Our New Normal by Jennifer Brooks

Author:Jennifer Brooks [Brooks, Jennifer]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Amazon: B08J26WX9T
Published: 2020-09-15T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter 28

“Is it true that you’re dating Tori?” someone shouted at Chloe from across homeroom.

Chloe rolled her eyes, focusing on her textbook.

“What’s it like knowing your girlfriend tried to force a straight girl to have sex with her in the locker room?”

Chloe growled under her breath but continued to ignore him as well as tune out the stifled giggles from others in the room. She wasn’t in the mood to add fuel to the fire or contribute to high school politics; she had more important things to worry about. Chloe just hoped that they would find a new subject to obsess over soon and forget about Tori’s and Chloe’s relationship.

Hopefully, that time came quickly, though, because her patience was already wearing thin.

“Jesus Christ, David, would you leave her the hell alone?” Mark bellowed, standing up.

“Yes, that will be quite enough,” the teacher chimed in. “Everyone, please stay quiet until the bell rings.”

Mark sat down next to Chloe. “You okay?”

Chloe sighed. “Yeah,” she whispered. “Just annoyed, obviously.”

“Obviously.” He shuffled in his seat. “I’m sorry that you’re getting caught in the middle of this.”

She shrugged. “What they’re saying she did isn’t true at all.”

“I figured as much. I’m just sorry that you’re being tormented because of her.”

She looked over at Mark. “She’s worth it.”

Mark frowned. “I sure hope so.”

* * *

“Mr. Thompson?” Chloe called as she approached his desk after class.

“Yes, Chloe, what’s up?” he asked.

She paused until the rest of the students were gone. “I wanted to know if I could have an extra copy of the homework so I can give it to Tori.”

Mr. Thompson nodded, frowning, as he retrieved another packet from his desk drawer. “Is she okay?”

Chloe nodded. “She’s fine,” she replied simply. “I just don’t want her to get behind this week.”

“Understood.” He paused. “Are you okay?”

Chloe gasped, surprised that a teacher broached the subject. So far, Tori’s other teachers had remained silent about Tori’s personal life and given her the assignments without comment. “Um, yeah, I guess.”

“I’m sorry for saying anything,” he whispered. “We aren’t supposed to interfere with any students’ personal lives. It’s just…I know that, sometimes, rumors can get out of hand, to the point that people may forget how much they may hurt someone indirectly involved with said gossip.”

A tear rolled down Chloe’s cheek, and she quickly wiped it away. “I’m just trying to keep it together and ignore the comments; I have enough to worry about.”

Mr. Thompson frowned. “Well, I hope that things get better for you both soon.”

Chloe smiled weakly. “Thank you, Mr. Thompson.”

“Of course,” he replied.

* * *

“Honey, I’m home!” Chloe called as she walked in the door after school.

Tori sprung from the couch and rushed over to the hallway, wrapping her arms around Chloe. “Hi, baby!”

Chloe embraced her and held on for several minutes. Tori’s hair was still damp from taking a shower, and she breathed in the fruity scent of the shampoo. “I’m so glad to be home,” she groaned with a sigh.

Tori frowned. “Did they bother you today?”

“A little during homeroom,” she replied.

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