One day I'll have it all. // Williamson

Welcome party

"If you're planning on selling me, know that I made the test, and I'm only worth 5 million bucks," I said, as I put on my seatbelt.

Leah chuckled at my words, raising an eyebrow and turning on the engine of her car. "Really? Ah, it's okay, I'll just sell you by the piece."

Leah's playful remark echoed through the car, and I couldn't help but laugh. Her easygoing attitude always managed to lighten the mood. As we drove through the London streets, I couldn't help but wonder where she was taking me. The city lights blurred in the background, and I didn't know London enough to be able to guess anything.

"Seriously though, where are we going?" I asked, and she flashed me a seductive smile.

"My house." The mention of Leah's house caught me off guard, and my mind raced as fast as my heart. "I promised you a welcome party, didn't I?" She said. "Don't worry, everything is ready for you. And for Emily. We've got Beth as the DJ, Viv's making some food, and Katie brought a bunch of alcohol."

"I can't drink. I'm not 21." I reminded Leah, who chuckled at my words.

"Maybe in the States you couldn't, but you're in England now. Legal drinking age is 18. Plus, it's not a proper welcome party without a little celebration, right?"

I shrugged. I had only drunk once in my life. A beer, when I was 17. I liked the taste, but a single beer had been enough to get me drunk.

"I don't know..." I said, scratching the back of my neck.

"I mean, you don't have to, but, I mean come on, it's gonna be fun. I promise I won't let you get too carried away. And you can even sleep on my couch." She added, while parking her car in front of a surprisingly big and modern townhouse. She turned off the engine, then turned her body to look at me, taking my hand in hers and staring right into my eyes. "Come on. Please?"

I hesitated for a moment, looking into Leah's eyes. Then, as she looked at me, realization hit me like a ton of bricks.

Shit. I was a lesbian.

Charlotte had been right the whole time. I was just denying it. I was lying to myself.

I wasn't in love with Leah, but her manners, her smile and her eyes were undeniably captivating. Because she was a woman. Because no matter how hard I tried, I'd never find something like that in a man. I'd never find that magnetic pull that Leah had on me in a man. In another woman? Sure. In a man? Never. Men simply didn't have the same effect on me. Men were fun, and sometimes caring. But men didn't make my heart race, my palms sweat, and my thoughts spin. Women did. And men weren't as caring, as sweet, as considerate, as cute, or as beautiful as women were.

I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the realization settling in. Leah looked at me expectantly, her hands still holding mine. It was as if she sensed the internal struggle within me.

"Alright. Let's go, then." I finally said, and Leah squealed excitedly, clenching her fist in victory.

"Yes! Trust me, you're gonna love it," Leah said, her excitement contagious. We got out of the car and headed towards Leah's house.

I contemplated the house in front of me, and found myself completely in love with its look.

It was made of red bricks and windows, all surrounded by black metal. It wasn't large, but it was tall. Four floors tall. I wondered if Leah owned every each of these floors.

Leah opening the door kept me from staring at the house any longer. She invited me inside. As soon as I stepped inside, light music and voices reached my ears. The interior of the house was as modern as the exterior had been. The floor was made out of dark wood, the walls were all white, and the staircase leading upstairs had its rail black.