Chapter 26: Roxie
"So," Fran started, her voice tight enough to snap. "Are we going to talk about the goth-shaped elephant in the room, or am I supposed to pretend I didn't see the Queen of East Shore High holding hands with a guy who looks like he sleeps in a guitar case?"
I took a slow breath, leaning back. I didn't reach for my water. I didn't fidget. "His name is Ricky. And yes, we're together."
I waited. I waited for the laughter, the "is this a prank?" comments, or the immediate exile.
Instead, Catherine let out a breath she seemed to have been holding since first bell. "Oh, thank the stars," she whispered.
I blinked, the "Ice Queen" defense I’d prepared suddenly useless. "What?"
"Roxie, we aren't blind," Ember added, leaning in, her eyes wide and—to my complete shock—actually kind. "You’ve been... vibrating for weeks. Every time he walked past, you looked like you were either going to punch him or burst into tears. And honestly? Since the party? You’ve looked miserable. We thought you were having some kind of secret breakdown."
"I was," I admitted, the words tumbling out before I could stop them. "My parents are getting a divorce. It’s official. My dad is moving out."
The table went silent, but it wasn't the judgmental silence I was used to. It was heavy. Fran, who usually has a biting comment for everything, actually reached across the table and put her hand over mine.
"Roxie, why didn't you say anything?" Fran asked, her sharp features softening. "We knew something was off with your parents—everyone hears the rumors—but we didn't think it was that far gone. Is that why you've been... hanging out with Henderson?"
"At first, maybe," I said, being honest for the first time in front of them. "He was the only person who didn't look at me like I was perfect. He knew what it was like. But then... it became more. He makes me feel like I don't have to carry the whole world on my shoulders, Fran. He makes me feel like I can just be a person."
Catherine nodded slowly. "He's definitely not the 'type' we imagined for you. I mean, the van is... a choice. And the eyeliner is a lot. But did you see the way he looked at her this morning? He looked like he’d fight a bear for her."
"A very well-dressed, coordinated bear," Ember giggled, breaking the tension.
Fran sighed, leaning back and crossing her arms. "Look, I still think he needs a serious makeover, and if he brings that 'creepy van' to my New Year's party, I'm parking it behind the bushes. But if he’s the reason you aren't walking around like a ghost anymore? Then fine. He’s in. But if he breaks your heart, I’m hiring a hitman."
I felt a lump form in my throat—a real, genuine emotion that had nothing to do with my reputation. I had spent so long curated this "perfect" circle of friends, thinking they only liked me for the image I projected. I thought if I cracked, they’d scatter.
"You guys aren't... embarrassed?" I asked, my voice small.
"Roxie," Catherine said firmly. "We’re your friends. The 'Ice Queen' thing was getting a little exhausting anyway. We like this version of you better. The one who actually laughs."
"And for the record," Fran added, a wicked glint returning to her eyes. "The eyeliner thing? Weirdly hot. Don't tell him I said that, or his head will explode."
I laughed—a real, rib-shaking laugh that echoed through the cafeteria. For the first time, I wasn't looking around to see who was watching. I didn't care if the "throne room" was being watched by the rest of the school.
I looked over at the "loser" table in the corner and saw Ricky watching me. He saw me laughing, saw my friends leaning in, and he gave me a single, slow nod. He knew. He knew I’d finally found my people, and I didn't have to choose between him and them.
The secret was out. The mask was in the trash. And surprisingly, the world didn't end. It just got a lot louder.