“There is no real point in you knowing that since it will not change anything between us. For now let’s just ignore it and chalk it up to something I said in the heat of the moment out of anger and frustration, okay?” I said hoping he’d listen and not beg me to tell him one of my only two remaining secrets.

“You know it's going to bother me now, right?” he asked quirking a brow at me.

“I know but it's not like it matters” I shrugged as his expression changed to one of pure confusion before he mumbled “why wouldn't it have mattered?”

“Are we still talking about the same thing or something else now?” I asked confused. Looking up at me with an unreadable expression, he showed me his phone and asked “why wouldn't it have mattered?”

“Fay, we both know why it wouldn't have mattered if I didn't like your girlfriends” I said making a conscious effort not to choke on the words. Taking a deep breath, I added “let's just drop it for now. Maybe one day I'll tell you but for now let's just let it go. I know we have plenty of other things to work through before that's even relevant anyway.”

“Yeah, okay. So, let's talk about everything the last two days except that” he said sitting up to lean back on his hands making him look all the more sexy. Realizing what I was feeling, I thought “sorry Kora.” A few seconds passed before mom popped in my head and said “Kora says to tell you it's okay, she understands. Though I'm not sure why.” Trying hard not to laugh, I thought back “she's getting my emotions which right now are not hard to guess given how I feel about Fay and how he just changed position to sit.”

“Oh, I see. I take it you apologized and that's what she had me tell you that for” mom laughed in my head.

“Yeap because I'm sure my emotions are a bit loud at the moment” I thought before Fay said “I guess we should start with Thursday's events” pulling me out of my conversation with mom.

“Yeah, look that is definitely not how I wanted you to find out. I'd been debating on how to tell you but none of them ever seemed right, I guess. I’m glad you know but at the same time, it’s weird” I shrugged glancing down at my phone hoping it would go off.

“I really didn’t think it was true until you took off like that and only Teia could find you. Then I thought the only way I could tell you I accept you for you was to sing about it. So, I convinced Ethan to let me take the lead Thursday night when it was originally supposed to be him I even added your favorite song and used the guitar you got me to help get my point across that that show was for you basically. My plan seemed to work but then you came to school Friday and wouldn’t talk to me” he said trying to get me to look at him. Placing my phone on the desk but still looking at my hands, I said “you asked me what was wrong in front of someone who had no right knowing anything more about me than my name. How was I supposed to know if she understood French or even Spanish? So, I opted for silence and left.”

“Okay, that I understand but the pained look in your eyes when all I had said was hello was a bit off” he said moving so his elbows were on his knees. Taking a deep breath, I said “I was ready to talk to you about everything that had happened the day before but you magically had an attachment. So, I knew that wasn’t going to happen and assumed we were going to pretend Thursday hadn’t happened.”

“I never intended to pretend it didn’t happen. I just hadn’t thought you’d be ready to talk about it so soon since coming out even if it wasn’t by your choice is a big deal” he said sounding surprised. Glancing up at him, I said “I never thought I’d have to wait to talk to you of all people about anything. But then the rest of that day happened and I felt like I’d lost something important. I felt you kiss her, you know. I don’t know how but I did.”

“It’s so weird that you felt something like that. I thought only mates had that effect on each other but I’m pretty sure we aren’t mates” he shrugged. Laughing, I said “mom and dad think I’ve found mine though I have no idea who it is. My mark has gotten progressively darker since we moved here and they think that it’s going to try to force me to the other person because it turned red this morning.”

“Oh wow. I think I agree with your parents on this one. That gives me an idea, some people are having a party tonight and asked me to go. You should come too since most of our grade will be there. Maybe you’ll finally figure out who it is...” he trailed off in thought. My heart sunk at the idea but I gave him a weary smile and said “sure, why not.”

"Qu'est- ce qui ne va pas mon ami? Tu n'as pas l'air très emballé" he asked with a confused expression.

“I’m not, not really. You know I don’t like crowds much” I shrugged as he leaned back again stretching his shirt tight across his abs. Taking a deep breath, I swallowed and forced myself to look away as he asked “what shall we do until the party then?”

“Well, I actually just got up not long before you got here. So, food first then maybe Netflix and chill?”

“Sounds like a plan” he smiled collapsing onto my bed. Getting up, I turned towards the door and said “you coming or you staying put?”

“I think I’ll stay put” he said shifting so his arms were under his head making his shirt ride up a little. Swallowing, I asked “want anything from the kitchen?”

“A bottle of water would be good please” he said as I walked towards the door. Gripping the handle, I left my room breathing shakily as I went. When I had finally made it to the bottom of the stairs, I paused as my family all turned to look at me before Kora burst out laughing and said “he has no idea what he’s doing to you, does he?”

“No, and I’m thankful he doesn’t otherwise he’d stop and give me an odd look for just about everything. He wants me to go to a party tonight” I said letting myself slump against the wall.

“Oh, that might actually be good. It gives you the chance to confirm you’re mates” mom said before I gave her a quizzical look and asked in a hushed tone “how do you think that’s going to happen? There is no way he’d sleep with me drunk or sober so seeing him naked is out of the question.”

“Oh, I guess that would be a problem. How’s your mark by the way? Still hurting?” mom asked concerned.

“It’s fine I guess. I can’t feel any pain right now but I did bandage it after my shower. So, I couldn’t feel it rub and hurt” I said touching it instinctively before glancing up the stairs to be sure he hadn’t heard us. Chuckling, mom said “he’s still in your room going through your Netflix.” Chuckling, I said “sounds about right. I convinced him to Netflix and chill until the party. I told him I came down for food but truthfully...” I trailed off making Kora and Teia laugh before they said “you needed a hotness break.” Nodding, we all laughed as I turned for the kitchen with mom on my heels.

Opening the cabinet, she said “can I see your mark sweetie?”

“Sure but could you have dad or one of the girls keep watch?” I asked as I turned around lifting my shirt and pinning it under my chin. As I rolled down my waist band to remove the bandage, mom said “they're keeping an eye out.” Nodding, I removed the bandage and was shocked when my mark wasn't as red as it had been when I had first woken up this morning.

“Wow, I was not expecting that drastic of a change. Does it still hurt?” Mom asked lightly running her fingers across it.

“Actually no” I said surprised as a torrent of fear washed over me before I said “oh God, I guess it's actually true.” As the first tears slid down my face, the kitchen door opened and Kora walked in straight to me. Dropping my shirt as she crossed the small space, she wrapped her arms around me and said “don't worry so much. I know you’re scared but I'm sure everything will work out like it should.”

“That's the thing. Assuming it's true and he somehow knows, then I may end up rejected before anything could even start because he prefers girls even if he is bi” I sobbed wiping my eyes as I looked between my mom and sister in law. Mom went still suddenly before she said “you need to cover up, your dad said Fay is in the living room.”

“Crap” I said as I wiped my eyes, mom started making food for me while Kora helped me recover my mark.

“Thanks sis” I told her once my clothes were back in place.

“Anytime big brother, now I've got to go save my irritated mate” she said grabbing two water bottles and leaving the room. Laughing, I shook my head as she left the kitchen before looking back at my mom and sighing.

“Are you okay sweetie?” she asked giving me a sympathetic look.

“Umm no, honestly. I don’t want him to reject me mami, lo amo, como realmente lo amo” I said giving her a sad smile as the kitchen door opened to reveal my really pissed off looking sister.

“What’s wrong sis?” I asked confused.

“Oh my god, how can you even look at him after knowing what he did in the cafeteria the other day?” she asked prompting me to be completely honest “because I know it will never be me he’s holding or kissing like that in front of everyone.” Wrapping her arms around me, she whispered “he’d be an idiot to let you go, even if he prefers girls now. He’d be an idiot.”

“I want to agree with you but I can’t find any hope in the possibility of it being true. So, I’m going to keep it from him for now and I’d like you all to help me with it” I said pulling back to look at mom and Teia.

“Well, I don’t necessarily agree but we will do it your way until it causes you more pain than it’s worth watching. Your dad and Kora agree to help with it as well” mom said wrapping Teia and I in a hug.

“I don’t agree either but I’ll help as long as I can” Teia said shaking her head.

“Gracias a todos, los amo a todos” I said as a tear slid down my cheek both from happiness and pain.

“Nosotros también te amamos cariño” they said together and I knew that sentiment was echoed from every member of my family.

Several hours passed while Fay and I watched movies in my room before it was time to get ready for the party. Digging through my closet, Fay said “I’m dressing you tonight because lets face it, your usual sweats won’t cut it.”

“Fine” I mumbled taking off my hoodie as he came back out holding another one of my v-neck shirts, this one was a dark purple, and a pair of dark wash jeans. Taking them from him, I went to the bathroom to get changed so he wouldn’t see the bandage and think I did something. Luckily, he didn’t say anything as I left the room. When I was finished changing, I paused outside my bedroom door taking a deep breath to prepare myself for possibly seeing him shirtless. Opening the door, I saw him standing by my bed adjusting his shirt so that the front was tucked into his jeans making him hotter than he already was. Quickly looking away, I closed the door and dropped my sweats on the chair to wear to bed later as he said “I borrowed a shirt so we won’t be late.”

“Okay, that’s fine” I said putting on my converse and going back into my closet for my black beanie and zip up hoodie. When I came back out into my room, he looked me up and down before asking “We ready to go?” Nodding, I grabbed my phone, wallet, and keys before heading out and down the stairs. As we reached the bottom, my family was waiting for us and said “have fun tonight boys” while giving me sad sympathetic looks that thankfully Fay was to busy with his phone to notice.

“He probably will but I’ll try” I said giving them a sad smile as mom popped in my head “Kora says she’ll keep an eye on you emotionally and dad will be waiting if you need to come home.”

“Thanks mom and tell Kora and dad I said the same” I thought back quickly winking at them. Heading out the door, I tossed him my keys and said “you drive there and I’ll drive back since you’ll probably be smashed.”

“Alright, that’s fair” he said climbing in the driver seat as I climbed in the passenger seat. Buckling in, I looked out the window as he drove thinking about everything I’d just learned and half hoping my family was wrong. A stray tear escaped as I saw it in my reflection, mom popped in my head and asked “are you okay?”

“No, but it’s something I’m going to have to deal with probably sooner rather than later” I thought back as I watched a second tear roll down my cheek. He must’ve sensed that something was off, because Fay asked “Qu'est- ce qui ne va pas mon ami” Taking a deep breath, I answered “es solo algo en lo que estoy trabajando, pero no te preocupes, no me lastimaré por eso.”

“Êtes-vous sûr parce que vous venez de le dire en espagnol ? Tu sais que tu peux me parler de n'importe quoi, n'est-ce pas ?” he asked glancing over at me as he stopped at a stop light. Forcing myself to switch back to English, I said “I’ll be fine. It’s just not something I’m ready to talk about just yet. So, please just drop it for now and we should probably try to stick to English for now.”

“True and when you are, will you promise to talk to me about it” he said as he pulled into a driveway. Taking a breath as he put the truck in park, I said “I promise” hoping he wouldn’t remember it by the time I was ready. As we got out of my truck, he locked the doors and walked around the front of the vehicle he handed me my keys and said “come on, lets go try to have some fun.” Nodding, I followed him as we headed towards the house. Heading inside, the smells of sex, sweaty people, weed, and alcohol hit my nose nearly making me gag but I managed to contain it. As we made our way through the house to the kitchen, Fay managed to find his girlfriend who immediately decided to hang all over him. Rolling my eyes, I looked away and continued on to the kitchen wanting to puke and cry. Grabbing a beer from the cooler, I chugged the first one and immediately grabbed another one just as they entered the kitchen. Looking around the room, I noticed a bunch of people staring at me and assumed they’d just seen me chugging that beer in less than a minute flat. Shrugging, I said nothing as they all stared at me as Fay asked “why is everyone staring at you?”

“Nothing, don’t worry about it” I growled taking a drink of my second beer and turned away heading anywhere he and his harlot weren’t. Making it to the back porch, I leaned against the rail and tried to ignore the lingering feeling of him kissing her. Taking another swig of my beer, Fay came to find me and asked “is this part of what you were dealing with in the car or is this something else?”

“A little of both I guess. How’d you manage to lose your floozie?” I asked still refusing to look at him.

“Okay... I didn’t lose her. I told her I needed to talk to you and we were getting ready to play Truth or Dare if you want to join us” he said leaning his back against the railing.

“Sure, why not. I can’t wait to see what stupid shit people are forced to do” I said realizing I may be forced to do something stupid not knowing that this simple decision would change my life forever.