again, nervously this time. “Look at me. The English major
 
 with nothing to say. I’m trying to tell you that I am also only
 
 interested in women. So I do understand. I know that it’s hard
 
 to try to figure that out. I know exactly how hard it is to tell
 
 everyone. I did it when I was just out of high school. I knew
 
 way before then, but I just couldn’t face getting shredded apart
 
 and having to deal with that on top of all the other high school
 
 crap. It’s not easy.”
 
 “No. It’s not.” That’s all I can say, because now I am
 
 definitely the one with a blank, shocked face. I’m completely
 
 blindsided. Tildy is Adley’s niece. She’s also a lesbian. She
 
 really does understand in a way that I never could have
 
 imagined.
 
 “I told everyone after. I was scared too. Of all the stuff.
 
 Losing people’s respect. Having people see me a certain way.
 
 Losing friends. My family was awesome. My mom and dad.
 
 My sister. I was so scared that I made myself believe Mandy
 
 wouldn’t want to hang out with me anymore. She’s four years
 
 older anyway, but I just thought that she’d never want to have
 
 a relationship with me again. We were always pretty close,
 
 despite the age gap. I really looked up to her. She was
 
 amazing. Everyone made sure I knew that I was loved no
 
 matter what and that it was totally fine to be me. I lost a few
 
 friends, but they probably would have drifted off anyway after
 
 high school. That just happens.”
 
 “It does.”
 
 “I can’t imagine how hard it was for you, all this time.
 
 I wasn’t fully sure for a while, and then I only had a few years
 
 where I had to fake it. I wasn’t trying to make it. Just trying to
 
 get by until things were easier. I guess that’s how I thought