You and Emily had been raised in the same religion-centered communities, your mother's being best friends and work partners you always found yourselves traveling the word together. And with that came the strongest bond. However as you grew you felt something more begin to blossom. The feeling in your chest when you saw her seemed to spread to your stomach too, like a swarm of drunken butterflies encaged within your ribs. It was an incurable malady which you refused to even acknowledge for what it was, but in the rare moments of weakness you know deep down you didn't want a cure. You were in love. however it could never be. homosexuality is one of the biggest sins, and you knew it. You knew you'd never be able to look your mother in the eyes if you came to terms with what you truly were so you never did.

In the coming days after the revelation you found yourself actively avoiding her company, going as far as to feign sickness to get off school. she had become the tightness in your chest, a permanent toothache, a cut on your cheek and nothing you did could ever manage to suppress that need to have her as your own it was like a thousand cuts into your skin every time she crossed your mind.

you weren't used to such a radio silent way of delivery, usually every waking moment was usually spent with her, if not face to face you would be on the phone with her like your life depended on it. and thats when you finally realised. you chose her religiously. your fingers shake and your heart races as you send the message 'come over. We need to talk'. as the words are sent, escaping your grasp of return its like a burden lifted from your shoulders, as if an angel had just gained its wings and no less than 5 minutes later her head pops up at your window, not so gracefully clamouring in to the point of falling headfirst through which an echoing 'bang' luckily your mom was a deep sleeper.