IRIS
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What I did was a mistake—not an ordinary one, but a grave one.
I kissed Alma while my hand rested on her waist; she had her arms wrapped around my neck. Her lips were incredibly soft and tasted sweet. The sugar from the cola we had drunk still lingered on them, which drove me to devour her lips even more. I was on the verge of losing myself in the kiss, but I swiftly regained control. I pushed Alma away from me and walked out of the room. That entire night, I kept thinking about our kiss... thinking about Alma...
I asked myself: Could two girls possibly love each other? Could they get married?
This was the first question I ever asked myself after perceiving beauty in girls.
I admit that girls caught my attention, and I took it as something normal and friendly.
I did not know that behind the walls of friendship, something else could exist.
After that day, we were no longer normal. Especially me, because Alma was still young and did not comprehend things... She was not entirely a child in age, but she had been raised in a completely healthy environment, oblivious to acts of this nature.
Therefore, she did not know what was right and what was wrong.
We continued to reenact the scenes of the movies we watched; we even recreated parts of our series.
We only watched romantic films. I should have advised her. I was much older than her; I should have scolded her for those inappropriate actions and ignored her whenever she asked...
Playing house?
Playing dolls?
Hide-and-seek?
Those were no longer our games.
I was a fool because everything felt normal to me. After a few months of being like that, I was about to move out of my room and sleep beside her at night, but I did not allow my feelings to overpower me.
So, I didn't do it.
I give thanks for the little wisdom I possessed at that time.
When I turned eighteen, I decided I needed to have my own home. I cannot stay here with Alma. My aunt would not agree, and Alma was not pleased with the situation either, nor was Mr. Logan.
Regardless, after a few days, I managed to win their approval. But Alma was furious with me. She did not even say goodbye, and she never visited my new house. That hurt my heart.
However, I preferred not to ask her about it and not to reconcile. The further apart we are, the better it is for both of us. My aunt often got angry with her for refusing to come out of her room to greet me, but Alma would simply claim she had homework.
They bought a house for me next to their big estate. I refused to let them buy it for me. I said I would work and earn the money myself; I wanted to buy it on my own. Then, Mr. Logan said, "I will buy it for you, and in the future, if you have the money, you can pay me back." I agreed. After I moved into the house, I found a job. I worked in a candy factory. I spent my days off at home, or I went to see my aunt. I also had an uncle whom I occasionally visited, or I would go to a park or a library. I felt lonely. Punching the wall of my room with all my strength emptied me of frustration, but I do not believe there is a true substitute for this so-called 'loneliness'.
This is not a name! Rather, it is a destroyer!
I had never seen my own mother. I often blame myself for my mother's death; if she had not had me, she would have lived longer.
I saw Alma very rarely. Alma would not step out of the house except for school, so there were times I would stand by my window, waiting for her to return from school just to see her.
Anyway, the days of my life passed in this manner. Aside from working at the candy factory, I did several other jobs such as: waitress, working in a cleaning company, washing cars, shop assistant, etc... After 3 years, I managed to pay off my house.
..
A fly landed on my hand and snapped me out of my thoughts. I pressed my hand to my face and glanced at the wall clock; it is nearly noon.
I try to keep myself from starving by eating some unappetizing food I have in my house.
I must find a suitable outfit to wear. Baggy pants paired with an oversized sweater... It isn't pretty! But right now, this is the only thing available!
I combed my hair, then applied my special perfume, which carries a sharp and calming scent.
I stepped outside the house. My aunt was clearly waiting for me, twirling her car keys in a circle around her finger. As soon as I approached, she tossed the keys to me and got into the car herself. Every time I step into this vehicle, I feel a sense of royalty—a Rolls-Royce Phantom that half the world dreams of. Well, at the very least, I am lucky enough to drive it. In a way, I see myself as the successor to Maxon, the chauffeur.
After nearly twenty minutes of driving, we arrived at Harry Reid International Airport. We were sitting in the waiting area. Alma's flight is scheduled to land at 03:20 PM, but it is currently 02:45 PM. There is about half an hour left, but the time passes very quickly because my aunt speaks of nothing but Alma and Alma's childhood. Anything related to her passes swiftly; age does, too. I cannot believe that little Alma has grown so much. It makes me tremble.
I am nervous.. Gradually, the passengers are entering the airport. My aunt is practically sprouting wings out of sheer joy, but me... me
I don't know....!
I don't even know what I feel!
What I truly know is that I still love her....
A loud shriek from my aunt made me shift my eyes toward her. My aunt was running toward the most beautiful girl... meaning they were running toward each other from opposite sides.. It was a scene full of emotion. If it had been anyone else but me, they would have cried. But I cannot cry over these kinds of things. My heart rate spiked. On trembling legs, I walked toward them.
When I got very close, Alma's matchless eyes froze me completely. She is looking at me.
Her gazes upon me are driving me crazy.
She pulled away from my aunt, stood up on her short legs, and took small steps toward me. I was just standing. She threw herself at me and wrapped her arms around my neck. With all the strength I possessed, I wrapped my arms around her narrow waist and buried my head in her neck. She smells so good.
I had missed her. I heard her say faintly,
'I'm sorry.'
I pushed her back gently and looked into her eyes.
- Why?
Her eyes were raining tears. She parted her soft lips to answer me.
+ Because I was too stubborn. I was a fool. I pushed you away. I was a child then, but I am not anymore.
- Shh, hey! You should forgive me. I was the fool. I brought myself too close to you, while you all were providing me with free food and a place to sleep.
I reached up to touch her soft cheeks. A shiver ran through my body. These feelings are not normal, I swear.
+ No..! You were not—
+ Girls! Let's head home so you can finish your conversation. My sweet Alma is exhausted now, right?
My aunt requested, pointing at the suitcases at the same time.
- You two go to the car. I will bring the bags and follow.
I wanted to leave, but she grabbed my arm.
+ Wait..! You cannot carry those bags. They are too heavy. Let's get help from the staff here.
- Hey.. believe me, that is the easiest thing in my life to do.
I gave her a reassuring look, slipped my arm out of her grasp, and walked toward the giant suitcases.
Well, lifting them wouldn't have been so easy for me if I hadn't built some muscle.
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