Jodi
The beat went hard. I strummed my guitar, Christian made the beat on the drum machine, and Florine sang amazingly.
The chorus we worked on was so catchy, totally radio-worthy.
We finished the song and Florine looked back at us, smiling.
-"oh my god, guys. We're so good!" She said.
-"we've been practicing for so long. When are we debuting?" I asked
Christian shrugged.
-"We could hold a mini-concert at the auditorium"
He said and I thought about it.
-"sounds, good. I'll talk to the principal, see what he says"
I left the room we practiced in and went to the principal's office.
I asked for him and they let me into his office.
-"Jodi, first time seeing you here," he says excitedly.
-"couldn't stay away, I guess" I sat down.
-"what's the matter, what brings you here this early?" He asked interested in what I had to say.
-"my friends and I formed a band, and we were thinking if we could perform tomorrow at the auditorium"
I said and he shook his head.
-"The auditorium is already occupied for tomorrow. The quiz club is having a practice, rehearsal for the big competition"
I groaned.
-"can't we play, in a break time?" I offered and he said no.
-"I'll look for a way for you to perform here in school. Can you wait?" He asked and I nodded.
That's what I like about principal Stevenson.
He was so focused on making the school lgbt+ friendly when I came, because being a non-binary student, especially in a school of immature and judgemental idiots is tough.
-"thank you," I said and I left.
Sam
Charley and I walked around the halls with our hands interlaced.
He looked so happy, I was happy too.
It's funny how I ended up getting a boyfriend first then Jessica.
She was so surprised.
Even though she's "dating" Christian, both of them still haven't done a move ever since that date that ended with an earthquake.
I'm over Christian, that was something that took some time, but I'm over him and super supportive of him and Jessica.
We exited the school and his mom was waiting for him outside.
She waved when she saw him.
-"you guys look so cute together," she said and Charley got red.
-"on the road to becoming the cutest couple in school"
I said and she laughed.
-"let me know when that happens, I want to take pictures" she pointed at her phone and he groaned.
-"no, mom," he said and got into the car with her.
-"I'll see you soon, text me," he said and she started driving.
I waited for Jessica and we left with our driver.
-"his mom looks like a great person," she said.
-"you saw all that?" I asked and she nodded.
-"I waited for you guys to get together ever since he talked to you at the party"
-"it's been long after that," I said thinking about the time Jessica mentioned.
Jodi
I reunited with my band and I told them about the auditorium situation, and how we had nowhere to perform.
-"Should we talk to the person in charge of the quiz?" Christian said.
What if we talk to Vanessa and convince her to move the rehearsal somewhere else and give the auditorium for us.
-"Florine, you're nice. Talk to her"
I said and she agreed.
-"I'll ask her nicely," she said and left.
My phone vibrated. Who is texting me?
I grabbed my phone and saw a text from my sister Noah.
Noah: Come home, I need to talk to you about something.
What does she want to talk about?
-"Hey man, I have to go. Sister is texting me" I said and Christian nodded. I punched him in the arm and I left.
I arrived home and my sister was there.
-"what's wrong Noah?" I asked.
-"Follow me," she said and led me to the kitchen.
I found my mom sitting there waiting for me.
-"Noah, what's she doing here?" I asked angrily
This woman who calls herself my "mom" was the person who didn't accept me when I told her I identified as non-binary.
I left her house and moved with Noah because she struggled with the same thing. (she's gay) I wonder why she let her in her home?
-"Listen to her," she said.
And I sat down in the seat in front of her. I wanted to be as far away from her as possible.
-"Josette—"
-"Jodi" I corrected
-"Jodi, sorry. Your father and I are moving into a new house, We want you to come with us"
-"no," I said quickly.
There's no way in hell that I am going
to move in with her. To be judged every day? I'm not going to go through that again!
-"Jodi, please"
-"I'm not!" I yelled and Noah placed her hand in my back.
-"relax," she said softly and I stood up.
-"Why do you want me to move? I'm doing great with Noah" I said.
-"I know, but you're fifteen. We can't have you away all the time"
-"there's gotta be a catch, I can't be myself, I can't love who I love? Because you are against that!"
She shook her head.
-"I know you like to play dress-up and following trends but—"
-"Are you listening to this!" I asked angrily and Noah had her arms crossed.
-"mom, obviously. Things haven't changed. I let you in because I thought you finally realized who we are, but you called it a trend in Jodi's face. I'm not going to let her move in with you, she's staying with me" Noah said and I took a breath of relief.
Sam
I came to Charley's house. We were going to work on homework and maybe, make out.
I arrived at Charley's and his mom greeted me.
-"Sam, nice seeing you again"
She greeted me happily.
-"Hi, again," I said and she let me in.
-"before you go to his room, can I talk to you for a sec," she said and I nodded.
We went to the living room and I sat down on her couch.
-"has Charley told you?" She asked.
-"Told me what?"
What is she talking about? What is Charley keeping from me?
-"is something wrong with him?" I asked concerned and she nodded.
-"Charley's Depressive, he struggles with it every day. Being with you has made him more happier," she said.
I didn't know that. I feel bad for Charley, having to go through that. I'm glad I make him happier.
-"that's big, can I talk to him about it?" I asked her and she nodded.
-"he'll be mad I told you, but he'll understand" she patted my shoulders.
-" Is Sam here?" Charley walked down the stairs and he saw me.
-"oh, you're already here," he said surprised.
-"We need to study" I got up and followed him to his room.
His mom gave me a nod, expecting me to talk to him.
I was going to.
Jodi
-"Are you sure, you want to stay here?" She asked in disbelief.
-"yes, I'm not moving in with you, and I never will. Mom's like you end up in nursing homes"
She gasped.
Can't believe I just said that, even Noah looked surprised.
-"Don't come knocking on my door when you are alone and hopeless"
-"I've managed to live this far," I said and she stormed off on the verge of tears and left.
-"Jodi, you did not just say that" Noah smiled and I laughed.
-"Even I can't believe it"
Sam
I entered Charley's room and he sat down in his bed.
-"Charley, I need to talk to you about something"
He looked at me confused.
-"what's wrong? Are you breaking up with me?" He asked.
-"no, no" I kissed him quickly and he smiled.
-"thank goodness" he placed his hand on his chest.
-"then what is it?" He asked and I grabbed his hands.
-"Your mom told me you're Depressive"
He sighed and looked down.
-"I wanted to tell you," he said softly.
-"how do you control it?" I asked.
-"I take meds, but sometimes those don't work"
-"it's that strong?" I asked and he nodded.
I rubbed his hands.
-"you shouldn't worry about depression when you are with me"
I said and his eyes lit up.
-"It's so great that you're here with me now," he said and we kissed.
Jodi
It was the next day and met up with the band.
I just tried to forget about what happened yesterday. Noah and I can't stand mom. Now that she's moving, I don't have to think about her.
-"Florine, did you talk to Vanessa?"
I asked her.
-"yes, but she said that her team is using the auditorium and they can't switch places"
Great!
-"where are we going to make our first performance?" I asked.
Principal Stevenson entered the room. What's he doing here? Hope he found me a place to perform.
-"Guys, I have great news"
-"spill," I said.
-"the Dj that was supposed to play at the Fairy tale dance can't come. Are you ready to perform at the dance?"
I looked at both of them and they looked just as excited as I was.
-"of course we will," I said.