HAAAAAAI GUUUUUUYS! ♥

I'm DoveReign and it's nice to meet youu! So, there might have a been a possibility you clicked this chapter because of the title. Its because of something precious. Beautiful. Amazing.

Food. Pizza. Ice-cream. Food.

Sadly, I literally rampaged the fridge while going a period of writer's block so both of us can just sit down and talk about our favorite food. (I'm getting hungry now)

I'm really glad to be a part of the Block party again – thank you so much Kelly for this opportunity! I'm an enthusiastic writer on this cute, orange website alternating between procrastinating, looking at precious dog pictures and food. (shout-out to my bed for always being there to catch me)

Tellme a bit about yourself. You can't be a stranger     

So, I decided to write a short story for this post and its something new - which is why I'm getting really pumped up about it. I hope you'll enjoy it! (Nope, I'm sorry it isn't about food although I really should have written about that. xD)

EMERGE

She could feel the change rippling around her. The time had finally come.

Sandi Lucero was fed up of people. Of human beings. Of her so-called friends. Too many times she had been judged. Too many times she had been slyly mocked. Too many times she had caught eyes peering at her as if she was something else.

She was something else. And it was time to show them.

Whereas normally she would be wearing grey, dark clothes to blend in with the crowds at school; another part of the wall. Now, she gone full out. She wore whatever she wanted, picking clothes she thought she wasn't allowed to wear before. A bubbly, jittery feeling ran through her veins, terrifying her.

This was crazy. Mind-blowing. Probably stupid.

That's why she had to do it. Because she needed a change. She couldn't go another day where she had to listen to pointless rumors, despicable attitudes or sly insults. She wanted to be herself, without any limitations or hesitations.

Wearing her yellow striped stockings with her rainbow shirt, the message stood out loud and clear. She had also colored her hair – something she had never done before in her life. Strength coursed through her from the change.

For the first time in a long while, a wide smile stretched across her face as she walked into school. Everyone had their eyes on her and she could feel their minds running as their opinions splashed across their faces.

A small tinge of fear ran through her back. But, it was too late. She wouldn't regret this moment. She would enjoy this. This was the first time in her life she had attempted to be true to herself and she was not going to back out now.

"Sandi!" her friends chanted as their eyes widened in horror.

She smiled. She was part of a small group of friends but they had gotten too much for her with their judgements. It was time to get out but a small tinge of sadness hit her as she realized she would be alone now.

It was better to be alone than have toxic friends though, her conscience reminded her.

"What's going on with you?" Rema said, her eyebrows furrowing.

Sandi shrugged. "I wanted a change." She pursed her lips at their outraged expressions. "You don't like it?"

"You look hideous!" she exclaimed, mortified. "I can't believe you're wearing something like this! And your hair too!"

Sandi inhaled, bracing her shoulders as the others responded the same way. With barely concealed insults. Mocking her. Just like they always did. A terrible feeling punctured her stomach.

"Well then, if you don't want to be seen around with me, then don't. But, I'm staying like this, no matter what. And yes – I like how I look. It feels like me for the first time. So, if you can't stand it, stay away. And take your opinions with you too."

She caught a glimpse of their gawping faces before she turned around, walking away. Exhaling, her shoulders dropping as she smiled to herself. That felt good. She had defended herself for the first time and it was powerful. She should have done that long before.

Her eyes met Lizzie Marge, the girl who unconsciously set off her change.

She smiled, walking towards her, nerves bunching up. Lizzie's eyes widened in shock, her mouth dropping.

"Hey," Lizzie said. "You look different."

Sandi's expression softened. "Good or bad?"

Lizzie bit her lip. "Definitely good. Like yourself, I guess."

"Thank you," Sandi said, her chest warming up. "I actually came over here to ask you something. Uh," she bit her lip, "can I sit with you at lunch?"

Lizzie's eyes widened. "What? Me? Are you sure...?" she trailed off, furrowing her eyebrows in confusion as Sandi nodded eagerly. Lizzie's face lit up. "Okay, yeah. It'll be nice to sit with someone, I guess. See you at the cafeteria then."

"Awesome," she smiled, waving goodbye to her as she walked off.

Whenever she walked into class, she caught people staring at her, whispers breaking out as they voiced their opinions. Nobody knew what was going on with her. But, she didn't understand why they thought they deserved an explanation from her.

Her 'friends' had come to the decision to glare and ignore her. She knew that meant they wanted her to come to them and apologize for being rude, among other things.

It wasn't going to happen.

By the lunch time rolled around, she had grown bored of the stares and whispers. Everyone was carefully treading around her, waiting for something.

She smiled widely, a breath of air escaping her as she caught sight of Lizzie sitting at a table, with headphones on. She watched her for a moment, taking in her short, pixie haircut and tattoo on her neck.

Walking with a bounce in her step, she sat down in front of Lizzie, who grinned, showing off her pearly white teeth. Removing her headphones, she picked up her fork.

"You actually sat here," Lizzie said, shaking her head a little.

Sandi leaned back against her chair, knowing everyone had their eyes focused intently on them. "Of course, I did. I'm guessing you want to know why?"

Lizzie nodded, her eyes flickering away to see the people looking at us before meeting my gaze, letting out a chuckle. "I think everyone does."

Sandi shrugged. "I don't care what they want. But, I will tell you." She leaned forward, her hands on the table as she locked her eyes on Lizzie. "I was sitting in this same cafeteria a week ago watching as my ex-friend," she said with a bitter tone, "bumped into you." Lizzie's eyes widened a bit as she caught on to what she was talking about. "She started insulting you, calling you names. You had this expression on your face – like you didn't have a care in the world. I envied your attitude, the way you were."

I paused. "Then, when she finished, you spat out a comment at her and walked away. In that moment," my smile stretched, "you had earned my highest respect. You defended yourself but it was like her words had no power over you. And they didn't. They never could." I paused. "Everyone here keeps their distance from you and I played along, never understanding why."

Lizzie titled her head, watching me as she bit into a chocolate bar. "They don't like someone who's different."

Sandi nodded. "Exactly. I always knew this. I tolerated it. And then – in that one tiny moment, it struck me. Why the hell did I give a shit? I had no reason to. All of this," she gestured to her surroundings, "was pointless. You gave me courage. Yeah, I took time. A lot of time. I spent a week thinking over all of this. I had to be sure." She pursed her lips. "I never go through with any decision I make. I never considered myself brave. I could never muster up any strength from myself." She smiled. "So, I used yours. For the first time in my life. I'm following through with my decision. And I'm here to deliver the news."

Lizzie's lips stretched into a wide grin, her eyes glinting as she knew what I was going to say. "What is it?"

"That I, Sandi Lucero, have fallen in love with you," Sandi said, proudly. "And that since that moment one week ago, I have been dying to do this."

Saying that, she reached out to grab Lizzie's shirt, tugging her forward so that her lips crashed against hers. Warmth exploded. Her lips were soft, beautiful. They tasted like freedom. Like a new life. Like she finally felt home.

Breaking the kiss, Lizzie stared at her, eyes widening in awe. "Wow."

A warm, tingly feeling came over her, like sunlight blanketing up her body, from her toes to her stomach, from her heart to the strands of her hair. Lizzie reached out, holding her hand as if it was precious.

"I always knew, you know," Lizzie commented, a smirk gracing her lips. "My gaydar sense were tingling. I'm happy you finally got the courage."

Sandi's heart soared. She heard their loud whispers, felt their ugly stares and could feel their comments. But now, staring into Lizzie's mischievous, teasing eyes; nothing else mattered.

"I'm happy I got the courage too," she said.

Sometimes in life, there are few moments where we need to have courage to go through with a decision or to make a right choice. I guess this story is a way to express that. I really liked writing this because it was about showing that there is always going to be someone against you but you got to find the courage to stay true to yourself. To pull through.

On a lighter note, I would love to know your thoughts on the story! ♥

To see more of my writing check out my book – The Irrational Logic of Fate and Love. It's more focused on humor and teen fiction and hopefully, you'll love it! *nudges your arm* (you totally should ;)

Thank you to all those who read my post! It was so nice to meet you guys! Remember to take part in my awesome giveaway too! I'm giving away a shout-out and a book review of the first 3 chapters to one lucky winner! Hope you'll enter! ♥

Have an awesomeeee daaay! (It's a party after all! Go get some food!) ♥

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