Alison Laurens, title page 13. Year 10.

Forbidden

It had been a beautiful day, with clear skies and a gentle breeze. That fateful Monday, I had met my soul mate. She was beautiful with long red, curly hair and her voice was so sweet it made me feel all soft inside. When I told my parents of our date the following night, they had refused to let me go out, taking my phone away and even going as far as locking me in my room. They were from the older generation and they thought we would be a scandal. I was defiant though and fought with them until they reconsidered. After all, being lesbian wasn't a crime.

Later that day, I called her to tell her the news, 'Guess what sweetie?! They've agreed to meet you! Are you free this Saturday night for dinner?'

Laughing she replied, 'Of course, are you sure your parents are okay with it all? I really don't want to push anything.'

'Seriously, dress casual and behave! I'll see you tomorrow Lena.' I chuckled and after receiving a goodbye, I hung up.

Saturday afternoon found me fretting over my parents. I was so worried that they would blow up at Lena and chase her away. It had been strange that I had gone from being straight for seventeen years, to finding myself a girlfriend but it felt so right that I didn't understand why they didn't want me to be happy.

After setting the dinner table, I waited anxiously for Lena to arrive and when she did, I immediately rushed to the door, crushing her in a hug. 'I'm so nervous! What if they disown me?'

She rolled her eyes and tried to console me, 'Isn't it me that should be scared?'

I gave her a tight smile and led her to the dining room. My heart went out of control as I saw them standing next to their respective seats, looking expectantly at Lena.

My mother gestured to a seat and spoke, 'Alissa is so rude for not introducing us!' Her reprimanding tone did nothing to calm me down. 'I'm Sophie, and this is Edgar my husband.' Her hand on his arm refrained him from lashing out at Lena.

After sitting, we said grace and dug in. After a long tense silence, my dad burst out. 'How can you stand yourselves? Being with another girl?! It's disgusting! My daughter too, what happened to you Alissa? We raise you so well and you become a lesbian? Where did we go wrong?!' His was shouting by that time and he pushed his chair back and stormed out of the room. My mother excused herself in embarrassment and followed after him.

Lena left after that, not wanting to disrupt my family but I fought for the right to be with her and eventually, I talked my dad into meeting her again, this time for lunch in an open cafe. You can imagine my reasoning. Before we left the house, I said firmly to my dad that unless he accepted my relationship with Lena, I would leave home the moment I turned eighteen. He turned pale and rushed out of the door.

This time while we were sitting in a round booth, I was confident in my success and was chatting happily with my mum and Lena. Finally when my dad was about to speak, Lena interrupted. 'I hate to intrude but I want to say a few words, if I may?' Her voice was questioning as she stared at him.

He nodded in discomfort and gestured for her to begin. She grasped my hand in hers and spoke. 'I don't have a lot of experience with either gender to be honest, but when I met your daughter I felt like I had found something that made me content by just being around her. My parents left me at an early age to the care of my uncle as they didn't like the responsibility of having a child. I grew up without love and care and Alissa is the first person in five years that I've trusted enough to confide in. All I want is to make her as happy as she has made me. Will you give your blessings to your daughter and I to be together?' Her tone was pleading and my hands were being squeezed to a certain death.

My father was looking between us with a resigned expression and he finally gave a small smile and patted her on the shoulder. 'You have my approval.'

Mother gaped at him in surprise and began to laugh as she followed him out of the restaurant. Lena's arms circled my body as she hugged me, 'Thank god! I thought he was going to throw a fit again!'

Laughing, I pulled back and stared into her eyes. Sometimes you just had to take fate into our own hands. Because life doesn't stop for you, all you need to do is change the course of your own life. I had found my happiness; all I had to do was fight for it.