If Only They Knew (Book 1.5) (AU Series) - INTERSEX

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Deleena

I notice Vale going over to Malia instead of leaving. I read my girlfriend's journal. I know they shared a kiss, but who am I to be jealous of what happened years ago. I'm not saying Malia couldn't pull Vale. Malia is beautiful as hell. But they have had three years of friendship. If Valiana was really interested in her that way... wouldn't she have already pursued it. Besides, aren't Rayden, Olivia, and Malia... like a thing now. I don't know for sure, but I push the thought out of my head and close my door when Rayden and Olivia enter. They take a seat in front of me. Olivia looks tired, and I can understand why.

"Yes, ma'am?" Olivia says, but it's more in a whisper.

I smile at her. "Please don't call me ma'am. I'm closer to your age than I am to Valiana's, and I'm dating her."

"iight DeDe, what's up then?" I chuckle at Rayden's response. I'm glad she hasn't changed much. Liv giggles and shoves Rayden.

"Glad you're smiling," I say, and Olivia's smile drops. " I know this is a painful subject. But seeing as neither of your parents know, maybe it would be good to talk to an adult about what happened." Neither of them answer. They continue to look at the ground. "Or maybe talking to someone that's gone through something similar." Ray lifts her head and shoves Olivia gently, but she shrugs her shoulders.

"I know we talked about it briefly at dinner but... I was 5 months along when I lost my son. I never knew I was pregnant. I never heard his heartbeat. I never got to see his face. I didn't want to. He was gone. And it was hard for me to accept that the entire time I was being abused... technically, so was my son. I felt like it was my fault... that I allowed it to happen. I felt like I lost him because I was too cowardly to leave." I watch as tears stream down both of their faces, but neither tries to speak. "I don't say all this to compare our tragedies. I say this to let you know you aren't in this alone. It's okay to feel sad because you lost something special to you. To the both of you."

Olivia bursts into tears and rushes up to hug me. As she sobs against my shoulder, I clutch her tightly. I don't say anything else. I simply allow her to let out what she's feeling. She takes a step back. "Thank you."

My thumb wipes away her tear marks. "Of course. If you two ever need anything, I'm always here."

"Thanks," Rayden says.

I clap my hands together to change the subject. I know when it happened to me, I wanted to talk about anything but. The reminder hurt too bad. "You!" I say, pointing to Rayden and walking behind my desk.

"I know, I know," she says. I sit at my computer and click a few buttons. "Is it that bad?"

"That bad? Rayden, you have three months to lift these grades, or you're going to summer school. You won't get to walk across the stage with your class." She sighs and nods her head. She has one C, and the rest are D's.

Olivia returns to her seat and begins typing on her phone. I don't pay attention to her because it isn't my business. But it is my responsibility to make sure Valiana's older sister passes my class.

"Rayden, if you want, you can swing by the house, and I can help you study."

"You mean give me the answers to your homework and test?" She grins, and I shake my head.

"Nice one but no. I can only help you study. I'm already playing favorites by allowing you to get extra tutoring at my house."

"Nah, you played favorites when you slept with my sister," She said under her breath, but I heard her.

"There was no favoritism there and you know that. Your sister was very capable of doing her own work."

"She's right, Ray. You need to get your grades up." Olivia finally butts in, looking up from whatever she was doing on her phone.