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“Nonsense” I hear her fussing with her dress “If you don’t go, then I’ll end up not going, and then this pretty dress I got will go to waste, and—”

“You should go” I bury o,” I moan, my words muffled underneath my pillow

I hear my door open

My bed shudders and squeaks when she sits on its edge

“Ma …” I groan

“Sweetheart”

“I thought I locked the door”

“Is this about you seein’ Jimmy?” she asks softly and sweetly

I throw my pillow offchair “This has nothin’ to do with Jimmy”

“What else could it be? That silly Anthony boy? Mr Leainst you, sweetheart He just had to follow company protocol He could lose his job otherwise”

“Yet Anthony is still happily scooping popcorn there Yeah, sure, policy this and policy that, but we both know certain people are immune to all that” I fold my arms over my chest with a huff

My ht be softhearted so on has everything to do with Ji”

“Ma, don’t”

“You love him And he loves you”

“Ma …”

“Didn’t I teach you forgiveness? He’s sorry He’s said so about a zillion tih my hair “I hate to see you so unhappy, sweetheart Why can’t you just forgive the poor boy and let it all just be in the past?”

“Because he isn’t any good for me, Ma!”

She sputters in disbelief “Jiood for you! You’re so happy when you’re around him! What in the heck are you talkin’ about, sweetheart??”

“Me and Jimmy are a fantasy” I sit up and turnface “He wants to keep the two of us a secret, and I have a good idea it’s exactly what I’ve feared all along: He isn’t really gay He isn’t really bi He’s si soht-boy, buddy-buddy infatuation with his best friend It turned into kisses and …” My face flushes “… more But it isn’t love Not real love”