First message
Frankie Ellis never expected much when she moved into the creaky Portland apartment, but Callie turned every quiet evening into something bright. They brewed coffee side‑by‑side at dawn, binged bad movies wrapped in the same fuzzy blanket, and knew exactly what the other needed before words were spoken. Inseparable, they finished each other’s sentences and laughed until their ribs ached.
Slowly, Frankie’s feelings shifted. A brush of hands sent sparks down her spine; the way Callie tucked hair behind her ear made her heart race. Terrified but determined, she knew she couldn’t hide who she was if this was ever to be real. Honesty had to come first.
One rainy night, with thunder rumbling over Oregon’s evergreens, she set down her mug, took a shaky breath, and turned to Callie.
“I need to tell you something,” she said, voice barely steady. “I’m gay. And… somewhere along the way, I fell for you.”