Kiss Don't Tell

Chapter 1

My locker slammed shut with a metallic clang that echoed down the empty hallway.

I hugged my books to my chest and took a deep breath. Only two more classes until the end of the day. I could make it.

“Hey, freak!”

I winced at the sound of Lily’s voice, sugary sweet with a razor-sharp edge. She always found me.

It was like she had a sixth sense for seeking out my misery. I turned, forcing my face into a neutral expression.

Lily stood there, her posse of equally perfect clones flanking her. She looked like she had just stepped out of a glossy magazine cover.

Platinum blonde hair cascading in perfect waves, her uniform fitting her like it had been tailored specifically for her lithe frame. Lily was everything I wasn’t: rich, popular, effortlessly beautiful. And she made sure I never forgot it.

“What do you want, Lily?” I tried to keep my voice steady.

She sashayed closer, a mocking smile playing on her lips. “Just wanted to remind you how gross it is to have you breathing the same air as normal people.”

She shoved me, hard. My back hit the lockers, the metal digging into my spine.

“What’s your problem?” I asked, trying to sound braver than I felt. My voice came out in a squeak.

“Oh, you know,” Lily said, tilting her head as if pondering a great mystery. “Just the usual—your disgusting existence.” Her eyes gleamed with malice. “How does it feel to be such a freak?”

The word “freak” cut through me like a knife. I bit my lip to keep from crying. That would just give her more ammunition. “I’m not a freak,” I whispered, more to myself than to her.

Lily’s grin widened. “Oh, but you are. You’re a lesbian. Gross.”

I wanted to disappear, to melt into the floor and vanish from her sight. But I couldn’t. I was stuck here, trapped by her cruelty.

“Hey, leave her alone!” Benjamin’s voice rang out, a beacon of hope in my personal hell.

Benjamin, my one and only friend, strode toward us. I met Benjamin in the 5th grade when he was getting picked of for being gay. Now, it's the other way around.

Lily rolled her eyes. “Oh look, it’s the white knight. Come to rescue the lesbo in distress?”

“Seriously, Lily,” Benjamin said, glaring at her. “What’s your problem? Why do you have to be so mean?”

Lily shrugged, inspecting her manicured nails. “Because it’s fun. And because she’s a disgusting lesbian who needs to be reminded of her place.”

Anger flared in Benjamin’s eyes. He stepped closer, putting himself between me and Lily. “You’re the disgusting one, Lily. You’re a bully.”

Lily’s smile didn’t falter. She leaned in, her voice dropping to a whisper. “And what are you going to do about it, Benji? Run to a teacher? Oh wait, they all love me. Nothing’s going to change.”

Benjamin’s jaw tightened. “You’re wrong. This isn’t going to last forever. One day, you’ll be the one on the outside looking in.”

Lily laughed, a sound that sent shivers down my spine. “Sure, keep telling yourself that.” She flicked her hair over her shoulder and turned away. “Come on, girls. We’re done here.”

As they sauntered off, I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding. My hands were shaking. Benjamin turned to me, concern etched on his face.

“Are you okay?”

I nodded, but the truth was, I wasn’t. I hadn’t been okay for a long time. “Thanks for standing up for me,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

“Anytime,” he said softly. “I just wish she’d leave you alone.”

“Me too,” I replied, my throat tight. “But she won’t.”

Benjamin sighed, running a hand through his hair. “We’ll figure something out. We have to.”

I wanted to believe him, but it was hard to see a way out. Lily had the school wrapped around her perfectly manicured finger. And me? I was just the freak she tormented for fun.

---

The final bell rang, and I made my way to the school gates, Benjamin by my side. We always walked together after school since our houses were nearby.

“Hey,” Benjamin said suddenly, breaking the silence. “Do you want to hang out at my place? We could watch a movie or something.”

I smiled, grateful for his offer. Benjamin’s house was my safe haven, a place where Lily’s taunts couldn’t reach me. “Yeah, that sounds nice.”

---

We reached his house, a cozy two-story home with a bright red door. His mom greeted us with a warm smile as we stepped inside. “Hey, Tabitha! Staying for dinner?”

“Hi, Mrs. Reynolds. If that’s okay,” I said, feeling a warmth spread through me at her kindness.

“Of course, it’s okay! You’re always welcome here,” she said, giving me a quick hug.

We headed to Benjamin’s room, where he immediately started rummaging through his collection of DVDs.

“What are you in the mood for?” he asked, glancing over his shoulder at me.

“Something funny,” I said. “I could use a good laugh.”

He nodded, pulling out a movie and popping it into the player. Just for a moment, I felt like a normal person just watching a movie with my bestfriend.