Rachel's POV

'I saw this coming but I had to tell Nina about what I did, otherwise I wouldn't be able to live with myself. She's probably going to ghost me for a few days and then act like nothing happened', I think as I put my phone away and continue watching 'Eric and Amanda' on my laptop.

"Rachel! Naomi's at the door, why don't you guys go out and I can have the house to myself?", I hear Alex yell. He seems concerned. He's a great brother and we get along well despite the 8 year age gap but he still can't convince mom to believe that Naomi is not a 'phase' in my life. He has, however, succeeded in helping me understand I don't need Mom's validation for everything I do or say. Especially when it's something I can't change, like being bi.

"Yeah, sure no problem", I say as I turned off my laptop and rush down the stairs.  Naomi and I have been dating for 3 months, since her 14th birthday, but we have become inseperable.  

"Rachel! Hi!", She says while panting as though she had been running away from something. I notice she's wearing sweats and an oversized grey t-shirt. Something which is completely out of the ordinary.

"Naomi! What's wrong? Are you alright? Let's go outside and talk", I gesture towards the kids park in front of the house.

We walk slowly, and I notice Naomi limping slightly while clutching her waist. I help her towards a park bench and we sit.

"I came out.", she says, looking dead straight into my eyes.

"Oh.", I say. I feel a wave of relief washing over me. Just as the feeling courses through me, I realise the cause behind her state.

"Wait. How did this happen?", I say, Even though I had a perfectly clear idea of the situation.

"My stepdad and mom got mad. Really mad. I couldn't stay locked in my room forever so I climbed out and ran. I'm sorry", she speaks between sobs.

I hug her close to me. "It's not your fault", I say. I really mean it. I shouldn't have encouraged her to tell people about us. I got excited and I ruined her family life.

"Hey but that's super impressive!", I chuckle.

"Huh?", she looks up at me.

"You climbed out of a first floor window and wore sweatpants and a t-shirt! I'm so proud of you", I giggle. Humour is my defence mechanism.

She sighs. "What are we gonna do now? Are your mom and Alex cool with me staying over for a couple of days", she murmurs. She sounds like she's slightly relieved.

"Mom's not gonna be home for a week. She's out at that business convention in Chicago, Alex would be totally cool though.", I say. 

"That's great. Maybe everything will work out.", Naomi says, Although I know she's really worried about her little step sister, Isha bearing the brunt of the whole situation.

"Isha will be fine.", I tell her

"How'd you know?", she asks, genuinely surprised by my mind-reading abilities. 

"I just do!", I say while laughing.

"I don't know why but I don't feel like I care what they think. I feel numb to emotions. I feel free. This isn't how I'm supposed to feel when I run away right, Rachel? I'm supposed to feel sad they don't accept me but I really just don't care.", she speaks under her breath, as she notices a middle-aged couple staring at us like we're statues at a museum.

"It's okay Naomi. I know you're not letting it get to you but you'll feel your emotions when the time is right.", I say as I glare back at the couple, scaring them away.