Summary: Valerie Edwards and Johnny Blake are the best of friends. They have been since kindergarten, and now starting sophomore year, they realize just how complicated life can be.

As both Valerie's and Johnny's worlds fall apart, they find that the one thing they have left is each other.

Chapter 23: Valerie: Forgiving

I had decided to forgive Drake. I guess it was just a matter of misunderstanding.

But first, I had to find him.

"Hey, Valerie," Johnny said from behind, wrapping his arm around me. "Guess what?"

"What?" He didn't say anything for a second.

Then he told me, "I came out to my parents last night." I gasped and stopped walking.

"Whoa, what?" I yelled in shock. He shushed me. "You did what?" I asked more quietly.

"Yep. Told them I'm gay."

"Wow. How'd they take it?" He shrugged.

"I don't know."

"What do you mean, you don't know?"

"Exactly that. At first, I locked myself in my room, but they kept trying to get me to open the door. So I slept over at Eddie's place." I gasped again.

"You stayed over? For the whole night?" I wiggled my eyebrows. "Was it fun?"

He blushed and rolled his eyes. "Get your mind out of the gutter! Nothing happened."

"Oh."

"I mean, nothing much."

"What?" He ignored me.

"Look: your boyfriend." I saw Drake walk past, avoiding eye contact. "You want me to talk to him?"

"No, it's fine. But thanks." I started to follow him. "See you later."

"'Kay."

"Drake!" I called. He turned around.

"Hey. What's up?" He seemed normal.

I smiled.

It's been. So. LONG! I'm SO sorry! I really wanted to update, and even now I'm being rushed, which is why this is such a short chapter.

Please review:)