In a few minutes, Audrey and Jake had reached her house. It looked similar to Arthur's but was slightly larger, it was blue with black accents. "Thanks for dropping me home," Audrey said with a smile.

"Your welcome," he replied back smiling as well.

"I'll see you tomorrow," she said taking a few steps back.

He hummed with a wave, turning around and walking back. She copied his actions and entered her house.

The house was wrapped in a blanket of silence like it had been in the past two weeks. They're working late again, she thought, letting a sigh slip from her lips. She took off her boots and stepped into the house, Her footsteps although quiet echoed in the house as she climbed the stairs and reached her room.

Checking her phone once she saw the time. 6:00 it had said. Quickly, she took a shower and changed into some new clothes. Once again stepping into her boots and setting out for the night.

Gonna be back at around 10 - Audrey

She texted her mom, just in case she came back early. Doubtful.

Walking down the street of her neighbourhood, she could feel the night becoming chillier, but still warm from the sun that was up in the sky a few hours ago. Her hands were tucked safely in her pockets as she kept walking, through the streets as the crickets chirped into the silent night. Through the People's Park where she stirred clear from the smokers. Would love to see them smoke in my condition, she thought. Smiling, she shook her head, despite how bitter she was, she would never wish something like this upon anyone. 

She walked out of the south gate of the park and was met with the bursting nightlife, Ambrosia Avenue, where all the magic happens. Parties in night clubs and performances in restaurants and streets, the music and the chattering of people floated in the air, girls in pretty dresses and boys in expensive shoes roamed the streets. Audrey stopped in front of a restaurant and looked up at the sign, "The Podium" it said. She took a deep breath and pushed the door open.

The smell of food and beer flooded her nose and the music played by the local band made it seem like the diner was alive. Audrey looked around the whole diner but couldn't find Taz when her eyes landed on the lead singer of the band on stage Audrey's eyes widen with surprise.

There she was, in the centre of the podium, standing in all her glory. The braided hair Audrey saw in the picture was now open and wild, framing her round face, and her piercing grey eyes burned with passion as she belt out the lyrics to some rock song. Her voice was sweet like honey, but burning with passion at the same time. Audrey tried to catch her eye, but Taz wasn't noticing. 

Until a few minutes later when their eyes finally met. A silent conversation passing through two strangers. Taz smiled at Audrey showing her pearly white teeth.

Audrey took a seat at one of the round tables beside the podium and waited for Taz to finish. A few minutes later, the band had finished their performance and were packing things up. Taz handed the mic to one of her bandmates and said something to them, before hopping off the stage, walking through some of the round tables. Cheers and praises were handed to her alongside a few pats on the back. Finally, she reached Audrey's table and took a seat in front of her.

"Sorry for that," Taz smiled apologetically.

"It's fine," Audrey smiled back.

"Hope you liked the performance," Taz grinned extending her hand "I'm Taskeen by the way, but you can just call me Taz," She said.

Audrey took her hand and shook it just as another band started performing "And I'm Audrey, but I think you already knew that," She said, raising her voice a little so it could be heard over the music.

"Let's go to the corner booth, it'll be easier to talk," Taz said raising her voice as well. Audrey nodded in response and both the girls stood up and walked over to the corner booth. The closer they got to the booth the lower the volume of the music and the size of the crowd became.

Reaching the booth, the two girls sat opposite each other, an awkward silence falling over them.

"This is kinda awkward," Audrey mumbled.

"It's only awkward if you say it's awkward," Taz replied.

"I didn't think you heard me," Audrey said, an embarrassed blush crept up her cheeks and ears.

"Hey, just because I'm used to listening to loud music doesn't mean I'm deaf," Taz said, with an offended look written across her face.

"Sorry," Audrey mumbled. Maybe this was a bad idea.

"Kidding," Taz said, her face breaking out into a large smile. Her smile letting Audrey breathe a sigh of relief.

"So Hannah tells me you wanted to kiss a girl," Taz said raising one of her eyebrows.

"Yeah," Audrey replied, looking away in embarrassment. Suddenly feeling like Taz could see right through her. Damn those grey eyes.

"Can you tell me why, you really don't look like the type who's questioning their sexuality," Taz said, her words prying but her tone soft and gentle.

"I, rather not," Audrey replied, looking away from Taz's eyes. "Can we just, get this over with?" Audrey asked.

"Alright," Was all Taz said to her before she stood up and sat down beside Audrey.

Taz gingerly took Audrey's face in her hands, turning Audrey's face towards her. Dark brown eyes stared into light grey ones. Taz leaned closer to Audrey, her breath fanning onto Audrey's face. "Are you sure about this?" Taz whispered. Audrey felt dizzy, she didn't trust herself to reply so she nodded instead. "Okay," Taz whispered, leaning closer. And before Audrey knew it, Taz's lips were on hers, Audrey froze for a second before moving her lips as well. This was her first kiss and it was with a girl. Audrey closed her eyes as they kissed more. Taz's lips were soft and smooth. They tasted like something, Audrey couldn't pinpoint it, but at that moment it truly didn't matter. Audrey hand slowly slid up from Taz's waist to her shoulder and finally landed on her neck, pulling the other girl closer, Taz's flowery scent flooded Audrey's senses. Taz was everywhere and Audrey was loving it, but before Audrey could get too high Taz broke the kiss. Their faces still close to each other, both panting and trying to catch their breaths.

Audrey looked at Taz's grey eyes that had darkened a little, her cheeks flushed, her forehead layered with a thin layer of sweat and her mouth was still open and Audrey could feel her pants on her lips.

Their lips crashed, the kiss more passionate than the last. But this time it was Audrey who initiated the kiss. One of Taz's hands fell from Audrey's face to her waist, softly squeezing the flesh there. Not being able to breathe, Audrey broke the kiss, both panting heavily.

"That was...amazing," Audrey whispered, Taz smiling at the comment.

"Food?" Taz asked.

"Yeah, sounds good," She replied.

By the time the waiter had taken their orders, Taz was back to her original position, opposite Audrey. Which was good for Audrey, as she could finally feel like she was breathing normally.

"So which grade are you in?" Audrey asked.

"I'm a junior, you?"

"Senior," Audrey replied. An awkward silence once again over the two.

"So... you go to Lake Side?" Audrey asked.

"Yeah," Taz replied "And you go to Greenwood," Taz said, laughing a bit.

"What's so funny," Audrey asked.

Taz laughing harder "It's just," She said "Whoever named our high schools had zero creativity, my high school is called Lake Side because it's literally beside the Lake and your's called Greenwood because it's by a forest,"

Audrey thought about that for a second, Taz was right. "Yeah, they could've been a little more creative when naming our schools," Audrey laughed.

"I'm still very curious, how come you decided to randomly kiss a girl. Not that I'm complaining, you're a great kisser," Taz said, her grey eyes boring into Audrey's brown ones.

There it was, Audrey thought. That look, that made Audrey feel like Taz could see right through her. "Curiosity killed the cat," Audrey said, she really was trying to avoid this conversation. 

"Alright, alright," Taz said raising her hands up, just as their food arrived; two Podium Specials. The two dug in, trying their best to avoid conversation, or at least that's what Audrey was doing.

"How do you know Hannah?" Audrey asked. She did actually want to avoid further conversation with Taz, but she also didn't want this to be more awkward than it already was.

"TQS," Taz replied casually. TQS, full name: the queer society, yes it was a dumb name but they came up with it in the 80s, was the town's very own GSA; Gender Sexuality Alliance. The founders of the TQS were the people who tried to change their town's ideas and beliefs on the LGBTQ+ community, it started during the stonewall riots and is still alive today. Fighting for LGBTQ+ rights in the town and succeeding to or else the chipped rainbow-painted gazebo wouldn't exist in the people's park. 

"Oh okay," Audrey said.

"Also another question, this might sound offensive. But uh... you don't look like you're from here," Audrey said, rubbing her neck and looking away from Taz's surprised gaze.

"What gave me away?" Taz asked.

"Huh?"

"What gave me away?"

"Oh, um. It was your eyes and also you have a very unnoticeable accent," Audrey said.

"Dang it, I was hoping you wouldn't notice," Taz mumbled.

"I-it's okay you don't have to tell me anything," Audrey stuttered.

"No, no it's fine. It's just I like to do this thing, whenever I meet new people I try to come off as American and see how long it takes them to figure out what I'm not white," She said, with a chuckle, "I know it sounds a little stupid,"

"No, I think it's a little funny, people's faces, when they realize you're not white, must be hilarious if you keep doing this," Audrey said.

"Thank you!" Taz exclaimed, "You're the only one I've met so far who gets it."

"Your welcome," Audrey replied with a smile. "But seriously though where are you from," Audrey asked.

"I'm middle eastern," Taz replied casually, taking another bite from her food.

"So you must be Muslim then?" Audrey asked.

"Yep," Taz replied.

That confused Audrey as far as she knew in Islam homosexuality was a sin. Her head tilted in confusion as she stared at Taz thousand questions popping up in her head. But before she could stop herself she spits out the question that would turn her into a very big hypocrite.

"Isn't it not allowed to be homosexual in Islam?" Audrey asked, then immediately regretting her words. Even Taz looked taken back by the sudden question, she wasn't expecting it, especially from Audrey.

Taz quickly composed herself and a corner of her lips turned into a smirk "Look who's prying now," She said.

"Sorry," Audrey mumbled, another blush creeping up her cheeks.

"Wanna play 20 questions?" Taz asked as if the past embarrassing 30 seconds didn't take place at all.

"Sure," Audrey replied, trying to recompose herself. 

"Favourite colour?" Taz asked

"Purple. Favourite flower?"

"Lilies," Taz replied.

"Why?" Audrey asked, curious as to why Taz liked lilies, instead of the usual roses.

"You can ask that when it's your turn," Taz smiled "So... do you play any sports?"

"Well I tried playing basketball in 7th grade, but I didn't like it so I don't play sports anymore," Audrey replied, "So tell me why do you like Lilies?"

"Okay, my mom's actually a florist. So ever since I was little my mom would explain to me the meanings of all types of flowers, roses for love, lavenders for grace, bluebells for humility. But the most unique and different one was lilies. There were hundreds of different types of lilies each symbolizing different things. White lilies symbolized chastity and virtue. Peruvian lilies and alstroemeria represent friendship and devotion. Lilies of the valley represented 2nd wedding anniversaries, which was the day I was born, my parent's second anniversary. My mom has also told me that they symbolize the soul of the departed has received innocence after death," She explained her eyes shining bright like the stars.

"So you know the meanings of all flowers then huh?" Audrey asked.

"I wouldn't say all flowers, but a lot of them I do," Taz said, "You want some drinks?" She then asked, Audrey, nodded.

"Okay, what do sunflowers mean?" Audrey asked, leaning forwards putting her chin on her hands.

"They symbolize adoration, loyalty and longevity," Taz replied

"How about tulips?"

"Perfect love, but different colours of tulips signify different things like purple ones mean loyalty, red ones mean true love," Taz grinned.

"Alright, how about snowdrops?" Audrey asked.

"Hope," Taz replied, casually.

A smile broke out on Audrey's face "That's so cool," She exclaimed. Just as their drinks arrived.

As more questions were asked,  Audrey realized that Taz was pretty easy to talk to. She was like a ball of sunshine, kind, nice and charismatic, a good storyteller too. But occasionally Audrey would Taz's fingers twitch or panicked look in her eyes, they didn't stay for long, gone before Audrey could even understand them. What was it that Taz was scared of?

Audrey wondered if she should tell her about the list, but the fear of rejection stopped her. Maybe she just wanted to keep Taz around just for a little longer or maybe she could tell her half the truth... that should work. 

Taking a deep breath Audrey let the words flow past her lips: "Hey Taz, you really wanna know why I wanted to kiss you?" She asked.

"Yeah," Taz replied, sitting up.

"Well, this might sound dumb but I actually have a list of things I want to finish before..." Audrey said stopping. Before what?

"Before high school ends?" Taz asked prompting Audrey to keep talking.

"Yeah, that," Audrey replied, this would be good enough for now. 

"That's so cool, can I see the list?" Taz asked.

"Yeah sure," Audrey said, fishing the list out of her pocket. Since getting drunk a few days back, the list had always been with Audrey. It was a nice, convenient reminder... maybe not but still. 

"These are strange," Taz commented.

Audrey let out a small laugh: " My friends said the same thing." Taz laughed along and returned the piece of paper back. 

She asked Audrey many questions regarding the list and Audrey replied happily. Once their drinks were finished, they bid each other goodbye and walked their separate ways into the night. 

Audrey walked down the streets of her neighbourhood, the night even more silent than before. Stars twinkled in the sky along with the howling wind. Audrey checked the time, it was almost 11.

Her face paled and her eyes widen.

Shit. She was late.