Soulmates

Chapter Three

TW: Blood, Homophobia, Homophobic Slurs

Marciline walked through the halls, her binder and folders in tow. She exhaled, blowing a strand of hair out of her face. Just two more periods... Heads swiveled towards the blonde, conversing with each other in hushed whispers. Marciline bit her lip, feeling her stomach churn. She felt nervous, as if everyone was watching her.

Marciline spotted Shiloh opening her locker, rummaging through her materials. Marciline quickly headed towards her best friend. Shiloh turned her head, hearing Marciline's arrival.

"Marciline," Shiloh acknowledged, smiling. "What's good?"

"Uh, I'm okay, I guess," Marciline said. "I just feel paranoid. People are looking at me."

Shiloh's shoulders dropped, her eyebrows furrowing together. "Yeah, uh, some rumors have been going around about you, I guess."

"What rumors?" Marciline inquired, raising an eyebrow.

"People think you're gay, Marciline," Shiloh deadpanned. "I guess they've been seeing you with some chick lately? I don't know."

Marciline's heart dropped. Her eyes widened and her breath hitched. She felt a wave of nausea rise over her. She shook her head profusely, stammering. Sure, she spent some time with Spencer, but that was only for theater class. They were the two main characters for Christ sake!

"I-I'm not gay, Shiloh!" Marciline exclaimed, her fists clenching.

Shiloh laughed. "I know, I don't believe the rumors."

Something about that statement made Marciline feel uneasy. "Yeah...yeah, I'm not gay."

The bell interrupted their conversation, the two girls lifted their heads. Shaking her head, Marciline left Shiloh with a wave, heading to her locker. She retrieved her lunch, quickly heading to the cafeteria. She tried her best to ignore the curious stares, biting her lip.

After lunch, Marciline leaned against a wall, watching the fluffy clouds drift by slowly. Her mind was swirling with thoughts, traveling at alarming speeds. I'm not gay. I just think Spencer is pretty...

"Hey! Marciline!" A voice called out.

Marciline turned her head towards the source, her eyes landing upon one of her guy friends, Liam. He walked up to her, a smirk on her face.

"Uh, hi Liam," Marciline greeted, shoving her hands into her pockets. "What's up?"

"Nothing much, just heard some shit about you today." Liam shrugged.

Marciline sighed. "Yeah, uh, I know."

"So, is it true you're a faggot?"

Marciline lifted her head, eyes wide and pulse quick. "...What?"

"Is it true you're a faggot? S'kinda hot, really. Think I could watch?" Liam grinned wolfishly, eyes shining with pleasure.

Marciline felt her whole word stop. What the fuck is wrong with this guy? Her fists clenched and her jaw tensed, feeling a boiling hot rage take over her. Her breaths became more short and ragged, like a bomb about to explode. She didn't know why she was so mad. I'm not gay. All of the sudden, Marciline felt her body move without thinking. She swung her fist, landing a punch square on Liam's jaw. Liam stumbled, lifting a hand to his jaw as he exclaimed in pain. His eyes met hers, furious.