Still, by the time class ends, the quiet tension has gotten under my skin.
The new professor droned on, but my focus was shot.I tried to take notes, but my handwriting is messier than usual, and the words don't stick.I pack slowly, not in any rush to walk those hallways again.If I'm the last one out, I won't accidentally run into someone.
"Hey."
The voice is soft, hesitant.
I glance up to see a girl hovering beside my desk.She's petite, with thick dark hair pulled into a messy bun.She looks nervous, like she might bolt at any second.
"Hi," I say cautiously.
She fiddles with the strap of her backpack."I just...I wanted to say something.If that's okay."
I nod."Go for it."
She bites her lip."I think you're really brave.What you did, owning what you want, not pretending to be someone you're not...That's powerful."
I blink, caught off guard."Thank you."
She shrugs, like she's embarrassed now."I know people are being weird, but screw them.Most of them couldn't handle half of what you've been through."
There's a beat of silence before I offer a small smile."What's your name?"
"Kayla."
"You want to come to lunch with me?"
She blinks."Seriously?"
"Yeah.Me and a couple of my friends are meeting for lunch.You should join us."
Her face lights up in a way that makes my chest loosen."Okay.Yeah.That'd be awesome."
As we walk together toward the cafe, I sneak a sideways glance at her.She's got a quiet energy, like someone used to observing more than speaking, but there's a steadiness about her too.
"So, that was your first class with the fill-in too?"I ask.
She nods."Yeah.I wasn't sure what it was going to be like...but then I saw you and figured, if you can walk through that crowd like a queen, I can make it through class with a boring, uptight professor."
I laugh, "I didn't exactly feel like a queen."
"You looked like one."
"Have you really never thought about just telling everyone to go to hell?"she asks.
"Oh, all the time.But I don't need to.I won.Gage is on to a better job, and I have a man who loves me more than I love myself and treats me like a princess," I smile.
Kayla grins."You really don't care what they think?"
I pause."I care.But I care more about being happy, about being honest about Gage."
She nods as if she understands that completely."Good for you.Seriously."
The moment we sit down, Summer and Gemma take Kayla in like she's always belonged.
"So, how do you know Skye?"Summer asks, popping a fry into her mouth.
"We're in the same class," Kayla says."She invited me.I didn't think she would."