The Heart of the Stars

by Nicole Shay

  The room grew silent again as all eyes went to Elaine, who seemed to be the only one who could shed some light on the situation.

  “This!” Ornella said figuring it was her turn to stir the pot a little bit. She ran and jumped up on Elaine, kissing her taller girlfriend.

  Elaine stumbled a little as she tried to find balance, holding Ornella upright. She smiled as she kissed back, lingering for a moment before pulling away.

  “You’re an idiot,” she laughed softly, rolling her eyes.

  “I’m your idiot” Ornella said with a smirk.

  Elaine gently placed Ornella down, wrapped her arm around the small defender securely. “Anymore questions?”

  EPILOGUE

  While everyone had been even more shocked by Ornella and Elaine, Imogen and Olivia had untangled themselves from each other and Imogen took Olivia’s hand, leading her outside of the building. The warm air made Olivia’s heartbeat a little slower, but one glance at the girl next to her or the reminder of her hand in Imogen’s made it go faster all over again. She still had so many questions, but nothing was coming out of her mouth.

  Imogen knew that her kiss wasn’t going to solve everything between her and Olivia. Seeing her opportunity to get away from the party, she took Olivia’s hand and led her outside while everyone turned their attention to Ornella and Elaine. Her head was racing with words but putting them in a cohesive sentence seemed almost impossible. Olivia wasn’t talking either. She led the both of them outside, the cool night sending yet another shock into their systems.

  Not knowing what else to say Imogen blurted “I made my decision”.

  Imogen’s voice startled the younger girl. She looked at her, biting her lip after she composed herself. “I’m not sure I know what it is,” Olivia admitted, still confused from the previous night when she’d seen Imogen at the restaurant.

  Imogen began to walk, linking her arm with the girl whose touch seemed to suddenly grow a little chillier at the comment. She was confused, to say the least. Had the kiss not been enough to show Olivia that she chose her over any silly rivalry?

  “What do you mean?” Imogen asked curiously and nervously.

  Olivia hesitated for a moment, unsure of why Imogen seemed oblivious to what she was referring to. Then again, she knew Imogen was oblivious to most things anyway. “Um...last night, Justine took me out to eat. I kind of saw you with some guy…” she trailed off not knowing how to finish her sentence.

  It immediately dawned on Imogen what her girlfriend was assuming.

  “Livvie...Lilith tried setting me up with her friend Joseph, but it never would’ve worked out.” Imogen said doing her best to stay serious.

  Now it was Olivia’s turn to be curious. “Why not?”

  “You can’t be in love with two people at the same time, did you not watch enough Disney growing up or something?” Imogen said finally letting her inner jokester out.

  The younger girl rolled her eyes, letting out a mock scoff as she removed her arm from Imogen’s. “Ass,” she pouted, crossing her arms.

  “I will admit though, jealous Olivia McBray is pretty darn cute” Imogen said jumping in front of Olivia to stop her from walking.

  Olivia rolled her eyes, giving Imogen a light shove. “Whatever.” She was trying to fight the smile off her face.

  Imogen chuckled as she knew she was getting to her girl. “Hmm maybe I should’ve chosen Joseph, he wasn’t as abusive as you are.” Imogen said as she rubbed her shoulder where Olivia shoved her in exaggeration.

  “You’re such a dork,” the forward laughed, pulling Imogen’s towards her.

  Imogen smiled as she felt Olivia’s tug. Before she went in to kiss her, she stopped to say “I’ll always choose you, I’m sorry it took so long for me to realize that”

  Olivia gave a slight smile before saying, “These weeks without you have been the absolute worst in my life. Please don’t ever let me say goodbye again.”

  “Once was enough for me” Imogen said with a growing smirk.

  She slowly closed the distance between her and Olivia, gently placing her lips against the girl’s. It was the kind of kiss that was sweet with desire yet mean with purpose. The kind of kiss that could start a war but at the same time create a lasting peace. It was a kiss that would cross the finest of lines.