The sound of the rusty gate next door screeching caught my attention and I looked up from my phone just in time to watch her leave. Suddenly the story I was reading on Wattpad didn't seem so interesting anymore and that was saying a lot considering my eyes rarely ever left the confinements of my phone's brightened screen when I was on that application. What can I say, my neighbor had a way of doing the impossible.   

I watched as she bent down and tied those bright yellow shoe laces on her Nike sneakers. They were new and I knew that because she'd started wearing them only last week. Before that she would wear a pair of ratty looking sneakers with scribbles all over them. And I don't know this because I have some sort of foot fetish, it's only because watching her leave for her morning runs have become my routine for the past one year.

That fact probably didn't make me sound any less creepier so let me just explain it the only way I know how. Josephine Wentworth was not only the most beautiful girl I had ever seen, she also represented something I lacked in spades. Freedom.

I wasn't bound by shackles and kept away from the world and everyone else, mine was very much more of a mental kind of slavery. I was a slave to my parents idealism's and judgments and trust me when I say they were full of them.

It didn't help that my father was recently promoted as the permanent deacon of our church. He took his job ever so seriously, constantly imposing his beliefs every chance he got. My mind went on auto pilot every time he opened his mouth. It would zone out and go to a world where unicorns and faeries existed. Oh and Josephine of course.

What my father failed to see was that everything was evolving including religion. Everyone was becoming more open minded, more welcoming to ideas foreign to us. I remember a few years ago we were all watching a movie and there was a scene in which two girls started kissing.

I swear that scene made my knees weak like no other heterosexual kissing scene has and threw my nerves into a state of frenzy. I remember feeling a burst of happiness inside knowing that I wasn't the only person to think of these things. Someone somewhere had directed this magic. I was only fourteen at the time and this revelation had put my mind to ease. I wasn't different but one look at my fathers livid purple face made me want to take a bar of soap and scrub my mind blank.

After that he cancelled our T.V subscription, his reason being movies and shows nowadays were "Un-Godly", whatever that means. I wish I could say they stopped there but of course they didn't. I wasn't allowed to any school events or parties and I had a strict curfew at nine pm, everyday! My mother even monitored every single book I read which was why I resorted to online reading. They still didn't know how to go about social media, thankfully.

You would think at this day and age that people like this would cease to exist but alas my parents were made to give the human race some variety. It was as if someone had locked them into a time machine and sent them smack into a future they were not prepared for.

And of course yours truly sprung out of nowhere in the midst of their fanaticism. Believe me I'd often wondered if I was adopted considering father rarely ever touched my mother. I'd asked her once and she simply laughed at me saying that my father only found his true calling after I'd turned twelve years old. Oh how I wish he'd found it when I was nineteen and in another state.

 "Tessa stop moping around and get dressed. Your father needs your help in the church today. It's a big day for him tomorrow,"my mother's voice broke me from my musings. 

Ignoring her I continued to watch Josephine stretch her lithe legs in a pair of tights and a short sweater. How did she not feel cold in that? My parents would never allow me to wear that outside. "It's a big day for everyone, it's Christmas after all," I answered eventually.

"tsk tsk, are you watching that girl again? Sometimes you worry me child, please don't pick up her ill dressing habits." My mother placed her hand on my shoulder and I could feel the weight of it dragging me down. 

"You used to wear tights too. I've seen you in them in your old pictures," I snapped getting up from my chair and looking her dead in the eyes. I only ever had the guts to stand up to her when my father wasn't around. Sometimes I felt like my mother was just acting to please him. She was never this frigid. I remember her in dresses that stopped above her knees, I remember her buying me cute little outfits from the mall. 

Everything changed the day my dad suffered from a stroke and then woke up with a new found purpose just a few days after my twelfth birthday.

"I've made my mistakes and I shall repent for them. You have been a good girl Tessa. You've studied hard and have been a good daughter. God shall reward you by sending you to a good university, be it near or far."

"You have been good too mother, I don't understan---"

"Enough," she silenced me by raising her hand up in the air. "I know you may think we have been too hard on you but it is only for your own good. Your father has been through a lot, the least we can do is support him, no matter what he does."

Spoken like a person hell bent on avoiding conflict. Everyday I saw the cracks grow making my mothers facade more apparent. It was slowly becoming obvious how she really felt about my fathers new found passion. It made me happy I wasn't the only one subjected to his rigidity, misery loved company after all.

Not wanting to waste another breath arguing with her, I ran upstairs and got ready. I dressed down today knowing all the work I would have to do later. Polish the pews, dust the table tops and wipe the bookshelves. As if anybody would have the time to inspect for dust on the books tonight. As far as I knew everyone would be happy singing carols and listening to Pastor John's sermons.

It only took around five minutes to get there. I parked my car next to my fathers and walked in begrudgingly, wincing as the cold air hit my face without mercy. This was not how I intended to spend my Christmas Eve. 

"Tessa! What brings you here?" Pastor John called out from the front of the church with a candle in hand. 

"Finally you're here," my father grumbled and I turned to my left to see him dusting off a painting. "Here start dusting the pews." He threw a piece of cloth at me and if I hadn't caught it in time it would have hit me straight in the face.

"Oh for Christ Sake Gerald, let the poor girl go out and enjoy herself. It's Christmas eve! We should be celebrating,"Pastor John exclaimed causing me to smile internally. 

"B-ut-- but we have service tonight and tomorrow. Everything should be perfect!" My father stuttered obviously shocked at the pastors words.

"Everything is perfect. No one asked you to do what you're doing Gerald. Please don't force your daughter into doing the same."

"I'm not forced Father," I lied innocently earning a look of approval from my father. As anticipated I was cut off.

"Forced or not you should be having fun. Christmas is a time for celebration. Go and be Merry child!" Pastor John commanded much to my fathers dismay.

"If you say so," I whispered trying to hide my Cheshire cat like grin. I skipped out of there before I could hear any protests and practically ran to my car. I now had the whole afternoon to myself and that thought made me giddy with joy.

Unsure of what to do I drove past the various shops wondering what my school mates were up to. I wondered if Josephine was done with her run. My observational skills were limited to what I saw every morning. Sometimes I would see her tumbling in late at night, laughing her head off and with music blaring from her friends cars but that was about it. Aside from that I didn't know what she did with her free time.

As I was passing the famous coffee joint in our suburb, I realized that I have never tasted their signature coffee before. I pulled over and got out of the car. The place was packed and that made me slightly self conscious. I wasn't used to hanging out with people, only Jared my long time boyfriend whom my mother had recommended from church. Surprise, surprise. 

He was a good looking guy with perfect teeth and a nice car and I was eager to please my parents after they found "The L word" series hidden under my bed so needless to say I started dating him almost immediately after he showed interest. For a moment there I thought I genuinely liked him, kissing him didn't seem so bad either. Everything seemed tolerable until I laid eyes on Josephine. She made everything seem like bland soup, dull and tasteless.

I took a heavy step forward mentally preparing myself. This was harder than I thought. Maybe I should just call Jared and ask him to join me. However, realizing that this was probably the only opportunity I would have to myself till I went to college I decided to hell with it and then I marched with new found purpose into the shop.

I knew I'd made the right choice when the delicious scent of freshly brewed coffee hit my nostrils. I took in the abundance of red, green and gold ornaments that adorned the walls. There was a small Christmas tree that stood by the door with snow flakes draped all around it. I'd wanted to do the same thing to our tree at home but my father abhorred the idea saying too much looked too tacky. I honestly disagreed, this place looked divine in it's true Christmas spirit.

"Would you like a kiss on the lips or cheeks?" A man's voice echoed from beside me and I instinctively took a step back.

I turned to my left to see a guy who didn't look that much older than me grinning at me cheekily. He had chestnut brown hair and warm green eyes that stared at me shamelessly. 

"Umm what?" I asked taking another step back. 

He pointed at something above my head and then he laughed. "Mistletoe." 

"Ohhh," I laughed nervously and then quickly stepped away from underneath the mistletoe hanging by the door. "Neither," I smiled politely and walked to the counter. 

I ordered a drink and made my way to the back where I sat down and watched everyone. I'd always loved people watching, it helped me learn a lot of things about people. I took a sip of coffee and noticed that the same guy was trying his luck on someone new. This time the girl responded and I felt my cheeks redden as they continued making out in front of everyone. I've never kissed Jared like that in public nor have I ever wanted to.

Despite myself I continued staring wondering if they would ever break free for air and then I spotted a familiar face push the door open and walk in. She rolled her eyes at them and then made her way to the counter.

Her effect on me was in full force now. My pulse was erratic, my throat felt dry as a bone and I could hear my blood thumping in my ears. What was wrong with me? 

Her face was flushed, no doubt after her run and little strands of hair poked out from her pony tail. Her hair was this most amazing mixture of blond and light brown. I watched as she pulled out her hair tie and redid her pony tail. 

I hadn't realized I was so openly staring at her until her blue eyes darted my way making me wish the ground would just swallow me whole. What she did next surprised me to no end. She smiled, and that too a huge heart warming smile. The kind of smile children have when they see presents under the Christmas tree.

I was too shocked to smile back, instead I looked at my coffee like it was the most interesting thing in the world. Stupid, stupid nerves!

"Hey, you're Tessa right? My neighbor?" She approached me, that huge smile on her face still there.

"Yup," I managed to find my voice and I smiled up at her shyly. Oh God! What was it about her that made me feel like a heap of quivering jelly.

"This seat taken?" She gestured at the seat across from me. 

If she ever wanted a seat, taken or not I would clear it for her in a heartbeat but of course she didn't need to know that. "Nope, have a seat."

"I've never seen you outside before," She sat down and studied my face intently.

"That's because I hardly ever go out. Today's actually my first time here," I replied.

"Well lucky me then. I come here everyday either after my morning run or before school. I can tell you which is the best flavor here," she smiled and if I didn't know any better I'd say she was flirting with me. "It's the French Vanilla Latte." 

My heart jumped to my throat and I held up my cup for her to read the description. "Great minds think alike?"

She laughed in response. "You know I find it so weird that we're the same age and neighbors but we don't hang out. We should hang out more. Why don't you come over tonight? We're having a small Christmas party later. It'll just be a few of my friends from that uppity private school my parents send me to and some of my parents friends. You can ask you're parents to come too."

Oh my parents would just love that. I could just picture their faces when I ask them for their permission. 

"I don't think I can, we'll be at the Church tonight. My dad's the Deacon there, so yeah," I responded dejectedly. 

"Oh okay," she says and I notice a flicker of disappointment cross her pretty features. "Well if you decide to come my doors are always open."

We continued talking until it almost evening when my phone started ringing incessantly and I decided I'd better head home. Much to my surprise I'd found out that she loved my sketches of famous people that I posted up on my instagram page. I didn't even know she was following me. I promised her I would try and visit her later and deep down inside I was seriously contemplating it.

I lied to my parents saying I went to the book store to look for some Calculus book I wanted and at night I somehow managed to sneak out in the middle of Pastor John's sermon. Normally I would never do something like this but tonight I was feeling especially motivated.

I also lied to my boyfriend who was standing next to me, saying I felt sick and that I needed to go home and rest. All I had to do was pretend to be asleep in bed once my parents came back a little after twelve. Once he dropped me home I changed my clothes and walked next door wearing my heart on my sleeve for Josephine to take. 

My stomach filled with butterflies as I saw her face light up when she saw me. She looked so utterly beautiful in a chili red dress that accentuated all her curves. The look of adoration on her face must have mirrored mine because she stared at me brazenly, her eyes going from my head to my toes.

"I'm so happy you came Tessa," she whispered breathlessly. 

"Me too."

I never thought I would have so much fun. From dancing with her friends and parents, to everyone sharing their previous Christmas adventures, the night had turned out to be the best Christmas eve I had ever experienced.

Now as we sat side by side on the stairs I was dreading the moment when I would have to leave her and her wonderful family. Her parents were the complete opposite of mine. They were so warm and full of life. 

"Do your parents mind you being-- you know?" I trailed off not knowing how to phrase being gay politely.

"They've known since I was twelve and yeah they've always been okay with it."

"Oh okay," I rested my head on my knees deep in thought.

"Mistletoe," Josephine giggled and then she held them above her head. 

I laughed and my cheeks flushed knowing full well what she was insinuating. "Cheeks or lips?" I teased.

"You decide," she grinned.

Having already decided I leaned in but then my phone rang and I jumped up in shock. I looked at the screen and saw that Jared was calling me. He called to tell me my parents were asking for me and that they were on their way home now. Talk about bad timing.

Feeling a bit like Cinderella, I gave Josephine some stupid excuse about needing to fix something in my house and rushed back.

Thankfully my parents thought I was sleeping once they came back so they didn't disturb or they would have seen my face was much too bright for someone ill.

I'd made myself equally scarce to them the following day. Lucky for me they were so busy with their duties that they had no time to interrogate me.

Jared stood by my side all morning. It was like he could feel I was slipping away and that made him so much more clingy. I knew I wasn't being fair to him. It felt a lot like cheating. Lying to myself all these years also meant I was lying to him and somehow today I felt I couldn't do it anymore. I'd only ever remained with him because I believed it was right but after watching Josephine and how her family was so supportive of her decisions I realized there was nothing wrong with the way I was. 

He drove me back and placed his hand on my thigh as he stopped outside my house. Deep in my thoughts I ignored him as he went on and on about how we were going to the same college next year and that he was so excited. It was when he mentioned the word "marriage" when I blurted out that I wanted out of the relationship.

"Jared this isn't working out for me." My hands shook fervently and I looked down avoiding his penetrating stare.

"What do you mean?" He gaped at me in shock.

What do you think it means? "I want to break up," I said slowly.

"Why?" 

"I don't love you. I'm so sorry Jared," I say truthfully.

I had no time to react before he grabbed my wrists roughly and made me look at his seething face. Not expecting this reaction I suddenly felt scared. Why didn't I think this through and do this in a more public place?

"Are you seeing someone else? You cheating on me?" His face turned red with rage and his grip on my wrists only tightened making me wince in pain. 

"Jared you're hurting me! Let go!"I shouted as I struggled against his vice like grip.

"What's the reason then? You've never had a problem with me before. Is it because I haven't given you enough attention lately?" He smiled before leaning in and kissing me forcefully.

I flinched at his touch and pushed him away but he only held me harder making me want to cry. What was wrong with him?

"I'm in love with the girl next door," I sputtered out before he could attack my face again. "That's why."

Still holding my hands he leaned back and looked at me like I was on crack. When he released my hands I felt relief wash through me but it was quickly replaced by shock when I felt his hand collide with my cheek making my head hit the window behind me. 

I never in a million years would have expected that reaction from him. The look of hatred on his face was so obvious it made my toes curl. Eager to get away I unlocked the door and turned the door knob but he grabbed my shoulder pulling back.

"I wasn't done--" He was cut off by the sound of his car window being knocked and Josephine's voice. 

"Let her go or I swear my parents who are watching now will call the police."

I felt my shoulder being released and then the door on my side was swung open by Josephine's mother who gently helped me out. I clutched my cheek in shock the whole time. If they hadn't interrupted would he have hit me again? Would he have hit me harder? I shuddered at the thought as Mrs Wentworth ushered me inside.

I hadn't realized how much I was shaking until Josephine put her hand on my shoulder causing me to jump in my skin. 

"Don't worry you're safe here,"she cooed into my ears soothingly. 

I remained silent, my eyes glued to the floor still trying to process how my gentle boyfriend of one year just physically assaulted me. Ex-boyfriend.

"Here dear." Mrs. Wentworth handed me a cup of hot chocolate.

Ignoring how hot the liquid was I took a sip and savored it's warmth. "Thank you," I replied finally finding my voice. They smiled at me and then Josephine's parents said something about a Christmas cake and they disappeared into the kitchen.

"Are you, okay? What was wrong with him? How dare he touch you like that," Josephine exclaimed angrily. She sat before me and stroked my hand gently, each brush of her fingers against mine seemed to paint away all my worries. 

"I broke up with him that's why,"I mumbled. There were no tears in my eyes, no feelings of remorse or sadness only regret that I hadn't done it sooner.

"Oh I thought you were...umm...not into guys," she stuttered making me smile because it reminded me of how awkward I could be.

"I'm not," I answered. "Something about this Christmas made me realize that I should stop lying to myself and just be happy being me. I had no idea I would get slapped in the process." I smiled weakly making a feeble attempt at a joke to lighten the mood.

She smiled but it never reached her eyes. "That's not funny."

"It's sort of my fault to be honest. I lead him on for a year without even knowing it."

"Please don't justify his actions. No matter what you did he should not have hit you."

"True. Thank you for helping me out. I do not know what I would have done without you and your parents," I said taking her hands in mine and looking into her eyes. The way her breath hitched at my touch made me smile in happiness. 

Her eyes gleamed brightly and she squeezed my hands causing a million tingles to run up my arms. I'd never felt this way with anyone before. 

"Can I be honest with you,"she said hesitantly. I nodded, urging for her to continue.

"Ever since I moved here, it has been a favorite past time of mine to watch you leave for school in the mornings. Don't ask me why I just like watching the way you rush out of the house like your life depends on it and here I am sweating after my run, lazy as ever to wash up and get ready for school."

I swear today was indeed a day made to shock the pants off me. She's watched me too! The idea was so absurd it never once crossed my mind.

"Don't be spooked out. I'm not a stalker, it's just a...a habit," she explained gazing at me cautiously behind her long lashes. 

I laughed loudly catching her off guard and she looked at me now with wide eyes. 

"I watch you every morning before you go for your morning run. Most of the time I would imagine myself putting on my trainers and running away with you."

***

Well I wish I could that was my happy ending but for me the Jared fiasco was only the beginning. After a tremendous amount of persuasion my mother eventually gave in to the idea that I was now dating Josephine especially after she'd learnt that it was her precious Jared that caused the nasty purple bruise on my cheek. My father on the other hand pretended not to notice how close I had become to our neighbors even until we left for college together.

My mother said he would come around to it and I honestly hoped he would but for the most part I was the happiest I'd ever been in my whole life and that was all that mattered. Who knew this Christmas would be so life changing?

A/N Hi this is my story for the Christmas Contest 2016 which includes the FreetheLGBT campaign on Wattpad. I hope you enjoyed it! :) :) Thanks for reading!