Love, Olivia

Lunchbox Friends

Monday came quicker than either Olivia or Ophelia wanted. Having discussed their situation on Saturday, they agreed to keep things mum until Olivia was ready to come out.

"What if somebody gets suspicious that you maybe like me back?" Ophelia had asked. They traded ideas until they landed on faking a fight at lunch and agreed that if they heard any kind of whispers, the cat fighting would begin.

The day began just like any other, with Ophelia at her locker and Ophelia's friends teasing her.

"Have you tried slipping love notes in Olivia's locker yet?" One snickered.

"Yeah, has she tried to turn you into lesbian yet, Olivia?"

Olivia scoffed but shifted uncomfortably.

"Oh my god. Do you like her?" her friend gasped, who noticed her movement.

"Please, Emily," she laughed. "As if. I just never realized being gay was contagious"

Ophelia slammed her locker closed and rushed off towards the cafeteria as the bell rang for lunch.

"Where you going, babydoll?" Somebody hollered at her but she ignored them and the glee of the mean girls who followed her.

The cafeteria filled quickly and Olivia, Emily, and the rest of their crew slid into their seats, flawless and irritating. Ophelia knew she had to pick up a fight with Olivia but hated that it would draw attention to her. She took a deep breath, rolled her shoulders back, and stalked her way to their able with her tray in hand. Her presence interrupter their laughter and they looked up at her.

"I'm sorry, this is a no gay zone," Emily stated. 

Ophelia grounded herself and slammed her tray onto the table across from Olivia.

"I am so sick of you treating me like shit! I can't believe I ever had a crush on you! Of all people, I chose you. Shallow and fake like the rest of this fucking school." Ophelia breathed heavily and all the girls stared at her with wide eyes.

Olivia stood and snarled, "And I can't believe that somebody like you would dare approach this table. Don't you know what you are? Don't you know that you disgust everybody here and we're scared if you touch us then we'll get lesbian germs on us? It's gross and I suggest you walk the fuck away if you know what's good for you."

"Fuck you. Fuck all of you," Ophelia said, middle fingers up as she backed away.

"Why don't you try choking on a dick for once!" Olivia whooped behind her.

Tears sprang into Ophelia's eyes and she rushed away. A boy came up behind Olivia as she sat down and said, "Jesus, that was some display, Olivia."

She jumped and then settled back into her seat. "Shut up, Ryan, or you can choke on a dick too."

He held up his hands in surrender. "It just seemed a little harsh."

Olivia faced him. "This is why we don't date anymore, Ryan. You always gave your opinions when I didn't ask for them."

"Or maybe it's because you're such a bitch."

Olivia opened her mouth to protest but he brushed her off. "I'm going to go check on her."

"She doesn't play for your team, you know!" Olivia called after him but he had already rounded the corner and was out of her sight.

Ophelia dried the fake tears with the ends of her sleeved just as she heard a male voice ask, "Hey, are you okay?"

She sniffed and shuffled back from him. "And you care why?"

"I used to date Olivia. I know how mean she can be."

Ophelia nodded. This was not part of the plan.  What if he could tell they were faking it and then outed Olivia to get back at her? That means the waterworks had to come back. She opened her eyes wide and allowed them to prickle with tears again.

"I just, I'm so tired of them making fun of me. I like girls. So what? Why is that such a big deal?"

"Because people are stupid. And ignorant. And homophobic. Here, why don't you take my number and if you ever need to complain about Olivia and the vultures she's friends with, you can text me."

Ophelia brushed her hair behind her ear and smiled a little. "That's sweet of you," she said.

He ripped off a piece of paper from a book in his book bag and write down his cellphone number. "Here."

She took it from him and put it in her pocket. "Thanks," she said and he nodded and walked away. 

A few minutes later, Olivia came around the corner, face wracked with concern. "We're those real tears? Did I actually make you cry?"

Ophelia laugh and wiped the rest away. "No, I'm just really good at faking it." They hugged and Olivia leaned back.

"Did Ryan actually check on you?"

"Yeah, he was really nice about it."

"He has his perks sometimes," Olivia said.

"Anyway, I think we threw them off. It looked pretty obvious that we hate each other."
Ophelia smiled and kissed her lightly on the cheek.

"Looks like we make a pretty good team."

Olivia nodded and said, "Looks like we do."