Day 1

They stare at us as we walk through the halls, hand in hand. I hear the whispers. I hear them call us "the gay girls," as if it's an insult. But I don't have room in my heart to care, because it's full of her.

We stop by Leroy's locker, where all our friends usually gather. Today he is alone.

"Hey, Genie."

"Where is everyone?" I ask.

Leroy's smile falters a bit as he glances down at our hands. "They, um...they..."

"Don't want to hang out with me now that I'm dating a girl."

I see a flash of guilt in his eyes as he gives me a small smile.

I lift my chin. "And you?"

He keeps staring at our entwined fingers. He purses his lips and sighs.

"I could never not be friends with you, Genie."

"Are you okay? Genie, come back to me. Gina!"

I jolt in the passenger's seat of Leroy's old sedan. "What? Was I asleep?" I can't remember falling asleep.

"No, but you're about as good company as someone who is," Leroy pouts.

"You're the one who dragged me on this road trip," I point out.

"We've been planning this for four years," he reminds me, as if I've forgotten. "We graduate, we drive up the coast. We finally go see Cobalt. You've wanted to hit up a music festival for as long as I've known you."

I sigh. He's right, but I just can't muster up the enthusiasm for much right now. "I know. I just thought she'd be in the back seat."

He looks at me, the corners of his mouth pulling down. "It's been three months. Forget about her. She doesn't know what she's missing."