Experimentation

   The next day

I can’t stop thinking about Mia since that kiss at the beach. It’s been hard for me to face her. I don’t even know if I truly like her. My feelings are all jumbled. Writing that song about her only made me question my sexuality more. Surprising, really, that I wanted to sing it for her. I hope she enjoyed it. Wait�"she must have liked it since she kissed me. But then again, I just don’t know!

My phone rings, and it’s Mia. She hasn’t reached out in a week. I pick up.

“Hello?”

“Hey,” she replies quickly. “I know the kiss might have changed things, so if you don’t like me, it’s fine”

I interrupt her. “I do,” I blurt out. “I really like you. Well, at least I think I do. I’m still trying to figure it out. I’ve been questioning everything since I wrote that song about you.” I take a breath, trying to calm my racing thoughts and even faster heart beat. Silence hangs in the air. “Are you still there?” I whisper.

“Yeah,” she replies softly. “Can I come over?” she asks. “I could help you figure things out�"maybe do some research together.” I nod, then remember she can't see me.

“Yeah, that’s fine,” I say.

“Okay,” she responds. “Come open the door, it’s raining!” She sounds excited but also a bit nervous.. I hang up and dash downstairs. I fling open the door and grab her hand, pulling her inside. Then, on a whim, I lean in and kiss her.

For a moment, she stiffens. But then she melts into it, kissing me back. Suddenly, she pulls away, looking around. “Wait�"are your mom and dad home?” she asks, eyes darting around. I chuckle. “Nope, just me and my two moms. They’re both at work tonight though.”

Her eyes widen. “Wait�"two moms?!”

I laugh. “Yep! No dad here, so even if they were home, they'd be cool with it.” She nods, a grin spreading across her face.

“That makes sense,” she says, chuckling at herself and then i kiss her again, using my foot to nudge the door closed. Somehow we manage to make it over to the couch and then we end up falling and then we both burst into laughter.

We finally settle on the couch, still giggling from our tumble. The rain pattering against the window creates a cozy backdrop. Mia looks at me, her eyes bright, and I feel warmth spreading in my chest. “So, about that song,” she begins, biting her lip. The mention of it makes my stomach flip again. “Did you really mean all those things?”

I hesitate. “I did. But it’s confusing.” I lean back, trying to gather my thoughts. “I mean, I’ve never felt like this about a girl before. It’s… new territory for me.” I can see her processing this. She nods, understanding but also curious.

“New territory can be exciting. It sounds like it’s more than just a crush.”

“Maybe.” The word hangs between us like a question mark. “It’s weird because I didn’t plan for any of this. One moment, we’re joking about that goofy beach day. The next, we’re… here.” I gesture between us, and she tilts her head, a smile playing at her lips.

“What do you want, though? Do you want to figure this out with me?”

“I think I do. But I’m scared. What if it's just a phase?” I blurt out, my heart racing as I search her eyes for reassurance.

“You won’t know unless you give it a chance,” she replies confidently. Her voice is steady, and it calms me. “Isn’t that what research is for?” I chuckle again, appreciating her light-heartedness.

Mia shifts closer, her hand brushing against mine. “Maybe we can start tonight, then. No pressure. Just us, some pizza, and some music.” It’s a simple proposal, but her excitement is infectious. I can’t help but grin at the idea. “Are we talking about your playlist or mine?” I tease back, and she rolls her eyes playfully.

As we share laughter and pick songs, I notice her every expression. The way she lights up with each beat is mesmerizing. The rain outside fades, and it feels like it's just us. Eventually, I lean in again. “Just so you know, if this is a phase... I want you to be part of it,” I confess. Mia smiles, a mix of amusement and something deeper flickering in her eyes.

“Good. Because I’m ready for a little chaos in my life.” She says and I laugh, knowing this is only the beginning of something unexpected and exciting.