Ash.

Chapter 1

I'm in Math when this new girl walks in.

"Class, this is Kaitlin," Mrs. Matthews says. "She's new here, I expect you to be nice to her." Really meaning good luck surviving Johnson High, Kaitlin. Mrs. Matthews puts Kaitlin next to me. Mrs. Matthews knows I could use some friends. She's my favorite teacher, she makes math fun. Crazy, right? She should be a counselor and I've told her that, but she just says that it wouldn't be a good job for her. Ya right. Back to the point, Kaitlin was really pretty, and nice. I wondered if I had any other classes with her.

"Hmm, Ash," Kaitlin asks. "What do you think x equals?"

"Uh, 4," I ask. She checks the work.

"You were right," She sounds surprised. She probably knew I had no idea what she was talking about.

"When do you have science," I ask.

"5th period," she says. "Next I have Language Arts then Social Studies, Science, duh" she laughs. "Then PE, then theatre and Choir." Holy crap how did this girl have the same schedule as me? I ask myself in my head. Kaitlin must have seen my puzzled face an she said, "You have the same schedule don't you?" I nod and she smiles. "Cool" She's so cool about everything. I wonder if-

"No," I say out loud and Kaitlin looks at me.

"No what," Kaitlin asks. The words roll off my tongue before I can stop. Kaitlin smiles. Okay so she either supports or... Almost as if she can read my mind she nods.

At first it's weird having another lesbian around. I was the only one in a school full of straights that mostly either don't support or are to scared to say they do. Kaitlin and I become friends really quickly. It's hard not to, as I said we're the only non straights, plus we have every class together and our teachers keep putting Kaitlin beside me. I feel like all of the teachers secretly support us, but are to afraid to show it to much because the principal is very non-supporting man. Plus he doesn't give a crap about what goes on, or does he know, he locks himself in his office everyday. What a creep. He seriously has no idea I'm Les. He just thinks everyone is straight.

Afterschool Kaitlin walks home with me. We were put together for a project, not surprising. When we get there Delilah, Andrew and Ella are in the living room 'acting natural', they knew I was coming, and with another human being.

"Hey Ash," Delilah says. "How was school?" She asks that everyday now, but it's always the same answer, not today.

"Fun," I say sitting on the coffee table. Kaitlin comes and sits beside me.

"Who's that," Ella asks.

"Her name's Kaitlin," I say. "Ella, Kaitlin; Kaitlin, Ella." I introduce Kaitlin to Delilah and Andrew, but apparently she already knew who they were. I shrug. Not surprising, Andrew had broken up with Reilley, head cheerleader, last Friday after... nevermind.

"Hi," Kaitlin says smiling.

"Perky one, I see," Ella says. Juniors.

"So what if I'm perky?"

"Feisty too," Ella laughs. "I'm just kidding, Kaitlin, nice to meet you."

"Ella don't tease her," Andrew says. "She's probably had a rough day already considering- wait nevermind." Kaitlin looks at Andrew. He knows that she's les, but Delilah and Ella don't.

"My day's been fine, Ash has every class with me," Kaitlin says. Andrew nods. Do they know each other?

"Andrew, do you know Kaitlin," I ask. Kaitlin and Andrew exchange a glance. Kaitlin nods. "How exactly?"

"Our parents are good friends," Andrew says. "I'm guessing Kaitlin trusts you enough already that you know that she's lesbian." I nod. "You told her first then?" I nod again.

"I couldn't help it," I say and smile. Kaitlin smiles too.