Wandering Fireflies

Chapter 35: Everything Has Changed

Song: Gone by JR JR

"Vance? I can't do this." I looked down at our hands on each others'.

We were going to do that thing in the movies where couples walk in, making a big entrance while holding hands to show everyone: hey - we don't give a fuck about what you think.

But of course, I couldn't do it.

"It's okay," Vance smiled, letting go of my hand. "Let's just take it slow." Every time I thought that this was it, that Vance was finally going to give up this time because I'm just too much for him to handle. But he never did. He never left. The amount of patience that he had was unbelievable.

"Should we?" he asked in a slightly nervous voice.

"Let's do it."

Slowly, we walked in through the front doors, hardly making an entrance.

Yet still, the world didn't explode. The sun was still shining, the birds still chirping and everybody was minding their own business.

There were no laughs, shoves, punches or insults. Some people turned our way and we got brief glances but that was about it.

Life went on.

"Ay! Look who's back!" cried Zhang excitedly.

"Hey guys, what's new?" smiled Dashiell.

"It's good to have you both back," added Ahmed looking slightly relieved.

Ahmed gave Vance a thankful look and he nodded in return.

"So, are we looking at next year's school president?" I asked Ahmed casually, trying to shake off the nerves.

"He didn't win. Lydia did." Said Kennedy, popping up with a scowl on her face. "The nerve of that girl. Do you know what she told me? That I just played the bisexual card for attention and popularity-"

"Babe, we talked about this," said Ashlynn gently as she walked up to join her girlfriend. "Let people say what they want. This isn't about pleasing them, it's about us being us." Ashlynn slipped her hand into Kennedy's and gave her a peck on the cheek, causing her to break into a smile. As tough as she liked to act, Kennedy really did care about what people thought of her.

"You're right." With that being said, Kennedy spun around and brought her lips to Ashlynn's. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a group of girls discreetly squealing with excitement, watching them with adoring eyes.

Just the thought of being so public with Vance made me nervous.

"Hey is that-"

Zhang didn't even need to finish his sentence. Katja had just burst through the doors, causing everyone to turn their heads.

Now that's how you make an entrance.

Pick any bad-ass feminist song as her theme song - she'd strut to them all. She was finally back from suspension and looked ready to kill. Katja was all sunshine and rainbows - until you hurt her or the people she loves.

Before anyone could say a word, she walked right up to Dashiell and crashed her lips onto his.

When he had finally processed what was happening, Dashiell broke free from Katja's grasp.

"What are you doing?" he gasped.

"Kissing my boyfriend. And if anyone has a problem with that then they can-"