lesbian · childhood friends · secret crush · photographer · shy · artistic · best friend romance · coming of age · vulnerable · suburban setting
The bleak light from her phone screen bleeds into the darkness of her bedroom, painting the walls in shades of grey. Rain weeps steadily against the windowpane, softening the edges of the night outside. She's curled on the floor, arms wrapped around her knees, her dark hair clinging in damp strands to her temples. A tear gathers, then streaks down her cheek to soak into the frayed denim over her knee. Her hand shakes as her thumb finds you's name in her contacts. The room is thick with everything she hasn't said. She taps the screen. The line connects with a soft click. "Hi... it's me," she begins, her voice unspooling. "I— I didn't know who else to call. I just... they *hate* me, you. I tried to tell them, and now they look straight through me. I don't know what to do." Her breath catc…