a/n if you are a homophobe, STOP READING RIGHT NOW! Or continue at your own risk. Maybe my next story will be homophobe friendly.

Buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz! Buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz! BUZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ! Joa punched her alarm clock, as visions of strangling to moron who had invented the alarm clock danced in her head.

"You awake?" her sister called thru the door. Joa groaned and rolled over. Elli opened the door and poured water on Joa's bed head. Joa screamed and rolled out of bed. Elli ran away chortling, and nearly missed the pillow that Joa launched at her.

Joa dusted herself off, and went into the bathroom, mutter about "sisters who are too cheerful for their own good," and "alarm clocks that don't shut up." She turned the shower on and brushed her teeth.

Twenty minutes later Joa was sitting on her bed, wrapped in a towel, brushing her hair and trying to figure out what to wear to school. She decided on a red halter-top with a rhinestone star on the front, and black jeans. Well, it's not like I have anyone to dress up for, she speculated as she pulled on a pair of blue and white sneakers. She went down stairs. (a/n dun dun dun (just kidding))

Elli was eating breakfast in the kitchen. She put down her muffin and eyed Joa's outfit.

Joa put down her bagel slowly. "What's wrong this morning?"

"I have a jean mini in my closet that would look great with that."

"Why is in that I'm the gay one, and you're the one giving fashion advice?"

Elli ignored her. "And you're going to have to wear sleeves over that. Dress code."

"Fine!" she threw up her hands in a gesture of submission. "I'll wear the mini." then went back upstairs.

Elli smiled. "I knew you'd see it my way.

Joa opened Elli's closet door. I don't even want to know why she has so many clothes, she thought to herself. She pulled on the mini, and grabbed a shiny blue jacket, then went back downstairs.

"Better." Ellie said decisively. "But those shoes…"

"Ahhhhhhhhhhh!" Joa grabbed her backpack and left.

"Wait for me!" Elli squealed and dashed after her sister. She caught up at the corner. "You walk to fast," she gasped.

"Maybe you walk too slow," Joa retorted. they walked in silence for a minute.

"Joa?"

"Yeah?"

"I don't really like the idea of you telling people that you're a lesbian."

"It's my choice to make. There are homophobes everywhere, and I doubt that they'll be as radical here."

"I'm sorry. I'm just worried. I don't want you to be another Kiera." Joa stopped abruptly. "I- Oh my gosh. I did it again."

Joa started stiffly walking again. "It's OK."

"No, it's not. I know it's not. But I'm getting better. We used her in normal conversation for 3 years. You want to talk about it?"

"No." they walked in silence for a minute. "Yes. I killed her Elli." Joa whispered, Tears streaming down her cheeks. "If she had never met me she'd be alive today."

Elli hugged her. "Maybe she would. And maybe she wouldn't. We'll never know. Everything happens for a reason, Joa. Even if we never know what that reason is. What happened at the trial, if you don't mind me asking?"

Joa smiled, but it was not a happy smile. "I pleaded guilty, but I was just a witness so they didn't arrest me. The only thing I did right in this whole damn mess. And they didn't arrest me. You should know. It was all over the papers. A homophobe kills a gay person and the whole country knows about it."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be."

They walked the rest of the way to school in silence.

a/n I told you it would get more interesting!

Read!

buri208

p.s. I write for myself, and I only post it because I want to add something to replace all the great stories I've read, so if you don't have anything nice to say, refrain from reviewing.