by Foxglove Lee
Hopping down the curb, he crossed the driveway and walked toward the same side entrance Trent and Pawell had disappeared into. Half way there, he turned around and opened his mouth like he was about to say something, but then he just waved his hand and walked away.
When he got to the door he turned around again and shouted, “All this in-between stuff is just… ugh! I don’t get it!”
They watched him enter the school, in disbelief. Jaden often overreacted, but not about things like this. His reaction was so… extreme.
“What’s his problem?” Laura asked.
“Who knows?” But Mila wondered if maybe she did know. “Do you think Jaden’s mad because gay guys always get picked on for being effeminate, being sissies, all that?”
Laura’s eyes widened. “What do you mean?”
“Well, like, maybe it bugs him to see another guy who doesn’t care what everyone thinks. Trent is pretty brave. A minor niner coming to a new high school wearing a skirt? He’s not even trying to fit in. We’re older than he is and we’re not even that brave.”
For a brief moment, Laura looked as if she might argue, then she thought better of it. “You’re right. If anyone’s a sissy, it’s us.”
Reaching out, Laura took Mila’s hand and squeezed it tight.
“What do you think the principal will do?” Laura asked.
“About Trent’s skirt and the protesters?” Mila shrugged. “Put it to a vote, probably. That’s what she usually does.”
“You think she’ll let us vote on whether or not a guy can wear girls’ clothes to school?”
“Yeah, she lets us vote on everything else. Well, except the price of fries.” Nervously, hoping she wouldn’t get an answer she didn’t want to hear, Mila asked, “Do you know which way you’d vote?”
“Of course.” Laura took a step back and cocked her head, giving Mila an odd look. “The same way as you, obviously. Even if we’re the biggest cowards in the world, I still think everyone should have the freedom to be who they are. And part of that is expressing themselves through the way they dress.”
“I’m so glad!” Falling into Laura’s open arms, Mila hooked her chin over her girlfriend’s shoulder, fighting with that bright white backpack. “When you think about it, Trent’s right: it’s pretty arbitrary, what passes for girl clothes and what passes for boy clothes.”
“We can get away with so much more than guys can.” Laura lifted the hem on the oversized work shirt Mila wore—the one that belonged to her father. “We’re lucky that way.”
Pulling back just far enough to gaze into Laura’s lovely eyes, Mila said, “I’m lucky in a lot of ways.”
They’d never kissed at school. Not once. Not ever. But, as the warning bell rang before the start of fourth period, Mila took a chance and pressed her lips to Laura’s, expecting a fight.
But Laura didn’t fight, and Mila let her eyes flutter closed, and they kissed under the tall pine beside the driveway. The whole school was focused on Trent’s ordeal, anyway. Nobody would notice two girls kissing by the parking lot.
And even if they did… so what?
The End
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Foxglove Lee is a former aspiring Broadway Baby who now writes queer fiction for teens and young adults. She tries not to be too theatrical, but her characters often take over. When you’re done with Rainbow Crush, grab her novel Tiffany and Tiger’s Eye—it’s set in the 80s and there’s an evil doll!
Follow Foxglove on Twitter @foxglovelee
or stay tuned to her blog http://foxglovelee.blogspot.com for new releases!
Wondering what to read after Mila and Laura?
Try Tiffany and Tiger’s Eye by Foxglove Lee!
How many secrets can a family keep?
If there's one thing Rebecca knows, it's how to hide her problems. But with a rock-and-roll dad who drinks too much and a mom who works day and night, Rebecca needs a sympathetic ear. That's why she tells her troubles to Yvette, an antique doll that once belonged to her grandmother.
In the summer of 1986, after her father's strange disappearance, Rebecca and her little brother are sent to the cottage with Aunt Libby and Uncle Flip. Rebecca's relieved to get away from the city, and her relief grows to bliss when she meets Tiffany, a water-skiing blonde who dresses like Madonna, makes her own jewelry, and claims to see auras.
But strange things happen when Rebecca spends time with Tiffany. Her aunt and uncle are convinced she's acting out -- and she'd have good reason to, considering they obviously know where her father is and won't say -- but she can't convince them she isn't the one trashing her bedroom and setting fires. As crazy as it seems, Yvette must be the culprit.
There's nothing more dangerous than a jealous doll that knows all your secrets...
Available as an ebook and in print!
