Parker's voice brought my attention back to him. "Shi---I f-forgot there's one more thing. If you don't take Mrs. Smith's Biology class, kindly step back."

And then there were three. Me, Anisha Patel, and Isabella McCarthy. The four descriptors used were the only things we had in common.

Anisha's hair wasn't as short as mine. It swept past her shoulders and ended at her lower back. Her skin was comparatively darker next to mine, and she wore braces. Still, I knew she was out of the race because she hadn't been at Marie's birthday party. And as far as I knew, I had told Parker that we had spoken there.

Isabella, however, had been there, gleaming in all her preppy glory---just like she was now, in her baggy white jeans, cropped polo top, and the sweater tied around her shoulders. She watched Parker with what looked like interest hidden behind uncertainty.

And I was so caught up in studying her reaction that I missed the part where Parker hopped off his makeshift podium and walked up to us. His hand accidentally brushing mine, sent a jolt through me, and knocked me right back into reality.

Parker's eyes roamed each of our faces as he said, "The rest of you can leave now. Thanks for the help."

No one who had been present at the beginning of his little experiment moved a muscle.

"Told you you won't just be looking, Mystery."

Anashi's expression changed to one of confusion. "I think I'm not supposed to be here, because I have no idea what you're talking about." And then there were two.

"And then there were two," Parker repeated my thoughts. His hands went behind his back and he lifted an eyebrow. "Which one is it?"

I could read the writing on Parker's shirt now. It was in a purple font and said: Just Take My Flowers.

Just take the chance, Adrian. It was so near, just one lean, one word, and I could take Parker's hand as both Mystery and Adrian. But I couldn't move. Not my hand. Not my lips. Not with all those eyes watching.

Revealing myself meant two things; coming out to Parker as Mystery and coming out to the school as queer. And I was beginning to think I wasn't ready for either.

Same went for Isabella who stood dead silent instead of telling the truth like Anashi did.

"Neither of you is gonna say a word?" Parker asked. "Adrián? Bella?" He got no reply. "Guess I'll have to just text you then, Mystery."

I didn't even have time to think about how my phone would expose me when he did, because Isabella blurted out a response.

"It's me. I'm Mystery." She stepped forward with a huge grin, laughter ringing loudly.

I held nothing against Isabella McCarthy, nothing at all. But I knew I wouldn't help her if she spontaneously combusted and ended up on fire from how red her face got. If flames started coming out of her, and I had a glass of water, I'd drink it.