was away at college. Two years on now, and she still hadn’t told him. He wasn’t here, Tricia was, and her life had been perfect, up until now. Now the inevitable had finally caught up with her. The note in her hands spelt it out clearly…
‘Hey my little spider, I’m finally coming home! I can’t wait to see you, and I’ve got special plans for us and our unique first (winks). Prepare our cove, I’ve missed you plenty. XOXO, Charles.’
‘Helen, Helen!’ Tricia’s voice brought her out of her reverie and back to the present moment.
‘Do you love him?’
She looked at Tricia and smiled. She knew what she was going to do after all. She was gay and she knew it now. This was the time to come out to everyone; everyone including Charles.
‘Not like that’ she replied, caressing Tricia’s fingers in the process.
She looked down once more, read the note, folded it up, and then nudged it into the gutter with her foot. Then she faced Tricia again with a defiant smile.
‘It’s time they accept who I am, Charles too.’
Tricia returned her smile, they held hands, and they both stared into each other’s eyes. The future was not going to be easy, but together they would face it. They both knew this from the message they saw in each other's eyes.

THE END

Written for @byn's 500 followers writing contest.
I used the prompt "She read the note, folded it up, and nudged it into the gutter with her foot.
I also used the artwork by @loliboofae. The artwork in particular made me think of someone who is anti-conventional. I tried to portray this idea as best i can in the write-up. Hope y'all enjoyed it...
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