Having sort of come out twice today so far, I know that when an opportunity arises, you have to take it. The laughter stops, and I do glance at Kiki this time. She gives me an encouraging look.

Deep breaths.

“I do like Jasmine. A little too much. It’s, uh, kind of why I broke up with Chase.”

For the second time in a minute, there’s the familiar sound of plasticware clattering as Shannon drops it and the plates to the floor.

And then it’s silent.

I turn to Kiki. “Uh, is this how it went when you told them you were going to prom with Jasmine?”

“No, but apparently they’d both already assumed I was gay.”

“Aren’t you?” Gia asks, her face screwed up in confusion.

Kiki laughs. Which absolutely does not mean she isn’t. Or that she is.

“Okay, wait, back to Bogdan,” Shannon demands. “So, the Chase obsession is over.”

“Yes.”

“But … Jasmine? When? I’ve never even seen you spend time together.”

I fix my gaze on one of the takeout cartons, opening and closing the little tabs. “It’s, uh, complicated?”

“It’s not that complicated,” Kiki says with a snort. “Jasmine’s dad is Anya’s boss. Jasmine’s the girl Lara lived with all summer. God, do you guys ever listen to my podcast? You would be so much better at detective work if you did.”

“Nicely done, Kiki,” my mom calls from the living room, where she’s apparently been listening to this entire conversation.

“Why, thank you,” Kiki calls back.

Facepalm.

“So, you guys have been a couple this whole time?” Shannon asks.

“Of course not. No. I was very much with Chase until a few hours ago. And I’m not with Jasmine,” I add quickly, partly because I’m not and partly because I don’t know if going to prom on Kiki’s arm counts as outing herself, but I’m certainly not doing it for her. “I just … have feelings. Of the confusing and complicated and definitely shouldn’t be dating someone else while I have them variety.”

Gia nods. “Got it. I think.”

I turn to Shannon. “And you? Still mad? Less mad? More mad?”

She blinks and it seems to take forever, long enough that I’m afraid she’s going to walk right out of my house and leave us with an extra portion of dumplings. Especially when her mouth twists into a frown.

And then she opens her mouth.

“Okay, I feel like I’m falling behind on coolness by not being into girls now. This may have been a very missed opportunity in Paris. I still have time to catch up in college, right?” She looks from me to Kiki, like we’re somehow gurus in the Art of the Gay. “I mean, art girls are all free and into expression and whatever, right? Wasn’t Frida Kahlo bi?”

I gawk at her.