“Hey, Kim.” Macy burst into the cafeteria with Sarah and Shannon in tow. “Don’t ask where Adam is—he had the nerve to choose school over me! ‘Mace, my grades, Mace, my future…’ Meh, meh, meh, yadda yadda yadda.”

  Sarah clamped onto Kim in her usual morning hug. Kim hugged her back gently, brushing hair from her face. “Macy isn’t a lesbian,” Sarah announced solemnly.

  All three girls stared at her, then burst out laughing.

  “Thank you for that public service announcement,” Kim said with a genuine bit confused smile. She turned to Macy. “You’re gonna have to explain some of that.”

  “Enmmm… I’m not entirely sure where it came from. But we’re off to tell Shannon’s dad she’s gay. And not into D&D.”

  Kim shook her head. “I feel like one of those is gonna hit harder than the other.”

  “Yeah, it’ll be a relief to know his kid isn’t into D&D,” Macy said with mock solemnness.

  “I thought we were doing the ‘lay low and pretend’ thing,” Kim said as she started cleaning trays.

  “Well, that was working fine until I saw Shannon getting eviscerated by the remainder of the skank squad this morning. I’ve decided I like Shannon—as a friend. We’re keeping her.”

  Shannon got a little teary-eyed. “Thanks,” she said, voice small.

  “Oh no, this is the Junior Republican, Werewolves, and Lesbians Club,” Macy said, holding up her hand and counting on fingers. “We don’t do weepy. Your options are snarky, angry, bitchy, and of course sassy. Occasionally we’ll accept stoic—but that may require a note from your doctor saying you’ve recently had brain damage. Or you’re in D&D club. But I repeat myself.”

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  “I’ll keep that in mind,” Shannon said over a slightly tearful chuckle.

  “Not that I’m not all for the coming-out party,” Kim said. “And I was already done with the sneaking-around stuff. But you do have class.”

  Macy waved off the concern. “Mr. Bullinger wouldn’t let anyone fail me—not with this hip-to-waist ratio!”

  “Oh, so it’s our principal’s pervert status you’re banking on.”

  “He gave me jerky,” Sarah said confidently.

  “Do not accept gifts from that man!” Kim ordered.

  “Oh, he’s harmless,” Macy said. “And if he isn’t, could you imagine what would happen if he tried something on the wolf girl?”

  “One day you’re gonna meet Sarah’s religious and scary mother,” Kim said. “And if she’s talking about lesbians and principals trying to grope her, it’s on you.”

  Macy gave Kim an odd look. “Religious isn’t really something I associate with werewolves.” She shrugged. “Meh… we’ll let future Macy deal with that. She’s gonna be a lot older and wiser than me, I’m sure.”

  “Seriously, Mace, get to class,” Kim said. “I’ll come after school.”

  “Are you becoming the mom of our little group?”

  “My brain’s getting better.”

  “Boooo!!” Macy shouted, giving Kim double thumbs-down.

  “But seriously, Kim—we can’t use Shannon as bait. Then we’re just more people using her.” Macy’s voice dropped, serious.

  “Oh, I get it. And I’m in. Just… after school.” Kim pulled Sarah to her side. “And I’m keeping Sarah with me.”

  “Okay, Mom!” Macy said with mock outrage.

  “Just think of it as an opportunity to spread your particular brand of cheer to anyone else bothered by the only gay person in school.”

  Macy smiled. “We’re gonna have to get you a rainbow shirt.”

  Shannon’s face twisted a little. “Ummm… maybe not. Remember the whole thing about being bait…?”

  “Great. Our new gay friend throwing words back in my face. Kim acting like my mom. At least Sarah hasn’t changed!” Sarah smiled—she wasn’t entirely certain what was being said, but happy to be included. “With friends like this, I may end up graduating without having to sleep with the principal.”

  “Come on,” Shannon said with a smile. “I’ll walk you to class.”

  Macy made a noise and left with her.

  As they left, Kim turned to Sarah. “You’re sharing that jerky.”

  Sarah growled a little—playfully. “If you tell me what a lesbian is!”