An LGBT novel.
THE ROAR OF THE CHEERING CROWD.
Val Wash is one her school's best soccer players.
She's charming, smooth talking and can get out of trouble with ease.
At least that's how it was in the past,
but now her heart's affection refuses to...
Soap and cold water soothe my burning skin. By the time I'm done washing my face, half of my shirt is soaked. Sophie offers me her gym shirt to change into. I unbutton my top and slide it down my shoulders as I undress. Balling the cloth in my fist, I use the dry bits to wipe the remnants of water. Sophie's ears are red as she tries not to watch me. I examine the shirt she had given me; it smells like laundry detergent which I find faintly surprising as she doesn't strike me as the type to do laundry.
"Why are you sniffing it?" Sophie asks.
"Just checking." I put the shirt on. It's a bit baggy on me, reaching towards the mid-section of my thighs. In the mirror behind the sink, I catch my reflection. My eyes and nose are red from prior irritation.
"I'm sorry I left you," she says.
"It isn't your job to protect me."
"Then, why did you call my name?"
"You imagined that."
Sophie walks over to me, and, holding my waist, leans towards me, so there's hardly any distance between us. "Your voice was load and clear. We can ask anyone who was there, and they would have all heard the same thing."
A tickle runs down my spine. Why was I so conscious of her? The familiar scent of her perspiration, and the sunscreen she always wore helps to soothe my frazzled nerves. Her chapped lips, which are in urgent need of some moisture, are far too close to my ear. Everything about her screams that she needs my guidance. Yet, she acts as if she is the one protecting me. "You called me," she repeats. Her breath is warm and snakes its way into my ear. I should find it disgusting, repulsive, but I don't. That scares me. I need to get away from her. Fast.
In the mirror, I watch her embrace me, a smug grin on her face. Even without her opening her mouth, I hear her voice, "You called me."
My heart beats faster than ever, and my hands grow sweaty. Can she sense it? Space. I need space. "I need some room," I tell her. Releasing me, Sophie retreats a few steps and draws her hand through her long pink hair, sweeping it back, looking simultaneously handsome and beautiful. The annoying grin from before continues to possess her lips.
I should have kept my mouth shut.
"Habibti." Rachel, our school president enters the washroom, wearing a fabulous green outfit. At the arrival of a third person, Sophie loses some of her smugness and frowns. Her discomfort makes me happy.
"Habibti," I return Rachel's greeting as the girl lightly kisses my cheeks.
"As-salām ʿalaykum," Rachel says.
"Wa ʿalaykum as-salām."
Rachel's partner, Diaz, the vice president, enters shyly and stands beside her. Diaz nods. Her afro reminds me of a cloud, but somehow complements the cute round shape of her face. "As-salām ʿalaykum," Diaz says, and nods in my direction.
"Aww, babe, that was nearly perfect," Rachel says, squealing, and hugging Diaz.
Diaz keeps her hands in her pockets throughout the hug, a faint rouge tinging her brown skin.
"Babe?" I ask.
Rachel laughs awkwardly, quickly releasing her partner, who is starting to look less like a platonic running mate, and more like someone who shares romantic interest in her. I glance at Sophie; she nods, confirming my suspicions. Silence settles on our group. I tried to remember how these two girls had reacted when Val was outed. Hadn't they stopped talking to her altogether?
Now, isn't this interesting?
"Niceties aside," I say, my voice breaking the quiet and the smile leaving my face. "What is it that you need from me?"
***
*Notes:
~ Juliana and her immediate family are still Christian, technically, but she has learned some Arabic from extended family and friends.
~ May has returned as one of our favourite or least favourite villains.
~ The story will take place mostly in the last few weeks of high school.
~ There are changes to the overall plot/ background information, so it'll be more of a standalone novel but can be considered the not-so-official sequel
To read more:
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
