My fingers shook as I read over my text over and over again.

“Because I got to meet you.”

“Augh!” I sighed angrily. “Why did I have to send her that? What was I thinking?” I thought. I was so bold at the moment to send it, but now I was afraid that I went to far. My fingers strummed on my desk, waiting, no, HOPING for an answer from Jaime. Suddenly, I could see Jaime starting to type back. My heart began to beat quickly as I stared at the screen.

“SAMENA!” My mom yelled upstairs at me, “It’s time for family council!”

“Ugh mom, I’m busy!!” I yelled back, annoyed.

“I don’t care! We have to do this.”

“Fine...be there in a minute.”

“And remember, no phones!”

I quickly looked back at my phone. Jaime was still typing and I had to go for an hour. I couldn’t bare the wait, but...I had to. I sighed then put my phone on my bed before walking downstairs.

Family councils always consisted of our family, me, Anne, Riley, and Mom, getting together to talk about church and well...Mormon stuff. Basically, the whole time, I was getting told that what I was doing and what I was feeling was wrong. Why? Because unlike my family, I WASN’T Mormon. I didn’t agree with anything they believed, and I always felt like I was hiding me...my true self. Every single time I was near them, I just wasn’t myself. I’ve tried everything to be like them, but it doesn’t work. I was born the way I am, and I can’t change it, no matter how much they think I just was going through “a phase”.

“Finally, your down! We have been waiting forever.” My younger sister, Anne said when I made it downstairs.

“Wow Anne, it's only been a minute since you called me to come down.” I said, annoyed.

“Ya well, that is a long time for me.”

“Whatever…” I replied, smiling a bit.

Anne was only 8, but she deemed herself the queen of the household. Along with annoying me constantly, she also always questions why I wear boy clothes, why I hate pink, and basically why I “act” like a boy. She herself is the girliest girl I have ever laid my eyes on. She always has pink, frilly shirts on and her nails are always done. She almost reminded me of Nancy from “Fancy Nancy,” always dressed up for something. The only thing she was good for was embarrassing me in front of Cody. But, I loved her.

I looked around, a noticed that my older sister, Riley, still wasn’t down yet. Riley was 22, and should be long gone by now, but she just hasn’t found her “calling” yet. In my opinion, she is just too lazy to do any work, but our parents still let her live here all the same. She is constantly bringing her friends over to watch sappy romance movies and gossip about boys. I usually stay in my room when she brings them over, hoping to not be noticed. If I am, they question me like crazy news reporters trying to get the latest gossip out of me.

“Where’s Riley?” I asked, turning to mom.

“Oh, she is with some friends tonight.” She replied, her smile turning into a straight line

“That’s not fair…” I said quietly.

“Well life isn’t fair sweetie .Now, who wants to say the opening prayer!”

After an excruciating hour of council, I was finally released to go back into my room. I had completely forgotten about Jaime until I reached my doorway and saw my phone sitting on my bed. My heart began to race again as I rushed to see if she texted back. She did!

Jaime: Well I guess that is a pretty good reason to thank him, huh.

Jaime: Hey... Do you want to maybe hang out tomorrow? Meet me at the amusement park at 10 am.

“Oh my god” I thought, excitedly. “She wants to..hang out?” I stared at the screen for what seemed like hours, debating what exactly to say back. Finally, I settled with a response.

Samena: Sounds good...is this an unofficial/official date? ;)

Again, my hands were shaking, but I felt more confident this time. Maybe, just maybe, something more can happen. I wasn’t quite sure what I was feeling towards Jaime, but I knew that I wanted to hang out with her every time I got the chance. I waited for the familiar three dots signaling that Jaime was typing back. After a good minute, she texted back.

Jaime: Ha make it official, and you got a deal. See you tomorrow?

An uncontrollable smile formed on my face. I just laughed quietly and texted her back.

Samena: Well it’s official then. See ya :)

Jaime: :3

I sighed and flopped down on my bed, a smile still on my face. That night, I fell asleep with hopeful dreams and happiness, the first I’ve had in a long time.