“I’m sorry, Michelle. These feelings have been a recent shock to me, too, but I still should have told you sooner.” Caitlin felt a pang of guilt for the way Michelle had gotten caught in the middle of her mess.
After another prolonged silence, Caitlin pulled her phone away from her ear to make sure the call was still connected.
“Well, I appreciate your honesty,” Michelle said finally. “I hope it all works out. I really do.”
A long exhale escaped Caitlin’s lips as she stared at the ceiling in the dark room, heavy-lidded from the long day… Who was she kidding? Long months.
TWENTY-TWO
Fall Semester, Senior Year of High School
GEMMA WAS IN PURE BLISS.Almost an entire year had passed since she and Caitlin had become official. The two had recently begun planning their futures together at The University of Pennsylvania as they entered their final year of high school. They had applied for early acceptance to the university, but it would still be a few more weeks before the girls could expect the letters that would reveal their fates.
Gemma couldn’t tell which one of them was more nervous. If they didn’t get into the same school, would they find another college to attend together, or would they be forced into long-distance? Gemma worried that being apart would put a strain on their new relationship.
Fall had brought cooler weather than usual. Leaves were bursting with flashes of yellow, red, and orange as the town readied itself for the Harvest Fall Festival.
The year before, when Caitlin and Gemma first started dating, Caitlin had taken her to the festival and won her a tiny blue teddy bear that now sat on Gemma’s bed. This year, the event felt charged with a bittersweet urgency. It would be the last one they shared before college threw them into the unknown. Gemma was hoping to tuck one more perfect eveninginto their memories.
First things first, however. It was Friday, which meant that the festival would have to wait until Saturday. Friday nights were for football.
Gemma was a religious attendee of Westmore’s varsity games—even though she couldn’t name a single boy on the team. She was there to cheer for her girlfriend, soaking up the fierce joy of watching Caitlin lead the squad through four packed quarters.
Darbie nudged Gemma with her elbow from her spot beside her on the cold metal bleachers. “You haven’t looked away since we got here.”
“I can’t help it. Have youseenmy girlfriend?” Watching the bounce of Caitlin’s copper ponytail, Gemma knew she had never stood a chance.
“You’ve got it bad.”
Gemma smiled, denying nothing.
When halftime came, Gemma went to get peanuts from the snack stand while Darbie saved her seat. Pushing through the crowd, she felt a hand wrap around her forearm and tug, almost knocking Gemma off her feet. She steadied herself and let the pull lead her away from the herd.
“This is a surprise. I never get to see you during a game.” She was under the bleachers now, alone with a pair of twinkling blue eyes.
“I couldn’t stay away any longer.” Caitlin slipped her arms under Gemma’s jacket, wrapping them around her waist. “I love when you wear my shirt.” Her lilac cheerleading T-shirt clung to Gemma’s body the way Caitlin herself currently did.
Gemma sank into her embrace. “I’ve missed you.”
Caitlin touched her forehead to Gemma’s. “Wanna come home with me tonight?” She sealed the question with a kiss, her lips lingering against Gemma’s skin.
“I’d go anywhere with you.” She meant it. Gemma would do anything for Caitlin after a kiss that soft.
Caitlin knew it too, flashing Gemma a playful grin.
Gemma hummed as Caitlin tugged her bottom lip. “Don’t start something you can’t finish.”
“Tonight,” Caitlin promised before they stepped back into the chaos of students and families, sparklers crackling through the air.
“Where’re my peanuts?” Darbie called when Gemma returned empty-handed.
Gemma shrugged, looking guilty yet totally unapologetic.
The crowd roared to life as the two teams ran back onto the field. Gemma kept glancing at the clock, begging for the second half to go quickly.
At last, Gemma lay curled in Caitlin’s bed, cradling her girlfriend in her arms. Westmore had won the game, making the playoffs, but it wouldn’t have mattered to them either way. The stadium lights and cheers now felt far away as Gemma’s world narrowed to this moment.
“I love you so much, babe.” Gemma kissed the top of Caitlin’s head as she rested upon her chest. “I can’t wait to do this every night for the rest of our lives—starting with UPenn.”
