My family moved from California to Texas four years ago, during the summer before my freshman year. Entering high school was going to be hard enough, but to do it in a completely different town, a completely different state, I wasn’t so sure. Amanda made it easy. I met Amanda the day after we moved in. July, in Texas, is hot; the sun lives here, I swear. The doorbell rang, I opened the door, and there she was. Amanda. Wearing shorter shorts than we wear in Cali, a skimpy little tank top that halfway covered her bikini top. She was 14, same age as me. That afternoon she would become my first friend in my new home.
Freshman year breezed by, thanks to Amanda. We played together, studied together, talked about boys together. Our bodies became more developed, filling out our bikinis a bit more nicely. We were both on the volleyball team, skipping cheerleader tryouts, at least for freshman year. Sophomore year was more of the same. Amanda talked me into trying out for cheerleader. We both made it! More studying together and talking about boys, and practicing our cheers. My first kiss, my first real kiss, was with her. It wasn’t a lesbian type kiss or anything. Neither of us had ever kissed a boy, and Amanda had a huge crush on this guy, I don’t remember his name, but he asked her to Spring Fling. She was freaking out.