The Evolution of Talica: A Short Story
I
They were supposed to write a paper on an important issue and create a presentation but it’s not like they liked each other enough to be together. The agreed to work at Veronica’s house since her siblings would be out and they wouldn’t bother them while they were working.
Veronica was semi-nervous though, which was weird because she never liked the girl anyways. She thought it was probably because she didn’t want to be caught hanging around her.
“That’s probably it,” she thought aloud. “Just make it quick and you’ll be fine.”
The doorbell rang and she jumped. “That was weird. Why am I so jumpy? Why am I still talking to myself is a better question.” She shook her head and opened the door.
Sure enough, Talia was there in her usual get-up: white t-shirt, her fabric sleeved leather jacket, loose skinny jeans, blue Valado sneakers, and a black snapback with a tribal print bill.
“’Sup,” greeted Talia, “You ready to write this thing or what?”
“As long as we get an A, then I won’t feel like I got a shitty partner.” answered Veronica.
“Likewise.” Talia strode in and took off her shoes. Veronica raised a brow at her actions. She sensed her host’s discomfort. “What?” Talia asked.
Veronica shrugged her shoulders. “Nothing just you don’t have to take off your shoes.”
“Force of habit. Besides, I’ll carry them with me in case your fam comes home.”
She smiled at the odd gesture. At least she shared the same sentiment as her…
II
They sat in Veronica’s room getting their note cards and articles out. Veronica started up her computer and logged into her session to access word. It had been on standby mode so her session from last night was there. Including her web browser. She minimized Tumblr before Talia could see
“So, I’ve been doing some research on some topics and I think that maybe we could work something about LGBTQ rights.” Talia suggested.
Veronica’s heart skipped a beat for some reason. She was surprised that the leader of the hip-hop group Flux Capacitor wanted do a project on something that was pretty opposite of her genre.
“Why? Not against it but why?” She asked curiously.
“Come on don’t pretend like you haven’t heard it around our school. People going left and right saying they’re gay for attention or acting rebellious. And then the people who call each other faggots like they aren’t hurting someone who really is.”
“Says the person who doesn’t give a shit if they’re called a faggot.”
“I don’t care because I am.”
Silence. Talia looked away as if she had let out some huge secret.
“Aren’t you though? People at school say you dated a girl.”
“Funny you listen to heresy, girly. Didn’t think you were the type.”
“Selective hearing gets you somewhere with a gossipy bitch.”
“You mean Icky Vicky?”
Veronica started to giggle. “Oh my god, do people still call her that?” she asked.
“Malina calls her that still.” Talia laughed. “I mean it fits her.”
“Wasn’t it your sister who started that?”
Talia rolled her eyes playfully. “Yup. Beginning of ninth grade, she had a class with a whole bunch of upperclassmen and Vicky’s crush was in it. Said she was icky because liked to get sticky back in eighth grade and got herpes or something. Spread like wildfire and stuck with her still.”
“Didn’t stop Darius though.” Veronica snickered. “He said if she really did have herpes and liked to get sticky, she’d have cold sores. Pissed her off so decently. But they fell in love.”
They laughed. Talia shook her head and smiled.
“But in reality, I’m pansexual.”
“Seriously?” Veronica blurted out. Talia raised a brow. Now she didn’t know how to recover from that one. “Um, well…”
“Can I ask you a question?” asked Talia.
“Uh sure.”
“Are you bi?”
“Who told you that? Was it Hiro?”
“No. You did though.” Talia started to frown. “Wow that didn’t feel satisfying. That was mean.”
“No. This is mean.” She rushed in and kissed her.
Talia was shocked, but at the same time excited and warm. Pretty damn warm, she thought. She deepened the kiss and started to cradle her and soon they were in each other’s arms until Talia pulled away.
They were both blushing and giggling like idiots and avoiding eye contact.
“Well then,” Talia shook her head, “that was kinda mean. Pretty rude.”
“Trust me,” Veronica said finally, “me being rude is a whole different thing.”
“Do you wanna be rude now or later?”
“We won’t have enough time to finish our project if I keep on being rude to you. Besides, we’ve already wasted enough time being mean. Let’s finish our work and be mean to each other later on.” Veronica winked, which made Talia flash red.
“Fine. I have a few choice words for you anyways girly.” Talia smiled and picked up her notes.