Tell it to My Heart Ch. 03

"Yes it is baby sister. But Bill and I wanted to give you something special for your 21st birthday," Cassie said, smiling, and still drying her tears.

Then a strong chill ricocheted up and down my spine and it hit me all at once. I know I shouldn't have interrupted them, but I just had to. I put my hand on Shara's upper arm and she turned towards me. "Wait, Shara. The night I kissed you... that was your 21st birthday?

"Yeah, it was Andi." Her entire demeanor changed. She didn't look mad, more disappointed and emotionally hurt. "AND I don't want to rehash what we already sorta talked about, but I need to get this out."

Shara pulled in a deep breath and then slowly let it out. And she spoke in a normal but firm voice. "Andi, I had been thinking about YOU constantly, ever since you came into my checkout lane that one night a few weeks ago. Then a few nights later, I was sitting outside taking a break on the bench. I was looking up into the starlight sky. Making a wish on a shooting star. Superstitious nonsense I know, but I did it anyway. I wished that YOU would come by and see me. Then by God, you did! My Heart started beating out of my chest when you walked up to me. I was only 21 for like an hour when you swept me off my feet with that kiss. I really thought this, I mean you were some kind of divine birthday gift, that my wish on the stars had come true. While you were kissing me, I melted inside. Thinking this kind of thing only happens in the movies."

Shara looked down, then over to her sister Cassie, who gave her an almost imperceptible nod of approval. Then Shara looked back over to me and continued. "But then you took off on me ya big galoot." Shara reached over and not so gently pushed my hand off her arm and looked me straight in the eyes, and continued her verbal lashing. "I hate to bring it up again. But that night really affected me Andi, I was so wrapped up in that moment, so infatuated, so...so... Andi, I would have gone anywhere with you that night, anywhere! You, I mean we, could have had a fantastic night together... But you ruined it... just because you couldn't listen to my explanation."

I bowed my head in shame... again. I wanted to crawl under a rock. How could I have been such an uncaring, insensitive ass. I guess I built up a thick skin over the years. I had to admit that I blocked out what other women were feeling. Or never even thought about what they were feeling. And even thought I apologized once, I felt a strong urge to apologize a second time for my stupid mistake.

"Shara, I feel the same way about you too. I really do." I looked down for a second to gather up some courage then looked back up and continued. "I tried like hell to not think about you these last two weeks... But I failed miserably. You were on my mind constantly. My sister Sami and my best friend Katie both told me to go see you... I just didn't... I let my own foolish notions get in the way, I'm so sorry for not listening to you, PLEASE forgive me."

Shara's eyes bounced between her big sister and me. I noticed a hint of a smile. And silence hung in the air for a minute or so. All of a sudden, Shara enthusiastically wrapped her arms around me. "Andi, you're a wonderful, beautiful, attractive girl and I'm so glad you feel the same way...and yes, I forgive you," she said with a sniffle.

"Meee too." Cassie said with emotion in her voice. Then threw her arms around Shara and I. Another group hug I thought?

I could get used to this Andi... That's enough Heart.

We broke our group hug, I could see Shara's and Cassie's eyes glistening. "Happy tears I hope," I joked. They both smiled broadly.

"Go take your new girlfriend for a ride," Cassie joked to Shara. Blotting a tear from her sister's pretty face. I looked at both of them with one eyebrow pointing to the sky. "Girlfriend?"

They both giggled, almost in unison. Then I sensed something. A collusion of sorts. A conspiracy maybe. My skin tingled, something's going on here. I looked deep into Shara's eyes, mentally interrogating her. She knows something, but she's not the main culprit I thought. Then I looked into Cassie's eyes. Instantly a sly smile crossed her face. She couldn't contain her happiness, she couldn't contain her excitement. She couldn't hide the satisfaction written all over her face.

"You knew it was me that Shara met that first night, didn't you!?" I smiled as I looked at Cassie out of one side of my face. She nodded her head. But she didn't have to. Her ear to ear grin said it all.

"Well... Yes, sort of."

"So, this was all a set up?" I asked politely.

"No. No. No," Cassie quickly defended. "Shara didn't know anything about you, or the car. All I told her was that a mechanic friend of mine was coming over to look at the car. Like I said before, I was kind of playing matchmaker."

"Matchmaker? But Shara was dating a guy." I shot back with a smile.

"Ya, well, I never thought she was really serious about those guys." Cassie paused for a second to look at Shara, then looked back over to me. "Shara had an excitement in her voice when she talked about you. She's introduced me to a few of her guy dates. But I never detected any chemistry."

Just then, I got the sense of a completely different dynamic. Cassie sees her little sister, at least sometimes, like a daughter. Protecting her, looking out for her in a motherly way.

Cassie kept looking at me and continued her story. "Shara stopped in my house after getting off work at 2am the first night you two met, Yes, I'm a night owl. Anyway, She was so excited to tell me she met a boyish looking girl with short black hair and a leather biker jacket named Andi. I knew it had to be you. Instantly the gears in my head started turning. Then, when the car got delivered. I got up early this morning and called your house. The 'first kiss' thing you two had a few nights later was a wrinkle I didn't see coming. But, luckily, it all worked out for the best."

"So, you don't need work done on the T-bird?" I asked, pretty much knowing the answer.

"Nope! It runs perfectly fine," Cassie grinned. "But you can do the scheduled maintenance on it, if you want."

Shara tried to hide her smile as she said, "Well, wait a minute, it's MY car now. Can't I find my own mechanic?"

After a second, we all laughed. I can see Shara is the kind of girl who likes to tease. Then she surreptitiously reached over and placed her soft hand in my rough hand. It did not go unnoticed by her sister. Cassie's smile widened. Knowing she succeeded in getting Shara and I together.

Shara didn't let go of my hand, but leaned over and gave her sister a quick kiss on the cheek. "Thanks for everything, big sister." Then I saw the side of Shara's cheek wiggle like she just gave her sister a wink.

"Ok Andi, let's go for a ride in my fancy new car," she said, practically bouncing off the ground.

I laughed quietly, leaned in, and gave her a quick hug. Then I suggested as I pushed a tangle of damp hair behind her ear. "How about this? Let me go home and take a well needed shower. Then, in about an hour, come by and pick me up in your pretty white car. We'll drive around for a little while showing it off. Next we can walk around the park and look at the spring flowers. Soon after, we'll find some place for dinner."

"Well, if you really want to play 'hard to get' I guess I can go along with it," Shara smirky smiled and winked at me.

"Is that what I'm doing...? It never occurred to me," I smiled and winked back.

I leaned in and gave Shara another quick but ravenous kiss. Then I told her where I lived, and to pick me up in an hour.

As I drove home in my dad's truck. I thought to myself, I think this will be my first REAL date. I mean with walking in the park, dinner and everything. All my previous encounters have been, pick them up somewhere, and take them to bed, then go home. But this all feels different with Shara... Just being around her feels wonderful.

**********

I stepped out of the shower, wiped the fog from the mirror and looked at myself. Really looked at myself. My heart warmed as I replayed Shara's words in my head. 'I'm a wonderful, beautiful, attractive girl.' No one's ever said THAT to me before. I know I don't feel wonderful, or beautiful or attractive. But apparently, she thinks so. I guess that's all that really matters...

I finished spiking my hair, wrapped a towel around me and walked back to my room. I startled Sami a little as she was in there getting ready for her own date.

"Well, this is a first. Both of us getting ready for a date at the same time," Sami stated, with her own towel wrapped around her.

"Yeah, I guess it is."

"So... you finally figured out that Shara is someone special?"

"What does that mean?"

"Nothing... Just gloating... that Katie and I were right." Then a huge smile and squinty eyes slowly appeared on my little sister's pretty face.

I couldn't help but smile too. Then I playfully pushed her away from the mirror with a flip of my hip. "OK, so you got one right."

We both giggled as we continued to get ready. I let Sami put a little makeup on me. Mostly around my eyes. She did a great job. Not too much. We never really connected like this before. She always did her thing and I always did mine. With both of us still wrapped in a towel. I gave my little sister a hug. We soon settled into our usual long sisterly embrace.

Sami whispered, "I don't know about you Andi, but I gotta get going soon." And we broke our hug.

That's when Sami pulled out from under her bed a medium size Victoria's Secret bag. She handed it to me. There was a small tag on it. It read, 'I hope these give you good luck Andi! Love Katie.' I reached in and pulled out a lacy red bra and panty set. Something I normally wouldn't be caught dead in.

"Katie told me to make sure you wear them," Sami said with a huge smile. I could have stood there for an hour and argued, but I knew at some point I would just give in and wear them.

"I wanted it to be noted that I'm wearing these under protest," I barked out as I removed my towel and reluctantly put them on.

"So noted," Sami giggled out.

Sami had me look in the mirror. "Now see... Doesn't that look pretty?"

"The bra I don't mind so much... That looks OK. But these panties... Well they just look a little funny against my boyish hips," I said as I ran my thumbs along the inside of the tiny elastic waistband.

"Nonsense!" Sami fired back. "They look fantastic on you." She spun me half way around. "Look, they give your butt a great shape. Now stop your whining." Sami being the only person on the planet I let talk to me like that.

Then Sami talked me into wearing the dark blue skinny jeans she bought me for my birthday. The ones that I thought I'd never wear. I reached for my usual white blouse. But again Sami had other ideas, and opted for a cobalt blue satin blouse instead. I thought it was a good compromise. The colors were boyish, but I didn't LOOK at all boyish. It was the first time in my life that I looked this feminine. Sure, I'd be more comfortable with my gray bra and underwear, baggy jeans and white blouse. I didn't love the way I looked, but I didn't hate it either. Maybe I could get used to it... maybe?

Sami wore a pretty, pale blue sleeveless top and white denim capris with tan sandals. We gave each other another quick hug.

"I love you Andi," she whispered.

"I love you too Sami, and thank you."

"For the makeup?"

"No, for being my sister... the best sister. With all the things going on in my life. You still support me, no matter what. You don't criticize me, or force your opinions on me. You don't throw my mistakes in my face. You'd make a great girlfriend if you weren't already my sister."

She giggled. "I'll take that as a compliment." Then she kissed me on my cheek. We rarely kissed like that, so it felt very special.

"I better wipe off that little bit of lipstick on your cheek. I don't want your new girlfriend to get jealous or something," she said with a wide smile.

"Why do people keep calling Shara my girlfriend...? We haven't even had our first date yet."

"I can see it in your eyes, Andi. You can deny it all you want, but you're already in love with her. I know your heart would tell you if you let it..."

She's not wrong Andi... That's enough Heart.

We both got downstairs and walked into the kitchen. I got mouth open stares from my mom, dad and Charlee. Sami giggled out. "What, ya never seen a lesbain with tight jeans and makeup on before? Grow up, all of ya's."

They all laughed at Sami's comment.

BEEP, BEEP.

"Oh, that must be your girlfriend. Have a good time," Sami said with sarcastic humor in her voice.

"She's picking YOU up! Did the world go all topsy-turvy while we were gone with Charlee?" my mom said with an astonished look.

My dad just sat there with his mouth stuck open. He never saw his first daughter with makeup and skinny jeans on before. This is the most feminine anyone's ever seen me.

Then I flashed a silly grin and a quick silly one finger wave goodbye and headed out the front door. Using the front door... Another first. I just reached the bottom step when I heard the front door open then close. I looked back, and my whole family was standing on the front porch.

"REALLY!" I said in mild disgust. My hands on my hips.

My mom started waving to Shara, but at the same time looked down at Sami and quickly whispered out of the side of her mouth. "What's her name?" She knew that Sami would know. "Sara," Sami whispered back out of the corner of her mouth.

"HI SARA." my mom shouted with an exaggerated wave. Jesus, NOW she wants to get involved in my life? Where were you for the past 19 years mom? I thought to myself.

"Beautiful," my dad shouted.

"Really Dad!?"

"I mean the '57 T-bird, It's beautiful." I should have known that's what he was talking about. "YES," I shouted back as I opened the passenger door and got in.

"GOD, you look gorgeous!" were the first words I heard from Shara as I shut the door. The comment made me tingle and smile. I think I even blushed a little. No one's ever called me gorgeous before.

I looked over at her and my eyes went wide and my heart caught in my throat.

WOW ANDI... Yes Heart I know... Please calm down a little bit so I can talk.

There, before my eyes, sat the most beautiful woman I've seen. She could have been a model. I think her makeup was done by a professional. Super short blonde hair with tiny bits of pink on the tips. Long lashes and multi-color eyeshadow accentuated her hazel eyes. The perfect amount of blush and pink lip gloss completed her modern young look. I just remembered, Shara is two years older than me.

She wore a short, frilly, yellow strapless sundress. With small pink and red flowers all over it.

I just started to calm down when Shara looked past me and said. "Your family is still looking at us," she nervously whispered.

"OK, then let's get out of here," I quickly said.

"Wait." She smiled and wiggled her beautiful eyebrows. "Do you want to drive em nuts?"

"Nothing would make me happier," I shot back.

"Good...Kiss me," she said with a silly smile.

"What?"

"Kiss me like you did the first time we kissed."

"Oh, I get it."

So I did. As nervous as I was. I kissed Shara like I did that night. That night when I should have listened to her entire story instead of just taking off. The night of her twenty-first birthday, when all she wished for was... me.

Thinking that, was all the push I needed to kiss my girlfriend in front of my whole family. Hell, now I'm even calling her my girlfriend... What's wrong with me?

It's OK Andi... she IS our girlfriend.

Fireworks went off in my head as we continued to kiss. I put my hand on her soft cheek. She covered my hand with hers. And with her other hand, pulled me in closer. Our mouths opened and tongues gently tangled inside. The entire world disappeared. I could feel a warmth spread throughout my entire body. Tingles flowed down my spine and my heart melted, I'm hers... completely.

She broke the kiss and giggled. "OK, now we can go."

With a flushed face, I looked back at my front porch as we slowly drove off. Everyone had their mouths open in awe, except for Sami. She took a picture of us in the car. She had the biggest grin on her face. She was happy for me.

Shara drove through town on our way to the park. Several people stared. I wasn't sure if it was the car or us. We talked about our families and such for the 20 minutes it took to get to the park. Shara told me her parents died in a car accident five years ago. I felt so bad for her. As dysfunctional as MY parents are, I would be devastated if I lost them. Shara said that you never get over something like that. You just accept it, and move on. She said that's why she lives with her sister. She lived in the main house until she was 18, then moved above the garage.

Shara picked a parking spot far away from the other cars. Don't want any dings. We got out, and locked it up tight.

Walking side by side, my hand reached out to hold hers. I barely even thought about it. It felt natural. Like our hands were opposite pole magnets. Whenever we were together our hands always found their mate. It was something we would do ten thousand times before she left me.

We walked the long path through the park. Enjoying the late afternoon sun and the light warm breeze. Shara didn't seem to mind as we got some stares and funny looks from some people. We also got some smiles too. We talked about our highschool years. Hers was a private school, mine was public. She talked a little more about her old boyfriends. And, how even holding hands with a boy felt odd for her. The sex felt odd too. But she just thought it was because she didn't find the right guy. And then she joked, but it wasn't for the lack of trying.

I delved lightly into my relationship background. I just mentioned that I had many partners, and that, up until now, I wasn't looking for anything serious. Shara didn't dig deeper and I certainly wasn't going to offer any more.

We found a secluded park bench under a shady tree. We sat close to each other, still holding hands. Shara's kind of hard to pin down. I mean, one minute she seems confident and knows what she wants. Then other times she's kind of shy and reserved. It kept me on my toes.

Shara was quiet for a few moments, then turned her head and looked at me. I did the same. Her lovely hazel eyes were shifting back and forth between each of my eyes. Looking for... I don't know what. She leaned over and tenderly kissed me. For my part, I kept the kiss soft and gentle... because my heart me wanted to. After a few seconds she pulled back. We looked into each other's eyes.

"You don't mind kissing me in public?" I asked.

"Ya know...normally I'm not a fan of PDA, but with you, I don't mind at all, in fact..."

Shara leaned in and kissed me again. Another soft sweet kiss. This time I moaned softly as I felt some goosebumps rise on my arm. My arm that was wrapped around her without even realizing it. We slowly broke our kiss.

"Andi... I've... I've never felt this way before... About anyone," she softly whispered. "Actually, I'm a bundle of nerves inside." Shara rested her forehead against mine and continued to whisper. " I mean, I think... I finally know what I want... I mean... who I want... I just don't know what's going to happen when we... ya know... I mean I don't know how to... I mean... I've never... been with a..."

"Don't worry Shara," I quickly jumped in. "Whatever happens, whenever it happens, it will be perfect... because... It's us."

That was very nice Andi... That was all you, Heart.

"Um, speaking of whenever... I know this sounds a little forward, but,... um... What if I don't want to drop you off at your house later?... I mean, I want you to spend the night with me Andi."