"What's today?" Marco asked.
Ellie shrugged. "Tuesday, I think," she said. "Why?"
"Why can't it be Friday?"
Ellie looked at him. "Why? You got a date or something?"
He held a pretend microphone up to his mouth. "Ding, ding, ding! Tell her what she's won!" he said.
Ellie smiled. "With who?"
"Dylan Michalchuk," he said, suddenly feeling embarrassed to talk about it. Even though Ellie was the first one to know that he was gay.
"Ooh," Ellie teased. But she hid her jealousy from him. She wanted him as much as he wanted Dylan, but she knew that he was certain about his sexuality.
"Quit," he said. "Or I'm never telling you anything ever again."
"Yeah, you will," she said.
"You're right," he replied. "You're my best friend I have to tell you everything."
"You don't have to tell me anything."
"Really?" he asked.
She nodded.
"Oh well, I guess it's the del Rossi in me," he said.
"Not exactly. You haven't come out to your family yet."
"Now we're make to you being my best friend."
"What? Do you want me to tell them you're gay?"
"No. Just be there with me," then as if he changed his mind. "Actually, don't. I don't want you to see my family slaughter me."
"They won't slaughter you," she said.
"You're right they'll just beat me to a pulp and then send the rest of the Italian mafia to finish the job."
She looked at him. "You're serious?"
He nodded. "Plus, I think my brother is homophobic."
"He'll get over it." She slammed her fist into her palm. "Or I'll make him."
"I think he's afraid of you anyway."
Ellie laughed. They turned away from their lockers and walked to class.