Free The Way to Her Heart by Amy Reece Page A

stall, found them empty, and returned to where Bernie was leaning against a sink.
    “So, is this the shakedown?” Bernie asked.
    “The what?”
    “You know, the part where you threaten to sic all your football player friends on me if I tell anyone what I saw?”
    Kayleigh laughed bitterly and shook her head. “Yeah, right. None of them know. Jenna said I should try to threaten you, but it’s not really my style.”
    “So, what is your style?”
    “Hell if I know. I’m a little confused, if you couldn’t tell.” Kayleigh ran her hands through her blonde hair. “I just wanted to talk to you before lunch, to beg you not to tell anyone.”
    “Especially Josh?”
    “God, yes! Especially Josh!”
    “So…I hate to state the obvious, but you were kissing a girl. And you have a boyfriend. From what I’ve heard, the two don’t necessarily go together.” Although she felt it was none of her business and she certainly wasn’t going to judge, the part that affected Josh was her business because she considered him a friend.
    Kayleigh slid down the wall and sat on the floor, laying her head on her knees. “Is there a question in there somewhere?”
    “What’s going on, Kayleigh? Are you gay?”
    “I don’t know. Oh my God, what am I going to do?” She started sobbing.
    Bernie wished with all her heart she could leave Kayleigh crying and walk away. “Hey, it’s okay.” She sank down beside her. “It’s not the end of the world, you know. Lots of people are gay.”
    Kayleigh sobbed harder. Bernie let her cry for a while, wondering how in the world she got herself into this situation. When Kayleigh finally slowed down, she handed her a wet paper towel.
    “Are you going to tell Josh?” Kayleigh whispered.
    “No. But you are. He deserves to hear it from you.”
    Kayleigh looked into Bernie’s face for a long moment, then nodded. “Okay. Can you give me some time to think? Please?”
    “Fine,” she said with a sigh. “But not too long, Kayleigh. He’s a really nice guy. Don’t toy with him.”
    Kayleigh shook her head. “I won’t. I swear. I love him.”
    Bernie raised her eyebrows, disbelieving.
    “I do! I care about him. But—”
    “But what? You say you love him, but it sure didn’t look like it this morning!”
    “I know, I know! I’m sorry!”
    “You don’t need to apologize to me! You need to talk to Josh. Your boyfriend. And you need to figure out which way you swing.” Bernie’s stomach growled, and she hoped this little tête-à-tête would be over soon. If she missed out on free lunch, she would have to spring for fast food after school on the way to work.
    “Okay, yeah. I get it. Just give me a few days. I swear I’ll talk to him.”
    Bernie left her in the bathroom and hurried to the cafeteria before the lunch line closed. She managed to get something, although the pickings were slim, and saw Josh waving to her from across the cafeteria. Ah, crap! What do I say to him? She remembered the good old days when she’d had no friends.
    “Hey, Bernie. Have you seen Kayleigh? I know she’s here today, but she’s not answering my texts.”
    “Um, I think she’s in the bathroom. She’s not feeling well.” She cringed inwardly at the lie.
    Josh started to get up. “Which bathroom?”
    Bernie placed her hand on his arm. “I think she’d rather be alone right now. Girl stuff, you know?” The lies rolled off her tongue. She sneezed for about the hundredth time that day.
    “Oh. Okay. Hey, are you getting a cold?”
    She nodded, reaching for a napkin. “Yeah. Rotten luck, huh?”
    “Well, come by after work, okay? I’ll make you some chicken soup. It’ll make you feel better.”
    Right now it made her feel worse knowing the secret she was keeping from him. He was such a nice guy! How could Kayleigh do this to him? How could she prefer a girl to him? If she ever had a guy like him…she had to laugh at the thought. Right! Like that would ever happen!
     
    ***
     
    She stopped by