I saw something in Valentino's blue eyes go dim the moment the name slipped from my mouth.

"What?" he repeated, softer.

"I'm sorry. My mom found out that I was playing and wanted me to stop. That's why I haven't been online much—"

"You've gotta be kidding me."

The anger and disbelief in his voice now were like a bullet to my heart. My breath couldn't catch up with my words and emotions, and I gripped my knee before finding my voice again.

"I'm sorry. I really wanted to tell you."

"I..." he stopped. "How?"

"Annok gave me her account," I whispered.

Valentino went stiff at the name, and I felt my heart skip a beat, remembering how he'd confronted Annok at his soccer game. For several moments, Valentino said absolutely nothing. The creeping redness in his neck, coupled with the multiple times he only swallowed, wrenched my heart forward, sideways, and back.

"I did want to tell you at some point," I started again, "but you got along with Tireya so well, and I...I didn't want my parents to know I spent time with you...I thought being Tireya meant I could be your friend without worrying about my parents or religion."

"Are you being serious right now?" Valentino's voice returned to its previous angry tone. "I was talking to you the whole time?"

I sniffled. Valentino opened himself up to Tireya. He trusted Tireya with his life's stories, not me.

"I'm so sorry," I said, and my voice cracked.

Valentino glanced at me, but his expression held no empathy. "I can't believe it. You were playing me from the beginning."

"It's not like that," I pleaded, now gripping the rail of the hospital chair between us. "I didn't know you would send me a friend request in-game that day, and then things just happened from there! I didn't know it would get this messy. I'm so sorry, Valentino, I really am," I repeated, not knowing what else to say.

In answer, Valentino closed his eyes. His brows furrowed as though he had just swallowed a particularly bitter medicine. After a moment, he said, "Maybe you should...just go." His voice was steady, and I knew he had made up his mind.

I wiped my tears away with the back of my sleeve. I glanced in his direction only to find him leaning back in his chair, unmoving and with his eyes still closed. I felt her heart finally shatter as I stood and put my back to him.

By the elevator, I leaned against the wall, hidden from Valentino or any nurse's view. I did it. I came clean to Valentino. Doing what was right hurt, but it was for the best. Stringing Valentino along any longer would've been cataclysmic.

My spine bowed against the wall. It hurt so much to say everything—it hurt so much to receive his answer. My head hurt, my heart hurt, everything hurt. I played with fire by having an online relationship. Now I'm burning. I totally ruined it with Valentino. He hated me now. I was sure of it. At least Valentino's hospital visit wasn't serious. That was a consolation—the only consolation.

I glanced at the elevator. It was about time I left. I sniffled and wiped my eyes with the back of my hand. My parents were waiting for me.

The elevator doors opened. My head snapped up at the sight of none other than Elsa, Jamie, and Clara. They were a glittering pop of color in the monotone hallway. I couldn't even step back, cornered against the wall. It wasn't a surprise that they were here. All three were at prom, too, so of course, they'd heard about Valentino's condition.

"Well, well, well. If it isn't our little Inaya," Elsa smirked.

"Elsa..." I said the name through gritted teeth.

"Why the tears?" She pouted her lips in a mocking gesture. "Let me guess? Valentino rejected you?"

My jaw dropped at the comment. "Seriously? All you can think about is prom?!"

"What's wrong with talking about prom?" Jamie frowned.

"Well, I guess everything is if you couldn't go!" Elsa smirked. "Is seeing Valentino in the hospital the closest you can get to meeting him off school hours?"

I clenched my jaws and glared at all three girls, including Clara's silent frame.

"We get it. We can see the jealousy on your face. Let's go, girls," Elsa said, snapping her fingers.

My mind seethed as they walked past me, and I rushed into the elevator behind them. I punched the buttons to go back to the main floor. Whatever. In the muted air, my dad's words echoed in her mind: unfortunately, not everyone can accept us. At the end of the day, it's okay. We can't please everyone.

Back in the lobby, I was hit with noise and busyness. I craned my neck to find my mom when a voice startled me. I whipped my head around, ready to reprimand Clara for letting her friends be so rude. But I stopped, seeing her look at me with sorrowful eyes.

"I'm sorry for what Elsa and Jamie said earlier at school and also up there just now. They like to play cupid between Valentino and me, and while it's nice of them..." Clara shifted her weight uncomfortably. "They crossed a line by what they said. I don't really understand it, but I don't think there's anything wrong with you wanting to practice your religion. No one should make fun of you if you don't go to prom because of it. And joking about being rejected isn't nice, either."

I stared at her for a moment before I could speak. "Um, thanks. Really."

The brunette gave me an awkward smile before hugging me. I hugged her back briefly, still stunned that I had gotten an apology from the Fan Club.

"See you," Clara said, turning back to the elevator.

I nodded. Once she was of sight, I turned back to scan the crowd for Mama's face. She wasn't too hard to spot with her purple hijab, standing by one of two vending machines.

"Mama!" I ran towards her to hug her from behind.

She stopped to turn around and hug me back. "How is everything, kiddo?"

"He's fine," I sighed. "And...I did it," I whispered. "I came clean to him. I feel horrible, but at least it's all over now."

"You did? I'm so proud of you, Inaya."

"Also...I stood up to some girls who laughed at me for not wanting to go to prom."

"Was that group of loud girls your bullies?" Mama's eyes narrowed, and she glared toward the elevator.

"It's okay." I looked out the glass door to see Baba waiting for us in the car. He must know from experience how badly people could react to practicing faith. "It's good that at least one of the girls apologized to me just now, right?"

"Yeah, I suppose it is. But let's go home. Your dad said you wanted to go somewhere. I was thinking of Niagara Falls."

I perked up. "Canada side?"

"Canada side. We'll need to hurry and pack."

I nodded and followed my mom out of the hospital. After clicking my seatbelt into place, I stared at my phone screen. I found the courage to text Valentino again after debating with myself for a few moments.

Hey. Just wanted to see how you're doing?

I hope your dad's feeling better

I waited in agony for his reply. I tried to focus on practicing my salutatory speech while my parents rushed around the house to pack a suitcase, but I couldn't think of anything. I felt like a hypocrite. I was a mess of a person, yet the teachers were counting on me to say something that would inspire the rest of the school. What could I say when I hurt the person I liked most?

Valentino's silence made me realize I'd have to accept that it was possible he wouldn't forgive me, but Mama had already warned me about that. After all, I wasn't the victim. He was.

"I'll just keep focusing on school and other responsibilities now," I whispered to myself with tears in my eyes. "I'm sure I'll find someone along the way who'll love me the way Baba loves Mama."

Valentino never texted me back.