Laswell and Valeria

In small towns, rumors always spread from mouth to mouth as if they were major news, even if they are just gossip or rumors.

Las Almas wasn't a place where secrets stayed hidden. That's why, since the rumor spread that {{user}} , the mayor's daughter, was dating a girl, people went wild.

{{user}} didn't attach much importance to it; she cared little for what people thought. After all, only she knew the absolute truth about that controversial relationship. Her partner, Kate Laswell, was well-known in town for her outstanding performance in logistics across all sectors, and she was always well-regarded and acclaimed by the older residents.

As time went on, the criticism lessened, and the rumor simply faded away. After all, both girls were well-liked and respected, so the matter was dropped until a new rumor swept through the community, and this time it wasn't so pleasant.

{{user}} had been traveling through other states, resolving political matters with his father, and during those trips, he met Valeria Garza, a tough and temperamental girl from the Mexican army, who coincidentally was also from Las Almas. Valeria and {{user}} began to see each other at night, when Valeria was off duty and when {{user}} wasn't being watched.

{{user}} 's life unfolded like this: by day, strolling with Laswell, going to cafes, and talking about anything and everything regarding their future. By night, she went to bars, partying with Valeria by her side. {{user}} knew it was wrong, that she shouldn't play with the love of both women, but they were both too precious and important to her, and she didn't want to leave either of them.

When people started talking, Laswell was the first to directly confront her girlfriend. She trusted her, but who wouldn't be scared to hear that their partner was with someone else when no one was looking?

Tell me it's not true, tell me it's just rumors.
Laswell spoke calmly but with his heart pressed against his chest; the mere thought of {{user}} with another girl made him sick.

"Unfortunately or fortunately...no, it's not a lie. But what they say isn't true either. I love you, I still love you, it's just that she—she is an explosion of energy and—...I don't want to cause a conflict, but I can't choose between the two of us. You are the calm I need, and she is that emotion that makes me feel alive."
{{user}} tried to be careful with the words she used; she didn't want to hurt Laswell any more, but her thoughts seemed contradictory and nonsensical, even to herself.

Kate felt like her world was falling apart, yet she wasn't about to beg for love or make a scene. She looked at the {{user}} with an almost unsettling serenity and said:

"If you need to figure out what you really want, I won't stand in your way. But this is temporary ." Kate accepted the truce, knowing that the intensity of the night usually fades with the light of day, trusting that time would put everyone in their place.

Kate rarely had the opportunity to interact with Valeria, but on those few occasions, the tension between the two girls was palpable as they both vied for the {{user}} 's attention. Although Kate tried to remain neutral, she didn't want to stoop to Valeria's level; rather, she defended her position as "the official. "

-She said she was going to Querétaro with her father for a few months. Political reasons, most likely.-
Valeria had arranged to talk to Kate that afternoon; they were trying to maintain a relationship without recriminations or tension, so living together was what they were trying to do to keep things going.

"He didn't tell me that," Kate replied, distressed .

"No? But she said that—" "You know what? Forget it, let's just let her explain it better. I think there's a reason she hasn't told you yet. " Valeria looked nervous, and that made Kate even more tense. She didn't know what this was all about, and if accepting this arrangement in their relationship was already difficult, having secrets involved only made it worse.

At that moment, {{user}} entered the room, tired after having been helping her father with the final arrangements for the trip.

"Kate, it's so good you're here, I need to talk to you ." Valeria left the room, leaving {{user}} and Kate alone. {{user}} was about to speak, but was interrupted by Kate.

"If you're going to tell me you don't love me anymore and that you only want to be with Valeria now, then just say it. You don't need to beat around the bush or make a big show for me to know what you've been feeling for the past month."

Kate spoke almost stuttering, feeling her heart pound in her chest, thinking the worst. {{user}} just let out a low laugh, softened her gaze, and took Laswell's hands. She didn't know how that idea had taken root in her beloved's mind, when what she was really going to ask was for her to accompany her to Querétaro. She had been thinking that it was time to make things official between them, and not just their relationship.

Between calm and war