During my last year of elementary school, everything changed completely. I was one year away from starting middle school, and I could finally reinvent myself. More importantly, I could reunite with Josh and Peyton.

After switching schools in kindergarten, I still talked to Josh and Peyton every day. We would go to the park after school every Friday, and me and Peyton had countless sleepovers.

Josh and I got ice cream together on Thursdays. That was always our "special thing".

The rest of our kindergarten class wanted nothing to do with me, but that didn't bother me. Or, at least it doesn't bother me anymore. They don't understand what it's like to be in love.

Sometimes parents would bring their kids lunch from fast food places and sit with them in the cafeteria. My moms both worked full-time, and with Lilia being pregnant with my brother, visiting me at lunch was out of the question.

Josh's mom knew I felt left out, so on Valentine's Day, she brought me lunch. And she brought Josh with her!

I had to contain my excitement so the rest of the kids wouldn't find out my secret. But I couldn't help it! I was so excited!

Josh's (our) school had a half-day for Valentine's Day, so he was able to sit with us. We sat directly across from each other and talked about our day over chicken nuggets and overly-salted fries.

The hour-long lunch period seemed to last only 5 minutes.

Before I knew it, it was time for Josh and Mrs. Rodriguez to leave so I could get back to class. I gave both of them hugs, making Josh's extra-long and extra-tight. It made me feel...safe.

I was the last one to walk into the classroom. Everyone stared at me as I entered and took my seat. Their stares wouldn't go away.

One girl in my class, Melanie, gave me a look of disgust. Then, the other kids started whispering to each other, looked back at me, and whispered some more.

I could feel my cheeks growing red. What were they talking about? Why were they looking at me?

Then, I felt my iPhone 50 vibrate. I checked my phone, and a hologram message from Tyler, the school bully, popped up. It read: "You nasty het* ".

I didn't say anything about it. I didn't reply. Instead, I waited until class got dismissed for the day so i could tell the teacher.

I showed her the message, and instead of asking me if I was okay or reporting it to the principal, she asked, "Well, why did he call you that?"

"I don't know," I replied. What did it matter? It's a mean word, no matter why/how you use it.

"To be honest, Rylie, I noticed the way you were hugging your friend at lunch, like you had feelings for him. You know that's a sin, right?"

My cheeks must have been purple by that point. "Y-yes ma'am, I-I know it's a sin."

"Just block Tyler's number so he can't send mean things anymore. He's such a good kid, so I'm gonna let this one slide."

As Mrs. Adams was walking out of the classroom, she turned around and said, "You know, maybe if you get yourself a girlfriend, then future instances like these can be avoided."

"But that's not what I want," I whispered to myself after she left.

That night, I spent 4 hours mentally preparing myself for the text I was about to send to Josh. I thought he would hate me forever. Never have I been so happy to be wrong.

*het = heterosexual*