Accepting You

Chapter 32 - Doing Things Friends Don't Do

Lizzie's phone buzzes on the table and she quickly grabs it. She's been anticipating a call or text from Lily the entire day after she told her that she had to meet with her PR team to address the pictures and articles from last night.

To her surprise, Lily had just put up a new post on Instagram.

When she pulls it up, she smiles at the photo. It's the two at the coffee shop from Lily's first day of filming. She looks so attractive wearing that jacket.

However, her smile disappears and her heart drops when she reads the caption "We're just friends."

"Friends?" Lizzie says under her breath. So Lily decided that she didn't want to go public with their relationship. Lizzie couldn't determine whether she was disappointed or relieved. Maybe both and she was torn on that.

A soft knock comes from the door, making Lizzie jump. "Yes?"

The door opens to reveal Molly. "Just letting you know with the meeting all wrapped up, we're all headed home for the day. We'll see you on set tomorrow?"

"Yeah," Lizzie answers. "You guys go ahead. I'm just waiting for a ride."

"Oh, you didn't drive today?" Molly asks. "How about I drive you? It's no trouble."

"No, it's okay. My girl–" Lizzie catches herself and bites the inside of her cheek before she sighs and corrects herself, "my friend is coming to pick me up."

If Molly detected any of her disappointment, she didn't show it. Instead, she nods in acceptance and bids her goodbye before shutting the door of Lizzie's room shut.

With a heavy sigh, Lizzie falls back into her seat and stare at the photo that was just posted.

'Just friends,' the statement repeats in her mind.

A part of her was relieved. She had more time to prepare her heart for what's to come when she does reveal the world of their relationship and her sexuality. She felt comfort to know she had more time with Lily to be happy with each other even if it was in secret.

But 'just friends'?

She couldn't use any emojis? Any sign of endearment or affection? Not even best friends? She didn't know if any of that would make her feel better than the term that Lily used but anything would be better than just friends, right?

She didn't want to look but she couldn't help herself. She pulled the phone back up to her face and started reading the comments.

"My ship has sunk!"

"Lizzie is straight. Why do people need to make things up?"

"Everyone knows Lily is with Hailee! #HaiLily"

"Wanda Maximoff and Jessica Jones duo!"

"OMG are they working together again? Anyone know what set this is?"

"Replied > Scarlett Witch x Power Girl TV show"

"Replied > It's Sorry for Your Loss. Confirmed for season 2!"

"Replied > OMG NO WAY. I'm so excited to see them both again after Endgame!"

"Replied > Don't get my hopes up..."

"G@y people should rot in h3ll"

"My heart can't handle this cuteness!"

"Noooo. Not the caption!"

"It's a publicity stunt."

At first the comments were fine. Lizzie even related to some of them but the more she read on, the more she found herself getting aggravated and angry. Homophobic slurs started flying and hate speech were directed at both Lily and her even if it didn't have anything to do with the photo or caption.