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I liked the way she said my nickname. Her voice was low and smooth, and the familiarity of the nickname... I liked it.
Maybe I wasn’t so oil-water with cheerleaders after all.
“Hi,” I said, trying to channel my most confident version of myself. “I didn’t know you were coming to the parade.”
Stefon smiled at the guy holding his hand, “My boyfriend, Dillon, and I convinced Ki to come.”
Clearly it was a new relationship because Dillon looked very pleased, and I’d seen Stefon and Kiyana together at graduation just a couple weeks ago. I wanted to ask more, but I didn’t want to be rude.
“Did you have fun?” I asked Kiyana.
She didn’t quite meet my eyes at first, but when she did, it was like the sun coming over the horizon. All bright and consuming. “I had a great time. You were really good up there.”
“Thanks,” I said, smiling more easily now. “Are you all going to the festival?”
“Actually,” Stefon said, “Dillon and I need to pick something up from his car before we go. Maybe you two can ride together?”
Kiyana gave him a look I didn’t quite understand, then turned back to me with a warm smile. “That would be fun... if you want to.”
Had I just entered some sort of alternate universe? Was this a prank? Both seemed more likely than me spending time at a pride festival with a hot cheerleader who I’d recently injured with a rogue volleyball.
Despite all my fears, I leaned into my excitement and said, “Okay.”
Fourteen
Kiyana
As my ex-fake-boyfriendand his newrealboyfriend took off the other way, Xiomara and I stood awkwardly on the sidewalk. I’d never had troubles talking to people before, but standing across from her... I felt tongue-tied.
“I’m sorry,” she said quickly.
I raised my eyebrows. “Why?” What did she have to be sorry for?
“For the volleyball thing.” She still wouldn’t meet my eyes, instead looking down at the sidewalk, her long dark lashes fanning over her cheeks.
I bit my lip. “I already forgot about it.” More like I was distracted by how cute you are.
Her smile hit me again, just as warm as before. “Do you mind if I grab my purse from my house before we go?” she asked.
I nodded, eager to see any insight into her life. It may have sounded silly, but I was desperate to know what it was like for her to live as a lesbian. What did her room look like? Was it... normal?
“It’s right over there.” She jerked her thumb over her shoulder at the overly decorated house.
“Your house is adorable,” I said, following her across the now quiet street. Why hadn’t I guessed that it could be hers? If anyone would do their house up like that, it would be Xiomara’s parents. They’d been so involved at our school, making sure it was an inclusive environment for their daughter.
But high schoolers were crappy sometimes, and no number of flyers or inspirational speakers could change that. One of the main reasons I’d stayed silent.
We reached the front steps, where someone had written in chalk LOVE IS LOVE, and I smiled at the steps. “Is it okay if I come inside?”
She looked me over like she was worried I might not like what I saw. I already knew that was impossible.
But then the front door opened, and a man who I instantly recognized as Xiomara’s father said, “Hey, Xi. Oh, I didn’t realize you were out here with someone...” He looked confused. “Kiyana, right? You’re a cheerleader, yeah?” The curious way he took me in made me feel completely exposed.
I nodded, my cheeks already feeling hot. Maybe Xi was right to expect me to run. Just being with her was like being lesbian by association. And I hated that I felt that way. Just because I hung out with Xi and was a girl didn’t instantly mean I was dating her. This internalized homophobia was hard to get over.
Her dad smiled warmly at me and said, “Dee and I just made somepolvorones. Want to taste-test them for us?”
Xi smiled at me. “They’re so good. You should try some.”
