Page 40 of I'll Be the One

“They got rid of it in the app, but Tiffany and I changed our text notification sounds to it. It’s an inside joke between us,” Lana explains. “He was the most pro-gay president in US history, it was great.”

I watch Lana excitedly text Tiffany back. Then, before I can stop myself, I blurt out, “What’s it like?”

Lana startles, like she already forgot I was there. She looks confused for a moment, before realization slowly dawns on her face.

“It’s amazing,” she says. “When I was in high school, I was still dating guys and was always miserable. I couldn’t understand why I didn’t care about any of them or why I wasn’t attracted to anyone. But then... when I started going out with Tiffany, well, this sounds cheesy, but it just feltright. I finally understood what all those love songs were talking about. You’re not straight, right?”

“I’m bi,” I say. “Or at least, I think I am. I’m still not sure about the whole pan-versus-bi thing... and I’m not sure if I’ll ever be able to date a girl because, well...”

I sigh. Lana waits patiently for me to continue.

“Asian parents,” I finish. “But no, I’m definitely not straight.”

She nods sympathetically. “Yeah, I feel you. Both Lana and I got kicked out of our houses when our parents found out. We live together now, but... getting there was definitely noteasy. And our families still give us a hard time about it. I mean, I wish they could just get over it and freakin’ accept us already. But... it’s been years and I think my parents are still waiting for me to get over my ‘girl-dating phase’ and find myself a guy.”

Something in my heart cracks. It’s one thing to see posts on Twitter and Tumblr about homophobic parents kicking out their kids, but it’s a whole different level of pain to be friends with someone who’s actually experienced it themselves. And as much as I hate feeling this way, I can’t help but be relieved that I’m still safe. That my parents still don’t know. That my parents might never even have to know.

“I’m so sorry,” is all I can say.

Lana shrugs. “It is what it is. I can’t change my parents any more than they can change me.” She clears her throat and says, “Okay, enough sad talk. Let’s get back to work. We’re going to for sure make it to the next round, yeah? You better not fail me!”

“Okay,” I laugh.

We bump our fists together, smiling.

After rehearsal, Lana and I are on our way out to the parking lot when Melinda steps right in front of me.

“So, you’re Henry’s partner.”

Melinda’s gray eyes give me a disapproving once-over, like she doesn’t think I’m worthy. It’s a stark contrast to how she looked at me the last time we interacted, when she was so desperate to be my friend.

And you’re Henry’s ex, I almost say back. But since I don’t want to get slapped, I just say, “Yup. That’s how things turned out.”

A hand reaches out in front of me and gently pushes me back. It’s Lana, and I shoot her a grateful look for coming in between Melinda and me.

“Excuse you,” Lana says. “What do you think you’re doing? Skye and I are tired after a long day of rehearsal, so you better not be stirring up some jealous-ex drama.”

Lana is talking so loudly that the camerapeople—who were on their way home just seconds before—turn back around to circle us, switching their cameras back on so they can eagerly record our every move.

Melinda glances at the cameras and shoots us an annoyed look.

“Look,” she hisses at me, completely ignoring Lana. “Henry and I are just taking a break. He’s only dancing with you for this competition, that’s it. So don’t you dare try anything when you’re clearly nothing but a charity case.”

I was going to let everything Melinda said go, but that last bit makes me really mad. I neveraskedHenry to be my partner, and I never asked to be “rescued.” And yet everyone’s treating me like I just got lucky. I step away from Lana’s protective arm so Melinda and I are face-to-face. I’m sick and tired of people believing that I don’t have a rightful place in this competition.

“Listen,” I say. “Henry and I aren’t like that. The rumorsthat I’m his ‘rebound’ are just that. Rumors. But don’t go around calling me a charity case just because I’m dancing with your ex. If you wanted to dance with him, you should have tried out for the dance portion of the competition, too.”

“I did,” Melinda says through gritted teeth. “I didn’t get in.”

“Well then, I guess I’m not that much of a charity case.”

By then, a crowd’s gathered around us. I catch the SpongeBob T-shirt girl—honestly, at this point I’m wondering if she just has a closet full of SpongeBob shirts—and a few other people cheering for me. The cameras zoom in so they have a closer view of our faces.

Melinda narrows her eyes, but then she turns around and leaves without another word.

Chapter Eighteen

THE NEXT SATURDAY IS OUR LAST DANCE PRACTICEbefore the second elimination round. Things are bad.Reallybad. Nothing is going right. Henry and I keep stepping on each other’s feet. Our limbs get tangled up together, like we’re playing Twister. I almost trip and fall flat on my face.

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