Thirteen
Vanessa's POV:
Brooke and I went back to school the next day. Her friends bombarded us with questions. "Where were you?" "What happened?" "Were you ok?" We looked at each other and smiled. Brooke Lynn grabbed my hand and intertwined our fingers.
"Well, it's a long story, but, um, we're dating." She smiled.
All the girls rushed at Brooke pulling her into a hug. I stood to the side as they hugged and congratulated her. Then, realizing I wasn't next to Brooke anymore, they grabbed me and pulled me into the middle. I was hugged, patted on the back, smiled at and congratulated. They really made me feel like I was one of them.
The bell rang for us to get to homeroom. We walked as a group, Brooke Lynn and I in the middle with our pinkies intertwined. We get outside homeroom and everyone goes inside. We stayed back a second, making sure nobody was around and then got a quick kiss in before going inside.
Brooke Lynn's POV:
The day seemed to drag. The only things I could think about were Vanessa and the events of yesterday. As soon as I would think about it, my cheeks would turn red. Vanessa would catch my eye and give me a knowing smile every time it happened. I love her. No doubt about it.
Lunch came around and I got my phone out. Instantly, I felt sick. I felt like there was ice in my blood as my body froze. I had two text messages. The first one was from a blocked number. It was a picture of Vanessa and I kissing outside homeroom. What? Who took that?! We looked round first and nobody was there. Tears stung my eyes when I saw the caption.
'I can't wait for your parents to see this.'
The second text almost made me sick.
Mom: We need to talk. Come straight home after school.
The tears fell. I couldn't stop it.
"Babe?" Vanessa asked, seeing my state.
I didn't answer. I got up and ran out of the cafeteria, but not before glancing over my shoulder and seeing Tatiana and Morgan. They were staring intently with wicked smiles. My stomach heaved. It was them. I made it to the bathroom just in time to puke. I slumped against the wall and hugged my knees while I sobbed.
Vanessa's POV:
"What the fuck did they do?!" I yelled looking from Tatiana and Morgan laughing, to the door Brooke just ran out of.
I got up and rushed after Brooke. I saw the bathroom door swing closed, and I walked in just in time to hear her sobs.
"Baby?" I called. Silence. "Brooke Lynn?"
She remained silent aside from her sniffles. I could tell she was in the last stall.
"Babe let me in." I said, "or I'll crawl under the door, and I don't want to do that because the floor is dirty, Mary."
Brooke silently got up and opened the door. My heart broke. Her porcelain cheeks tinted red, her eyes swollen, and red. Tears flooded her cheeks. I got in the stall with her and shut the door.
"Baby, what happened?" I said softly, "Tell me please.
"They outed me." Brooke choked out, "Tatiana and Morgan. I'm sure it was them; they sent a picture of us kissing outside homeroom to my mom. They're going to kill me. Mom wants me straight home after school."
I was shocked. How could someone be so cruel? My heart broke for Brooke Lynn. I hated seeing her like this. I pulled her into a hug. She sobbed into my neck.
I didn't know what to do. I didn't know what it was like to have a family who didn't support my sexuality. I finally got Brooke to calm down enough to go to the rest of our classes. The end of the day comes around and I help Brooke out to the car. I drive because she's a nervous wreck. I am being extra cautious as to not make things worse for her. When we get to our homes, I give her a hug and a kiss. I tell her that I'll be there for her no matter what.
Brooke Lynn's POV:
I opened the door with shaky hands.
"Mom?" I called, voice cracking.
"I'm in the kitchen." My mom's voice sounded flat.
She was sitting at the kitchen island. Her phone out in front of her.
"Hey mom." I tried to sound cheerful.
"Brooke Lynn, sit down."
Fuck.
"Brooke Lynn, can you tell me why I received a photo of you kissing that awful girl from next door?"
"First of all, Vanessa is a nice girl. Secondly, it's not what it looks like."
“Homosexuality is a sin, Brooke Lynn!”
"Mom, I-"
"You were raised better than this." My mother looked disappointed, "your father and I have found a retreat for you to go to. It's one month and it will cleanse your mind of these sinful thoughts. You leave tomorrow. Now. Get to your room and pack and give me your phone."
My head was spinning. I turned my phone off, if they turned it on, they wouldn't be able to unlock it. I run upstairs; I feel like I could cry but nothing happens. Am I out of tears? I look out my balcony door towards Vanessa's room. She was pacing, phone in hand. I walked out onto my balcony, and the second she saw me, she ran outside.
"What's going on?" she called.
I just looked at her, taking in her every feature. I started to relive the last few weeks in my mind. It's the most I have felt like myself in months.
"They're sending me away." I said quietly but loud enough for her to hear, "They're sending me to a conversion retreat. Straight camp."
Just like that, Vanessa looked as though her world was crumbling just like mine was, and then the tears started to fall.