Chapter 2-Broken
Sue Ellen didn't realize her online friend was Prunella. She greeted her and sat down with her. A tall black-haired boy walked up waving like a princess. "Good day, good day," he professed before sitting with the girls.
"Oh, Donnie, this is Sue Ellen," Prunella smiled. She slid a coffee to Donnie. Donnie groaned, "It's nice to meet you, darling, but Pruney, I said decaf," he hissed, showing her his cup. Prunella sighed, "Damnit, I'm drinking yours again. I can get you anot—" "Don't bother," Donnie muttered curtly, rolling his eyes. He burst into laughter, "Just playing with you, girl! This is fine!"
"How long have you been here at Metropolis University?" Sue Ellen questioned eagerly. Donnie scoffed and smirked, "It's Metro-U and I'm a senior," he grinned. "If you want to know my other history, I've been queer and proud since seventh grade. I even went to senior prom with my crush."
"Donnie's high school was pretty progressive. You can't get away with that sort of thing everywhere," Prunella smiled. "Elwood City is pretty conservative. That's why Sue Ellen here never looked into herself before for answers." "Well how did you know?" Sue Ellen asked. Prunella smiled, "Marina had a boyfriend and thought I was jealous because I didn't find him attractive, in a personality sense or otherwise. I told her the truth, that I never really had feelings for boys—"
"Then Marina admitted she only dated him because he asked her," Donnie interrupted. He smirked deviously. Prunella slapped his arm. "I've heard this story so many times before, dear."
"But yeah, Marina and I both like girls. Her mother was really understanding, even though the boyfriend was a pig and wanted to watch us Helen Keller each other," Prunella groaned. Sue Ellen grimaced. "Yeah, that is pretty disturbing," Donnie agreed, gagging. "So yeah, her mom helped me out."
"I hope you can help me. I just want to know what I really am," Sue Ellen said. Donnie smiled and took her hand, "Sometimes you don't know. You just have to experiment, experiment, experiment, and if that doesn't work, just be yourself. I prefer being single. It's all hook-ups for me. No man to drag me down."
"I like relationships, but only with people I deeply care about. Like many girls, that hasn't happened for me yet. I've liked a few boys, but I've almost loved a few girls, but it all fell through. It's just like being straight just more complicated," Prunella winked. Sue Ellen nodded.
They exchanged contacts then Sue Ellen went back to the dorm. Fern was reading on her bed. She'd switched them again. Sue Ellen didn't mind. She asked Fern if she wanted to go out for Chinese food. Fern said no. Sue Ellen left and returned with a veggie stir fry meal. She ate it at her desk.
A few minutes later, Sue Ellen changed into her pajamas and curled into bed. Fern was still reading. Sue Ellen didn't mind the light and went to sleep. She was rudely awakened by loud noises. A strange girl was in their room yelling at Fern.
"I didn't tell anyone! She didn't either, honest!" Fern exclaimed. The strange girl rushed to Sue Ellen and shook her, "You bitch! You shouldn't have told!" "I didn't! Who are you?" Sue Ellen cried. She shrank into the corner. The strange girl looked up. A stern woman burst through the door.
"You're coming home, young lady!" the woman demanded. The strange girl cried. The woman dragged her out. Fern started to cry. Sue Ellen moved to comfort her but Fern pushed her away.
"Was that your girlfriend?" Sue Ellen asked. "She was until someone told her parents she was gay," Fern sobbed. "They're sending her to reform school. If she doesn't go and get 'cured', they won't take her back. She has no choice, but I know she won't be able to handle it. Her life might as well be over."
"We'll get through this," Sue Ellen whispered. "I honestly didn't tell anyone. She never even came up. I never mentioned you either. I just talked to Prunella and Donnie and left, honest," Sue Ellen said. Fern pushed her away. Sue Ellen went back to bed. She couldn't sleep. She was worried about Fern's girlfriend. She didn't know what would happen to her. But she knew it wasn't good.