Hello! This is a very important chapter, and one of my favorites to write :P The songs I used are Homeless Heart by Jennette McCurdy and Good To You by Marianas Trench. Enjoy!

The little girl was crying in the swing. Tears fell from her eyes and landed in the floor, one after another. She could still hear the boys laughing in the distance, walking away from her.

"Why are you crying?"

The girl looked up when she heard a voice next to her. She thought it was one of the boys from before, that came back to keep making fun of her. But it was a cute little girl, with big brown eyes and wavy hair tied in two ponytails. She seemed to have the same age as her.

"Why are you crying?" the girl asked again.

Elizabeth wiped away her tears, and pouted. When she opened her mouth to answer, new tears formed in her blue eyes.

"Those mean kids were making fun of me" she said.

"Why?" the other asked. She sat in the other swing, next to her.

"Because I have two dads, instead of a mom and a dad"

"But that isn't a bad thing." the wavy haired girl said, confused.

"I know." Elizabeth said, and more tears escaped from her eyes "They just love each other, there's nothing wrong with that." she wiped away her tears with the back of her hand "But people are always telling them bad things, and those stupid kids are always bothering me."

"Do you want me to kick their asses?"

"No. My papa says they aren't worth my attention, and that I just have to ignore them. And my daddy says that prejudice is just ignorance, but I don't know what that means."

"They sound like really cool people." the other girl said, and Elizabeth smiled.

"They are. I don't care if those boys make fun of me, but they always insult my dads, and they don't deserve it."

"How are they like?"

"Well, my papa is a designer."

"What's that?"

"He makes clothes. Special clothes. They're really beautiful. He says that when I grow up, I will be able to use them, but right now they don't fit me."

"I see." the girl with the big brown eyes seemed really interested, so Elizabeth kept talking. She loved it when people pay her attention.

"He has blue eyes like me, and his hair always looks perfect. He's tall, and his skin is very pale. Also, he has a beautiful voice. Sometimes, when he sings, he sounds like a girl."

Unlike the other kids, the little girl next to her didn't laugh. She just nodded, encouraging her to talk.

"My daddy is a singer, so he has a beautiful voice too. But he doesn't sound like a girl. He's shorter than my papa, and his hair is really curly. I like to touch it, it's really soft. His eyes are green and brown. He's always smiling. I really like his smile, it's like mine." The little girl smiled "And then there's my big brother Adam. He's three years older than me."

"How's he like?"

"He has curly hair like my dad, and blue eyes like my papa. He's very tall, so he always gives me piggyback rides."

When Elizabeth finished talking, the other girl looked down.

"Those boys pick on me too" she said, looking sad.

"Why?"

"Because I only have a mom."

"And where's your dad?"

The wavy haired girl shrugged, and they remained silent. After a while, Elizabeth smiled.

"I have an idea!" the other girl looked at her, her curiosity evident in her eyes. "I'll let you borrow one of my dads! That way, you will have both a mom and a dad!"

The girl smiled, but then, her smile disappeared.

"But…I can't pick one. They both sound amazing…"

Elizabeth thought about it for a few seconds, and then smiled again.

"Then I can lend you both. But with one condition."

"What?"

"You have to lend me your mom. I never had a mom."

"Deal"

With bright smiles in their cute faces, they shook hands.

"I'm Elizabeth, by the way. You can call me Lizzie. Everyone does."

"Okay, Lizzie. I'm Samantha. You can call me Sam. No one does, but I would like them to."

"Come, Sam, I want you to meet my parents."

Both girls walked away, holding hands.

"And how's your mom doing?"

"She's…fine. How about your family? I see your dads in TV all the time, but I haven't heard anything about Adam."

"He's in college now. He's living with my aunt and my uncle in New York. My cousin Barbra has moved to my house a few days ago. Do you remember Barbra?"

"Yes, I do. She never talked."

"Yeah, she was so shy! Anyway, Adam has come to visit us, and he will stay for another week." Elizabeth took a sip of her latte "He and Barbra had been acting weird lately, and I don't know why."

"What do you mean weird?" Sam said.

"I don't know, they almost don't talk to each other, they don't look at each other, I would even say that they avoid being in the same room for more than five minutes."

Sam took a sip of her cappuccino and looked at Elizabeth.

"And have you asked them why?"

"Yes, but they won't tell me! It's like they don't trust me anymore…"

"I'm sure they do trust you, but maybe they don't want you to worry" Sam said.

Elizabeth smiled.

"I have forgotten your capacity to make me feel better with a couple words." she said.

Sam smiled too, and looked around. The Lima Bean was almost empty. Then, she looked at her friend again.

"You have changed a lot, Lizzie."

"You too. But somehow, you're just like I remember you."

"You're not how I remember you. You're even more beautiful."

Elizabeth blushed slightly and looked down, smiling.

"Why did you move to Ohio, anyway?" Sam asked "I thought you liked New York."

"Oh, I love New York. But my grandpa got sick a couple years ago, so we came here to be near him and my grandma. He got better, eventually, but Adam was doing great at Dalton, so he wanted to stay." Elizabeth explained.

"So why didn't he stay with your grandparents?"

"That was the plan, at first. But then, I realized that I was happier here, because I was near David and Lucy. When I lived in New York I saw them every once in a while, but it was not the same. So we decided to stay, at least until I finish high school."

"And will you return to New York for college?"

"Yes, I want to go to Julliard, just like Adam." Elizabeth said.

"What is he studying?"

"Drama. He wants to be an actor"

"Wow, that's so cool! What do you want to study?" Sam asked.

"I'm not sure. I like singing, but being an actress would be nice, too. How about you?"

"Um, I'm not sure. I would like to be a writer, it sounds nice."

The girls went silent. After a while, Elizabeth stood up. Sam looked at her from her seat.

"Let's go." Elizabeth said.

"Where?"

"To my house. I'm sure my parents and my brother will be really happy to see you." Elizabeth smiled.

"Let's go." Sam smiled too, and they left the place.

Anna closed her locker and turn to look at her sister. Hannah was frowning at her, visibly mad.

"Hannah, you've been mad at me since yesterday, what's wrong?" Anna asked.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"What?"

"You know what! Why didn't you tell me that you like that John guy?"

"James."

"Whatever. Anna, I'm your sister! We know everything about each other!" Hannah said.

"Yeah, I know but…" Anna sighed "I knew you would be upset if I told you."

"Why would I be upset?"

"Because every time I like someone, you get angry at me!"

"That's because you like the most idiotic boys!" Hannah exclaimed.

"No, I don't!" Anna said, indignant.

"Yes you do! Do you want me to start naming them?"

"Well, at least I'm not like you!"

"What do you mean?"

"You never like anyone! It's like you hate the rest of the world!"

"That's not true!" Hannah said, looking as indignant as her sister.

"Yes it is. Tell me the name of at least one person you have liked."

Hannah opened her mouth to speak, but she closed it when she found nothing to say. Anna raised her eyebrows at her.

"Fine, do what you want!" Hannah said, frowning "But when he breaks your heart, don't come crying to me!"

The girl left, leaving her sister behind. Anna sighed and walked away too.

"Hey, Alma"

"Oh, hey, Brad."

Brad sat next to Alma, smiling. He searched for something in his pocket.

"Look what I got" he said, showing her two tickets.

"What are those?" she asked.

"These are tickets for an art exhibition this Saturday." the coach said "I thought that maybe we could go together."

"Yes! I love art exhibitions! How did you know?" Alma said, grabbing the tickets with a smile.

"Well, I thought…"

"You asked my mother, didn't you?" she said, raising her eyebrows.

"Maybe"

They both laughed. Alma took out her lunch, and so did Brad. They started to eat, talking and laughing.

"Miss Schue!"

Suddenly, Lucy entered the room, followed by David. They both looked very concerned.

"What's wrong?" Alma said, standing up.

"You have to come with me!" Lucy said.

"LET GO OF ME, I'M GOING TO KILL HER!"

"Lizzie, calm down!"

"DON'T TELL ME TO CALM DOWN, SAM, I'M GOING TO KILL THAT BITCH!"

"COME THEN, I'M WAITING FOR YOU!"

When Alma, David and Lucy got there, the teacher widened her eyes. Elizabeth was being held back by Sam and Barbra, and Natasha was also being held back by a couple of Cheerios. They both looked like they wanted to rip off each other's head with their teeth.

"Miss Schue, help me!" Sam pleaded.

"Lizzie!" Alma exclaimed "What happened!"

"I don't know, when we got here they were already fighting!" Barbra said.

"Girls, stop it!" Alma shouted, but they didn't listen to her.

"I SWEAR, IF YOU DON'T LET GO OF ME SO I CAN KILL HER, YOU'LL BE NEXT!" Elizabeth screamed, trying helplessly to free from Sam's arms.

"YOU'LL BE DEAD FIRST, LESBO!" Natasha screamed too.

"What the hell is going on here!"

Everyone went silent and turned to see Sue and Becky standing in the hallway, next to them. Sue was frowning, and her arms were crossed.

"I asked you a question!" the woman said.

"Coach, we were…" Natasha started.

"Trying to kill each other!"

Sue seemed very angry, and everyone was kind of scared, especially Elizabeth and Natasha.

"If I find out that you two are fighting again, you can say goodbye to being in the Cheerios!" the woman stated. Then, she turned around and left, with Becky walking behind her.

Sam let go of Elizabeth, and the Cheerios did the same with Natasha. They both glared at each other. Natasha turned around and left, followed by the other Cheerios. Everyone looked at Elizabeth.

"What?" she said "I'm fine!"

Then, she left. Sam walked behind her, trying to reach her. The rest of them just stood there.

"Well, kids, go to your classes" Alma ordered.

"Lizzie!" Sam said, putting a hand in her shoulder.

"Let go of me." Elizabeth said, entering the bathroom.

"Lizzie, wait!" Sam entered after her, and made Elizabeth turn to see her. "What happened?"

"She was making fun of me, and I got really mad. Then I just… hit her."

"But why? You never pay attention to people when they make fun of you!"

"She knows it, Sam!"

"Knows what?"

"That I am a lesbian!" Elizabeth exclaimed.

"How does she know?" Sam asked, frowning.

"I don't know, maybe she saw us holding hands or something, and she made the assumption!"

"Then it's just a rumor" Sam said, trying to calm her down.

"Well, that "rumor" happens to be true!" Elizabeth said.

"And what if she knows? I thought you were proud of who you are. That's what made me come out in the first place!"

"Look, Sam, I'm proud of who I am, I really am." Elizabeth looked down and sighed "It's just that… I don't want everyone to know."

"Why? You never cared about it."

"I didn't. At least until they started to judge me for loving in a different way. Until everyone started to make fun of me, or to make stupid jokes, until all the girls stopped talking to me…"

Elizabeth sighed again, and then she looked at Sam.

"Do you know how hard it was for me to bear with all the ignorance of the world after you left?" she asked.

Sam parted her lips slightly, seeing how the tears started to form in Elizabeth's eyes. Then, she hugged her.

"I know. It was hard for me too." she said, burying her nose in her hair. "But you know what?"

"What?" Elizabeth asked, sobbing.

"We have each other now." Sam looked at her again and smiled "We're together again, and we won't let them bring us down."

Elizabeth nodded. Sam caressed her hair, smiling.

Anna stood up when the bell rang. She saw Hannah leaving the classroom, without even looking at her. Anna sighed. Her sister was really mad at her. The girl left too.

"Hey" she heard someone saying. She recognized the voice, and smiled.

"Hey, James" she said.

"Can I talk to you?" he asked.

"Of course"

"Come with me."

Anna followed James through the hallways, until they entered and empty classroom. He turned to look at her, smiling.

"Look, Anna, I really like you." he said. Anna blushed, and smiled too "I mean, you're nice, you're talented, you're beautiful…"

"Thanks" she muttered, looking at her shoes. Then, she looked at him "I really like you too."

"That's awesome!" James exclaimed, smiling "But I think we should get to know each other more, you know, before we start a relationship or something…"

"I agree." Anna said, nodding.

"So, would you go on a date with me tomorrow?" James asked.

"Of course"

"Great!" the boy smiled broadly.

They looked at each other for a while, smiling.

"Well, I gotta go" James said "See you, then."

"See you."

After a moment of hesitation, he kissed her on the cheek and left. Anna touched her face with her fingertips and smiled even more.

"Yes!" she said.

"Okay, guys, let's start the class!" Alma said.

"Miss Schue" Sam said, raising her hand "I would like to sing a song to someone, if you don't mind."

"Of course, Sam, go ahead." the teacher said.

Sam stood up and looked at Elizabeth.

"Lizzie, this song is for you." she said "I hope you like it."

Elizabeth smiled, and so did Sam. She started to sing, softly.

Lonesome stranger
With a crowd around you
I see who you are
You joke, they laugh
Till the show is over
Then you fall so hard

Elizabeth bit her lip, looking at her friend.

If you're needing
A soul-to-soul connection
I'll run to your side

Looking at Elizabeth, Sam kept singing.

When you're lost in the dark
When you're out in the cold
When you're looking for something

that resembles your soul
When the wind blows your house of cards
I'll be a home to your homeless heart

Open close me
Leave your secrets with me
I can ease your pain

David took Lucy's hand and they smiled to each other.

And my arms will be
Just like walls around you
Come in from the rain

If you're running
In the wrong direction
I will lead you back

Sam never broke eye contact with Elizabeth, as she sang with all her strength.

When you're lost in the dark
When you're out in the cold
When you're looking for something

that resembles your soul
When the wind blows your house of cards
I'll be a home to your homeless heart

Sam started to walk towards her, singing.

Broken
Shattered like a mirror
In a million pieces
Sooner or later
You've got to find
Something, someone
To find you and save you

Sam stood in front of Elizabeth, and they smiled. Sam kept singing, looking straight into her eyes.

When you're lost in the dark
When you're out in the cold
When you're looking for something

that resembles your soul
When the wind blows your house of cards
I'll be a home to your homeless heart

When you're looking for something

that resembles your soul
When the wind blows your house of cards
I'll be a home to your homeless heart

She took her hand, and sang the last line, smiling sideways

I'll be a home to your homeless heart.

Elizabeth stood up and hugged Sam, while everyone clapped.

"Thank you" she whispered into her ear.

"You're welcome" Sam said, hugging her tighter.

"David, I'm not sure I can do this…"

"Come on, Kevin, don't be such a coward!"

Kevin adjusted his glasses and looked at David. They were in the school's library. Both of them were looking at a brunette girl who was seated reading a book.

"Okay, what do I have to do again?" Kevin asked.

"Go and talk to her. Look, she's reading something, I'm sure she's a nerd like you!" David said.

"Thank you…"

"You're welcome" David put his hands on Kevin's shoulders and squeezed them "Now go!"

He gently pushed him forward. Kevin looked back at David and walked towards the girl. He sat next to her, and she looked at him.

"Hi" Kevin said awkwardly.

"Hi" the girl said, with a little smile "Can I help you?"

"Um, yeah" Kevin looked briefly at David, who nodded, encouraging him "I was wondering what you were reading."

The girl showed him the cover.

"Pride and Prejudice" she said, smiling.

"Oh, it's a good book. I like Jane Austen." Kevin said, smiling too.

"You do?" the girl asked, surprised.

"Yeah" Kevin nodded.

"I never met a boy who liked Jane Austen before!"

"Well, I guess I'm the first one."

"Yes, you are. I'm Sophie, by the way" she said, holding out her hand.

"Kevin" the boy said, shaking her hand.

"Nice to meet you, Kevin"

Kevin turned around to look at David, but he was gone. The boy smiled. He would have to thank him later.

Anna opened the door of her room, slowly. She saw Hannah lying on the bottom of the bunk bed, reading a magazine with her ear buds on. Anna stepped into their bedroom, but her sister didn't notice her. Suddenly, Ana jumped on the bed and hugged Hannah, who let out a shriek, surprised.

"Anna?" she asked "What are you doing?"

"Hugging you"

"I can see that. But why?"

"Do you remember when we were kids, and we used to fight over stupid things?" Anna asked, without letting go of her sister.

"Yeah"

"Do you remember that I always cried, because I didn't want you to be mad at me?"

"Yeah" Hannah smiled "You were always a cry baby"

Anna chuckled.

"And do you remember that every time I cried you would hug me and tell me that everything was okay, and that you weren't mad at me anymore?"

"I do." Hannah said. After a few seconds, she sighed and hugged her sister back "It's okay, I'm not mad at you anymore."

"Really?" Anna asked.

"Really. But only with one condition"

"What?" Anna looked at her, with her arms still around her neck. Hannah smiled.

"You will have to let me sleep at the top tonight"

"But tonight's my turn!" Anna said.

"Then I'm still mad at you."

"Fine, you can sleep at the top tonight" Anna granted.

"Yes!" Hannah said, and they both laughed.

Barbra entered her room and threw her bag on the bed. She took out her jacket and hung it in the closet.

"Hi"

A voice surprised her, and she turned around. Adam was sitting in a chair, in front of her keyboard.

"Adam? What are you doing here?"

"I wanted to talk with you."

"And you sneaked into my room?"

"It's the only way you will listen to me."

"What do you want?" the girl sat on her bed, looking at him.

"Why don't you accept your feelings?"

"Those feelings are gone, Adam" Barbra said, frowning.

"Then why are you still wearing it? The necklace I gave to you" Adam asked, pointing at Barbra's eighth-shaped necklace. The girl touched it.

"Because it's pretty." she said, looking at the floor.

A small silence fell upon them. Barbra kept looking down, and Adam's eyes were still fixed on her.

"It's been a long time since we don't sing together." he said.

"I know."

"Our voices sound really good together."

"I know" Barbra repeated.

"Why don't we sing together one more time?" Adam asked. Barbra looked at him.

"Fine. Just one song, and then you'll go." she agreed.

Adam nodded and turned around, so he was facing the keyboard. He started to play and sing, looking at Barbra.

Everyone's around
No words are coming now
And I can't find my breath,

can we just say the rest with no sound?

Barbra smiled. She didn't remember Adam's voice being so beautiful. He was the lead singer of the Warblers when he was in high school, after all. He kept singing, with his eyes fixed on her.

And I know this isn't enough
I still don't measure up
And I'm not prepared,

sorry is never there when you need it.
And now I do, want you to know

I'd hold you up above everyone
And I do, want you to know I think

you'd be good to me and I'd be so good to you

Adam's eyes were filled with sadness, and so were Barbra's. He sang whole-heartedly, looking at her.

I would…

Barbra stood up from the bed and started walking towards him, singing.

I thought I saw a sign
Somewhere between the lines
Maybe it's me, maybe I only see what I want

Or I still have your letter
Just got caught between someone I just invented
Who I really am
And who I've become

She sat next to him, and they both sang the chorus, looking into each other's eyes.

And now I do want you to know

I'd hold you up above everyone
And I do want you to know I think

you'd be good to me, and I'd be so good to you

They both kept singing, they're beautiful voices filling the room.

Woah, woah, woah

Adam sang the next line, loud and clear.

I can't be without you.

They kept singing together.

Woah, woah, woah, yeah

Barbra and Adam looked intensely at each other, as they sang.

I would…

Once again, they sang the chorus, with all the strength of their voices, and their gazes together.

And I do want you to know

I'd hold you up above everyone
And I do want you to know I think

you'd be good to me, and I'd be so good to you

Barbra and Adam took turns to sing each line.

I'd be good to you
I'd be good to you
I'd be good to you
I'd be so good to you
I'd be good to you
I'd be good to you
I'd be good to you

Adam played the last notes and sang the final line, looking at Barbra.

I'd be so good to you…

They sat there, panting, and looking at each other.

"That was really good" Adam said.

"Yeah…"

Suddenly, their lips crashed together, and they kissed passionately. Adam placed his hand on Barbra's cheek, and she put her arms around his neck. Then, it was like the whole world stopped, and they were away from judging looks, away from their thoughts, and left alone with their feelings.

"Let's go to my bedroom, I need to show you something" Elizabeth said to Sam, and they both went upstairs.

Both girls walked towards Elizabeth's bedroom. But then, Elizabeth stopped dead on her tracks, her eyes and mouth wide open. Sam stopped too.

"What's wrong?" she asked, standing next to her.

But she didn't need Elizabeth's answer. Her eyes widened too, and her jaw fell open.

"Oh, dear…"

"Let's go!" Elizabeth said, and grabbed her by the wrist.

They entered her bedroom, and Elizabeth closed the door. Then, she turned to look at Sam, who seemed as surprised at her.

"Well…" she said "I think that explains why they were acting so weird lately…"