Dana and Eddie had to drag themselves into school on Monday. They walked sluggishly towards the main office and sat in the uncomfortable wooden chairs with itchy fabric awaiting their punishment from the principal. "I can't believe we're already getting into trouble." Dana slouched in the uncomfortable chair, clearly unhappy about the entire situation.

Eddie rubbed his temple, leaning forward in his chair. "Dana, it's not your fault. I started it," he attempted to comfort her.

"I threw the first punch," Dana muttered. Her eyebrows furrowed, "So mutual responsibility." As the two sulked in their own petrified regret, Katie exited the principal's office. Their eyes followed her out, a million thoughts racing through both of their heads.

"Dana Thomas?" Dana's attention, in sync with Eddie's, snapped towards Mr. Bates, the principal. Eddie hung his head like a regretful dog as Dana made her way into Mr. Bates' office. Dana, on the other hand, managed to keep her composure in attempts to look as innocent as possible. The principal sat on the opposite side of the large desk from Dana and stared at her for a moment, not saying anything. He inhaled deeply while adjusting his position in his leather seat. "You know," he started, "here at Ridgeway we have a zero tolerance policy. We don't condone any fighting, harassing, or bullying of any kind. Consequences of participating in any form of these actions is considered severely punishable."

He took a pause, and Dana's guilt got the best of her as she stirred in her seat ready to speak up, "Sir, I-"

Mr. Bates raised a hand quickly to stop Dana. "However," he continued with his low voice, "we also believe in fair punishment for our actions. We like to take into consideration each student's past behavior as well as every party's account – including witnesses. After hearing what your previous school had to say about you, as well as several accounts from reliable sources, I would like for you to explain to me what happened in the parking lot after the football game Friday night." Mr. Bates made a small gesture with his hand, signaling to Dana that it was her turn to speak.

Dana took a moment to gather her thoughts and string them into a cohesive and honest recollection of what happened the night of the game. Her thoughts wandered from arriving to meeting Zach and taking photos to her pull towards Katie. She lost herself briefly - unsure of why she couldn't think straight. As she recounted the rest of that night, she began to tell her side to Mr. Bates. As Dana saw the fight, it seemed to be all one big misunderstanding. Jesse, although ignorant in his comments, didn't mean to run into Dana. Eddie, although hotheaded in his response, was only reacting to the situation that he perceived. Dana, although her efforts were useless, was only attempting to prevent the situation from escalating any further.

Dana and Mr. Bates sat in silence briefly following Dana's recollection. "Thank you, Ms. Thomas." Dana was unsure whether her principal's tone was grateful or disappointed. She lowered her head after feeling defeated. Mr. Bates stood, signaling to Dana that their meeting was over.

"Sir," Dana quickly spoke, "do you mind my asking what's going to happen now?"

"Perception is key in these moments, Ms. Thomas. And in a case like this where several parties were involved, we have to consider the weight of the stories being told to us." Mr. Bates paused, waiting for a reaction from Dana, but it seemed as though his words had frozen her in place. "Taking into consideration the weight of one key witness and her surprisingly unbiased statement of the incident, you will not be punished for this. And neither will Mr. Matthews. He will, however, have a written warning on his record with the school."

"And Jesse?"

"Mr. Kowalski will be excluded from this week's football game and forbidden to participate in practice until next week." Mr. Bates made his way to his office door and rested his hand on the door handle, "Do you have any further questions, Ms. Thomas?" Dana shook her head, and Mr. Bates swung the door open to escort her out. As Dana sped out of the office, Mr. Bates called for Eddie. Dana gave Eddie a small thumbs up in an attempt to calm his nerves before she left the main office and headed towards her locker, hoping to into Katie.

Dana called Katie's name to grab her attention as she spotted her long black locks from down the hallway. Katie slowly turned, avoiding eye contact with Dana, but greeting her nonetheless. Dana began to gather her words, but Katie perked her head up, interrupting. "Dana, this is Grace." Katie gestured to the strikingly beautiful girl beside her. Dana sent a small smile, thankful that she was too distracted to lose herself in the girl's warm brown eyes and soft smile.

"The one who threw the party, right?"

"That's me," Grace smiled. She ran her pale hand through her dark locks, flipping some of her hair over to one side as she thought for a moment. "Wait," a smile played on her lips, "you were Katie's knight in shining armor that night. I heard all about it from Ashley."

Katie hung her head, hiding her reddening cheeks. She was embarrassed by Dana's first impression of her. Dana hardly noticed Katie's embarrassment, asking if they could talk. Her tone was stern, and she felt bad for not acknowledging Grace more.

As if reading Dana's mind, Grace spoke up with a peppy smile, "Well this looks like a conversation I shouldn't be involved in." She turned to Katie to say goodbye, then back to Dana, saying, "It was nice to finally meet you." She left with a smile and disappeared into the small crowd of people in the hallway.

Dana waited until she believed no one was around to overhear before she began to speak. "You told Mr. Bates that Jesse was to blame, didn't you?"

Her words caught Katie off guard, causing her face to flush again. "What?"

Dana inhaled, reorganizing her question, "What did you tell Mr. Bates? What did you say happened Friday?"

"I told the truth," Katie shrugged, regaining her composure. "Jesse and Eddie were just reacting to what they thought was happening, and you tried to stop it."

"Jesse can't play football this week."

"I know," Katie's head lowered. She felt guilty for Jesse's punishment, even though she knew she was doing the right thing. "But I'm not going to lie just because he's my boyfriend. He'll get over it. Why would I do anything to upset you and Eddie any further?" The school bell rang to order students to get moving. "I have to get to homeroom." Katie shyly began to walk away.

"I'm in your homeroom," Dana said catching up to her. "Katie, are you okay? Did I upset you somehow?" Dana couldn't help but feel like Katie was acting strangely, and she didn't understand why but she felt a need to talk through it with her.

"Hey!" Jesse's deep voice caught Dana's attention from down the hall. He hurriedly walked over and stepped in front of Katie as if to shield her. "Katie, is she bugging you?" He asked over his shoulder.

"Jesse," Katie gently placed her hand on his arm, "just leave her alone."

"No." He slipped out of Katie's grip and glared at Dana. "Listen, stay away from me and my girlfriend. You come near either one of us and you'll regret it. I know it was you." Dana cocked an eyebrow at his accusation. "You're the reason I can't play this week."

"Why don't you fact check before threatening me, meat head." Dana rolled her eyes at him. "I'll see you in class, Katie." Dana announced without breaking her stare with Jesse. She shoulder checked him as she headed towards her homeroom.

"Jesse, seriously?" Katie scolded him as Dana walked away. "What the hell are you doing? Why have you been acting so damn weird lately?"

Jesse's face became troubled and he became regretful. "I'm sorry, I-"

Katie sighed, shaking herself out of the bad mood she had been placed in. "Forget it. Can we just go to class?" Jesse grunted and walked Katie to her homeroom.

Eddie hunted Dana down as soon as the bell for lunch rang. He pulled her to the side of the hallway, attempting to hide from the crowd of students rushing into the cafeteria. "You want to tell me what happened this morning?"

"This morning?" Dana looked off into the distance, holding her hand under her chin to ponder. "Well let's see I woke up, got ready for school, had breakfast. You know it's the most important meal of the-"

"Dana!" Eddie whisper screamed through gritted teeth, looking around him to make sure no one could hear them.

"What happened this morning?" Dana snapped back at him, matching his whispered tone.

"Katie?" Eddie spoke as if Dana should have known exactly what he was talking about. "You and I getting off scot-free and her own boyfriend getting reprimanded? You want to explain to me how you managed that?"

"I didn't do anything, Ed." Dana straightened up, offended at her cousin's remarks.

"Don't lie to me, Dana." He continued to whisper yell at Dana.

"I did nothing," Dana pouted. "Katie told Mr. Bates her side of the story and he trusted her. Why would you think I had something to do with this?"

"I saw you looking at her during the game that night."

"Yeah, I was taking pictures. I kind of had to pay attention to the cheerleaders."

Eddie rolled his eyes. "You know it was more than that. I saw the way you-"

Dana cut him off in anger, "Why do you assume that just because I happen to like girls that I'm attracted to every single girl I see? I'm not you."

"Whatever," Eddie scoffed and walked away from her.

Dana, frustrated with herself and the argument that just occurred, took a seat on the nearby staircase. She groaned to release her frustration and buried her face in her hands. Dana looked up when she felt someone sit beside her.

"Hey," Ashley's small face was welcoming to Dana. Her presence was comforting and all she did was show up. "I overheard your argument with Eddie. Are you okay?"

"Depends." Dana cringed slightly, "What'd you hear?"

"Everything," Ashley shrugged. "Eddie thinks you somehow coaxed Katie into speaking to Mr. Bates," she paused and looked at Dana deeply, "because you like girls." Dana's face lowered in defeat. "But I mean who doesn't?" Ashley smiled, attempting to make Dana feel better.

"Ashley," Dana sighed with a small smile, "I know you're straight. And I understand if my sexuality causes you to rethink our friendship. I've had it happen before and it's okay, I promise."

"What?" Ashley's face twisted in confusion. "Not talk to you? Why would I not talk to you?"

"It's just that some people-"

"Some people can kiss my ass," Ashley cut her off. "Dana, I know we haven't know one another that long, but you're one of the most amazing people I've ever met. Sometimes I feel like I've known you my entire life. There are moments where we just click and everything makes sense to me. Why would your sexuality change that?"

Dana smiled at her, a new light in her eyes, "I knew I liked you for a reason, Ash."

Ashley pulled Dana into a tight hug. She pulled away quickly, asking, "Wait, why are you so sure I'm straight?"

Dana cocked an eyebrow at her. "Are you not?"

"I mean as far as I know, of course I am, but shame on you for assuming my sexuality. I mean as an ally I think it's unfair that straight is always the default." Ashley teased her with truth behind her mocking words. Dana shook her head, pulling Ashley into another hug.