[Writer's note: this story is based on mostly true events and dedicated to my fiancΓ©e, ZeeZee. Baby, it's been three years and I love you more than ever. Love you always, Izzybelle]
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Zoe and Isabella met in their freshman year at Pennsylvania State in the cafeteria. They shared a small group of close friends and quickly become close friends themselves.
Zoe was studying Biotechnology from Texas, she was an athletic girl, a star varsity rower. She had dark brown hair with green eyes, and a fit body type. She was focused academically, but rather introverted socially.
Isabella came from Rhode Island to study Fine Arts. She was free spirited, whimsical, yet very vibrant. Her personality sparkled and her cute, social nature drew people in. Isabella had gorgeous auburn hair and blue eyes with curvy body that she dressed in the latest fashions.
Since she was 8, Zoe knew that she was a lesbian. She was very shy and unsure about it, due to the response of her family. She was certainly not open about it to other people. But she had the biggest crush on her friend Isabella and it was consuming her.
Isabella, on the other hand, was boy crazy. She loved all kinds of boys, but never could manage to find a serious relationship with one. Isabella was uncertain about romantic relationships, after watching her parents' marriage end disastrously due to her father's affair. She never considered the possibility of a relationship with another woman, yet she was aware of her attraction to Zoe.
On Valentine's Day during their first year, Zoe confessed to Isabella that she was gay. It came up unexpectedly over coffee and Isabella was shocked. Zoe never formally told Isabella that she liked her- she couldn't utter the words. She alluded to it while they were talking and her eyes shone with tears. Isabella wasn't in a place to reciprocate. She hugged Zoe and apologized, her heart was heavy with guilt. They remained friends over the next few years of college and managed to bridge over the awkward afternoon.
In their junior year of college, Zoe and Isabella decided to live together in an apartment closer to campus. They remained strictly friends at first, yet as their winter exams approached, things between them started to stir.
Both girls were studying for their last round of finals before Christmas break, which involved late nights up studying. They were sitting beside each other on the couch having a late night snack when Isabella was asking Zoe if there were any cute girls in her life. Zoe looked at her, her eyes shining with a response that never came.