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The golden pocket watch on the small wooden desk laid there open, its chain tangled in frustrating knots as the second hand continues to tick by clockwise, beside it a candle burning on a bronze holder already halfway through, but its flame continues to flicker to offer light, the window situated right in front has its drapes open, allowing what little moon light to seep through whilst the orange and yellow flickering light reflect the path below, the bed behind looks messy and well slept while the bookshelves on the other side is as organized as ever, the fireplace beside it bare of any fire, just the lingering soot dusting over a log or two. The house is quiet, as is the neighborhood, still a few more hours until people start about their day.
The stillness and peace that surrounds the small room is only broken when soft whispers and frantic writing comes to life. The woman, having just turned 19, her back to the door, sitting on the edge of her wooden chair, biting down on her bottom lip, hair loose and unkept, has her hand curled around a stubby pencil, halfway through and tip no longer sharp, carefully curved around words in a quiet and beautiful dance that she calls poetry, indents of her passion tracing the small wooden desk.
I'm Nobody! Who are you?
Are you - Nobody - too?
Then there's a pair of us!
Don't tell! they'd advertise - you know!
How dreary - to be - Somebody!
How public - like a Frog -
To tell one's name - the livelong June -
To an admiring Bog!
It's like there's a line of fire gliding along each word she writes, it's bright and it sparks from time to time but they don't hurt, if anything, they simply burn to ignite a light so strong, and they dance! over each word to a silent song. They're burning but no ashes fall, they hiss and crackle in a soothing call, they light like passion and bear Autumn tones.
It's a ballet of colors, the flames, they move against the little breeze that snuck its way into the room, elegant yet fierce on top the ballroom of wax. All the while the poet stays emersed, swirling thoughts creating loopholes in every phrase, taking the reader to places yet never straying away.
Another scrap of paper is taken from the drawer.
It's all I have to bring today -
This, and my heart beside -
This, and my heart, and all the fields -
And all the meadows wide -
Be sure you count -should I forget
Some one the sum could tell -
This, and my heart, and all the Bees
Which in the Clover dwell.
The knock on the door is what breaks the trance, a single one knock flickers the fiery dance, twice and the poet's head turns slightly towards the sound, four times and a groan of frustration is let out.
Lisa stands up and grumpily makes her way towards the door, opening it widely with an unamused expression on her face, only to reveal her younger sister carrying two wooden buckets. All prim and proper like she woke up like that.
"Mother said you have to gather water" Veronica thrusts the buckets forward
Lisa narrows her eyes at the youngest Manoban.
"It's 4 am. I'm writing"
"Well I already did this yesterday, okay? Mom said it's your turn to do it" Veronica shrugs
"Why can't Benjamin do it then?" Lisa asks, baffled at the request of her mother
Veronica sighs and looks at her sister dead in the eyes.
"Benjamin is a boy"
Lisa, dumbfounded, shifts on her other foot, allowing her weight to rest on her right, she looks back at Veronica and deadpans.
"This. Is. Such. Bullshit" is the calmest response Lisa utters into the early morning air
Veronica snorts and hands her buckets, ignoring the groan from the older girl, and leaving her behind.
Needless to say, Lisa still obeyed her mother's instructions, dragging herself out to gather water while continuously complaining all the way. Luckily, despite her day already being ruined by chores, she decided to lurk around the evergreens, skipping through the dirt path and fawning over the meadow, delicately running her hands above the flowers.
A sparrow, perched on the apple tree, looks on at the young lady who seems lost in her own world, swaying to an invisible tune as her hand twitches from time to time, as if searching for something that she's left behind. The sparrow takes off, soaring just a few inches above the young lady's head, claws almost touching the space between them, that's all it takes to make Lisa look up grinning at the bird. Her hand springs up to wave at it, whistling a tune as the sparrow continues on its journey against the blue horizon. Tilting her head up, she wishes it a happy trip and bids it goodbye, her one doe eye closing as the bright sunlight hits her.
"When did you start talking to birds?"
The voice brings an even wider smile on Lisa's face. She turns around and meets the gaze of the girl that has been the subject of most of her poems, standing beside two old apple trees that intertwine together. Her hair tied up in braids tucked in a tight bun, her dress filled with hues of green that compliment her dazzling brown orbs, the collar of her dress is white with a black ribbon tied perfectly, her boots, the ones Lisa knows is Jennie's favorite, are comfortably clad on her feet as they clink together with giddiness. Lisa happily laughs at the adorable sight in front of her as she sprints her way towards the youngest Kim whose arms are already open wide for the impending crushing embrace.
"Ugh. You're a giant" Jennie mumbles against Lisa's shoulder, her arms wrapping around her waist and pulling her closer
"I've missed you! My heart has been shattering every second we are apart, my soul has been crying in search of yours, and my hands, they tremble in fear of never finding yours to hold" Lisa quickly fires out
"It has barely been 12 hours, Lisa" Jennie pulls away to chuckle at the young poet
"12 hours too long, Jennie!" Lisa gasps out as she brings her back into a tight hug
"Lisa" Jennie laughs louder, her arms tightening more as Lisa mumbles a great amount of yearning
"Hush" Lisa shakes her head, Jennie's in a fit of giggles as Lisa refuses to let go, whining at every time Jennie tries to pull away
"My neck is killing me, Lisa" Jennie taps her back
Lisa begrudgingly obeys her and steps a foot away.
"I don't think my hug is the one at fault for giving you neck problems, I'm pretty sure bending over your books for so many semesters does that"
"Of course, Lisa, how can I ever fault you for giving me affection?" Jennie asks sarcastically
Lisa, oblivious in her dumbstruck moment, thanks the Math major as she once again pulls her back into a bone crushing hug. Jennie puffs out a breath as she allows the poet to melt into her arms, snuggling into the warmth that emits from the young Kim's body.
"How are you always warm?" Lisa sighs, her breath tingling against Jennie's neck making her shiver
"Because you're always cold" Jennie chuckles "It's like my body can't help but adjust so it can accommodate yours. I get all cold when you're warm too, don't you know?"
The bubbling happiness inside her chest almost wants to burst at the confession, Lisa can't help the squeal that erupts which surprises Jennie. Lisa pulls aways and fumbles through the many layers under her dress, grumbling about how unnecessary they all are as she gets to her trousers where a scrap of paper is wedge in between her waistband.
"Lisa, please don't flash yourself. The birds will be utterly confused" Jennie teases, though not really worrying since they're literally in the middle of the evergreens, a place where surprisingly not many go
"Here!" Lisa happily shoves the paper into the smaller woman's awaiting hands
Lisa starts bouncing off her feet, all giddy like a kid with sugar rush, her hands clasped together against her chest as she waits for Jennie to finish reading. She observes the woman's expression, how her lips part slightly as she utters the words ever so slowly and softly, how her eyes sparkle with joy as she takes it all in, how her nose flares up just a little bit as she breathes in deeply, how her hands tremble slightly as they hold on to the scrap of paper gently between her fingers, and the best part of all is the way those feline eyes slowly look up to meet Lisa's that resembles that of a doe.
"Do you like it? Please, please, please, please, please tell me if you like it" Lisa shuts her eyes and thumps her clasped hands against her chest, willing the anxiety to vanish
"It's beautiful, Lisa" Jennie breathes out
"It is?" Lisa opens her eyes to meet Jennie's that softens more at the sight of similar brown orbs "You love it?" She asks, just to be sure
"I always love your poems, Lisa" Jennie assures her "They...always make me feel alive" she adds as she hands her back the paper that the poet quickly tucks away inside her sleeves.
Lisa can't help the tears of joy that come spilling out, a relieved laugh erupting from her chest as she grabs hold of Jennie's hands holding them up, she plants kisses on her knuckles as her eyes never leaves the shorter woman.
"That's all I wanted to hear" Lisa tells her
"But..." Lisa halts and stares at Jennie wide eyed "It just saddens me that you have this great gift with writing and yet...I am the only one who reads them. Sometimes I feel as though I am not worthy, but at the same time I feel like I would die if I go a day without reading them. Everyday your words strike me like a snake, they are venomous and they curl around me like a second skin, and they bite, they squeeze me until I can't breathe"
Jennie sucks in a breath.
"...and yet at the same time they're my remedy. They heal the cuts I've yet to see surface on my skin, they're soothing and they make me sane. They keep me afloat and make me one with the birds. They're yours, but they are also mine. They are the first thing that we call ours"
Lisa isn't sure what urged her to do it, maybe it was the early morning rays of the sun that reflected against those bright brown eyes, or maybe it was those trembling hands that Lisa wanted nothing but to soothe, or maybe it was Jennie's words, how beautiful and jaw dropping which made Lisa realize that this Math major is just as much as poet as Lisa is, the journal filled with words under the woman's bed and their constant exchange of poems through their daily walks is enough proof for Lisa, or maybe it was just the moment they were in, stood in the Evergreens with the flock of birds flying over them, bearing witness to something unfolding below them, but Lisa feels like she wants to kiss this woman.
If she goes back one day to this exact memory, she'll remember it clearly, that the simplest reason of all is because she has found herself falling in love under intertwined trees in the Evergreens.
Lisa smiles as she cups Jennie's neck, pulling the woman closer to her as their lips meet for their very first kiss. It's fast and slightly awkward, as all first kisses are, but they get the hang of it straight away as Jennie gets bolder in her movements, gripping the poet's hips and pushing their bodies together. Lisa's hands stay in place, one cupping Jennie's cheek and the other holding the back of her neck, holding her in place as Lisa tilts her head to the side to deepen the kiss, moaning when they slow down a bit, enough for Jennie to nip at her bottom lip.
That's when it starts drizzling. The sun still in view, the clouds slightly darker than a few minutes ago, but the two continue on, not at all minding the appearance of rain, if anything, Lisa has words swirling around her head already, like how the rays of the sun and the drizzle of rain decided to watch below the simple show of a blossoming love happening under the two intertwined trees. The drops of rain slide off the leaves and fall against alabaster and pale skins, their hair like grass with early morning dew, and their dresses glowing as the sun touches them, creating a prism of colors as the hues of nature reflect upon them.
They gradually pull to a stop, but their lips still lingering against one another, hands still wrapped around each other, breaths heavy and mixing together, and their eyes closed as they bask in the warmth. Lisa feels the edges of the scrap paper tingling her skin, its words imprinting themselves on herself, she rests it against the shorter woman's neck and just somehow she can feel those words cross the bridge to imprint those same words on her neck. Their words.
The drizzle ceases.
"I think I can write chapters about this moment alone" Lisa finally whispers
"I'd read all of them and write more with you" Jennie whispers back
They slowly open their eyes and meet each other's gazes. A smile slowly emerges from both women, and just because Lisa can, she pecks Jennie's lips again making the Math major giggle in delight, her ears turning red.
"So...about those birds" Jennie teases
Lisa blushes under the woman's gaze.
"They're wonderful, aren't they? So small but can carry loads to create a home. I reckon a little 'take care' could go a long way" Lisa looks up at the trees where nests are nestled on branches
"Mhmm" Jennie hums, tracing her fingertips along Lisa's jaw
"Yeah?" Lisa mumbles, distracted by the ghostly touches that send shivers down her spine
One last gentle kiss is pressed against the young poet's lips before Jennie finally pulls away, but her hands clasp around Lisa's as she leads her to the table that's slightly drenched, carefully yet playfully lifting Lisa up the table and pushing herself up as well to sit beside her. They look at the woods before them, still and magical in its own little way.
"I wish we could stay just like this" Lisa murmurs "Just out here in the Evergreens, looking at the trees, staring up at the horizon, watch birds fly around"
"That would be such a perfect world" Jennie says
"Yeah? In that world I'd be off to becoming one of the greatest figures in poetry, and I'd also marry you"
"You'd make a terrible husband" Jennie jokes
"Why would you say that?" Lisa asks in shock
"You have zero practical skills" Jennie snorts
"Okay yeah, but I bet you I'd look good in a suit" Lisa winks at her
Jennie laughs at the woman's confidence as she leans against her, hooking their arms together as they allow the gentle breeze to dry them up.
Many days would pass by as the two women would indulge in each other, be it through walks across town or attending Sunday service. Sometimes there would be picnics in the Evergreens where they would exchange books and tell each other poetry, other times they would bake and have sleepovers, not a day would go by that Lisa would not write and let Jennie read them, sometimes they were poems but mostly they were letters of love, of care, of appreciation. One, not so long ago, was a letter addressing Jennie with a new term of endearment, telling her how much she misses her and how she longs for her touch, for her kiss and how heart cannot take the longing.
Often times they'd sneak in a kiss during the day, most of them come in the night when the wind has led the flock away. Soft caresses and touches would linger on their skin, hands intertwined as they skip along the broken cobblestone path to the little cottage house. Whispers of affection would be passed on from time to time, a pat on the cheek and a hand on the waist seemed like a luxury.
Today is no different as Lisa and Jennie head to town. Arms looped over the other, Lisa dressed in white while Jennie in a hue of blue. Through the town, frolicking the streets that held much excitement for the up and coming bake off.
"Do you think the McPherson's got a chance at winning this year?" Jennie asks curiously, seeing the family smiling with excitement as they exit a shop
"Over my dead body" Lisa seethes
Jennie smacks her arm but laughs anyway, knowing how traumatizing it was for Lisa to have gotten 2nd place last year. Jennie won't forget the way the woman went on a rampage just because she didn't win the bake off, Jennie had to eventually console the woman before she started lashing out at the pans, Veronica was amused the whole time while Benjamin was confused which was no shock there.
"Easy there" Jennie runs her palm over Lisa's bicep
"I'm cool, I'm cool" Lisa inhales deeply
"Lisa, my angel! I've crossed oceans just to see you!" A lanky man exclaims as he runs towards the two
"I'm gonna murder a man" Lisa deadpans
"Will you sing to me later?" Jennie whispers against the women's ear, nipping lightly and slyly, away from the view of people
"Of course, doll" Lisa whispers back, forgetting about her ill intentions
"Well you can't do that if you're behind bars" Jennie smiles sweetly, Lisa simply groans
George, the lanky man, stops right in front of Lisa as he thrusts a bouquet of flowers into her hands. Tipping his hat towards the poet and giving her the best charming smile he could muster.
"White lilies" Lisa looks at it in awe
"Beautiful, right? Just like you" George says
"They're the symbol of death" Lisa states
George blinks at her owlishly, then turns to look at Jennie who simply shrugs at him apologetically.
"I love them" Lisa hums happily as she takes a sniff of the bouquet
"Oh good! You see, your brother has told me about you and Veronica's love for gardening, so I thought to give you flowers"
"And does Veronica have a bouquet of flowers thrusted into her hands too?" Lisa questions
"Oh...well no but I can get her a bouquet" George frowns as he eyes the bouquet
"Yeah, go do that" Lisa nods at him empathetically
"Now?" George's eyes widen
"Yeah, dude" Lisa says lazily
George all but stumbles in his quick strides, waving his arm at the two as a goodbye.
"Yeah, dude" Jennie mocks
"How many oceans do you think he has to cross before he comes back and finds us?" Lisa asks, smirking when she sees George almost trip again
"One puddle if he actually strained his neck to the side to see the flower shop he just passed by" Jennie points to the flower shop nearby
"Pfft" Lisa can't help but pity the man "Let's go. I have something better to show you"
Lisa pulls the woman along with her as they speed their way through the bustling streets, bumping into a few townsfolk and almost running into too many crates of eggs. They get themselves a few scoldings and angry grunts but they couldn't care less as they laugh their way through it all.
"Where are we going?" Jennie finally asks
"To college! Professor Hitchcock is having a lecture about his lab on Mount Vesuvius and I've been meaning to go but they won't allow women in!" Lisa exclaims as they run home, their dresses gliding across the dirt path, a bunch of fabric clutched tightly in their hands to allow more movement
"So why are we going there then?!"
"Why not?!"
Jennie pulls her wrist until they come to a stop.
"In case you haven't noticed" Jennie gestures to the two of them, pointing at their dome dresses "... we're women"
"Which is why we're raiding Benjamin's closet first so we can...fit in." Lisa raises her eyebrows up and down
Jennie, baffled as always by Lisa's ideas, simply crosses her arms and looks at the girl like she's certainly not impressed at all.
"Hold out your wrist" Jennie instructs
Lisa, confused by the request, holds out her right wrist to the shorter woman. Jennie grasps it and drags Lisa to the Homestead, totally ignoring the way Lisa teasingly calls her "smitten".
The Homestead is quiet when they arrive, nothing but the fireplace crackling with fire. Lisa takes a peek at the kitchen only to find it empty, as well as the living area. Lisa jokingly shushes her as she takes her upstairs to Benjamin's room, there's a soft clicking sound from somewhere along the hallway but Lisa ignores it knowing Veronica has probably drowned herself in knitting again. They then stand before her brother's door.
"It's locked" Jennie tells her after a few tries
"I've got a brain that works way better than Benjamin's" Lisa proudly states
"Are you gonna open it with a pin?" Jennie smirks
Lisa looks at her weirdly "No" she utters as she bends down to reveal a spare key under the doormat by his door.
"You're right. Your brain does work better"
"You already know that. When do you think my Dad's gonna catch up on that?" Lisa unlocks the door and the scent of a man is what greets them
"What is that stench?" Jennie says, hand clasped over her nose
"I don't even want to know" Lisa gags
They ruffle through the closet in search for a few clothing that would fit them, also grabbing a few ties and suspenders along the way, and actively avoiding the underwear drawer. They're in a fit of giggles as they sneak their way to Lisa's room, throwing the items of clothing on the bed, both with mischievous glints in their eyes.
"What now?" Jennie asks, hands on her hips
"We strip"
Jennie's eye sparkle with amusement as she's led to a goofy dance as they strip away all their struggles and frustrations: corsets. The non-existent music is what they groove their way through as they slip on button downs and tuck them in a pair of trousers. Lisa teasingly kicking about around the room, showing off the leg space she finally has, Jennie's has gotten around to the suspenders, snapping it against her torso and laughing at the slight pain.
"Tie me up" Lisa wiggles her brows and hands her the maroon necktie
Jennie grabs hold of the tie and wraps it around her neck, under the collar, and tying it in a perfect knot, she winks at the poet once she's done, pushing her towards the mirror to see.
"How do I look?" Lisa asks, presenting herself before Jennie
The white button down fits her well, the tie matches the red velvet vest that also compliments the dark burgundy coat and trousers, the shiny leather shoes look slightly bigger on her but they look good on her nonetheless, her hair is tied up in a loose bun, a few strands pour out to get a more wavy look while she wears a top hat that covers it, and a midnight blue scarf around her neck.
"You look handsome" Jennie tells her honestly
"As do you, doll" Lisa winks at her, eyeing the shorter woman before her, wearing a grey checkered suit, a matching red velvet vest, a black tie, and black leather shoes, and for dramatic effect, a monocle tucked inside her vest's pocket, a maroon top hard resting on her head as well and a navy blue scarf around her neck.
Lisa clears her throat and starts pacing the room slowly.
"Check me out, I'm a man. I can do what I want, go where I want to, I have the right to vote, I can legally own property" Lisa says in a deep voice
Jennie chuckles "What do you think they're so afraid of?" She asks
"Maybe they're scared, that if they teach us how the world works we'll find out a way to take over" Lisa states
Jennie nods, a slow smile forming as she looks at Lisa, impressed at the response.
"Shall we go to those Volcano lessons now?" Lisa holds out her hand
"Can we actually pull this off?" Jennie asks as she intertwines their fingers together
"Totally. Boys are stupid" Lisa chuckles
Lisa pulls the woman flush against her and leans in to give her a few pecks until Jennie's giggling and her ears turn as fiery as the tint of fire.
"Well we're certainly not going to pull this off if you keep kissing me like that" Jennie says, still brushing her lips against the taller one's
"Something is missing" Lisa pulls back and looks at Jennie from head to toe
Before Jennie can say anything, Lisa's already sprinting towards her desk's drawer as she grabs a charcoal pencil. She tells the shorter woman to sit down, Jennie does so, and the poet starts scribbling a mustache above her upper lip.
"Why do I get to have the mustache?" Jennie whines
"You can draw hairs on my chest if you'd like" Lisa hands her the pencil
"I can think of using something different to draw on your chest" Jennie whispers seductively, she holds back a laugh when she hears the audible gulp
"Let's go before you get any more ideas" Lisa murmurs shyly as she drags a laughing Jennie downstairs
...
The seminar is being held at Amherst College inside one of the larger lecture halls, lines of men already going inside while others are coming out. The lecture hall was built in big and wide white pillars, a dome like roof with banners with the school's logo hanging all over. Lisa and Jennie walk inconspicuously, nodding at fellow men but never talking to any of them. They stand by the entrance and heave in a deep breath, looking at each other, the smell of success already on the tip of their fingers.
"Lisa Manoban?" George suddenly appears behind them
Lisa stiffens and ducks her head down.
"Noooo, no" Lisa says in a deep voice
George blinks at the two women.
"Who are you then, young man?" George asks, tagging along with them
"I...am... Lysander Periwinkle" Lisa says slowly but confidently "And this is...Sir T-Tybalt Butterfly. We're scholars of science and nature." She gestures to Jennie who holds out a hand for George to shake, he gladly does so
George just stays silent as he waits for Lisa to break.
"Please don't tell anyone. We really just want to attend the lecture" Lisa pleads, turning around to look at him with a pout
"Promise me a walk through the town next week and we're all good" George says
"How are you not annoyed by me? I literally told you just moments ago to scram and give my sister flowers" Lisa sighs
"Which she gladly accepted though she still looks at me weirdly, but besides that, I am just simply attracted to you, Lisa, even though you're weird" George shrugs
With a groan, Lisa gives in "Fine" she grumbles
"Alright. I'll see you in there, and hey! You're gonna love Hitchcock, you'll learn a lot from him, you weird beautiful boy" George grins as he walks backwards towards the lecture hall while a man looks at him weirdly
"What's up? You weird beautiful boy" George tells the man, patting his shoulder then running away
The silent invitation has Lisa and Jennie scrambling on their feet as they run inside the lecture hall. The halls that are usually quiet is awoken due to the loud and heavy footsteps running about, the paintings that hung in the wall that had portraits of men of influence now seem mundane as they rush their way towards the hall. They halt when they almost bump into a sea of gentlemen standing by the doorway, Lisa and Jennie sneakily make their way upstairs where only a few people stood by. They settle right in front, hands resting over the parapet, eyes focused down the at the man with greying hair and receding hairline, pointed nose and slightly questionable fashion.
The lecture had just started, on the table stood a volcano model with different colored charts behind it. The tables downstairs are filled with students listening intently while Hitchcock continues to explain.
"When Mount Vesuvius erupted that was how the city of Pompeii was destroyed. All of its inhabits and possessions frozen in place" Hitchcock looks around, his hand resting on his round belly "You'll never know when a volcano will erupt"
Lisa's eyes are transfixed on the clay model volcano, her ear listening and hanging on to each and every word that Hitchcock says, explaining what's within a volcano and how and why it erupts. Lisa can't help but lean in more, her hand gripping the edge of the parapet, she doesn't notice the way Jennie looks at her with shy adoration, a pink tinge on her cheek as she stands closer to her and places a hand on top of Lisa's, Jennie's thumb rubbing over Lisa's pinky finger. They both ignore the lingering eyes of the man beside them looking at their hands.
The lecture goes on and on until Professor Hitchcock starts referring the eruptions as something else, like there's more to it than what meets the eye.
"...the lab can never predict an eruption but we can feel it, like a soft of pressure that is always building, building, BUILDING!!!" He bellows, while George stands before a model volcano, pouring in ingredients to create a small eruption
Lisa's breath hitches, her eyes dilated and her mind going to places as she feels her heart start beating faster and faster.
"It keeps building, building and building that upon eruption--"
“BECOMES A FIERY BEAST!” Lisa can't help but yell as she lifts her hat off allowing her hair to pour out
Everyone turns to look at the voice, all of them in shock and on their feet as they point at them.
"Girls!" A man below yells
"Haven't seen one of those lately?' Jennie calls out
The crowd erupts in angry shouts as they tell them to get out but much to Professor Hitchcock's amusement, he allows them to stay, but the two hightail it out of there, they run out and look at each other, breathless with so much joy bubbling inside their chest from being caught and living a little amount of their time corset-free.
The moment is indeed short-lived when she arrives home with Jennie, after both changing back into their dresses, Lisa is called to her Father's study.
"Do you think George snitched?" Lisa asks Jennie
The woman shakes her head no.
"He would never" Jennie assures her
Lisa's eyes still linger with fear. Gone is the woman who wore passion in her eyes as she listened on to lectures she was never meant to go to. She leaves Jennie in bed alone with a few of her poems which she edited and rewrote to fit in more, with that image in mind she makes her way down to her Father's study. Fists clenched in nervousness as she knocks on the door, only entering when her father allows her to.
At the sound of the door shutting comes the sound of paper crumbling in someone's hands. Lisa looks up and sees her father with fury in his eyes, his hand holding out a paper for her. His greying eyebrows furrowed, as he waits for his daughter to take it, once she does he gently tugs on his cufflinks, fixing his suit and tie.
"What is this?" Lisa asks
"An essay on the proper place of women. Something I am sure I have asked you to read before" He says calmly
Lisa did read it, she totally skimmed right through it though so she's not sure if that counted.
"Women aren't required to get proper education because they simply do not need it. A simple life of cooking and cleaning and a proper husband is all they need. If they do pursue higher education, they should not surpass or exceed the level of a man" He explains to her
"Read it. I want you stop all of these antics of yours and stop dragging Jennie along with you!" He exclaims
Lisa flinches at his tone but she simply nods. Never uttering a word against him, not wanting to add any more fuel to the fire. Her Father has always been a warm man, someone she's more close to than her mother who is stoic and aloof, but her parents share the same beliefs, of which Lisa always countered in her head.
"You may go" Her father tells her, never meeting her eyes as he waves her off just like that
Lisa ducks her head and nods, turning around to walk out of the study, only the sound of her footsteps echo throughout the whole house. She's out the door for only a few steps when her mother appears beside her.
"Hey. Who's she?" Lisa asks as she points to the woman behind her mother
"Maggie. The maid" Her mother says it like it pains her, and maybe it does knowing how much her mother adores doing all the chores and having everything in the house under her control
"I certainly do feel like I am a useless woman in this household now that we have a maid" The older woman states, a small eye twitch that has Lisa smiling
"Hello, I'm Lisa. You must be my savior of all things difficult and miserable" she salutes to Maggie
The maid nods and playfully salutes back.
"Oh shut it with your jokes, young lady. Don't think you won't be hearing anything from me after I found out you've been sneaking into a school to attend lectures" The older woman scolds
"You know, in another universe, mothers would be very proud and happy to have a kid who actually wants to go to school and study" Lisa presses her lips together and breathes out through her nose, holding in the bubbling frustration
"Enough of that, Lisa" Her mother tells her sternly "Listen here, you are to make your father happy, not go against all his well wishes for you. You should stay home and learn a hobby or two, like...knitting. Look at your sister, she has been knitting all day today, never leaving her room"
"She's been knitting all day? Now, I'm concerned" Lisa mumbles as she sneakily grabs a muffin off the tray on the coffee table beside her, her mother slaps her hand away making Lisa hiss
"Don't do that. You are not a cat"
"You're right, I'm not a cat. Tragically, I am a woman"
Her mother shakes her head at her daughter.
"Do apologize to your father for giving him inconvenience and additional burden to his busy schedule. You know how stressed he is with the law firm and running for Congress and all"
"Am I really supposed to live this pointless life trying to make father happy, and that to want anything else makes me a bad person who doesn't deserve all the good things?" Lisa spits out bitterly
"Yes" Her mother deadpans
"I do not regret going to that lecture. I believe it was right for me to do that because I got to learn. I have the right to learn" Lisa insists
"And by doing so you chose to upset your father"
Lisa groans because of course that's what her mother thinks, she grumbles an apology under her breath and watches her mother go, so she slumps her shoulders and looks at the essay paper, she shrugs and shoves it inside a nearby drawer, she sighs out dramatically and looks at Maggie.
"Can you teach me how to make bread?" Lisa asks
"Bread? For...what?" Maggie asks
"My repentance"
...
Lisa is silent most of the time as she follows Maggie's instructions, everything done to perfect precision, only speaking when she learns Maggie is a well versed poet as well, asking her to share a few of her pieces and as well as asking about who her favorite writers are. They finish a little before 9, and soon enough Lisa has a tray of bread as she makes her way to her father's study, not forgetting to grab the essay paper she totally ignored again, then knocking on the door.
The quiet "come in" is heard, Lisa readies the apology on her tongue despite her heart pulling her back, she ignores it and opens the door. Quietly mumbling a soft sorry as she presents the tray of bread on the table, she hands him back the papers and stands back hands clasped in front of her.
"Thank you" He says but still not meeting her eyes "I expect to never hear any absurdity from you again"
"With all due respect, Dad. I still firmly believe I did something right. Knowledge isn't just for a man" Lisa gathers the courage to admit
The man finally looks at her.
"Yes, but a woman shan't exceed a man. She may get her education but never shall she have more than what a man can. You are to stay home and learn to become a good housewife for your husband to be"
Lisa clenches her jaw, a comeback right on her tongue but she holds back, she unclenches her jaw and closes her eyes, the image of a laughing Jennie behind the lids of her eyes. She relaxes and exhales quietly.
"Okay" Lisa says, he eyes her for a moment before nodding once
Lisa could not have run out faster, sprinting her way up the stairs taking two steps at a time as she finally reached her bedroom door. The door by the stairs suddenly flings open, Benjamin peeks out and furrows his brow.
"Is Jennie sleeping over again?" He asks, his curly hair all over the place as he miserably fails at keeping it at bay
"Yeah" Lisa responds
"I have no idea how you two fit in such a tiny bed" Benjamin snorts
"Go to bed, Benjie" Lisa replies, snarling at him
She shakes her head and opens the door only to find Jennie leaning back against the headboard, glasses perched on her nose, as she skims over scraps of paper with a soft smile on her face. Lisa can't help but linger on her much longer, her white night gown sliding off her shoulder to reveal smooth white skin, her bare feet crossed over each other as they rest on soft sheets.
"Hey, what happened?" Jennie asks in a soft tone
Lisa smiles at her and shakes her head, she heads towards the wardrobe to quickly change into her night wear, then adjusting her similar white night gown as she lies down beside her. Jennie is quick to place the papers inside the drawer beside her and placing her glasses on top of the bedside table, then scooting down to lay sideways, her forehead resting against Lisa's shoulder, their feet brush against each other, playfully nudging one another and touching softly.
"What are you thinking of?" Jennie asks
"I just can't stop thinking of Pompeii" Lisa says, not really wanting to recount the same useless conversation she has with her parents every month or so, but also because she can't really get the lecture our of her head
"Yeah? It was a nice lecture about volcanoes. I'm really glad we went"
"Even though we got caught because of me?"
"I cannot hold you back from...your passion" Jennie whispers "And it was quite the thrill, don't you think so?"
Lisa doesn't respond, she just looks at Jennie. Silently memorizing all the little details that is Jennie, as if she might one day forget if she doesn't do it. Jennie looks back at her, eyes darker than usual under the dim lights, the fireplace is lit and its yellow tint reflect against their skin.
"I think I know what a volcano feels like" Jennie says, her hand resting on Lisa's forearm
"I have never seen volcanoes" Lisa says
Jennie props up on her arm, her left hand tracing Lisa's face, lingering on her lips and brushing strands of hair away, she traces the column of her neck and softly caress her prominent clavicles. Jennie locks gazes with the poet, she then guides her hand over her night gown until she reaches her legs, tracing the smooth skin there until she slowly touches higher, running over the hem of Lisa's night gown, skimming over her inner thighs, Jennie's thighs clench together as she feels the heat emitting from the woman beneath her. Her finger doesn't hesitate as she brushes against wet folds.
Lisa squeezes her eyes shut. Her chest heaving as her hands clutch the sheets of her bed, she can't help but arch her back slightly, and all the while Jennie simply looks at her in awe, like she's the only art in a museum, or better yet, the greatest poem she's ever read. Jennie is gentle and slow, giving her the right amount of pressure and pace, never pulling away or stopping her movements, Jennie's lips then lightly trace over Lisa's clavicles, showering her skin with admiration, leaving insivible marks of love that leave permanent passion burning on her skin. She spends a good amount of time worshiping the poet's body, learning her like how she analyzes a poem.
"Jennie" Lisa whispers, her eyes locking gazes with those feline ones
"I'm here" Jennie tells her, speeding up her pace
Her breathing starts getting heavier and heavier, the air feeling muskier, the warmth from the fireplace cannot rival the heat of the moment. The room that's usually quiet save for the frantic scribbling and soft whispers to the early morning air, now screams a love so strong and deep and beautiful, it's most deafening if you ask Lisa, like all she can hear is Jennie's small pants and the soft creaking of the tiny bed. The window cracked open a little still has its drapes open as well, letting in the chilly evening breeze and the small amount of moonlight to seep through.
Lisa has never had this kind of pleasure in her life, sure she is aware of such a thing, knowing it's usually the cure for women's hysteria, but to feel it first-hand all because her partner wants her to feel it is a different thing. It's exhilarating and scary at the same time, like she's on this journey of some sort but her feet hasn't touched the ground at all, instead she's being guided to a certain kind of bliss.
Lisa forces herself to open her eyes to look at the woman beside her, she sees Jennie's intense eyes staring down at her, her pupils dilated and hungry for her, it makes her open her legs wider which spurs Jennie on more, giving her more space to add more pleasure.
This shouldn't be happening, people would certainly not approve of such actions, it is immoral as they would say, it's a bright burning red sin that should be banned but Lisa disagrees, because if this is sin then why does it feel like heaven on Earth? Why do people shame them for these actions? For simply loving? Lisa wonders, does God see them the same? Did God know that His children will soon grow to love in a deemed unconventional way? Those who go to Sunday service seem to be aghast with the idea, so does God know that the people who preach and praise Him also actively hate His own creation?
Lisa can't help the tear that falls from her eye as she begs Jennie to see the love written in her eyes, in the way she grips the sheet, in the way her sweat glistens under the dim light, in the way her chest heaves for her, and in the way her lips mouth her name.
And like a volcano, Lisa can feel it without even knowing when it's going to happen, the soft pressure keeps building, and building, and building that upon eruption---
"Jen!"
--becomes a fiery beast!
Lisa shudders as she releases her first, hands clutching the sheets, her lips part in a silent scream, her body leaning towards Jennie who doesn't halt her movements and just continues to look at Lisa like she just found the answers to all her unspoken questions. Stroking and slowly pumping, whispers of affection said between soft nips on Lisa's neck.
It feels like lucid dreaming, her body feels light and it's like she's floating in the air, all the adrenaline rush calming down. When her body falls back to the bed and her eyes open, frantically searching for Jennie's who hasn't at all strayed away. Jennie releases her hold on the poet, silently wiping away her arousal on the sheets. The shorter woman lies back down on the bed, curling beside Lisa and holding on to her biceps, showering her shoulder with kisses. Lisa laid there, thoroughly spent, and mind still buzzing around the euphoria. The evening air that seems through sends a cold shiver to her spine but Jennie only pulls her closer against her to keep her warm.
Jennie then gets out of the bed and heads towards the pitcher of water, she goes to grab a cloth and pours water over it, squeezing it tight, she makes her way back to Lisa and silently starts cleaning her, Lisa shyly looks at the shorter woman who starts to hum a song, neither of them try to speak, and soon into the night they fall asleep curled against the other.
...
In the early hours of morning, Lisa finds herself seated on the edge of her chair again, her trusty stubby pencil in her hand as she takes her sweet time writing on a longer piece of scrap paper, the light from the moon serving as her only source of light since the fireplace had long ceased its flames, only embers and ash left.
Lisa bites hard on her bottom lip as the words pour out on paper, cheeks slightly dusted pink as she recalls what happened only a few hours ago. Lisa turns around to look at the slumbering woman on her bed, so peaceful and beautiful, she can't help the smile that tugs on her lips. She pretends she doesn't feel the burning love imprinted on her skin, or the invisible marks that throb along the column of her neck, she pretends she doesn't s hear the whispers of admiration.
Lisa holds back a choked sob, knowing that they would have to go through this in complete silence, for no one can know. The marks and bites shall always remains invisible or covered, all these moments shall remain as hushed moments just for the two of them. They will always be hanging on begged and borrowed time, only having stolen moments of bliss, never really belonging to each other due to society's rule. Lisa wipes away the building tears.
Finalizing the poem, Lisa crawls back towards the sleeping woman, slowly getting under the covers to lie sideways, simply looking at Jennie and curling an arm around her waist. She doesn't exactly know how long she just looks at her, maybe a few minutes or an hour long, until the early morning rays finally peek, its bright yellow tint shining against the woman, lingering in places Lisa wishes to kiss.
Eyes then flutter open, feline eyes look up and smile at Lisa's shy expression.
"G'morning" Jennie mumbles in a raspy voice "Have you been watching me sleep?" she raised a pointed eyebrow at the poet who ducks her head in embarrassment
"You're just really beautiful. Can you fault me for admiring such a beauty like you? Especially knowing I have you here in my bed, in my arms?" Lisa defends
Jennie simply smiles as she closes her eyes again.
"How long have you been awake?"
"I'm not sure" Lisa murmurs, Jennie opens her eyes and frown
"Something wrong?"
"Nothing" Lisa shakes her head "I was just writing is all" she assures her
"Mmm, can I have a peek?" Jennie asks
Lisa's quick to get up and retrieve the paper long forgotten on the desk. Jennie sits up and takes the paper gladly from Lisa.
I have never seen "Volcanoes"—
But, when Travellers tell
How those old—phlegmatic mountains
Usually so still—
Bear within—appalling Ordnance,
Fire, and smoke, and gun,
Taking Villages for breakfast,
And appalling Men—
If the stillness is Volcanic
In the human face
When upon a pain Titanic
Features keep their place—
If at length the smouldering anguish
Will not overcome—
And the palpitating Vineyard
In the dust, be thrown?
If some loving Antiquary,
On Resumption Morn,
Will not cry with joy "Pompeii"!
To the Hills return!
Jennie's smile is immediate when she hands Lisa back the paper, she silently puts it away and quickly faces Jennie again to hear her input on the piece.
"Good?" Lisa asks, ears perked up like the puppy she is
Jennie jokingly scratches the back of Lisa's ear, the latter doesn't seem to mind, if her leaning more against the touch is any indication.
"Yes. I love it" Jennie says, planting a kiss on Lisa's lips
"Just the poem?" Lisa slyly asks
Jennie chuckles.
"Often times I come to see
Love that's hidden in the Evergreens--
It stands in white and laughs in glee
A poem in hand and paper rings
And that is how a love begins."
Lisa leans forward to capture Jennie's lips. The kiss is soft but the loudest of all, for love has deepened in the early hours of day.
“We are the only poets,” Lisa tells Jennie as they pull away “and everyone else is prose.”