I really want to thank Peachy 007 and Nork for reading and always reviewing. It really keeps me going and means a lot to me.

I am really happy to post this chapter because this is the chapter the story has been building up to.

"We have to talk about it," I said following Riley into history class.

"No, we don't." She said sitting in her seat, "Just don't do it again."

"What?" I asked, sliding into my seat.

"Today we begin the civil war," Mr. Matthews said, writing on the chalkboard.

"The civil war, again?" I groaned, "Didn't we learn that last year?"

He walked in front of his desk, "Well Miss Hart, last year you learned the basics. Now you're going to learn it more depth, now you'll how high stakes were."

Riley stared at the board, stone face.

"When South Carolina succeeded from the Union. The north was surprised."

I turned to Riley and whispered, "Riley."

She said nothing. She didn't even turn her head.

"However." Mr. Matthews went on, "The north and south had been drifting apart for quite some time."

%%%%%

Riley hadn't talked to me all day. The more I pushed the more she pulled away. I followed her into the Matthews' living room. Mrs. Matthew was in the kitchen but I was too upset to care.

"Riley, we need to talk about what happened?"

"What happened today, girls?" Mrs. Matthews tried chiming in.

"Ok, Maya." Riley demanded, throwing her backpack on the floor, "What do you want to talk about?"

"I like Chai." I bit, "And I'm pretty sure we're dating now."

"Oh no, you're not," She yelled.

"Oh yes, I am." I yelled back, "Why are you being such a...meanie poopy head?"

She gasped.

"Well, why are you being such a...floozie, making out in the school hallway."

"Maya, you were making out in the hallway?" Mrs. Matthews asked rather loudly.

"Come on, you were in the hallway, tongue dancing this morning."

"Riley, you were making out in the hallway?" Mrs. Matthews yelled.

I pointed at Riley and told Mrs. Matthews, "Yea and Friday night, she was kissing Lucas in her bedroom."

I know it was a bad time to say it, but I had to say it. It had to be said. Mrs. Matthews stood frozen with her mouth open.

Then Riley charged at me. I fought back, pinning her down to the couch. We fell off, and rolled around the floor, pulling each other's hair.

"Cory," Mrs. Matthews screamed.

Then, what seemed to be out of nowhere, Mr. Matthews grabbed both of my arms and pulled my back.

Mrs. Matthews stood in front of Riley to block us from each other.

"That's different." Riley yelled through her mom's shoulder, "You just met...her. Lucas and I are in love."

"In Love?" Her parents screamed at the same time.

"Keeping living in your fantasy, Snow White." I yelled back, "Just admit what your problem with us really is."

"You really want me to say it?"

"Yea, I want you to stop being so passive-aggressive and say it."

"Fine!" Riley screamed, "Because girls kissing girls is disgusting."

"Riley," Mrs. Matthews barked.

"Do you know how hard is it to be your friend and having to defend you?" I yelled.

"Really? YOU have to defend ME?"

"Yea, because YOU punch people in the face with glitter." I yelled, "I work so hard to keep you and your delicate little feelings protected."

"No, I'M the one who has to work hard to keep you out of jail." She yelled back.

I felt Mr. Matthews had loosened his grip so I slipped out from him. I grabbed my bag and walked to the door.

"Fine. Friendship. Over." I yelled before storming out.

I stopped at the end of the hallway and turned around. She didn't chase after me.

%%%%

I walked to Topanga's to have one last honey cake. But when I got there my stomach dropped. Chai was at the counter with a latte, talking to my mom.

Oh no.

"Hey honey, you have a friend who's come to see you."

I mumble some gibberish. Both women raised their eyebrows.

"Ch...Chai, can we speak outside?"

She nodded and followed me to the patio.

"I'm sorry," she said, "We didn't exchange numbers, and I heard you guys hang out here. I swear didn't know your mom worked here."

"Did you say anything about…" I leaned forward and whispered, "the kissing?"

"No." she shook her head, "So...she doesn't know you're…"

"I haven't gotten around to it," I said sitting down on one of the patio chairs.

"Well, she's really nice." Chai said, sitting down next to me, "So...can we talk?"

"Yea." I nodded.

But then neither one of us said anything for a minute. We stared at each other, waiting for the other to formulate the words.

"Riley and I got into a big fight." I blurted out, "Our friendship is over."

"Because of me?"

"No." I shook my head, "Not exactly. There's been...tension."

Tension. I guess that was the best way to say 'I fell in love with her. She fell in love with a guy. I came out to her, and she's been disgusted by me ever since. '

I looked at the concrete. My best friend had called me disgusting.

Chai put her hand my chin, "What's wrong?"

"Riley called us disgusting," I said slightly looking up.

I could see Chai getting angry at first but she didn't say anything. I was about to boil over until she grabbed my hand. There was this calmness in her blue eyes.

It's sort of reminded of the way Riley used you look at me.

"So are we dating?" I finally asked, "Do...girls like us...date?"

"Yea. We do." She nodded, "So...I'm in if you are."

I placed my other hand on top of hers, "I'm in."

%%%%

The next morning, I didn't go to my locker, I wanted to avoid Riley for as long as possible. I did. Until History.

In Mr. Matthews, Riley was already sitting in her desk when I came in. We exchanged awkward looks, both of us realizing that we could no longer sit next to each other. I turned to Mr. Matthews.

"Yo Matthews, I request a seat change."

He shifted between us and nodded. He turned to Sarah sitting in the third row.

"Miss Carpenter, would you mind switching seats with Miss Hart?"

"I'm the new Maya?" She popped up, "Yay!"

She got her stuff, sat in my old desk, and put her feet up.

I sat down in my new seat. Mr. Matthews leaned over to me.

"I know you and Riley are going through something right now." He whispered, "And…"

"We broke up." I interrupted, "Forever."

"I don't think it's going to be forever." he whispered, "But either way, don't matter what, my door is always open for you."

I appreciate his efforts. But the truth is, he's not my dad, he's Riley's.

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