"And for a moment, Leslie saw a look of longing pass over Aislinn's face, but then Aislinn caught her watching.
Aislinn's face turned impassive. 'Sometimes I wish I could... I just don't think it's a good idea.'
Rianne opened her mouth to respond, but Leslie shook her head. 'Give us a sec, Ri. I'll catch up.'
After Rianne left, Leslie caught Aislinn's gaze. 'I wish we weren't doing this...' she gestured between them.
'What do you mean?' Aislinn grew so still and silent in the din of the hall, it was like the noise around them vanished for an instant.
'Lying.' Leslie sighed. 'I miss us being real friends, Ash. I'm not going to encroach on your scene, but it'd be nice to be straight-up again. I miss it.'
'I'm not lying. I... can't lie.' She stared beyond Leslie for a moment, scowling at someone.
Leslie didn't turn to see who it was. 'You're not being honest, either. If you don't want me around....' She shrugged. 'Whatever.'
Aislinn grabbed her arms and held her close. Although she tried, Leslie actually couldn't pull away.
A jerk in the hall called, 'Dykes.' Leslie tensed, torn between the once-instantaneous urge to flip him off and the still-new fear of conflict.
The bell rang. Lockers slammed. Aislinn finally said, 'I just don't want to see you get hurt. There's.... people and things... and....'
'Sweetie, I doubt they're any worse than what--' she stopped herself, unable to say the sentences that would follow. Her heart thunked at the thought of saying those words aloud...."
Here's a clue, non-existent readers:
In this situation, in this dialogue, and in life
I
am not
the Aislinn...
I
am not
the Queen
I
just miss
my friend.
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