I was officially one-quarter of the way through high school. Freshman year was over.

Mom and I had gone to lunch to celebrate. Sadly, Callie was working again, so she couldn't come. But, she face timed us while we were at the restaurant for a bit. She really had wanted to come, I knew she felt bad. It was ok, though- work is important, obviously.

"What flavor you getting?" Mom whispered to me. We were now standing in line at the ice cream shop. It was hot out, and Mom insisted that ice cream was the perfect way to start summer.

I agreed.

"Probably chocolate peanut butter," I giggled.

"Yeah same." Mom smiled at me.

When I was little, I always just got whatever Mom got. Because. Well, she's my mom. I wanted to be exactly like her. Because of that, though, I now like all the same flavors of ice cream as her.

Chocolate peanut butter is our favorite.

We got our ice cream. Both chocolate peanut butter(as expected) and then started to walk around the park across the street.

"I can't believe you'll be a sophomore in September." Mom said, scooping some of her ice cream.

"I can't wait." I said, smiling immediately. I was excited to be a sophomore- plus, the classes I had picked for next year were so much more fun than this year.

Mom smiled, "I'm glad you're excited." She said- and I knew she meant it. She didn't get to go through high school like a normal teenager. So, she was happy I was able to.

"I'm really excited. Hopefully I get more classes with my friends." I said as I ate my ice cream.

"I'm sure you will." Mom reassured.

I hesitated for only a second, then I just asked. "Mom, how did you know you liked Callie?" Complete topic change.

Mom's smile immediately grew at the mention of Callie. "Uh," She sighed happily. "It just felt right." She shrugged. "Callie's fun. She's kind. Insanely gorgeous," She laughed a little. "I felt drawn to her, I guess."

I nodded slowly, continuing to eat my ice cream.

Before Mom met Callie, I didn't really know two girls could date.

It sounds silly, but I had just never been around two women who were dating.

And, to be quite honest, I had been disinterested in the idea of a relationship for myself.

I know I'm young, and that might sound silly. But, I felt like relationships led to marriage. I thought that if I married someone, it would have to be a guy. And, the only marriage I really saw was Mom and... her ex.

It wasn't good. And, I knew I didn't want that. I decided I wouldn't get married. Of course, that could change. But it's just something I decided as a kid. I didn't want to be sad all the time, like Mom was.

Now, though, Mom was happy. With Callie- a girl.

Mom tilted her head when I didn't respond. "What's going on in that head of yours?"

I shrugged, "I dunno."

I truly didn't know what I was thinking.

Was it that I didn't like boys? Or was it just that I had seen one bad guy and was being dramatic?

I wasn't sure.

I wouldn't tell Mom that, though. Not because I was scared, but because I wanted to keep it private. I wanted to think for myself.

Mom rose an eyebrow.

I laughed it off, "Nothing really. I was just wondering, I guess." I waited a moment, then, "How did you know you loved Callie?"

Mom took a breath. "When I saw how she was with you." She smiled. "I was worried about dating, because I didn't want to date someone who was... ya know. Rude to you. But, Callie was so sweet."

"Aw." I said quietly. Mom was so cute.

She nodded. "Seeing her be so kind with you really... made me realize how good she is for me. Of course, I knew I really liked her because of her personality and just... well, you know Callie. She's awesome. But, yeah. Seeing how she treated you made me... fall in love, I guess," Mom laughed.

I giggled, "Wow a love story."

"You could call it that."

"That's what it is! A fairytale love story. The two princesses fall in love." I said thoughtfully.

Mom's smile grew. "I love that, Olive. That's a cute way to put it."

I ate some more of my ice cream until I came up with the best wording for my next question. "But... like. How did you know you liked Callie. Like. A girl. Because..." I sighed. I didn't know how to get it out. I was curious, though. I could play it off as wanting to know about Mom. I did want to know about Mom. But, I also needed to know for myself.

"Oh." Mom scrunched her face. For a moment, I thought she could see through me- see why I was really asking. Then she smiled. "Well, I was confused, at first. Worried. I knew it would change things for me, and for you, too. But, I knew that I didn't just... I knew that I liked a girl. So, I went with it." Mom shrugged.

I nodded slowly.

"It was confusing, but it all worked out pretty good I think. Hm?"

"Yeah, it did work out." I agreed.

She smiled softly at me, "It all fell into place." She said after a moment.

I took the last scoop of my ice cream.

It would all fall into place for me, too, then. I felt a little better after hearing that, honestly.

Mom has said exactly what I needed to here. Almost as if she knew what I needed.

"You done too?" Mom asked.

"Yup!"

"You wanna head home? Maybe we can sit by the pool? Callie could meet us there after she gets out."

"Sounds like the perfect kick-off to summer."