I haven’t been at my school for a full year, and Eric’s the only person who has made their hate for me completely clear. But why is he doing this? It doesn’t make sense.

The scariest part is that I haven’t even noticed him sneaking around. Besides Lydia and Claudia, no one knows where my locker is. He’d have to follow me to figure out where it was, but I don’t even use it that often. The bigger question is how he figured out that I’m positive. He would’ve had to see me at St. Mary’s Hospital or read my medical records. But how could he get that kind of access? Why would he actually care enough to go through that much trouble?

I drift into my room and throw myself on my bed. The first time my phone rings, playing “Seasons of Love,” I ignore it. It’s probably Miles. I texted him after rehearsal, but he still might be looking for me. I can’t tell him about the note, not when he doesn’t even know that I’m positive. I grab a pillow and hold it over my head. “Seasons of Love” stops, and then starts right back up again.

God. Can’t anyone leave me alone when I want to wallow? I roll over, yanking the phone out of my pocket. My shoulders relax at the sight of Lydia and Claudia’s names. They’ll know what to do. Even if they don’t, talking to them will make me feel better. It always does.

They’re already talking to each other when I pick up.

“It’s not a big deal, Lydia,” Claudia says. “I did it just so I would know.”

“Wait,” I say, sitting up. “Did what?”

“I’m just surprised,” Lydia says on the other line. “Wow.”

“Some ace people do have sex,” Claudia says, her voice almost irritated on the other line. “Just not me. I’m never doing it again. Ugh.”

“What? You actually did it?” I shriek into the phone. “I thought you’d be an eternal virgin. I thought you’d just chill. I don’t know. This is so weird.”

“I wasn’t even a virgin before,” Claudia says. I can practically hear her roll her eyes. “But I guess it was official this time? Since we were using fingers and—”

“Okay,” I say. “Maybe that’s why you didn’t like it?”

“Yeah,” Lydia says, voice peaking up on her end. “I hated my first time, but sex was fine after that. Once I found a different partner.”