Our History

 It was true, Melissa wasn't quite sure what she was doing. Was she falling in love? She squinted hard at the realization. She couldn't even look at herself in the mirror of her dresser in her very neat room.

Of course, it wouldn't be this way if it wasn't for Rylie. Yes, she'd come over. Hadn't even called. OK, she did call, but Melissa hadn't picked up. Seriously, she was not ready for Rylie to show up so unexpectedly. After all, Rylie got to see the real Melissa (no makeup, oily hair, and in her worst homeless clothes ever). And of course, a room of clutter with too many clothes, too many books and lord knows what else. Honestly, she didn't want Rylie to see her like this. But Rylie didn't freak at what mess Melissa really was.

"It's OK," Rylie said she would help. And she did. They went through everything, in fact. Sorting clothes. Putting away what Melissa would wear. Finding boxes to take away to GOOD WILL. Really, Melissa didn't know how much she'd accumulated during the pandemic.

"Now, if you don't want to give it away, I could put it in storage for you," Rylie said she didn't want to pressure her.

"No. I.. I have been putting it off." Melissa hugged herself and gave Rylie a nod. Melissa said first it was just impossible, but then it was just so cold. Winter was snowy here and just plain cold.

Rylie smiled as if she understood. But of course, she'd organized her cosmetic and redid her shelves. It looked so cozy now. 

"Wow, I don't know how you did it." Melissa felt as if she was full of laughter. She actually wanted to be in this room now. Before she'd somehow managed in the mountains of clothes to find a spot to sleep.

"Feel free to mess it up," Rylie laughed. "I don't want to make you feel uncomfortable."

"How could you say that," Melissa looked at her as if she was the sweetest thing.

And that's when it happened.

She might as well have fallen on top of her. Thank God, the bed was near. Naturally, there was a pause. The gaze. An impulse that clicked until it was one, except to multiple and explore.

Melissa touched her lip now. Was it true? She bubbled with excitement. Still, it worried her. Thinking back about Remi. How it all happened after one drunk party. They seemed to always have to be drunk when they made out, but with Rylie, it was so different.

Sure, Rylie talked to her about someone she'd met when she was in high school, hoping something would happen, but it didn't. 

"I just.. I just thought it was better to be alone, after all," she said. Melissa imagined this about herself too. But now, it was like a door had opened and no way was she going back to the way things were.