"I’m sorry," she whispered to the upset Latina.

"Stop apologizing for what’s not your fault, Niki. Please. You make ME feel guilty when you do." Nicole looked at her in confusion.

"How do I do that?" she wondered out loud.

"Niki, you took a chance and confessed your feelings for me. I could have turned away but I didn’t. If I had, your mother would have never known that you were gay or in love with me. She never would have hit you," Lily’s voice cracked as she spoke and tears cascaded over her cheeks as she remembered the vivid bruise on Nicole’s cheek.

"Lily, she used to hit me anyway," Nicole whispered sadly. "Being gay had nothing to do with that."

"Still, she hit you because of ME. When you apologize for loving me, it reminds me of what you’ve lost and sacrificed to be with me. You pretend not to care but I know you do. You have a heart and emotions, Nic. And I know you hurt," Lily said to her quietly. Nicole nodded relucantly.

"I do, but you’re more important," she said simply. Lily sniffed.

"Not to me," she countered.

"Well, we’re a sorry pair, aren’t we?" Nicole joked to lighten the mood. Lily sighed and then giggled slightly.

"You just can’t stand having a sensitive moment last TOO long, can you?" Lily snickered. Nicole shook her head.

"No, I break out in hives. Very ugly visual."

**

"I hate Calculus," Sam declared as she tossed down her pencil in defeat. "I give up." Brooke looked up from her English assignment and sighed.

"Try again, Sammy," she said patiently. Sam shook her head.

"I’ve BEEN trying. It makes no sense to me. All the stuff is blending together," she whined. "I think my brain is melting." Nicole snorted. "Quiet Satan."

"Maybe we need a break," Lily suggested from across the table.

"Yeah," Nicole agreed. "We’ve been at this for hours." Brooke nodded as she closed her notebook.

"All right, any suggestions?" she asked.

"Movies, cards, Monopoly?" Sam rattled off.

"Nah," Lily broke in. "I want to get out of the house. I need some fresh air. Terri’s got a beautiful, big back yard. Let’s just go for a walk or something."