"We're all broken. That's how the light gets in"

It was my favorite quote, and I had tattoed it on the place where my heart was. The first time I heard it, I could never known how true it was.

Because I was broken, damaged, call it how you like but I was. The death of my twin sister did that. And it had changed me. I was no longer the happy, weird and energetic girl I once was. I was quiet and kept to myself.

But then I met her. She was everything I wasn't. Everything I once was. She was friendly, nice and sweet. But most of all she was stunning. From her chocolate brown hair to her sparkling eyes.

Moving to Atlanta a month ago was hard for me. Moving meant leaving everything behind. Leaving my sisters grave behind. Leaving the few friends I had behind. Leaving the girl I once loved behind. But my parents thought a change of environment would help. I disagreed. Until I met her.

As usual I was having lunch with my best friends Denise and Stacie and a few other girls from my class. And this day was no exception, when I spotted her. She was the new girl I heard so much gossip about. Going to an all girl school meant a lot of gossip. I didn't know if the rumours were true. And I didn't care. All I saw was this beautiful girl. With blonde hair and beautiful blue eyes. Eyes with an hint of sadness in them.

"Hey" I said. "Do you want to sit with us?" I asked her.

She looked at me in surprise. As if she couldn't believe it that someone talked to her.

"Uh, sure" she said softly.

She quietly sat down to me and placed her tray with food on the table. She didn't even looked at me or the others.

"My name is Ashley. And those two weirdos are my best friends Denise and Stacie" I said as an introduction.

"I'm Jessica" she said softly.

She was so shy, but something in me wanted to know her better.

"Why are you talking to her?" Olivia one of the other girls who were sitting there asked me. "Didn't you hear she is a lesbian" she continued.

Jessica wanted to stand up but I grabbed her hand and hold her in her place.

I just looked at her. "So, and you are black" I replied.

Everybody looked confused at me when I said that.

"You don't even know her. You heard some gossip and immediately assume it's true. Maybe she is, maybe she isn't. But if she is I don't care. Being gay isn't a choice, just like being black isn't a choice. So I suggest you keep your judgemental opinions to yourself."

They were speechless at my words, and I saw Jessica blush. I realized I still had her hand in mine and I gave her a reassuring squeeze. She looked up at me and smiled. She was beautiful when she smiled.

Stacie, Denise and some other girls agreed with me, and Olivia apologized immediately.

We finished our lunch and got up to go to our next classes. But before Jessica could go I asked her for her phone. I saved my number and asked her to text me if she wanted. The rest of the day went by rather quickly.

I was at home and I couldn't get Jessica out of my mind. I just met her but I was fascinated by her. She was so mysterious and I wanted to get to know her better. I was sitting at the kitchen table, doing my homework when my phone buzzed. I saw I received a text message from an unfamilliar number, so I opened it.

Thanks for sticking up for me. It meant a lot. XXX Jessica

My face lit up reading her message. I never expected to hear from her so soon. I saved her number and typed a message back.

You don't have to thank me beautiful. I meant every word I said. XXX Ashley

I went back to my homework when my phone buzzed again.

You think I'm beautiful?

What kind of question was that? She was beautiful. Everyone with eyes could see that.

You are beautiful. And one day I will show you.

I put my phone aside and finished my homework. Did I go to far? I barely knew her, but I somehow I had the feeling we would be good friends. Then her reply came.

I can't wait. See you tomorrow in school. XXX

Good night beautiful. See you tomorrow. XXX

The next day I saw Ashley at lunch break in the cafetaria. She waved at me and motioned me to come sit with her and her friends. This time there were different girls. I only recognized Denise and Stacie. She introduced me to the rest.

"Hey beautiful. I want you to meet the restof my friends. These are Aubrey, Beca, Chloe, Cynthia Rose and Fat Amy" Ashley said to me.

"Hey I'm Jessica I said shyly.

"Yeah, we know" the girl introduced as Fat Amy said. "Ashley told us about you. In fact she wouldn't shut up about you. But she was right, you are very pretty."

"Uh, thanks I guess." I didn't know what to say. I wasn't good with people. I learned they were all in an a capella group.

"So Jessica, do you sing?" Aubrey asked me.

"I used to, but not anymore" I said softly. I didn't want to look at them so I lowered my head. Ashley grabbed my hand under the table and squeezed it.

Noneof them asked me about it, and the conversation continued. Ashley still had my hand in hers and it felt so natural.

"Hey did anyone see Lilly?" the girl I think was named Chloe asked.

"She needed to stay after class. Apparantly the science teacher didn't believe she had nothing to do with the fire in the lab" Stacie said.

"I bet he didn't believed that" Beca muttered.

The bell rang and we all got to our classes. I found out I shared some classes with Cynthia Rose and Chloe. We talked on our way to class and I learned they were really nice girls. Maybe moving to Atlanta wasn't so bad after all.

After the last class of the day they invited me to see them rehearse. I really didn't want to. Music reminded me of my sister. We used to sing together and play the piano. I politely declined but they didn't want to hear any of it.

"I really need to go otherwise I miss my bus" I tried.

They said not to worry about that. One of them would drive me home. And that's how I found myself sitting in the music room. They really had good voices and surprisingly I enjoyed myself listening to them. During their five minute break, Ashley sat next to me and slid her hands around my waist.

"You okay there beautiful?" she whispered to me.

"Yeah I'm okay."

For some reason it felt good to have Ashley so close to me. She gave me feelings I never experienced before. When she got up to rehearse again I missed her presence immediately.

After rehearsal they asked me were I lived. Lilly the girl who was missing lunch lived the closest to me and drove me home. When we arrived at my house I thanked her. She mumbled something I couldn't understand and drove off.

When I got in my house I headed straight up to my room. I lay on my bed, thinking about today. The girls seemed all very nice. And I hoped I would be friends with them.

My phone buzzed and I grabbed it to look who texted me. It was a welcoming text as Ashley added me to their groupchat. They each welcomed me to their group. Making friends was apparantly that easy. I knew most of them for a day and I already was one of them. I thanked them and tossed my phone aside.

After a few minutes my phone buzzed again. This time it was a message from Ashley.

Hey beautiful what are you doing?

Nothing. Just lying on my bed. You?

Thinking of you. Want to come over? I really want to know you better.

I needed to think about it for a minute. Why not I thought. It was Friday afternoon and I hadn't something better to do.

Okay. But I don't know where you live.

Text me your adress and I will pick you up.

I texted her my adress and ten minutes later I heard a car honking. I got in her car and we drove to her house. She lived in a cute two story house. We got in and she introduced me to her mom. We then headed to her bedroom.

"You have a nice room" I said. It was light with yellow accents.

"Wanna watch a movie?" she asked me.

"Sure" I said.

We were lying on her bed with her laptop between us. We choose some chickflick to watch. But she didn't look at the screen. She looked at me.

"You're missing the movie" I said.

"I've seen this movie a dozen times. I really like watching you. You are so beautiful" she said.

I knew her words made me blush. And that made her laugh. I loved hearing her laugh.

"You're so cute when you blush." she said.

I couldn't believe Jessica lay here next to me. I really tried to watch the movie, but I was distracted by her beauty. She was so cute. She was also so shy. And she gave me the feeling I needed to protect her. Of course, she noticed me staring at her. I didn't do anything to hide it.

A strand of her hair fell for her eyes. Without thinking I tucked it back behind her ear. What was happening to me? I never felt anything like this before. Not with a boy and certainly not for a girl. But she had me complete under her spell.

I grabbed my laptop and put it on the table next to my bed.

"Were not going to finish the movie?" she asked me.

"Nope" I said.

I pulled her closer to me and we just lying there, our faces inches apart. I just needed to look at her. I was captured by her beauty.

And I don't know how it happened but somehow my hand found it's way under her shirt. I rubbed soothing circles on her stomach. And I could feel her hand sliding up my skirt. Her hand resting on my inner thigh.

We just lay there in comfortable silence. I looked her in the eyes and saw her staring back at me. A mix of sadness and something I couldn't describe was showing. God, she was beautiful. It took all of me to not kiss her.