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One
Xiomara
Peoplelike me were supposed to hate school assemblies.
I should have detested cheerleaders and their short skirts that were surely designed with the patriarchy in mind.
But I couldn’t find it in me to be bothered. Not with the cute way Kiyana’s cheer skirt fluttered around her thighs. Not with the way her sparkly blue eyeshadow only drew more attention to her pretty, dark eyes. And definitely not with the smile she wore as she sang and danced to the Emerson Academy fight song.
A preppy, curvy girly girl like Kiyana would never go for someone like me. Heavy, as clumsy as they came, and two years younger. Especially not when she was dating the school’s star quarterback and had been for the last four years.
“What do you think, Xi?” Van asked. I looked over to my best guy friend, who was holding hands with his girlfriend, Ronnie.
“About what?” I asked.
On my left, Shelley smirked. “She was too busy paying attention to the cheerleaders to hear you.”
“As if,” I lied.
Van wore a knowing grin and said, “I was asking if you wanted to go to Waldo’s tonight. Celebrate the end of our imprisonment. At least for the summer.”
I laughed. “A milkshake does sound good. Even if it will be super crowded.”
Shelley said, “Then you won’t mind if Gunnar comes along?” She was already blushing, and I had to grin.
“That cute guy you’ve been texting?”
She nodded. “He’s been wanting to hang out.”
“Invite him,” Van said, and Ronnie nodded her agreement. They were the only couple in our friend group, and I knew she was dying for double dates that didn’t just involve Shelley and me tagging along.
The cheering ended, and our guidance counselor, Birdie Bardot, took the microphone. “It’s been another great year at Emerson Academy! The football team made the playoffs. Go, Drafters!”
The football players cheered the loudest of everyone.
“Our school production ofAnniewas incredible!”
More cheering from the drama kids.
“The marching band performed at the Badgers halftime show!”
Even louder cheering that now included some blaring instruments.
“And we have so much to look forward to, like Emerson Academy participating in Emerson’s first pride celebration with an inclusive prom!”
The clapping was noticeably quieter, and I felt the heavy weight of eyes on me. As if the rumor mill weren’t enough to let everyone in school know that I liked girls, my mom was the very public head of the Emerson Pride Association and the bank where my dad worked had funded many educational sessions on inclusion at our school.
I was as out as out could be—with the notable exception of a girlfriend or anyone even close.
“We’re dismissing everyone to clean up their lockers, and then you are free to go and enjoy your summer! Be sure to pick up a flyer for the inclusive prom during Emerson’s pride celebration and your summer reading list on your way out!”
The shuffle of students began around us, and I followed my friends along the bleachers and out of the gym. There were fifty-four kids in our class, but I probably wouldn’t see most of them over the summer. These four were my people, and I was glad to have them.
We parted ways to go to our lockers, and Van called, “See you at Waldo’s. Five thirty, okay?”
Shelley and I exchanged a glance. “That means eight,” I said, sticking my tongue out at Van. He could have worn all the watches in existence and still wouldn’t be on time.
“Ha ha,” he said and turned to walk away, his hand linked with Ronnie’s.
