TRIGGER WARNING: HOMOPHOBIA

Grace stared at Ms. Rivas's back, her lips pressed together in a thin line. The two were currently standing on the roof of the school where Grace knew they would be away from wandering eyes. Apparently Zoe's mother had her own assumptions about Grace, that missing class for her was no big deal (In retrospect, it wasn't really), though it still rubbed her the wrong way when she said it. Nor did it probably help her own image that she was, in fact, skipping, not that it would be any different no matter what she said or did.

"Listen Grace, I don't want you to think I'm some kind of homophobe. I have a few gay friends."

Walking up those stairs that led to the roof was one of the longest moments in her life, Grace could feel herself sweating each time those thick, black heels hit every step making a loud-echoing noise within the stairwell. She semi-hoped that a passing teacher would catch them and demand she go back to class, to no luck, "And this conversation might be quite sensitive in nature, given what's been going on in the past few years and… you know...But you sound like an intelligent girl, who can take the truth so here it is."

Grace held her breath.

"Like I said in Mr. Simpson's office, Zoe has a huge future ahead of her. She's planning to go to British Columbia for University. Did you know about that? Big plans to travel all around the world. I still get offers in the mail asking whether my dear darling daughter is up for other movies or TV shows. And I have to explain to them that she is focusing on her school now. Just." Yes she knew about B.C, though Zoe was still questioning her choices. Grace, herself, didn't have any firm plans and tried to ignore Zoe's hints at perhaps going together, wherever that might be… as much as her own hands constantly strayed to the UBC website every now and then.

"Not to mention, she's confused. She's been with boys her entire life. Hell, I had to intervene in ninth grade when her boyfriend broke up with her after taking her virginity. The amount of boys she brought to the house since elementary; I've seen the way she acts over them…. It just doesn't make any sense."

She didn't want to hear about her girlfriend's sexual encounters really nor Mr. Rivas's... judgements about her own daughter. Ms Rivas seemed quite annoyed about it too, but had her own agenda to cater too; the business woman she was.

"She had to deal with a lot of bullshit in her life. From people mistreating her, to that damn, awful court case. She doesn't need more drama holding her back. She needs a fresh start, freedom, friends and her mother.

"What I'm saying is you know how society could be. They will look down on her, shame her. Kick all those opportunities goodbye. She won't have a life. I don't want that for my child and if you 'say' that you care anything about her I'm sure you don't want that for her either, so I'm asking you, Grace, to please break up with my child."

More like demanding even though she didn't have to say the words. Grace tried her hardest to hold her fists back, even though she wasn't always the type. Not even Zig or Tiny, as ignorant as those two may seem, were like this.

"So I don't understand. Is your issue with me?"

"No" She affirmed, "There's no issue."

She tightened her teeth, "Talk to Zoe then."

"She isn't listening to me." Grace's assumption was the two weren't on speaking terms - now she knew why.

"Do you think I'm some witch that casted a spell on your daughter?"

"Don't be ridiculous." Ms. Rivas didn't miss a heartbeat.

Grace resisted the urge to roll her eyes hard, but her patience was worn thin,, "But that's how you're making me feel right now! Okay, listen, you're not my mother. You can't tell me what to do. If Zoe wants to break up with me, that's on her to tell me, not you. I'm not coming in between some mother-daughter spat." She was annoyed. Outraged. To think it was Canada 2016...

Not to mention she was blatantly degrading Zoe, her own daughter, Grace's girlfriend, and that was something she wouldn't tolerate. No matter who said it.

Looking to see whether Ms. Rivas had anything else to say, she turned her back to her,

"You're making a big mistake…"

"I got to go to class now. Sorry for forcing you to come all this way." For nothing, she continued in her mind.

"You… You insolent...Listen, you better leave my daughter alone, or I swear you will regret ALL of this. If it comes down to it, I'm sure your parents wouldn't appreciate a visit from me at all."

Resisting the urge to scoff, she decided to be the bigger person and walk away, refused to turn back to her; she wouldn't give Ms. Rivas the benefit of thinking she won in any regard. Even though, as the door shut behind her, she found it difficult to hold the railing, as she struggled down the stairs.

By the time she got back to the classroom, Zig and Tiny were also there. They looked up and blinked at her demeanor as she stood in front of them. Although she took a moment in the bathroom to freshen up[and subsequently being busted by a staff worker who told her to go to class, seriously?], the dark look in her eyes refused to leave, teeth clanked together, one hand holding her other arm. She looked visibly torn and didn't say anything when they asked if she was okay.

Maya had immediately stood up and walked towards her, grabbed her around the shoulders to pull her out. As Zig opened his mouth, Maya quickly spat 'girl talk' his way, and physically dragged Grace back out of the classroom. The fact that Grace didn't say anything about it and just followed spoke volumes.

Next chapter - Grace's thoughts and Zoe confronts her mother.