Author's Note: takes place in late Febuary of Lisa's sophomore year and Belen's junior year. (School year is September-June)

"What's your greatest fear when it comes to our relationship?"

As soon as the words came out of Belen's mouth, she regretted it. The look of confusion and hurt on Lisa's face wasn't worth it. But something had been gnawing at Belen for quite some time now, and before she could say it, she wanted Lisa to say something.

"Why... why do you ask?"

"Because, um, now that we're in a relationship, I, um, feel that we should... lay these kinds of things out so we can tackled them before they become a, um, real problem."

Lisa knew Belen had trouble putting the mask on now that they were dating, but it was obviously becoming worse and worse. Lisa looked down at the tiled floor as Belen leaned against the lockers.

"Well, I'm afraid... that after so much time spent chasing girls around, flirting on a daily basis and dating around... you may want to fall back into that pattern... and I was just a particularly challenging girl... and now, or soon, the challenge is, will be... over."

Belen could barely believe that the young, now bright red girl had enough courage to clearly voice her fears. 'And here I am, a total coward. Unless... it's so obvious that I would do as she says that there's no point in being afraid.'

Lisa quickly spoke before Belen could.

"What's your fear?"

Lisa knew, from the moment her question reached her ears, that this was really all about Belen's fears, and not Lisa's. And it shocked her to realize that what she said truly was her largest fear with Belen, stronger when first considering her feelings for the older girl, but still looming over her.

Belen knew then that she had been caught in a trap of her own devising. Of course Lisa would figure it out; curse those super smart science majors.

"Me? Nothing at all. I simply sensed that you-"

"Don't you dare lie to me, Belen. You know I hate liars-"

"... thieves and cheaters. I know."

"Wait... I've said that to you before?"

"Once."

"And you remembered?"

"How could I not? I want you to love me; I need to make sure I am the exact opposite of what you hate."

Lisa allowed herself a small smile before going into Serious Lisa Mode: arms crossed, eyebrows knitted together, lips pursed and hips slightly thrust out to the right. Yes, Belen was getting to know Lisa quite well.

"Now, don't go changing the subject."

Belen sighed, but nodded. There was no use arguing with someone who looked so cute when she got like that.

"Well... um..." Belen sighed again, gathered her thoughts, and continued as calmly as she could, "Lisa, what are you?"

Lisa immediately understood what she meant, and Belen was thankful for that. Explaining what she meant would have been awkward and embarrassing. For Belen, at least.

"Well, I haven't given it enough thought yet, but if I had to give someone an answer, I suppose I'd say I was bisexual."

"Exactly. Elizabeth said she was bi, and then she ended up turning around and saying she was straight and leaving me for a man. I'm just... a little afraid... that it might happen again."

Belen looked away and began talking quickly and gesturing wildly with her hands.

"A relationship with a guy is so much more stable, and accepted by society and your parents, most of all, and-"

Lisa's reaction was her typical one for emotionally charged situations. Lisa hugged Belen tightly around the waist and began to cry. Belen quickly put one arm around Lisa and the other on her head, cradling it as Lisa pressed herself tightly against her girlfriend.

These were always awkward situations for Belen. She didn't usually deal with people in this way; in an actual emotional level. At least, not since middle school. A boy Belen vaguely knew the name of—Charlie, perhaps—looked at them in confusion and slowed in his walk as he passed them. Belen have him the death glared and he quickly continued on his way.

'We can't do this in the middle of the hallway.'

Her mind raced as she tried to think of what to do, and soon, it dawned on her. Belen looked down at Lisa and placed her lips right next to Lisa's ear.

"Hun, I need you to let go," she whispered, "I promise I won't walk away. I just need you to do this, for the both of us."

Too confused and sad to protest, Lisa brought her arms back to her side and stepped back. Belen turned around and crouched down slightly.

"Hop on."

Once again, her confusion got the best of her, and Lisa simply did as Belen asked, wrapping her arms around Belen's neck and her legs around Belen's waist. Belen took off down the hallway as quickly as she could without full-out running. A few teachers called out to them as they saw one student giving another a piggy-back ride and jogging down the hall, but quieted down when they noticed it was Belen. The girl has this effect on most adults in the school.

Lisa finally spoke as Belen led them to the front doors, completely ignoring the men at the security desk, who didn't say anything either way.

"We're not allowed to just leave the school like this."

"Don't worry; the guys have my back. They'll be chill."

"What about our French class next period?"

"Mrs. Richards will understand. She's chill, too."

Well, there was nothing more to be said when Belen was in Determined Mode. Belen simply opened the doors, took a left turn and walked towards the side of the school, where the garden was. It was the senior class' duty to take care of it, since they had the most time and it was free labor. Belen walked down the path and set Lisa down in front of the big tree at the center of the garden, surrounded by every type of flower available with the budget.

Belen sat down between two large, long roots and patted her lap. Instead, Lisa sat down next to her, sitting close only because having the root separating them would have been awkward for her. Belen resisted the urge to sigh.

"I was tired of that lifestyle from the moment I got into it. I was looking for my princess, but not really. I was so sad about losing Elizabeth that I just found someone to spend some time and affection on, and then left before I could get attached to them. I was afraid of another heartbreak, but I bet I broke plenty of hearts in the process."

Belen chuckled at the bitter memories.

"I was so eager to find my princess that when I finally decided to hunker down and find her, I took the first girl that came along: Melanie. And we both know how badly that went."

Belen turned so she was sitting cross-legged and facing Lisa. She looked straight into her eyes and wondered how much they could actually see.

"We never spent much time together until after that. At least, for the most part, I was just flirting and kidding around with you, not really looking to be your friend or anything. After the Melanie thing, I realized that I needed to look more carefully for my princess. Lisa, you may not have noticed, but think back. Did I date anyone after Melanie?"

She had never really thought about it, but now that Belen mentioned it... no.

"I spent a lot more time with you after that, right? We became friends, and then best friends, and soon we were inseparable. I stopped flirting, with anyone, including you. I was just... myself. And that worked better for me than anything else, right?"

Lisa nodded, slowly starting to put everything together in her mind. A slight breeze blew, gently moving a few strands into Lisa's face. Belen's reached out slowly, timidly, and brushed them away.

"Most importantly, the moment I looked into your eyes, I felt it. I didn't know what "it" was, but I wasn't going to leave your side until I found out. And now that I've finally found out, I wouldn't give it up for the world."

Lisa reached out her hand, and Belen took it with one of her own. Lisa looked down at their hands, blobs that were barely distinguishable and only slight different shades. They could be one hand, for all she knew. That thought scared her and comforted her all at once.

"I'm no good with words," Lisa began, slowly, "but I want you to know that I looked for my Prince Charming, and found my Princess Charming instead, and am more than happy to have done so. I don't know if I like girls, that is to say, that I could be attracted to any other. But I know that I like you, and that's all that matters to me. That's all I need to know."

Belen smiled, and although her fears weren't completely eradicated, they weren't so scary anymore. She needed to take Lisa for her word, and really, after putting up with her for more than a year and dealing with the ordeal with her notebook, how could Belen doubt her?

"These are the times that try men's soul. The summer soldier and sunshine patriot will shrink from the service of his country."

Lisa blinked at her a few timed before asking, "Huh?"

"There are ups and downs. It's not for the faint of heart. This is no summer relationship or sunshine romance. It gets tough sometimes."

Lisa nodded again and allowed her eyes to wonder around, even though all she saw was colors.

"And yet," Lisa looked back at Belen, who had turned herself around to sit right next to Lisa, and put an arm around her, "there can be more ups than downs. The downs are a little harder to control, but the ups, we can create them ourselves."

Lisa snuggled up closer to Belen, and was taken by surprise when a pair of strong arms plopped her down on the lap of their owner. Lisa smiled and Belen gave her a quick kiss.

"And you're sure we won't get in trouble with Mrs. Richards?"

"Well..."