Dreams That I Have

Lodge Family Secret

This is unedited. Hope y'all enjoy this.

Daphne's POV:

Veronica, Toni, and Cheryl haven't spoken to me in three days. That's how long it's been since the first day of the trial and the truth about Diego came to light.

I look across the hall at Veronica and her friend group which just so happens to include my girlfriends. Come to think of it, none of Veronica's friends have spoken to me in three days.

A body blocks my view of the two girls I'm madly in love with thus bringing me out of my daze. I plaster a fake smile on my lips.

"Don't do that Daph." Dinah says when my eyes meet hers.

I now realize the five girls have formed a protective type circle around me where I lean against my locker.

"Don't do what?" I ask tiredly.

I haven't been getting much sleep lately.

"Don't put on a fake smile for us. We're your best friends. We know you're hurting right now and we're gonna be here for you through it all no matter what. We won't leave you." Mani states.

She opens her arms and I accept the hug. Normani just holds me for a second rubbing my back. I didn't realize how much I needed that hug until she releases me. Sure I've gotten hugs from Mom and even Toni, Cheryl, and Veronica before they found out the truth about Diego but those weren't the same. There's something about a hug from your best friend that hits different.

"Thanks, I needed that."

"Any time."

"We didn't expect to see you today." Lauren pushes some hair out of my face.

I gaze over Dinah's shoulder to find my girlfriends glaring at the Cuban. I roll my eyes and look away. They really don't have a right to be glaring at anybody given the way they've been treating me.

"I couldn't sit in that courtroom another day with people silently judging me although here isn't much better."

Yes everybody at school knows. Somebody overheard Ronnie telling someone probably Betty about Diego and the news spread like a virus. Now I'm faced with the stares and whispers.

"Anybody that judges you for something that was out of your control is a stupid idiot." Ally crosses her arms.

"Then the courtroom as well as this school is full of stupid idiots including my sister. I hate this school and I hate the fact Mr. Honey paired me with Choni for that stupid creative writing project."

"How's that going?" Questions Camila.

"I finished my part of it and I'm turning it in today. After that, I really don't give a fuck." I shrug.

There's something that's been bothering me and I need an answer to my question.

"Can I ask y'all a question?"

When they all nod I continue.

"Why are y'all still talking to me? I mean everybody else is pissed that I hid the truth and isn't speaking to me."

"We're your best friends and friends don't abandon each other in their time of need. We'll be by your side through it all no matter what just like you've been for us. We know that's not a secret you wanted to keep and we know you wouldn't have done it unless you absolutely had to. We've all noticed the changes in your father over the years and we know how hard that's been on you as well." Ally speaks for the group.

I wipe the tears from my cheeks with the sleeve of my hoodie.

"I love you guys." I say as they bring me into a group hug.