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Arizona's P.O.V

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I threw my school bag into the corner of my bedroom before throwing myself onto the bed.

"AGHHHHHHHHH!" I screamed at the top of my lungs into the pillow, hoping to muffle the sound of my screams as best as I could.

I can't believe that, once again, I was outed by a person I trusted. It's not like I wasn't going to tell anyone, I was, eventually. It's the fact that someone else, someone I trusted, thought they had the right to tell everyone something personal about myself. I wanted to be the one to tell everyone, I wanted to show them that I was damn proud of who I am, but I wanted to be settled in before the whole school knew.

Three consecutive knocks came from my bedroom door, followed by the sound of my dad's voice, "Hey Ari, is everything alright?" He must have heard my screaming, hiding my screams is not one of my talents unfortunately.

"No dad, everything is not 'alright'. The whole school knows I'm gay." I groaned and sat up. He was leaning against the open door, I couldn't help but smile, it was so sweet the way he knocked on my door even though it was open, my mum would have just walked right in, yet there he was waiting for permission. He took my smile as his cue to enter, he sat down beside me and I leant my head on his shoulder.

"What happened to the whole, 'I don't care if they all know, that's me and if they don't like it they can take a running jump'?" He asked, using my own words against me.

"I still feel like that dad, but it's hard, I haven't even been there a week. I just wanted to be prepared for when they all found out."

"Prepared? Prepared for what?" He asked sounding extremely confused.

I sighed, it's so easy for him and for all those who call themselves straight. They don't face the same prejudices, nowhere near the sort we face. They don't receive dirty looks or get asked stupid questions. I have never heard a straight person being asked 'how long they have been straight?' I mean they have it so easy, I'm more than willing to admit that I am jealous of how easy they have it, and yes, occasionally I had wished that I were straight or even contemplated pretending to be straight to live an easier life.

"I don't know dad. Just prepared, you know, ready for the names they call me and the way they treat me differently. I just wanted to be settled in enough to be able to confidently tell them to go fuc- do, themselves. I can't describe it dad, I just wasn't ready for everyone to know yet." I nuzzled my head into his chest as he turned to face me wrapping his arms, protectively, around me. He gave the top of my head a soft kiss.

"How did they find out?" He asked, finally breaking the silence that had fallen between us.

"Someone did their research, and felt it was best to warn the whole school." I didn't mention Mickie for two reasons, one: my dad loved her, he thought she was a great girl and I know he was secretly hoping we got together and I didn't have the heart to ruin his opinion of her, two: really Mickie is just a pawn in Courtney's game and I know what it's like to be in that position, I would have given my right arm to please Annabelle.

"Did they find out about Sasha sweetie?" He said so softly, that I almost, didn't flinch at the mention of her name, almost being the key word here.

"No they don't know about her and they never will, I guaran-damn-tee it." I said bitterly, clenching my jaw out of habit.

"I'm sorry Ari, I know it can't be easy for you. Everything you faced before and now..." I felt his body tense.

"It's okay dad, none of it is your fault." He let out a small sigh and his body relaxed considerably. He took my shoulders and pushed me back slightly so that I was looking at him.

"I'm not good at this whole... dad thing. I'm a just a beginner, I don't what to say to make you feel better, but I promise you that I wont let anyone else hurt you." He smiled at me, and that smile made me feel so grateful to my mum for kicking me out, if she hadn't I probably would never have really got to know my dad.

"It's okay dad." I hugged him tightly and he returned it. "You're doing a great job by the way." I whispered.

"If there is anything I can do just tell me." He whispered, I nodded in response. "I could always write you a note for school." He chuckled at his own lame joke, I joined in with him.

I pulled away from him, "You're not as funny as you think you are." I grinned at him as he pretended to act hurt by my comment.

"I'll have you know I'm very funny. You just don't appreciate me." He winked and stood up, "Now m'am would you care for a cup of tea?" He said in his best attempt at a posh accent.

"That would be delightful sir." I put on my best accent. We both laughed at how childish we are. He took my hands in his and lifted me up.

"You're a soldier Ari, don't ever forget that. You've been through a lot worse than this." He kissed me gently on the forehead. "No matter how bad life seems right now, there is some good in there somewhere, you just have to find it." With that, he left my room, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

He was right, as usual, there must be something good in this, I just have to find it. I was acting all depressed for no valid reason, and again he was right, I had been through a lot worse than this. I need to stop feeling sorry for myself, and most importantly I need to deal with this problem with Mickie...

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Mickie's P.O.V

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"Here Mickie." Courtney handed me a glass of lemonade before joining me on her bed. "You ready to tell me what bothering you?" She looked concerned, her facial expression was so soft and caring. It had been years since I had seen or even heard this side of Courtney, but recently I was seeing more and more of it. Maybe now was the right time to tell her, that is if she hadn't already guessed. But first I had to tell her what I had told Arizona.

"I did something stupid Court. At the time I didn't think it was stupid, but now I realise how stupid I was, and I wish I didn't but I did, I just don't think and-" I began, tripping over my words in an attempt to make Courtney understand that I was sorry.

"Woah, calm down Mickie. Just spit it out." Courtney laughed, I didn't want to do anything to ruin this moment, but I had to tell her, had to warn her.

I sighed and took a very deep breath, "I told Arizona we kissed." I admitted dropping my gaze to the floor before I had even finished talking. I couldn't look at Courtney's face, I couldn't see the disappointment or anger or both. I didn't need to see her however, to know that she had stood up, I felt her presence leave. "I'm sorry Courtney." I whispered, hopefully it was loud enough for too hear.

"Look at me." She commanded, and, as usual, I obliged looking up to meet her eyes from across the room. Her arms were crossed over her chest and her jaw was clenched. To say she wasn't happy would be a understatement. "Why would you tell her?" The tone of her voice was so cold and distant, the complete opposite from how she sounded earlier.

"I-I don't know. I just thought... I was... I thought I could trust her." I stuttered, somehow managing to form a complete sentence.

"That's just it Mickie, you didn't think. Of course you can't trust her." She wasn't yelling or shouting like I had expected her to, instead she sounded disappointed and so distant. I think I would have preferred it if she was shouting at me.

"I'm sorry." I repeated, not knowing what else I could possibly say.

"Stop apologising Mickie." Courtney snapped, sounding frustrated.

"I'm-" I started, but bit the inside of my cheek to stop myself from once again apologising. Courtney looked at me and sighed, she walked over and sat down beside me.

"That's what she meant earlier isn't it?" I know it wasn't really a question but I nodded. Her facial expression softened. "Okay. So, she didn't say anything earlier, she had the perfect opportunity too, but she didn't. So lets just hope she can keep her mouth shut, or I may have to personally shut it for her.

Courtney stood up and took the glass of lemonade from my hands, she placed it on the bedside table and took my hands to lift me up from the bed.

"I'm sorry for be so rude to you Mickie." Courtney apologised, and then she leant in to kiss me, but I did something stupid. I turned my head at the last minute, something I never ever thought I would do. Courtney gave me a strange look, a mixture of hurt and confusion.

"I can't Courtney. I mean I want to, but I can't." I had to tell her, I can't keep pretending. I have too know how she feels. I want her to know how I feel. "What is this Courtney?" I asked, gesturing between us with my hand.

"I told you, I like kissing you."

"No Courtney. You can't keep saying that. I don't want to get my hopes up if this is just a game. I can't..." My voice broke at the end, and everything else went out of the window, my heart was now controlling me.

"This isn't a game Mickie, but I don't know what this is. I don't like feeling out of control but thats exactly how I feel right now, and I don't like it."

"I know how you feel Court, but I can't pretend any longer." I can't believe I was actually going to admit this out-loud and too Courtney herself.

"Pretend? Pretend about what?"

"I'm in love with you Courtney. I have been for a very long time." I can't believe I just told her. I think I'm going to be sick. I was definitely going to be sick if she didn't say something soon. "Say something." I begged her.

"I know." Was all she said. She knows, knows what? That I am in love with her. "I know you're in love with me." She clarified, and turned around so her back was to me.

"I don't understand." She sighed, turning back round to face me, she took my hand and led me over to the bed.

"I figured it out a few months ago, well I didn't exactly, Danny did." Danny knows, oh God. "It's okay I told him he was wrong." She said reassuringly seeing the look on my face.

"Why didn't you say anything?"

"I don't know. I wanted to find it disgusting, I wanted to find you disgusting, but I couldn't." She shook her head, as if she couldn't quite understand.

"I understand how you feel Courtney, I mean I felt the same way." I went to touch her hand, but she pulled it back.

"Do you understand though Mickie? This isn't right, I shouldn't want to kiss you let alone like kissing you. I should be with a guy, you should be with a guy."

"Why? Who say's that is what is meant to happen? I mean if you love someone-"

"But that's just it you're not supposed to fall in love with someone of the same gender, it's not right." I felt like my heart was breaking, Courtney actually liked me but because of society she felt like she couldn't.

"It is right Court, I like you and you like me, so why should we not be together." I wanted to scream at her and make her understand that there was nothing wrong with being gay. That there is nothing wrong with two girls, who are in love, being together.

"Because it's wrong, a sin. God will punish us for being with someone of the same sex."

"Since when have you believed in God." I raised my eyebrows, Courtney has never believed in God, well not in a 'he will punish you' way. "Just tell me the truth Court." I pleaded with her, if I could find out the truth than maybe I could help her.

"Fine. You want the truth Mickie, here it is." She looked me straight in the eyes. "I worked too damn hard to get where I am now. I have everyones respect, regardless of whether or not they like me, I refuse to lose that."

"Your popularity, is that all that matters to you?" I already knew the answer, but I had to hear it from her mouth.

"It is one of the things yes. You only get one chance Mickie I'm not going to ruin it for myself. Surely you understand that. That's why you never said anything."

I don't know why I felt so hurt by her statement, had I been asked the same question yesterday I would have given the same answer as Courtney. But now I realise what was so important to me, it wasn't about me being popular, no, it was me being popular enough to still spend time with Courtney.

"I did understand Courtney. But do you know what? I would tell the whole world if it meant I could be with you." I started to walk toward her but she held out her hand to stop me.

"I'm sorry Mickie, but I'm not like you. What ever you think might happen between us forget it. It will never, ever, happen." It was as if someone had actually ripped my heart out and was using it as a trampoline.

"Arizona was right. I am so stupid, I never should have told you." I felt the tears falling, as I stood up and ran out of her bedroom, then her front door, slamming it behind me...

Somehow I managed to drive myself home. As soon as I fell onto my bed I started to sob, I covered my face with my hands and cried until I could cry no longer. Once the sobs turned into sniffles, I noticed that someone was sitting on the bed beside me, rubbing my back soothingly.

"It's okay Princess. It's okay." My dad repeated over and over, rubbing circles on my back. It took a good ten minutes for me to calm down. When I had finally calmed down I sat up to face him. "Want to tell me whats wrong?" He wiped the last few tears from my eyes.

"Can I have a hug?" I said, sounding like a five year old holding out my arms for a hug from my dad.

"Uh oh, it's serious." He pulled me into a tight hug. I swear, there is no where safer in this world than being in my dad's arms. "What's wrong Princess? You can tell me anything." He whispered. I wanted to tell him so badly, but I couldn't cope if he hated me because of it.

"Princess?" He tried again, gently pushing me back so he could look at me. "You can tell me anything, I promise baby girl." He pressed his lips against my forehead.

"I'm gay dad." I thought I had cried myself out, but apparently not. He looked at me, his facial expressions giving nothing away. Slowly, a smile appeared on his face.

"Okay, no big deal. I just have to kick the girl's arse, instead of the boy's, who made you cry." Again he wiped the tears from my cheek.

"You don't hate me?" I asked, still a little unsure.

"Of course I don't hate you Princess. You're my little girl, I don't care if you like girls, boys or little green men, as long as your happy I'm happy."

"I was so scared too tell you." I admitted.

"You silly girl, I thought we agreed to tell each other everything." He playfully flicked my nose and I returned the favour. "Are you going to tell your mother?" He asked, once we had finished messing around.

"Not yet. I can't-"

"Okay baby girl. In your own time." He cut me off, not needing to hear my excuses. "Now, I am going to make something to eat, do you want anything?"

"No thank-you. If it's okay I think I'm just going to go to sleep, I'm really tired." I told him and as if I had planned it I yawned.

"Okay Princess, I'll see you in the morning." He gave me one final kiss on the forehead and left my room.

Today had truly been crazy. Arizona had been outed, thanks to me and Courtney. I told Courtney that I was in love with her. She knocked me back. I finally told my dad I was gay. God, I cant wait for this day to be over, bring on tomorrow.

My mind drifted to Courtney, and in doing so, my heart hurt, I felt like an elephant was sitting on my chest. Her words kept repeating in my head, 'what ever you think might happen between us forget it. It will never, ever, happen.'

Arizona. I owed her an huge apology, but somehow I don't think 'sorry' was going to cut it...

"I'll see you tonight dad." I called out to him, as I picked up my school bag.

"See you tonight Princess." He called back. I picked up the keys to my baby from the cabinet in the hallway.

The drive to school didn't last half as long as I had hoped it would, even after first stopping at Starbucks to get a coffee. I didn't want to go to school today, I didn't want to face Courtney, but I had to speak to Arizona. Courtney had tried to call me seven times last night and had sent me over a dozen texts, each I ignored. I was still hurting from her words to speak to her. I know, that eventually I'll have to face her, but the longer I can put it off the better.

I pulled into the deserted student car park, no surprise there, I was late, again. I parked in the furthest available space from the school. After taking a few deep breaths, I mustered up the courage to leave my car and walk towards the school. Slowly I walked to my form room, preparing myself to see Courtney.

At least today was friday, that meant I had a free this morning and the weekend was nearly here, at least I had something to smile about.

Opening the door to my room with a long sigh, I walked in. My entrance caused the whole class to fall silent. My eyes searched the room for Courtney, but she wasn't here.

"You're late Miss James. Take your seat." My form tutor said to me, giving me a dirty look from under his glasses. I couldn't help but roll my eyes as I took one of the remaining seats at the front of the room.

"I know. I can't believe it." I heard a few of my classmates whispering behind me. I turned around to see who it was. Two girls I knew well enough.

"Can't believe what Janey?" I asked the girl I knew better of the two. Janey and I have History together. Janey looked at the other girl, Marianna, who looked back at her. The two exchanged a look I didn't understand.

"Come on tell me. Usually I know all the gossip around here". I joked, laughing, but when they didn't join in I started to worry. "Just tell me. What can't you believe?"

One of the more popular boys from the back spoke up then. "They can't believe you're gay."