“Why do they have to make turkey tacos?” Annie wondered, poking at the disgusting, vaguely Mexican gloop on her plate. “I know they’re healthier, but it seems like such a cheat. Tacos should be beef. With lots of sour cream and spicy sauce.”
“Well, the cafeteria isn’t exactly known for its international cuisine,” said Lauren, taking the seat across from Annie and opening her lunch bag.
Annie picked up one of the soggy shells. She brought it to her lips, but immediately put it down again. Not because the ground turkey smelled dodgy (which it did), but because what she spotted across the cafeteria was enough to turn her stomach.
Kelsey was sitting on Tyler’s lap, and they were in the middle of a full-on make-out session.
Lexie, who was seated beside Annie, rolled her eyes. “Where do they think they are? The Honeymoon Suite at the Motel 6?”
Annie pushed her tray away with a sigh.
“Annie, please,” said Lexie, biting into her veggie burger, “you’ve got to get over this. I don’t mean to sound unsympathetic, but you are so better off without that cretin.”
“I know, I know,” groaned Annie. And she did know. She was fully aware that Tyler was a stuck-up idiot. It was just a major blow to her ego to see him lip-locked with someone else. And the fact that the someone else was Kelsey made it even worse.
“PDAs are in such bad taste,” said Lauren disapprovingly.
“I know,” Lexie agreed. “I’ve never been a fan of Public Displays of Affection. Although, given that we’re talking about someone as toxic as Kelsey, maybe it’s more like a Public Display of Infection.”
Lauren giggled. “Ewww!”
Annie couldn’t stop herself from sneaking another peek. Tyler had his hands in Kelsey’s hair and she had her arms around his neck.
“He was such a good kisser,” she said, sighing. The words were out before Annie could stop them. She felt her cheeks turn red when Lauren’s eyes flew open.
“Well, I’m not surprised,” said Lexie dryly. “I mean, clearly, he likes to practise.”
Annie laughed in spite of her mood and helped herself to one of the barbeque-flavoured crisps on Lexie’s tray.
“Seriously, though,” said Lexie, patting Annie’s shoulder. “Love bites.”
“I’ll drink to that,” said Annie. She lifted her can of Diet Coke in a toast and Lauren bumped her milk carton against it.
A burst of static from the PA system got everyone’s attention. In the next moment, the principal’s overly cheerful voice filled the cafeteria.
“It’s that time of year again, students! Tickets for our annual Valentine’s Day dance, the Cupid Cotillion, will go on sale tomorrow before homeroom. Love is in the air!”
“Ohhhh,” said Lexie with a grin. “So that’s what’s in the air. And here I thought it was just the stench of turkey tacos.”
“Happy bloody Valentine’s Day,” said Annie, taking a hefty gulp of Coke, then belching loudly.
Lexie and Lauren laughed.
“I can’t believe they actually call it the Cupid Cotillion,” sniggered Lexie. “The Stupid Cotillion would be more accurate.”
“Forget about the dance and those two tongue wrestlers,” Lauren advised, shooting another look in Tyler’s direction. “You’ve got our anti-Valentine’s Day bout to look forward to.”
“That’s ALL I’ve got to look forward to on Valentine’s Day,” said Annie glumly.
“Don’t be so sure,” said Lexie.
Annie frowned at her. “What are you talking about?”
“Jesse,” said Lexie. “It’s so obvious he’s crazy about you. Maybe he’ll be your valentine.”
“Not this again,” Annie said, laughing. “Lex, I’ve told you a zillion times, Jesse and I are just good friends. He’s friendly with all the roller girls.”
“He sure spends an awful lot of time talking to you.”
“Well, he talks to Lauren, too, and I don’t see you making a fuss about them being more than friends.” She turned to Lauren. “Right, Lauren? Just because you and Jesse chat now and then, that doesn’t mean you want to hook up with him, does it?”
A strange little smile appeared on Lauren’s face. “Not even a little bit.”
“See?” Annie snatched another crisp from Lexie’s tray and popped it into her mouth. “So enough about my love life, OK? Let’s talk about you two. There has to be some boy you fancy, Lex. Spill!”
“Oh, I ‘fancy’ lots of boys,” said Lexie. “Like Robert Pattinson and Trey Songz. Unfortunately, since they’re not likely to show up at a high school Valentine’s Day dance, I guess I’m out of luck.”
“Really?” said Annie. “There’s not a single boy in this school you might be interested in? Not even one?”
Lexie replied with an evasive shrug, which made Annie wonder if maybe she really did have a secret crush on someone. But she knew better than to press the issue. If Lexie liked a boy, she’d tell Annie when she was ready.
“How about you, Lauren?” Lexie asked, clearly wanting to turn the attention away from herself. “Any Liberty Heights High boys on your radar at the moment?”
“Not at the moment,” Lauren answered in a serious tone, then lowered her eyes and added softly, “not ever, actually.”
Annie was confused. “Huh?”
“Do you mean you like a boy from another school?” Lexie prompted, then grinned. “Or maybe you’re holding out for one of the One Direction guys?”
“Uh ... not exactly.” Lauren drew in a deep breath and looked up from the sandwich she’d been studying so intently. “The thing is, I’m not really interested in any guys. Famous or otherwise.”
Annie couldn’t help herself – she let out a tiny gasp. Not because she was horrified, but just because Lauren’s revelation came as a surprise to her. Lauren, to her credit, did not drop her eyes back to her sandwich. She held her head high, meeting Annie and Lexie’s gazes. Annie felt a rush of pride for her friend. Even in this day and age, coming out was a huge step.
Instinctively, Annie reached over and placed her hand on top of Lauren’s. There was a tear in the corner of Lauren’s eye.
“Wow. It feels really good to say that out loud,” she said, her voice trembling slightly. “You guys are the first people I’ve told.”
“Thank you for trusting us,” Annie said softly. “That means a lot to me.”
“Me, too.” Lexie gave Lauren a warm smile. “Seriously ... everyone should be proud of who they are. No apologies.”
“Right,” said Lauren, taking another steadying breath. “I mean, I know in my head and in my heart that there’s nothing wrong with being gay. It’s just a little scary to admit to being different. Especially around here, where everyone puts such a premium on being mainstream.”
“Tell me about it,” Lexie chuckled. “Being biracial, I’ve kind of held the monopoly on ‘different’ around here. And believe me, I’ve taken my share of hits. But I’ve always thought mainstream was just another word for average. And who wants to be average?”
Annie thought back to her first few weeks in America, when everyone seemed so hung up on the fact that she spoke with an accent. It had become tedious to know that people only thought of her as “the English girl”. Being considered different – even in that small way – had left her feeling frustrated and alone. And later, when she’d chosen to be a roller girl instead of a cheerleader, she’d learned what it was like to go against expectation. She could only imagine what it would be for her friend when people began to think of her as “the gay girl”.
“Look,” said Lauren. “I know being homosexual doesn’t make me unique or special, or important, any more than you being heterosexual makes you unique or special. It’s biology; it’s DNA. You can’t, like, take credit for it. In fact, it kind of bugs me when gay kids come out and then get all haughty about it, acting like their sexual preference is some kind of an accomplishment.”
“No,” said Annie. “It’s not an accomplishment. But having the courage to face up to small-minded people who are going to judge you for it totally is.”
And people would judge Lauren, Annie knew. They shouldn’t, but they would. God! How incredibly ridiculous was that? It was like judging someone for being allergic to peanuts, or having brown eyes.
“Maybe those gay kids act like that because it’s the only way they can think of to shut small-minded people up,” Lexie suggested.
Lauren considered this. “Could be,” she allowed, then chuckled. “Wow. I’m a gay teen and even I’m judging gay teens.”
Annie smiled. “Don’t be so hard on yourself. This is complicated stuff. Just being a teenager at all is challenging enough.”
“So you’re really OK with this?” There was still a tiny thread of worry in Lauren’s voice. “I mean, this doesn’t change anything about our friendship, does it?”
Annie shook her head emphatically. “Absolutely not!” She laughed. “You’re still my derby wife. And even when you get a girlfriend, that’s not going to change. She’ll just have to understand that we’re a package deal.”
“Thanks.” Lauren looked visibly relieved. “Actually one of the reasons I’m not going to the derby boot camp is that I’m planning to come out to my whole family while my grandparents are visiting. I want everyone to find out together. I think they’ll be shocked at first, but I’m pretty sure they’ll be cool with it.” She smiled. “If nothing else, at least it will get my mother’s mind off my weight issues for a change!”
“By the way,” said Lexie, “one of my favourite artists, Frida Kahlo, was bisexual.” She laughed, looking slightly embarrassed. “I’m not sure what that has to do with anything. I guess it’s just my way of saying you’ve got my support.”
“Mine too,” Annie assured Lauren. “And you always will.”