I carefully trapsed my way through the woodland towards the clearing. The air was warm and dry; tall, rickety trees towered above me, orange hues trickling down their surfaces like melted ice-cream. A dusting if light filtered through the leafy canopy onto the soft ground.
A typical July morning.
I listened to the cheerful chirping of the birds – chinking rhythmically with the gentle crunching of my footsteps as I entered the clearing. I quickly smoothed the picnic blanket, before attentively arranging the foods across it.
"Boo!" Holly exclaimed, loudly, from behind me.
I smiled up at her, haloed by the sun's glare. I knew she was coming. I could hear the twigs snapping as she'd crept up to me. "Boo, to you too."
She plonked down beside me, "What's all this?"
"I kinda made us a picnic." I whispered, biting my lip – suddenly doubtful. "Do you... umm... like it?"
Stunned, she examined the scene, her eyes glistening slightly.
"I love it!" She nodded, reassuringly. "And I love how much work you must have put into this."
I lowered my head, embarrassed; feeling my cheeks flushed pink and skin burn hot.
She reached out for my hand, looking up to meet my eyes.
"Charlotte Marie Sunshine, you really are awesome." I blinked at her – beaming. "And you are never allowed to question it. That's an order."
Giggling, I poured her a glass of lemonade – staring somewhat absently into the woodland. "Do you ever wonder why some people hate us so much?"
She choked in surprize. "Why are you asking?"
I thought about Meg and the other kids from school – the strange hallway glances as I held Holly's hand, and the cold whispers.
"It's almost like being ourselves is a crime..." I stared up at the sky. "You must have noticed, not everyone is exactly supportive... I guess you're my only real friend now..."
"We have Toby..." She pointed out. "Even if he thinks we're sisters."
She rolled her eyes.
"I guess it's just because we're different: anything which is weird or unusual is bad and unwanted to some people. If they don't understand something rather than learning more about it, they choose to reject it, simply because it's quicker and easier. But that doesn't make them right. And it doesn't make us wrong. I don't think love can ever be wrong. And I'm certain that you could never be wrong."
I stared into her eyes.
"It kinda isn't fair though..." I whispered; mouth full of bubbling sugar.
"That's life, I guess." She mumbled, bitterly. She raised her glass, making it catch the light – shimmering silver. "To life?"
I bit my lip, smirking slightly. "To life..."