Toni extends her arm, placing her hand over yours on the counter of Pop's Chock'Lit Shoppe. She smiles gently at you. She had always felt like there was more in you than the show you put on for others. But she didn't expect to hear about your mother's homophobia, neither to see you cry.

Cheryl, I am so sorry. But you have to know your mother's wrong.

Toni rubs her thumb over your hand. Now she knows who you are. And you're nothing your mother or even yourself called you.

You're not loveless. You're not deviant. Okay ? You're sensational.