Vivian sighed heavily, grateful for the contact but still stressed out the same. “I didn’t want them to find out this way. I was going to tell them at a right time, but…”

Aster’s emerald eyes widened unexpectedly. These words were music to her ears. In a million years, she never thought she would ever hear them from Vivian.

Vivian trailed off and leant against Aster for much needed comfort and warmth.

“That’s a big step,” Aster murmured, running her fingers through Vivian’s russet tresses. “And I’m proud of you for being willing to take it even when it was taken for you.”

Their arms entangled slowly through the conversation, and Aster playfully fell onto her back, taking the love of her life with her. They locked gazes and for the first time in hours, Vivian cracked a smile and they both broke out laughing. It continued until the smaller girl sat up and looked away; still clearly affected.

“I’m sorry. I know I’m being a total downer and stuff but I just can’t stop. Sophie probably thinks I’m some sort of pariah, and the rest of the school….” She rolled her eyes for good measure. “Ha, who knows what they’ll say or think?”

Aster sat up and traced loving circles on the small of her back. Vivian shivered and managed a smile. “They don’t matter. None of them. What they say will come to pass. And even if I can’t be there, you’ll always have me as a support.”

Vivian’s eyes fell to the ground and she sniffed sadly. “I just don’t know if it’ll ever stop.”

Aster began rubbing a path up and down on Vivian back with her palms. “You don’t know what’s going to happen, Viv.”

“They’ll probably come after me.” Tears began forming in the corners of Vivian’s eyes. “ I’ve heard about homophobic hate crimes. They’re one of the worst. Don’t you remember what happened to Edgar Garzon? He was beaten into a coma in Queens just outside of a gay bar not too long ago. ”

The water overflowed and broke the dam and tears streamed down her face.

“That could happen to me.” Vivian hiccupped. “Everything is so much different where I live, Aster. So unkind.”