For October Fest Special on the Hogwarts School Of Witchcraft and Wizardry Forum.
The girls have always been affectionate. It's only natural for Mei to look her arm through Priya's as they clamber to class. On movie nights, Abby and Miriam sit next to each other and their thighs touch. If a cheek rests on a shoulder or a hand falls to a knee, no one comments. Even Abby doesn't pull away when Miriam launches herself towards her, enveloping her arms around her friend.
And yet, when Miriam presses a kiss to Mei's cheek in lieu of a goodbye hug, Mei freezes. As Miriam walks away, Mei's hand goes to her cheek. Even the winter air can't stop her face from burning.
"Aiyah, Meilin. Your face is so red." Mei's mother frowns at her as she steps into the family home and kicks off her shoes. "I told you to wear a scarf today. Why don't you ever listen to your mother?"
Mei shrugs. "I didn't think it would be that cold today."
She scurries to her room, ignoring her mother calling after her. She doesn't have time to bicker today. As soon as she closes the door behind her, Mei collapses into her desk chair. Her mind races. The same image—the same feeling—floods her brain. Miriam's warm lips on her bare skin. Her heart racing. Her fingers itch to draw the scene. She can see it, a watercolour in soft reds and pinks with her and Miriam at the centre.
"Mei! Come help me with dinner!"
Mei presses her hands against her temples in frustration. She needs to shake this off. After all, Mei and Miriam have always been like this—warm hugs, interlaced fingers, and comforting hands on shoulders. Why should a platonic kiss mean any more than all of that? Why should Mei suddenly crave that touch again? And why should that touch suddenly feel more than just friendly?
"Mei!"
Her mother's shouts are enough to pull Mei out of her thoughts. Pushing Miriam to the back of her mind, Mei scrambles to the kitchen. Overthinking can wait till the evening. At least that way, her mother can't interrupt. Mei will be free to sketch, colour and dream of soft lips on her cheek until the sun rises.