The next month seemed to fly at an amazing rate, and before they knew it Diane had been at Nikki's place for a month. Diane was a sensible girl so there were not too many arguments with Alice, well, no more than any normal family relationship. Nikki and Diane's relationship had also taken off. They were still keeping it a secret, and Grace had said nothing.

Diane and Nikki were walking in the park one day when Nikki spoke up.

"Di, I was wondering, did we want to make this public, us I mean?" Nikki only asked as the sixth form dance was coming up, and it had been on both their minds.

"Well, it would mean making the dance easier, we wouldn't have to lie."

"I don't just want to come out because of the dance."

"No, I agree, but are you sure you're happy with it? I mean, you might need to tell everyone that you have been kicked out of home, as they're going to ask how your parents took it."

Diane thought for a second, she had since learned to accept what had happened and had decided not to hate her, just because her parents couldn't love her.

"Yeah, I am fine with what my parents did. I'm not ashamed and anyway, it was worth it," Diane said sneaking a glance to Nikki, who looked back at her and smiled.

"So you're fine with it Nikki?" Diane questioned, realizing that the question had never been asked.

"Yes, I really would be happy with it," she replied smiling.

So with that decided they walked out of the park and towards their house.

A few days later they were at school. Lunch had just started and everyone was sitting around the table that they had acquired of late, just talking and mucking around.

The topic of the dance came up again and Emma asked Diane if she was taking anyone to it. Diane looked at Nikki and then spoke up.

"Well yeah, I am actually."

"Oh yeah, who?" Beth said, everyone quieted down, interested to hear what Diane said.

"I am going with Nikki."

There was silence for a moment then laughter from a few of the boys.

"You're joking, right?" one of them said.

"No she's not. We actually wanted to tell you all, were going out."

Again there was silence, this time it went on for a bit longer.

Finally Sally broke it.

"How long for?"

"Two months or there abouts," Nikki answered.

"What did your parent's say?" questioned Beth.

"I had already come out to my parents as Bi, they didn't mind."

Everyone's eyes were then on Diane.

She put her head up high.

"Mine kicked me out, I have been living with Nikki for the past few months."

At this there was silence, then there was a babble of talk.

"Why didn't you tell us? We could have helped you out."

"That is so cool."

A million things were said, people accepted it, they were happy for both of them. A few minutes later the bell for class rang so they all parted ways.

Diane and Nikki walked together hands intermingled, they were both smiling.

Over the next two days the story spread through the whole school. Sadly there were people who did not take it kindly and Diane found a few notes stuffed into her locker. Nikki came up behind her and saw them.

"What do they say?"

"Oh just that I am not normal, and that I will go to hell as God doesn't like homosexuals," Diane said trying to laugh it off.

"Oh, so just the same as the notes in mine. Come on, we're going to take these to Miss Gold."

After entering Miss Gold's office, Nikki spoke up.

"Miss, we found these notes in our lockers and thought we should show them to you."

After a minute of looking through them Miss Gold spoke up.

"I suppose you two are going out?"

"Yes miss," both girls said at once, hands touching.

"Any idea who could have written these?"

Both girls shook their heads.

"Okay, leave it with me. If you get anymore notes or anyone gives you any trouble I want to know about it okay?"

At this both girls nodded and walked out of her office.

Over the coming week one or two people did try and give them some verbal abuse about their relationship, but they just ignored it and kept on walking, although they did tell Miss Gold, just like she asked.

Later that week Miss Gold pulled them up just after school had finished.

"We have found out who wrote those notes. It was Simara Pietsch, another 6th form girl. We have talked to her and she admitted it. She has been put into detention, so hopefully that will stop it."

Both girls nodded. As they walked out, they talked. Simara had been one of the people, actually the main person who had aired their disapproval of their relationship. She believed that they would go to hell for their relationship. As they were walking out the school gates they saw Simara getting into her father's car. She saw them and spoke up.

"See father, they are the reason for my detention."

Diane couldn't stop herself and ignored Nikki's arm pulling her gently back.

"Simara, I have found someone that I love okay, and if you don't like it, I don't really care, I am not forcing it on you. If you never talked to us again, it would actually be nice, but that's up to you. So in future leave us alone, as whatever you say is a waste of breath. We don't take any notice of what you say, we don't ever listen to you, because we don't care. We love each other and we have each other, and we have people that accept us. That is all I care about." Diane then turned around and with Nikki walked hand in hand home smiling.