"Um, what the fuck?" Keeri stood, disbelieving in the doorway. Zazz and Jemilla sprang apart in embarrassment.

Jemilla spoke quickly, "Oh hey Keeri! I'm glad you're here actually. Well Zazz I see you're in good hands, so I'll be going now. See you tomorrow!" Jemilla practically ran out of the room. Keeri stared after her then turned to Zazz.

"Care to explain?"

Zazzalil told her everything starting with the night in the park. She included the rejection letter but left out Jemilla's backstory because it wasn't hers to tell. She told her about earlier that day, about what the counselor said, and about Jemilla's offer. Keeri listened the whole time, quietly munching on the extra side of noodles Zazz had saved her. Zazz finished with, "I don't really understand why Jemilla wants to help ME of all people?'

Keeri snorted and choked on her noodles. Zazz wacked her on the back. When Keeri could breathe again she spoke, "Well isn't it obvious? Jemilla likes you. Like, she like-likes you."

It was Zazz's turn to snort, "'Like-likes?' Come on. We're not in first grade. Besides, I doubt Jemilla even likes girls."

"Oh she likes girls."

"And how could you possibly know that?"

"Well I like girls and my gaydar is impeccable," Zazz rolled her eyes. "And you like girls but you just assume all of them are straight. Then there's Swoopsie."

"Our super butch tribemate Swoopsie? What does she have to do with Jemilla?"

Keeri hesitated, then seemed to make up her mind about something.

"Okay so listen. Last summer I was up at the school for dance rehearsals. As I was walking through the parking lot, I saw a car and it, like, drew my attention because it was summer and there weren't many cars in the parking lot and I didn't mean to look really but—"

"Oh my god Keeri get on with it!"

"IsawSwoopsieandJemillamakingoutinthecar!"

Zazz hopped up, "You WHAT? And this was LAST summer? And you never told me? What the fuck? I'm your best friend!"

"I know. I know. I wanted to tell you, like, immediately. Duh. But Swoopsie beat me home and cornered me. She made me swear not to tell a soul. And I didn't…until today." Keeri looked mighty proud of herself. "You cannot tell her I told you. She will literally murder me."

"I won't but…wow." Zazz was speechless. Her mind was racing.

She'd never had a girlfriend before. Well, except for Keeri if that counted. They had mutually decided that they were better off as friends, considering their living situation. Now they were more like sisters. Jemilla though, she was different. She was way out of Zazz's league in more ways than one. And yet…she thought back to the past couple of days. Keeri watched her deep in thought.

"I'm going to take a shower. It helps me think. I'll be fine though. I promise," she said, noticing Keeri's worried look.

/

After Zazzalil's (perfectly normal thank-you-very-much) shower and dinner, she flopped back down on her bed preparing to text Jemilla. Keeri's revelation made this situation way more complicated. She was good at reading people and Zazz trusted her sister's judgement. She thought of Jemilla. She was gorgeous, toned, smart, compassionate. Definitely girlfriend material. But was Zazz? What did she bring to the table? She gathered her courage and sent Jemilla a casual text.

Z: Hey

Less than two minutes later:

J: Hey! Is everything alright?

Z: Ya im good.

J: Great! glad to hear you're feeling better.

Zazz smiled in spite of herself.

Z: Thx. Ur a saint Jemilla. How r u?

J: Don't flatter me ha ha. I'm not all that. I just care you know?

J: Also I'm good. It was sweet of you to ask.

Z: No prb. So tmmrw? Wanna tutor me after skool? Mayb ur place? It gets loud here.

J: Sure! That's a great idea! See you tomorrow! Goodnight!

Z: Night.

Zazzalil sighed and fell asleep with a smile on her face for the first time in forever.

Author's Note: Thanks Tater for beta-ing this piece of shit.