After class, I had wanted to talk to Heather about how I felt about her again. I wanted her to know how I felt, too. However, I was going to have to wait to talk to her about it because she needed to head to band practice and I, of course, didn't want to be a bad friend, so I went along with her. It felt weird that the two of us were still calling each other friends, when I knew that the two of us were so much more than that. Nevertheless, I had promised that I would keep it a secret. I only wished that didn't mean that Heather and I had to act as if nothing existed between us at all. I was glad that class was over, though, and the sky outside seemed to be brightening up a little. After band practice, I figured that Heather and I could go and sit on the grounds outside for a little while. It would give us some time to talk to each other without worrying about other people's opinions of us.

Ultimately, I understood why Heather was so secretive and I understood why she didn't want other people to know about her. I knew that she was worried about how her father would react if he ever discovered the truth about her, especially considering he had made homophobic remarks in the past. I knew that my parents tended to be pretty tolerant and accepting but I was a little anxious to tell them about my feelings for Heather, in all honesty. I knew that one day I would, though. Nevertheless, my relationship with Heather was new. In fact, we weren't calling each other girlfriends yet but it still felt serious. This was a significant change in my life and I was going to work everything out.

After we had walked to the music room, Heather and the others got up onto the stage.

Drew and Wesley began to play their guitars, while Heather walked over to the microphone.

"One, two, three," Drew counter her in but Heather remained silent.

Heather caught my gaze and her eyes flickered with nervousness and worry.

"Heather? Earth to Heather?" Drew asked her.

Heather swallowed and began to sing. Her voice was always beautiful but today I couldn't help but notice that it didn't have the same energy that it usually did. I could tell that something was still bothering Heather.

"Heather Violets, could you please come to the principal's office?" a teacher asked, from the doorway of the music room, then.

Heather nodded her head and met me with an apologetic expression, before she made her way out of the room.

"Is everything alright with her?" Drew asked.

"I'm sure she's all good!" Wesley said with optimism.

Drew met my gaze then and I tried to make my expression as neutral as possible, so to not give anything away.

"Zoe?" he asked me.

"She's all good," I said.

I wasn't remotely sure about that one, though. Heather looked the opposite of all good. Of course, no matter how she was feeling, she always looked beautiful but I could tell that she had a lot on her mind.

Drew gave a subtle nod of his head, before he began to confidently strum away at his guitar and sang the parts that Heather usually sang.

It was weird her not being there. However, she needed to talk to the principal for one reason or other, which meant that it was my time to support Drew and Wesley.

Drew had this glint of concern in his gaze, though. I knew that he still had feelings for Heather and I really hoped that me being with her wasn't going to tear the two of us apart. Drew tended to have this competitive spirit in him and now that I was with Heather, I had a feeling that I might soon see that competitive spirit again. I knew that I didn't want him to be mad at me. I didn't ask for any of this to happen. Feelings weren't something that you could control and although I had never expected to find I had feelings for Heather, there was a beauty in that which I truly hoped Drew would understand.

Drew abruptly stopped playing the guitar, then, and sighed.

"What's up, dude?" Wesley asked him.

"This isn't the same without Heather here. I don't know what's going on with her but I am going to get answers," he said decisively.

After he said that, Drew began to walk out of the music room and I swiftly followed behind him.

"Drew, please stop for a moment," I told him.

He stopped.

"I'm going to go and talk to her, Zoe. She's my friend and I'd like to think that I know her but she's been acting real weird recently," he said.

I sighed.

Drew's eyes flickered with something then, probably curiosity, and he spoke again.

"Do you know something that I don't?" he asked me, "I'm not going anywhere until you tell me what's going on."

I intuitively knew that it wouldn't be right for me to tell Drew about Heather. She wouldn't want me to. She had every right to come out in her own time and I was sensitive to that.

"She and I had a talk recently and she told me she was a little anxious about the upcoming exams. You know Heather, she takes pride in her appearance and pride in her work. Although she's been working hard, she gets a little worried about how well she is going to do from time to time. Then again, don't we all?" I asked Drew.

Good lie, Zoe, I thought to myself. I hardly ever lied but sometimes it was necessary, especially when it came to helping out the girl that I cared for more than anything. I had been friends with Drew for so long but recently Heather had become much more important. I had to look out for her.

"Yeah. Sure," Drew said and though he didn't sound all-too convinced, he made his way back into the music room while I made my way towards the principal's office.