Alice

I walk into first hour and slump down into my seat.

I've gotten no sleep for the last few days. Nick was all that has been on my mind and it's driving me insane. I just need to find out more about him. I want to help but I can't help if he keeps pushing me away. And I'm almost positive something horrible is happening to him at home. And I'm sure Jessie would be okay with Nick staying with us. In fact, I'd chip in on groceries. Maybe even get a job. Nick and I could spend more time together!

Ok, I'm getting ahead of myself. I don't even know what's going on with him, but I know I need to talk to him. I make that final decision in my mind and sit up a little straighter.

I look up just as Tracy walks into the room.

"Hey, Tracy wanna-" I start when she walks to her usual seat next to me but I stop as soon as she walks past.

"Hang out after school..." I finish in a whisper embarrassed. She has been avoiding me all week. It must've been that kiss. I hope she knows it was just a drunken thing. I forgive her and I hope we could still be friends.

I sigh and play with my pen more than ready to get this class over with.

~~

Just as the bell rings I rush to where Tracy sat down.

"Tracy," I call out when she ignores me.

Her eyes widen and she grabs her bag. She goes to make a break for the door but I stop her by grabbing her arm.

"What's going on?" I say not trying to hide the sadness in my tone.

"Nothing." She rolls her eyes and brushes past me. She walks out quickly.

I leave the room shortly after and go to Gen's locker.

"Hey," I say sadly and lean my back against the locker next to hers.

"Hello my fellow peer." She chirps and closes her locker.

"Tracy's been avoiding me..." I say facing her.

"Tracy's always been an avoider. Why do you think she didn't pass the sixth grade?" Gen says seriously.

"Tracy didn't pass?- that's not my point I need your help," I say playing with my sleeves like I usually do.

"Oh, I'm good with help! Do you have a plan? I love plans." Gen lisps excited.

"I don't have a plan I just need to talk to Tracy. Something happened between us." I say and Gen frowns.

"Wow, I've been really missing out haven't I?" Gen looks down and I wonder what she's means by that.

"Nelson's been taking up a lot of my time. Not that it's a bad thing we have a machine to finish in less than a week! But he's just so... clingy." Gen sighs and I pat her arm sympathetically.

"Isn't that a good thing?" I ask and she shrugs.

"Nelson's awesome. And I can't believe I'm saying this. But I really like him... but I don't have experience with guys. I've always been their friends, not their lovers." Gen runs a hand frustratedly through her frizzy hair and I understand in a way what she's going through.

"Sounds rough. Maybe try asking him on a date? Smooth things over and really tell him how you feel. Tell him you want to take things slow. I mean I know Nelson is crazy for you." I say.

Gen nods. "Good point. I think I'll do that." She looks at me with a new smile.

"Thanks, Alice." Gen laughs and pushes my shoulder and puts on her serious face.

"Now, operation trap Tracy is a go."

~~

I pace back and forth in the bathroom as I wait for Gen to bring Tracy in. I needed to clear the air between us. Make sure she knows that it wasn't a big deal and that our friendship means a lot to me.

Gen said she'd make sure Tracy came and I was kinda zoning out when she discussed the 'game plan' with me. Nick has been on my mind too.

I jump when I hear the door slam open and I see a panicked Gen rushing in.

"Oh my god, I woke the beast up!" She exclaims jumping behind me and covering her eyes.

"What?" My mouth drops open and I turn to the door and watch with fear.

I hear loud clicking of heels and I know it's Tracy. I gulp.

"Gen I know you're in there," Tracy growls and my eyes widen at how scary it sounds.

"Give me back my new lush strawberry lipstick and I'll spare you!" Tracy announces as she stomps into the room.

She halts her steps as soon as she sees me and I see a blush form on her cheeks. Tracy never blushed she was always so confident where ever she went.

"Tracy," I say and take a step towards her but she's quick to turn around. But Gen is faster. Gen leaps to the bathroom door and closes it then locks it.

"Talk to her," Gen says sadly to Tracy. Then Gen looks at me. "Did you see that jump though. I was a stallion in the night fulgurgating shamelessly-" she starts but Tracy cuts her off.

"I can't," Tracy says and doesn't look at either of us so I take that chance to speak up.

"Look, Tracy. I know you've been bothered by that kiss but-" I start but she stops me.

"Don't talk about it!" She screeches and covers her ears.

"Look Tracy it didn't mean anything to me. I still want to be your friend." I say and Tracy spins around so fast to look at me I get dizzy.

"That's the problem, Alice! It meant something to me!" She screams and the bathroom falls silent.

My eyes widen. So does Gens.

"Tracy you're a..." Gen whispers.

"Lesbian," Tracy says looking down.

I'm frozen in place. I only get my senses back when I hear a sob leave Tracy's lips.

Gen and I are quick to reach her. We both pull her into a hug.

"Tracy it's okay. Alice and I are here to support you." Gen says and I nod in agreement.

"That's not it. I can't be gay." She cries.

"There nothing wrong with it. Why can't you?" I said wiping a tear for her.

"My parents would seriously disown me." Tracy closes her eyes and rubs at her head frustratedly.

"Tracy when your sad, structures in the head that are pain-sensitive like blood vessels, muscles, and nerves of the neck. May result to changes in chemical activity in the brain and will give you a headache I suggest you calm down before-" Gen starts to say quickly but I give her a look.

"Sorry. Nervous." Gen admits and rubs Tracy's back.

"Look it's up to you when you tell them," I say to Tracy.

"Yeah, I agree with Alice. Try not to stress. They're your parents. They'll always love you." Gen encourages.

"I'm glad I got that off my chest though." Tracy mumbles trying to catch her breath.

"Thanks you, guys... For being supportive." Tracy pulls us into a hug.

"Oh and don't take this the wrong way Alice but I don't have a crush on you. Your still my friend and only my friend." Tracy clarifies and somehow I feel relieved. I'm glad she still wants to be friends it would've been awkward and difficult with feelings I couldn't reciprocate.

"I'm still your friend too right?" Gen asks.

"No," Tracy says smugly and earns a shove on the shoulder from Gen.

"I'm kidding lispy. It's a love-hate relationship." Tracy and I laugh.

"Awww that's the nicest thing you've ever said to me you bitch." Gen cries and hugs us tighter.

"So all good?" I ask my best friends and they smile at me.

"All good," Tracy says. Now, time to settle things with Nick.

I love being socially organized.