-Chapter 15: Somewhere Under the Rainbow*-

-Zeke-

I was in science class, not giving a damn when I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket. I tried to ignore it, but it buzzed a few more times, so I decided to check it out.

"What the fuck do y'all want?!" I thought.

I didn't want my phone getting taken.

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Kris has added you to a group chat

Kris has added Jessica to a group chat

Group of Randos

K: hey all, I just wanted to say that I have an announcement and need all of you to go to the quad of the school once it ends, k?

J: sure! I'll be there

Z: ditto.

K: and Red! Bring Cas with you!

Z: why?

K: just do it!

Z: fine

Z: get off your phones

K: thank uuuuuuu

J: could you guys not? I don't want my phone to be taken

K: sorry!

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When the bell rang, I texted Cassie to meet Kris in the quad before heading there myself. When I turned the corner, I found Kris already sitting on the stairs leading up to the outdoor stage.

She looked nervous, almost terrified. Just one look at her could tell you she had a lot on her mind. I wonder what she wanted to say.

She looked up when she heard me round the corner.

"Oh, hey, Red." She didn't sound all the enthusiastic. Her voice wasn't cheery like it usually was.

I stuck my hand out for a high five, but instead, she took my hand and just held it tightly.

"Are you ok?" I asked her. I was worried. What was going on?

She took a deep breath.

"Yeah, I'm ok." She said. "I'm just nervous."

"What about?" I ask.

"The thing I have to tell. It's making me nervous." She admits.

"I'm sure it's not that bad," I said in an attempt to comfort her.

"Hey, guys!" Jess said. "Sorry I'm late, the teacher was a bitch."

Cassie was behind her, silent. She just waved.

Kris quickly let go of my hand and shot me a worried glance.

I shot back a reassuring smile and walked next to Cassie.

"What'd you call us here for?" Jessie asked.

Kris walked up the stairs and stood silently for a few seconds, trying to find her words. She finally took another deep breath in and out.

"I'm sorry for calling you out h-here like this but I needed to get this out. So sit down, boy and girls, because things are about to get interesting." She said, trying to mask her fear.

Jess, Cassie, and I all took a seat on the ground, as she said.

"You may be wondering why I called you three here. I have a little surprise for you all. Well, an announcement." She corrected.

"I'm...I'm gay!" She smiled as tears crept to her eyes. Only then did her smile finally fall, and she started to cry.

I cautiously walked up and wrapped my arms around her in a gentle hug. Jess walked up and put a hand on Kris' shoulder.

"Why are you crying, Krissy?" Jess asked.

"B-because I d-don't want y-you all to h-hate me." She sobbed.

"Why would we do that?" I asked.

"W-we like you just the way you are, Kristina." Cassie peeped as she walked up the stairs.

She sniffled before pulling away. I could see a small smile had crept onto her face.

"We accept you for you," Jessie said.

For the first time in weeks, I agreed with her.

"Really?" Kris asked, surprised.

"Yes, Kris, we do," I reassured her. "We'd rather you be you then you pretending to be someone you're not."

Tears fell from her eyes as she pulled us into a group hug.

"I love you guys." She said. "Thank you."