Past #30 chapters, which one has been your favourite so far? Mine was the previous one, chapter 30!

Arts and crafts has become like any other class now, unextraordinary. Miss Caruso had lost her spunk, there was no more music playing, no more dancing around our canvases. Even her style of clothing had completely changed, no more socks and sandals, just regular shoes like everybody else. It was hard concentrating when the only sound you heard was paintbrushes being swiped over the students canvases.

"Miss Caruso?" a boy rose from his chair, bringing along his canvas. Nowadays you had to walk all the way over to Miss Caruso's desk where she now sat throughout the lessons, pondering over her life choices.

"Yes dear?" She mumbles gazing out the window. "Is this alright?" The boy holds up his canvas for her to see. "It's wonderful darling, just be cautious with the paint, we don't another accident like last time." Miss Caruso's gaze never leaves the window. The boy frowns on the way back to his seat, "What is wrong with her?" he whispers to his fellow student, loud enough for Miss Caruso to hear, still her eyes are fixated on a point no one can see.

When Class is over I bump shoulders with Alicia, she's on her way out, whilst I'm on my way towards Miss Caruso's desk. "Sorry." She mumbles and disappears out of the classroom.

I look back as she disappears, but turn right back around now standing in front of Miss Caruso's desk.

My nails tap on the wooden desk. "You know, I could give that to Valentino if you like me to?"

It's like this newborn glow shines upon her, she straightens her back and faces me.

"What was that dear?"

"I said, I could give that to Valentino," I point to the sunflower in the pot, she had moved it to her desk now. Clearly she had stopped watering it, so I figured I'd deliver it to it's rightful owner.

Miss Caruso looks to be excited until she collects herself. "Who's to say it is for him, it could just be my nice flower in my nice pot."

I raise an eyebrow. "Whatever you say Miss C." I begin backing away towards the door. "All I know is that Valentino is probably in the parking lot right now, waiting to pick me up, it would be ashamed if..." Rapidly Miss Caruso starts roaming her desk. "Stay there!" She shouts. Before handing me the pot with the flower, she writes something on a note. "Give this to you know who." She folds the small paper and sticks it in my hand.

On my way out the building I pass my locker, I already have my bag and I can't retrieve anything from my locker with this pot in my arms. The hallway is empty the only one standing lonesome by their locker is Alicia. I don't know if I should smile, wave, or say something when I pass her. Our conversation at the university exhibition wasn't exactly lovey-dovey still it was a conversation, and the fact that she apologize for walking into me in class just now, must mean something. My lips twitch and shape a weak smile as I pass her.

"Miss Caruso wanted you to have this." I hand Valentino the pot with the sunflower, so I can jump in the truck.

Valentino frowns at the sight of it, but places it carefully in the backseat..

"Oh, and she gave me this note as well." I hand him the note. Valentino unfolds it and reads.

His sudden smile makes me curious. "What does it say?" I buckle my seat belt and stretch for the note, Valentino leans away from me. "Nuh-huh, It's private." He laughs.

Now I'm getting really curious "Come on let me see". Valentino hands me the note.

"To my Sunflower, promise to always keep on shining even though dark clouds roams the skies. I know I am. thinking of you that is.

Yours truly, Miss C."

"Should I be jealous?" I chuckle, handing the note back to Valentino.

"Of course not." He plants a soft kiss on my cheek. "Miss C, she just gets me, she is the only one in that school that gets me." His eyes are glowing with the sun.

"I get you." I mumble. I feel a little jealousy coming on, never thought it would be towards someone like Miss Caruso though.

Valentino pulls me closer, He mumbles into the kiss "Cours you do.". Instantly his hand explore my nether region, caressing my thigh. Soon enough it slips under my jeans.

"Vale!" I pull his hand back out. He gives me a surprised look.

"Not in the school parking lot." I sigh, feeling my arousal cool off.

Valentino slams his back against his seat, "But, we haven't done it in like a week." His face is sour.

"Because I was on my period, I told you that."

"But you're off now, right?"

I laugh "That doesn't mean you can just grab me by the pussy"

Valentino laughed out loud. 

As we drive, on the way to pick up Etienne, I get a text and It's from Alicia.

"Meet, ASAP!"

I bite my nails, why would she want to meet now, still I type.

"Where?"

I anxiously tap my foot, waiting for the reply. My phone lits up.

"The lake, our spot."

"Vale?" I clear my throat.

"Yeah?"

"I need you to drop me off at my house?"

"Do you need to pick something up?"

"Err...not really." I cough. "Would it be alright if you take Etienne to the tracks yourself, I'll meet you there though."

Valentino hastily turns, "My race starts in like two hours..."

"I know and I'll be there, I just got this thing..."

"What thing?" He frowns.

"Please? I'll be in time for the start, I just need to do this."

Valentino sighs, "Alright, how are you gonna get to the motorpark though, cuz I won't be able to pick you up again?"

"No worries I...I'll take my bicycle."

He chuckles, "Alright."

I rush through the front door, house is dark, Mama is still at work. Valentino is racing tonight, so everyone is going to the motorpark to support him. Mama knows Etienne and I are going, good thing I don't have to lie about that, she just believes I'm there to support my boyfriend, which I am.

It takes a minute to find the keys for the lock on my bike. The bike is stuffed in the back of the garage, I haven't used it in a long time. It's got this terrible squeaking sound when I'm rolling it down the driveway. A thought hits me passing the mailbox. I could only think of one reason Alicia would wanna see me so urgently, "La Fab!" I gasp.

I got the wind against me riding down the hills towards the murky lake, a acceptance letter burning in my pocket.

"Our spot" as we call it, although many people use it, is remotely located from where people usually go to swim when they come to the lake. I lock my bike by a pole at the end of the road that leads towards the forest that hides the lake. I'm jogging through the woods, occasionally patting my back pocket, making sure that the letter is still there. Our spot is on top of this hill made of stone. We picked it mostly because it overlooks the lake and during sunset it sets the most beautiful scene.

"I got it!" I'm breathless by the time I reach the top of the hill. Alicia is curled up on the ground, knees to her chin. I wave the letter in my hand "I got it!".

I put my hands on my knees desperately gasping for air.

"Have you opened it?" She asks, her voice is calm.

I drop down next to her. "Not yet, have you?"

She nods.

"And...?" I say anticipated.

Her voice is fragile, "I'm accepted."

Immediately I throw myself at her, "Alicia that's great I'm so happy for you." Alicia isn't returning the hug. My arms slowly unwraps around her.

"Sorry." I mumble. Alicia's throat moves as she swallows. "This was supposed to be the happiest day of my life." she chuckles. "How come I'm not happy" Her eyes are shiney with tears.

I shrug my shoulders, I turn the letter in my hands. "A part of me don't feel like opening this." I confess.

"Same." She says. "Although I eventually did, I figured it didn't matter if I got accepted or not, if you weren't going with me what was the point anyways."

Her words make me feel sudden warmth rush through my body. "Alicia I...."

"I like boys." She says, interrupting me. Her gaze is fixated on a point over the horizon. "I know I like boys, they turn me on physically, girls don't."

I open my mouth, my words are inaudible, I want to say something.

"With you, the emotions are different, it's like I can't breath. Sometimes I just sit there, listening to you go on and on about the most stupid things, in my heart I know that it is worth more than kissing or loving any boy."

"Alicia I..." She's so honest, so brave. I want to be the same, I just can't express. "You're my best friend." I hear myself utter.

Alicia squints her eyes, like a sharp arrow just shot through her chest, piercing her heart.

"I don't want to lose you." I move closer, I wrap my arm around her.

"Could you just open the letter." She snaps, rising to her feet. Like a dead fish my arm withers. "That's what we are here for anyways." She says, crossing her arms.

"Right." I rise to my feet, the envelope in my hand. I hold my breath unfolding the letter inside. "Dear miss..."

My eyes move from side to side as every row goes by.

"What does it say?" Alicia says.

A part of me wants to scream another wants to cry.

"Come on Lessy tell me what......"

"I...I got in." I stutter.

Alicia eyes widens "You did?"

I allowed myself to smile for a split second then came the tears, and they came in waves. No wound, still I was aching all over. The letter crumbled as I put it to my chest and squeezed as hard as I could. My knees buckled beneath me. Just as I was sure to fall to the ground her arms wrapped tightly around my body, keeping me on my feet.

Alicia and I spend most of our summer days up here, like now, I would cry in her arms about Dario and she would whisper sweet things into my ear.

"I love you" She whispered.

"Love you too." I mumbled against her warm embrace.

Behind us the sun was setting on the horizon and the shadows of the trees made the forest go dark. I had stopped crying now, in my head a throbbing pain.

"I better get going." I say wiping my cheeks. I had been ignoring the notifications vibrating in my pocket.

"Do you need a ride?"

I shake my head, "I've got my bike."

"It will take you an hour to get to the motor park on the bike." She insist. "If we remove one of the wheels we can fit it in the back."

We sat quiet in the car, watching the city go by. There was no way for Alicia to get through all of the cars taking up the space in front of the motorpark. It was like the whole town was here tonight.

"Come with me!" I say as we stood parked down the street.

"No way, I hate that place." She hiss.

"Don't be silly come on!" I squeeze her hand.

"Too much mud." She frowns. "But you go!"

I let go of her hand and unbuckle my belt. "See you at school?"

She nods "Yeah see you."

We say goodbye still I don't move.

"What?" Alicia asks, I'm staring at her. Slowly I grab her hand and move it towards my lips, the back of her hand feels soft against my wet lips when I kiss it. I smile letting go of her hand.

Alicia expression is motionless. I feel her hand slowly crawling towards me, it's like she is afraid, afraid to touch me, her hand is left caressing the air between us. Finally I nudge her arm and her fingertips tap my cheek, then her thumb, then I lay resting against her hand.

I stir in my seat, the space between us narrows. We're so close her warm breath caresses my nose. My eyes are open until our lips finally touch.

Closing my eyes, surrendering to the darkness, I am exposed to a thrilling venture of emotions. Our lips detach but attach as quickly again, our faces move in a circular motion as the kiss deepens. Alicia is the first one to dare caress her tongue against mine. Kissing a girl is not the same as kissing a man, kissing a girl means equal grace, equal since of body. The kiss breaks and we come up for air.

Alicia looks flustered. "Lessy I..."

"Don't worry, I wanted to." I whisper.

Some steamy chapters ahead, don't forget about Etiennes first race coming up!