“I just wanted to say thank you, sir,” I tell him. “Before I’m out of here.”
He studies me for a moment, then nods with a smile. “I know you’re gonna do great things, Adaline.”
“Thank you.” I try to bite back any tears. Besides my brother, I wasn’t used to much praise, especially with the teachers around here. Mr. Khalid had always been different, something that I never overlooked.
“I wish you guys the best,” he tells me, shaking my hand, and I smile at him one last time. We both turn to leave, and before we are fully out of the door, he stops us.
“Oh, and girls,” he calls.
We both look back.
“I always knew you liked each other.”
My mouth drops open. Juliette laughs, grabbing my wrist and dragging me out just as the bell rings.
“I guess everyone besides us knew,” she says.
“We might be really dumb.”
She just laughs and pecks me in response.
“I’m walking you to class,” she says, like it’s not a question.
“My gentlewoman,” I bow slightly.
She rolls her eyes, stealing another quick kiss anyway. As we walk, a swinging ponytail cuts into view. A girl I have never seen before, but she clearly knows Juliette.
“So now you’re a dyke?” she asks, glaring at us like she is owed an explanation. It all happens so fast that I’m genuinely gobsmacked at the audacity of this girl. No one else seems to notice as everyone’s bustling their way into their classes. I step forward instantly, anger flaring hot and familiar.
“Who the fuck do you think you’re talking to?” I snap.
“Baby,” Juliette says sweetly, not even looking at me. “It’s okay.”
She turns to the girl, eyes narrowing just enough to be lethal. I recognize that look. I have been on the receiving end enough times to know this will get ugly. Shame on me for thinking Juliette would be offended and hurt. I should’ve known better.
“Tell me, Stephanie,” Juliette says calmly, “is your mum still fucking Pastor Dean? And does your dad still not know?”
Stephanie’s face drains of color, then floods red. My mouth falls open in the most dramatic of ways.
“I-I-don’t—”
“I don’t have time for you to finish that sentence,” Juliette continues. “But if I ever hear you say something like that again, I will happily let your dad know.”
Stephanie is crestfallen, turning and speed walking down the empty hallway. Her sobs can be heard, and Juliette is as smug as ever.
“How did you know that?” I ask as we keep walking, like nothing happened.
“My mother likes to gossip,” Juliette shrugs.
I laugh, adrenaline buzzing. “You’re a little shit.”
“Oh, well.”
“You’re okay, baby?” I ask. Juliette seems relaxed, but I expected more resistance for our first time being together at school.
“I am, that was pretty fun actually.”
How was I ever worried about this girl? This was Juliette, walking hand in hand with me, and everything was okay. Different, but okay. We had done the hardest thing of all, and we got through it.
