Holly fumbled with the key to her apartment. "It's not opening, do I have the wrong key? No, no, this has to be right, I don't-" She was silenced as a soft hand curled around her own, and the hand gave hers a light squeeze before gently prodding the keys from Holly's tense grip. Karen opened the door easily and turned back to look at Holly. "Should we go in now?" She asked her, and Holly nodded, a dazed expression crinkling her defined eyebrows. Karen led the way, holding Holly's hand, as the woman trailed behind. Holly placed her bag full of school materials on a small table and gave a small chuckle at the brunette who was already lying on her plush beige couch. "Make yourself at home!" She joked.
"I am home." Karen stared at Holly, her lips slightly curved upwards but her vibrant blue eyes stared back at Holly with intensity. Holly opened her mouth to say something but the words were lost to her. She sat across from Karen in a matching beige loveseat and the two regarded one another in silence for a few moments, before Holly burst out laughing. "I quit my job!" Another spurt of laughter. "Now I have no income! Oh aren't I smart!" Now the previous laughter started to give way to choked sobbing.
Karen rushed to her side and rubbed her back in a circular motion as Holly cried.
As time passed, the sobs became quieter and quieter, until the woman was left shaking in Karen's embrace.
"We're going to be okay." Karen whispered, and kissed Holly's forehead. Her lips trailed downward and met those of her lover. Karen tasted Holly's salty tears as she kissed her slowly. "I love you." Holly said, and Karen nodded, Holly knew she didn't need to say it, the girl already knew.
Karen's eyes were shining from potential tears and she blinked them away, replacing them with a slight smile. "Whatever happens from now on, just know that I'll always support you. I've never felt this way about anyone and I don't want that feeling to ever go away." Karen placed one last gentle peck on Holly's cheek and stood up.
"Should I make us some tea?" She asked. Holly nodded before remembering something. "But first, please call your mother. I don't want her to think I kidnapped you or anything." Karen grinned and walked off to find the phone. The exasperated feeling that overwhelmed Holly a moment ago was almost completely wiped out and replaced with a nervous excitement.
This was the start of a whole new chapter in her life, of endless possibilities, and she was lucky enough to experience it with someone whom she loved unconditionally. Now that was a rare thing to find.