Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 8

side of the road at the exact same moment. He slumped back against the seat, every muscle in his frame falling slack as relief washed through him. Perhaps the girls would know who this boy was.
    Hinata gave a firm little nod. He would ask his Posse when he got to homeroom. He giggled very quietly, good mood restored by the image of his mother's perceived horror at such a description of his friends. Her perfectly formed eyebrows would meet her hairline, and then her mouth would press together tightly and turn her lips white with pressure. He giggled again as he spied the Starbucks sign. His father approved the purchases made by the chauffeuring staff. He pulled Hinata aside during his freshman year at the public school, making a clear point of telling him exactly that. The elder Kenkyusha smiled at his son, his gruff voice ripe with an understated amusement Hinata rarely heard in his father's voice. "Your mother does not monitor the expenses of the outside staff, neither the gardeners, nor the chauffeuring staff. If, on occasion one finds it necessary to make a purchase of which your mother might not approve, a kind husband— or son— would be sure to utilize the resources at their disposal to maintain her— peace of mind."
    His father spoke quietly, words rushing from his mouth like salmon fighting the current, and then with a sharp nod and a grunted, "Ha!" turned to make his way into his office. The door clicked shut behind the elder Kenkyusha with a determined click. In that moment, Hinata understood the depths of his father's love for his mother were carved into the man's soul as deeply as the roots of majestic Mt. Fuji reached into the earth's crust. Laying a slender hand against the firmly closed portal to his father office, Hinata spoke two words. "Yes, father."
    ****
    "Hinata, I have no idea who you're talking about. I can't remember ever seeing a boy—"
    Caroline pushed her way into the giggling circle of latte drinking girls, and Hinata passed her the final beverage from the cardboard drink tray resting on the cement wall beside him. She smiled at him before turning to Rachelle. "I know who he is."
    Conversation stopped. All eyes turned to Caroline, except Hinata's. His had never left her face. His heart beat painfully against his ribs. "He just moved here from somewhere in Virginia… he has the dreamiest accent. I've got him in my fourth period English class. He's a senior, but I guess his old school wasn't up to standards, and he has to take a ton of classes this year plus go to summer school to graduate with his class."
    Rachelle's mouth dropped open. "Geez, Caroline, I'm glad you use your powers for good and not evil. We've only been back in school for two weeks and none of the rest of us could find out a darn thing about him."
    Caroline shrugged. "He hangs out with the Simpson girls." All the girls groaned. Hinata glanced from face to face, his pulse pounding faster and faster. He bit his bottom lip, eyeing Caroline with trepidation. She reached out to pat his shoulder, her mouth curling down at one corner. "Before Rachelle took over the Posse, a girl named Michelle used to be the most popular girl in school… and unfortunately she was the unofficial leader of our group. She didn't like the Simpson girls and made their lives miserable by telling a lot of lies about them to the boys on the football and basketball teams."
    Hinata gasped. Caroline nodded grimly. "Yeah, so, one of the girls almost got hurt really badly. Rachelle put a stop to it, and we all went to the principal. Michelle got sent to ALP— the alternative learning program— over on the other side of town… but the Simpson girls won't have anything to do with any of us. I'm sorry, Hinata."
    Hinata shrugged. He tried on a smile, hoping it looked less like a grimace than it felt on his face. "Well, it is not as though I could invite him home for dinner with the family." He heaved a sigh. Caroline patted his shoulder again, and Rachelle stroked his hair gently.
    "Oh, Hinata, is your mom still refusing to believe you're gay?" Hinata turned to Rachelle, a lump momentarily filling his throat. He nodded. The older girl gave his hair one last stroke. "Well, then, which one of us should be your girlfriend this year?"
    Hinata's vision blurred at the edges. He blinked against the stinging sensation, and forced his lips to curl up into the semblance of a smile. "Perhaps this year I should fall in love with you, Rachelle. That way, I can pine