I cross my arms over my chest, trying to ignore the fact that my heart has picked up speed, like it’s putting itself into defensive mode without my permission. “I had to rush home.”

“We just …” Jess and Chaewon share a look. Then, Jess murmurs, “Nishat …” at the same time that Chaewon asks, “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” I say, trying not to let my voice waver.

“I’m sorry we didn’t come to you when … when the text went out,” Chaewon says, avoiding my gaze and looking at Jess instead. “We weren’t … we weren’t sure about …” She shakes her head, like it’s not important.

“Look, whoever sent that out, they’re awful,” adds Jess. “Whether it’s true or not.” There’s a question hanging there, but I try to ignore it. “If you decide to go to a teacher, Chaewon and I have your back, right?”

“I’m not going to a teacher,” I say. “I’m not … I’m not ashamed of it. It’s who I am. I’m comfortable being a lesbian. I’m just … I’m not a spectacle.”

Jess and Chaewon nod simultaneously, pity written all over their faces. I can feel the blood rushing to my cheeks. Then, Jess says, “So did you really try to make a move on Chyna at her birthday party? Because I thought you had better taste …”

“Jess!” Chaewon slaps her lightly on the shoulder and looks at me with concern. But Jess is smiling as she rubs her shoulder.

“I’m joking, relax. Obviously I know Nishat has better taste than that.”

I actually feel a laugh bubble up inside me. This is the Jess I know.

Chaewon rolls her eyes and shakes her head, but now she’s smiling too.

Jess steps forward and links her arm through mine. “We’ll be like your bodyguards today.”

“Yeah, you two are really scary. A skinny white gamer and a tiny East Asian protecting a tiny South Asian.” I roll my eyes.

Chaewon steps up and takes my other arm. “Three people are better than one.”

I have to admit that having them by my side does make me feel a little safer. Their presence beside me makes everything feel normal, like yesterday didn’t happen at all—even if for just a minute.

But yesterday did happen. It couldn’t be any more obvious as the three of us step into the school building, and the whispers start. The stares follow us. We’re a spectacle. I’m a spectacle.

And it doesn’t stop. All day—at my locker, in classes, at lunch—it feels like there’s a spotlight over me. In the classes that I share with Chaewon and Jess at least I can sit with them. But in the ones where they’re not there, the other girls avoid me like they’re afraid of me.