Nothing Feels Like You

Chapter 1: Distance Makes The Heart Grow Fonder

"Jules!" Riley screamed bursting through the door, "I missed you so much!" The freshman declared loudly pouncing on Julianna who was lying on the bed using her phone.

"I missed you too Rye, it isn't the same without you in the same school." Julianna replied, wrapping her arms around the older Latina, "But how was your first day in high school?"

"It's terrible without you there. But I made a new friend called Charlie. And there's this senior that's our buddy for the month, her name's Skylar. She's real nice." Riley word vomited, causing a smile to form on Julianna's lips knowing that Riley can make friends with people despite her stubborn and introvert personality.

"It’s great you made new friends Rye, but please don't forget me." The younger girl mumbled into Riley's neck.

"I never will, I promise. Plus you'll be joining me next year, time will pass really quick. You'll see." Riley assured, "You're my best friend, always will."

"I love you Rye," Julianna whispered, looking up at Riley.

"I love you too Jules," Riley replied placing a chaste kiss on Julianna's forehead.

It had became a habit for Julianna and Riley to place kisses on each other's forehead or cheek every now and then. Even cuddling up to each other during movie nights or sleepovers are perfectly normal. They would be seen cuddled up to each other on the mattress in the old treehouse that has been newly decorated by the girls. When it comes to Julianna's well being, Riley would always be there to protect, console and lend a listening ear to her. If you don't know them personally, you might have think that they're sisters or even a couple.

"I know what they mean by distance makes the heart grow fonder now." Julianna chuckled, sitting up straight to face Riley.

"Does that mean you like me more now?" Riley joked, playfully poking Julianna in her ribs.

"Nah," Julianna answered and Riley's heart broke for a second. "I love you so much I can't love you more." She admitted making Riley blush.

When those words spilled out of Julianna's mouth, she did not mean it platonically. She loved Riley, she want to be able to kiss her and touch her romantically

"Girls! Come down for dinner!”

"Okay, Mami!" "Okay, Jane!" Both girls said at the same time and interlaced their hands before running down the stairs to the kitchen.

"So how's your day spending time apart?" Jane teased, knowing that both girls didn't like the idea.

"It's okay. Actually a little better than I thought but I still wished Julianna can be there with me." Riley replied sitting down next to Julianna at the table.

"Well, I made friends with Tahani." Julianna suddenly said halfway through their dinner with her mouth full.

"That really tall girl that moved here from California last year?" Riley asked, "And please swallow your food first, I don't want you to choke and die."

"Alright alright." Julianna gulped down her mouthful of pizza, "And yeah, that really tall girl, she's pretty nice. I like her a lot."

Riley felt a pang of jealously in her stomach but she didn't know why. She thinks that Tahani might somehow steal Julianna away from her because Riley isn't there with Julianna most of the times like before.

"I hope we'll be good friends," Julianna added.

Riley felt dizzy hearing the sentence and cleared her throat, not knowing what answer would be appropriate for the situation. "Well, I hope your wish comes true. I've got to go." She fake smiles taking her last bite of the pizza, "Bye Jane, bye Julianna."

"Bye Riley. Have a great day at school tomorrow." Jane replied and the front door closed.

"What happened to her mi hija?" Julianna’s mother asked, only to gain the same confused look from the younger girl. 

_______________________________

"Why are you home so early? Aren't you supposed to have dinner at Jane’s?" Claire asked.

"I have a lot of homework to complete."

"But it's only the first day of - " Before the older woman could finish her sentence, she was cut off by the sound of Riley's door slamming.

Riley plopped herself on the bed and thought about what just happened. She didn't understand why she felt so jealous over what Julianna had said, who Julianna makes friends with is not something she should control. It's Julianna's freedom after all. She felt her phone buzz in her pocket and she took it out to read the message.

From: Jules <3

Will you meet me at the treehouse in five minutes?

To: Jules <3

Sorry. Homework.

From: Jules <3

I know you're lying. Hurry up and get your ass over here.

Riley knew there was no way out and she didn't want to face the younger girl so she didn't reply to the text. She didn't know she's having mixed feelings towards Julianna, is it sisterly love or romantic love? There was a knock on the door and Riley groaned, wrapping herself up from head to toe with her blanket.

Julianna opened the door even though she didn't gain permission from Riley to enter. Riley enters her room without knocking anyways. She closed the door behind her, walked over to the bed and sat on it. She leant her head against the headboard and sighed.

"Did I do something wrong?" Julianna asked, "Rye?"

"What? You did nothing wrong." Riley replied harshly, causing the younger girl to cringe at the words.

"Then why are you angry at me? You’ve never gotten angry at me before...." Julianna trailed off, words replaced by silent tears.

Riley heard the sniffling from the other side of the blanket and immediately regretted what she said. She removed the covers from her head and wrapped it around Julianna. Using the pad of her thumb, she wiped off the tears and kissed Julianna's forehead gently, "I'm sorry." She whispered.

"W..will you t..tell me what's w..wrong?" Julianna asked again in between her soft sobs.

"No Jules, you didn't do anything wrong. It's just me. I'm stupid."

"No you're not, you're the most intelligent girl I've seen and you're also beautiful. Just like the first day that I met you." Julianna managed to say after her sniffles died down.

Riley blushed at the words and Julianna giggled, snuggling into the crook of Riley's neck, "Can I sleep over tonight?"

"Sure my princess," Riley replied making Julianna smile, not only because she could stay over, but also because of the term of endearment Riley just gave her.

It's not the first time Riley has called her princess and Riley had also called her love, and babe before. It's just that this time, Riley had used the words 'my princess', her princess.