"Which color should I wear tonight?" Rosé held up a blue and green dress. I pointed at the green one causing her to squeal in delight. Tonight was the spring ball and, with the help of Rosé, we were able to convince the council to have an underwater theme. Alicia still hasn't returned to school, unlike her siblings, but I knew if she went to the ball then she'd love it. Even if I couldn't physically be with her, I still wanted to make her happy. "How are you feeling today?"

"Nervous." I straightened my tie while staring in the mirror. Zara and I have our presentations today and I'm trembling from nerves. We were able to decide on a topic last minute meaning we had to pull a few all nighters to actually complete it.

"Well, I know you'll do well." Rosé gave me a hug. "Good luck!" She tightened her embrace.

X

Everyone clapped as the group before us finished. They presented something about lowering the taxes for the wealthy and increasing taxes for the poor which I completely didn't understand. Why would people who can barely survive be forced to pay more when the rich, who have everything in the world, get a tax break? Makes no sense to me, but I mimicked everyone's actions and clapped.

"McAllister, Tonkin, Vanheister." The teacher signaled us to begin. Our partner stood up, but Zara shoved him back into his seat since he didn't do shit. But at the same time, Zara refused to allow him to work with us, so I'm not sure if her actions are justified.

"Ready?" She whispered while setting up our papers. I gave her a nervous nod which she noticed. "Don't be nervous. I made a little change on my part." What?! Why didn't she tell me?! And she doesn't want me to be nervous?! Zara noticed my panicked state and quickly assured me that it was only a minor change. I took a deep breath and began my speech about discrimination in America. I nailed my speech and saw Zara give me a subtle smile. I gave Zara her cue to being and dropped my mouth when it dawned on me what she was speaking about. "Discrimination comes in many forms. Whether it's racial, religious, or sexuality. No one is born judgemental, but becomes one based on our judgemental society. People quote numerous sources as infallible when the fact of the matter is... everything is based on interpretation. We shouldn't succumb to ridiculing a person when they can't help how they are born. We should embrace everyone's differences because it makes us unique and not boring. We should strive for equity and equality. I want to finish off by saying..." She glanced at me and gave me a real smile. "Love is love." I broke our eye contact when I heard the class erupt in applause.

Zara and I thanked everyone before making it back to our seats. Hyde and Cher were completely shocked from Zara's speech. I was as well considering she was a McAllister promoting being an ally to the LGBT community.

The rest of the day consisted of the three McAllisters attempting to make social change. Tamsin made a speech in the lunchroom about ending bullying and how homophobia will not be tolerated anymore at the school. Gemma had organized some students to hand out equality pins, magnets, and shirts. I'm not sure what got into the three of them, but I'm not complaining. I just wished that Alicia was here. I really missed her and just wanted to see her. Even if I couldn't speak to her, I just wanted to make sure she was fine.

"Girl, you're not gonna believe this." Leon hit my shoulder. "Astrid and Yasmine are working with the social chair to organize a pride parade. What's going on? Wonder what Alicia said to them." Hyde nodded along to Leon's comment. Everyone was confused, but no one was complaining to their newfound tolerance.

X

I wasn't really in the mood to attend the ball, but my friends refused to accept that. They were being more pushy than usual which was bizarre. Leon and Rosé were helping me get ready and I just sighed as my resolve diminished. Leon wanted to dress me in a purple dress, but I opted for a blue one since it reminded me of Alicia's eyes. Blue also happened to be her favorite color and I wanted to represent her anyway I could.

Leon was a god at hair. He braided some of my hair and then styled it in a gorgeous updo. Rosé begged him to do both of our makeup which he happily obliged. Rosé gave me some of her jewelry, but I wanted to wear the necklace and bracelet Alicia gifted me. When we got back together, she had given the gifts back to me. I couldn't find it in my heart to return the gifts since I felt connected to her through them. Rosé gave me a smile and nodded while providing me with suitable earrings. Leon, then, assisted me into the blue ombré off the shoulder ball gown. He got down on one knee and placed my silver shoes on my feet.

After we were all dressed, Leon escorted us down where we saw the rest of our friends. The dates were Justin and Hailey, Shawn and Taylor, Michael and Cher, Leon and Rosé, and then KJ and me. KJ complimented me and offered his arm. I took it and he escorted me into the gala. My jaw dropped at the ostentatious decor. I know Rosé and I somehow convinced Astrid, Yasmine, and Rosé's sister for an underwater theme, but this was something else. There were custom made aquariums around the room with beautiful sea creature decorations. The lights were a beautiful mixture of aqua, teal, and midnight blue. We paused under the aquarium arch to take pictures before walking deeper into the party.

All of us were dancing and enjoying the atmosphere. I noticed Tamsin staring at me with an amused smile. When we made eye contact, she gave me a small wave. Yeah! Something is definitely up. I motioned to my friends that Tamsin was acting weird and making me nervous. They told me to dismiss my apprehensions and enjoy the night. I stared in awe at their behavior. Before, they were all on the hate Tamsin train. But now, they seem to have accepted her whims. I was going to get a drink when the DJ stopped his track. We turned and I instinctively smiled at the sight before me.

Alicia was dressed in a lavish dark green gown that had a sheer top embroidered with crystals. Her makeup, as usual, was on point and her hair was in a neat updo. Her sisters joined her on stage to do the pleasantries. Tamsin took the mic and searched the crowd for my eyes. When she found them, she sheepishly smiled before speaking.

"I want to address Nicola." The swarm of students murmured and turned to find me. I felt uncomfortable under their stares, so Rosé and Hailey wrapped their arms around me for comfort. "I did it in front of everyone, so it's only befitting that I do this..." She waved her hand absentmindedly. "In front of everyone. I want to apologize to you." The whole room gasped that THE Tamsin McAllister was apologizing. "It was wrong of me to out you like that and I'm terribly sorry. It was wrong and cruel and I will no longer do that OR tolerate anyone being homophobic! I know you don't want to hear me go on a monologue, so here's the person you really want to hear." She passed the mic to Alicia and gave her a supportive smile. I gulped as Alicia made eye contact with me.

"I'm not sure where to begin." She chucked. "I had this all rehearsed before, but now my mind is blank. I've hurt you whether it was conscious or not and I apologize for that." She paused and glanced around the room at all the eyes on her. "I love you." Murmurs resounded around the room. "And it was me in the picture kissing her." Gasps were heard as well as people yelling in confusion. "So yeah. Mic drop." She released the mic and walked off the stage with her sisters. The DJ was confused as to what to do until Tamsin yelled at him to continue playing the track.

"What the hell?" I turned to see all my friends smiling. "Wait! Did you guys know?" They nodded and pointed behind me. I turned around to see Alicia in all her glory. I quickly looked behind me to find out that my friends had abandoned me.

"You look beautiful." I turned my head to face Alicia and gave her a shy smile. I returned the compliment to her. I took a second to actually observe her outfit and realized she picked the color green because it's my favorite color. It seems like both of us wanted to represent the other by our outfits. By this time, the music slowed down into a slow dance. "May I?" Alicia reached her hand out. I nodded and placed my hand in hers. We quietly danced along enjoying the other person's company.

"I'm sorry."

"Are you okay?"

We laughed as we spoke at the same time. I decide to take control.

"Are you okay? You were in the hospital and I was so scared that you'd never wake up."

"I'm sorry about that too. I did hear that you came to see me." She smirked and I had a feeling she was aware of the false pretense I entered the hospital under. I felt my cheeks redden. "It turned out to be stress related. Sorry for not calling. I was in a coma for a bit, but after I should've called you, but I didn't know what to say. I was also trying to figure out how to fix us. I'm sorry you had to go through everything with my family. Unfortunately, I can't change anything that happened, but I can try and right the wrongs of my family."

"Ali, I'm just happy that you're okay." I stopped dancing to hug her. I felt her stiffen as I had caught her off guard. She relaxed into the hug and squeezed me equally as tight. "I know it wasn't your fault. You were in a precarious situation. I'm just happy that I got to see you again, even if we can't-" She silenced me with a kiss. I heard people around me gasp and I suddenly felt self conscious from all the stares. "W-What about the deal with your father? And Tamsin is looking and- she's smiling?"

"Screw our peers. As for my family, I had a stern talking with them. They're on board and if not, then to hell with them." She kissed me deeper. I didn't care about the onlookers anymore. I had MY Alicia back. I grabbed onto the side of her face and smiled as I kissed her back with the same amount of love.