[POV: Iris]
I can't take this. All I can think about is Joy. Her voice, her smile, her soft skin, and the way she delicately pushes her hair behind her ear. It's a simple movement, but God does it look seductive as fuck. I'm really glad I keep spare panties in my backpack because I'm literally soiled right now.
I'm not even paying attention and this is my favorite class. I love graphic design and the teacher is going over the syllabus, while all I can think about is the way Joy winked at me. I put my head down, run my hand through my hair, and groan. At least until I feel a slam on my table that startles the ever loving shit out of me.
"Miss Monroe. Would you mind trying to focus in class? The information I'm going over is important for this semester, and if you don't understand all of it, you may very well fail this class. Do you understand?"
"Yes sir."
Focus, Iris Monroe, focus. Get your shit together. We'll see each other at lunch time.
~*~*~*~*
Oh man. Those 3 classes were the longest 3 hours of my life. The bell's finally rung and I ran out of the classroom in record time to meet up with Joy at her locker. I turn the corner and almost collide into Max, one of my friends I'm going to introduce Joy to.
"Woah! Where are you going in such a rush, Iris?"
"Gotta go meet Joy at her locker. I'll see you at our usual table in the lunch room! Bye!"
"Who's Joy?!" He mutters, "In such a hurry. New girlfriend, maybe? I'ma follow this bitch."
I come up in view of her locker and I can see her doing some personalizing of her locker. Those flower stickers are so fucking cute. She puts up a magnetic mirror and I catch her looking at me in her reflection as I'm running up to her. She turns around with just the most gorgeous smile I've ever seen showing her straight pearly whites.
"Hey Iris! Enjoy your classes?"
"Hold on... lemme... catch my breath."
"It's fine. Take your time... Pfft."
I look up at her to see her holding a hand in front of her mouth trying to hold in a laugh. "What's... so funny?"
"Did you seriously run all the way here? It's not necessary. I would've waited til you got here before going anywhere. I've packed my gym kit and my last lesson's books, and I was just gonna customize my locker while waiting on you."
"I'm just excited to see and talk to you after so long! You have no idea how much I've missed you!"
"Oh poor baby. We have plenty of time to talk. Come here and give me a hug." I go up to hug her before she stops me. "What?"
"Better not. You're sweaty."
My mouth is literally gaping open enough to fit a whole egg in my mouth. At least until I notice she's sticking her tongue out at me. "Ugh, bitch. Don't tease me like that!"
"Hehe. Come on, I'm getting hungry. Let's go to lunch and you can introduce me to your friends." She closes her locker and we turn around to go to the cafeteria.
"OH... MY... GOD! JOY MITCHELSON?! THE... JOY MITCHELSON?!"
We turn around and see Max behind us with his mouth agape and hands on his cheeks. "What are you talking about, Max? Wait... Do you two know each other?" And I see Joy shrug and shake her head.
"Wait, Iris... How do you know this goddess?!"
"Do you remember Joel from middle school? This is him... or wait, her."
Max speaks up, "Oh my God! I grew up with THE Joy Mitchelson?! My cousin is going to freak the fuck out!"
I look at Joy and ask, "Are you famous or something?"
"IRIS! How do you not know about this? Do you remember that motivational speaking seminar I went to with my cousin for youths suffering from gender dysphoria and gender identities?" I nod and he points at Joy. "She was the main presenter. For the past 3 years, she's traveled the state giving speeches at these seminars and has become famous in the LGBTQ+ community for it."
I look at Joy and she smiles at me and nods her head. "It's true."
"How did I not know about all this?"
"Because you were too busy fuck-" I don't let him finish because I jump up and smack him in the head. "THE FUCK WAS THAT FOR?!"
"Finish saying what you were saying and I'll tell your boyfriend how I witnessed you making out with that cute bartender last week." That shut him up real quick. "Come on, I'm getting hungry. Let's go!" I pull Max to me and whisper in his ear, "Do NOT and I repeat DO NOT fuck this up for me! Joy was my first ever crush and I still love her! I finally have the chance to straighten my shit out this year for her and I mean it!"
I run up to catch up with Joy and look behind me to see Max in shock. "C'mon you queen! Hurry the hell up!"
We get to the cafeteria and Joy asks me, "Where do you guys sit? I'll wait there while you grab your food."
"Are you not eating?"
"Oh, I am, but I packed my own food."
I point out the table with all my friends. "You see Jen from homeroom over there? That's the table."
She blesses me with another one of those gorgeous smiles and says, "Alright. I'll meet you over there."
Max and I get in line and he says, "Are you for real, Iris?"
"About what?"
"What you said to me in the hallway."
"Of course I am. Why do you think I've never been in a committed relationship all this time? It's because I couldn't. I still love Joy. Always have. Always will."
"Then why did you fuck around?"
I sigh and say, "Look... I never even knew she was still alive until today. She literally disappeared in middle school and it broke me. She was my best friend and first love. I wouldn't have turned out like I am if it wasn't for her vanishing and ghosting me."
"Do you know why she did it?"
"She told me she was scared I would hate her for it. That I wouldn't like her after her transition. Honestly, that was the dumbest shit I've ever heard, but I get where she's coming from."
We pay for our food and make our way to the table to see Joy already chatting away with my other friends. Seeing her laugh. Seeing her happy, healthy, and alive. It's honestly the best feeling ever knowing she's back in my life.