Derrick and Maria laughed quietly amongst themselves while giving the two lovebirds some privacy, staying close so they could provide some cover.

 

“I’m fine. Kinda giddy today!” Sarah grinned at Leona while she seized her in a hug. “How was your day, yesterday?” she asked quietly, her face close.

 

Leona looked warmly into Sarah’s eyes and she gave her shoulders a gentle squeeze. “It was fine. Pretty busy.” The young superheroine smiled wryly. “How’s things with all the you-know… um… who’s?” Beating around the bush is the best policy in public when you’re referring to your girlfriend’s abusive parents.

 

“I’m not thinking about them, right now,” Sarah said, her voice soft and inviting. “I’m thinking entirely about you. Y’know, Aurora’s right. I should be telling you… more.”  She leaned the rest of the way in and kissed Leona in a surprising aggressive way, pushing her tongue between Leona’s lips and holding her like a vice.

 

It was super-effective.  Leona squirmed and her knees became wet noodles.  When the kiss ended, Leona panted softly.  She was surprised by Sarah’s sudden aggressiveness, but she wasn’t displeased at all.  The teasing glances from Derrick and Maria didn’t help.  Leona’s cheeks flamed, but even so, she kissed Sarah back, adding her own tight hug.

 

Admitting that she should be more open with Leona made her incredibly happy.  It felt like everything was going to be perfect going forward.  Sarah was a good girl, and Leona was trusted.  Leona felt indescribably warm on the inside. “Mmmm… it seems things have changed for the better, judging from this overflowing energy you have, today.” Leona giggled and purred a bit, breathless.

 

Sarah grinned again, broadly. “Again you’re wasting time… kissing time.” Sarah giggled as she kissed Leona again.

 

“Mmmphhh…” Leona gasped.  This was getting a bit exhibitionist…

 

At that moment, Maria hissed softly. “Ssssst!”

 

“Girls, what’s going on here?” It was Ms. Browning speaking, the English teacher, and she was only a short distance away.  Her tone was firm, but was this not unfamiliarly stern for her.  “Are you doing a reading from Sappho?” she quipped, wryly.

 

Sarah pulled away, turning sharply enough to cause a static popping.  “Good morning, Ms. Browning,” she greeted the teacher in a mocking sing-song tone. “We’re doing a piece by the poet Nunya. Maybe you’ve heard? Nunya Business?”

 

Leona blinked, eyeing Sarah.  Maria did the same and Derrick flinched.  “Oh shit…” he mumbled.

 

Ms. Browning’s face turned from a pleasant and joking expression to a scowl as she approached Leona’s group of friends.  No one tried to flee the scene and other students came to a stop to watch.  The teacher was the first to break the uncomfortable silence, “What was that, Ms. Namias? Are you getting sarcastic with me? Displays like this are against the school rules, you know. I was of a mind to let you off, but--”

 

Leona rushed forward to apologize for Sarah, recognizing the warning. The teacher would let Sarah off the hook if only she…

 

“I was of a mind to get off,” Sarah interjected with a mocking tone, “so I came over to spy on you two.”

 

The ground beneath Leona seemed to vanish while Ms. Browning’s scowl deepened with simmering anger.  “That’s it.  You’re coming to the office, Ms. Namias. You too, Ms. Ramses! Not even your sister would have been so bold!” she said directly to Leona, who had done nothing wrong.  Tears bubbled from Leona’s eyes.  She was on very thin ice for her unexplained truancy that her Goonie excused, playing it off as part of her raising technique born of her beatnik past.

 

Quinn would have been pretty bold, but she certainly was careful about who she’d mouth off to and when, but there were more than few cases like with the bus driver one morning after Leona had gotten her superpowers where Quinn’s actions defied reason, although Leona still had a bit of a grudge against that driver, herself.

 

Leona didn’t say anything, because she lost her composure.

 

“Why don’t you march us all in? You love your precious rules so much, all kinds of arbitrary, and all designed to keep us in our boxes, under control!” Sarah ranted, obviously disturbed and with obvious spite in her voice.  Leona looked up from her knees at Sarah, incredulous.  “Maybe you should just smack us all around ‘til we tow the line?” She saluted crisply, her eyes flashing.

 

Neither Maria nor Derrick said anything. They watched, puzzled and sad.

 

“To the office, NOW!” Ms. Browning roared.

 

“Make me,” Sarah said defiantly, clenching her fists.

 

This had to end.  The only one who could stop Sarah was Leona.  Jumping to her feet, Leona grabbed Sarah’s shoulders.  Sarah looked away, but Leona moved her hands up to her head and gently turned it towards her to lock eyes with her.  This surge of unusual defiance wasn’t unexpected, but Leona hoped Sarah would be strong enough to suppress it.  It was the Xevolve talking.  She’d seen flickers prophesying what would happen.

 

“Sarah,” Leona said softly, “I appreciate your bravery, but Aurora wouldn’t approve.  Aurora is a hero, and being a hero means following the rules whenever possible.  We don’t like policies that suppress love and relationships, but the rules aren’t unfairly biased against gays.  Relax and let’s go accept punishment.” Leona shot an apologetic look at Ms. Browning, and addressed her next, “Sarah is going through a lot at home, right now. Please forgive her.  Her parents are too restrictive, and she’s learning to think and speak her own mind.  I’ll try to help her through this difficult time.”

 

Sarah’s breath caught when Leona related Aurora’s point of view and seemed a little disappointed.

 

Ms. Browning, harrumphed, “We’re aware of her situation, Leona,” she said, the edge in her tone dulling as the volume lowered. “But I can’t let go of her talking back like that. The lack of respect is disappointing, to say the least,” she added.

 

“I’m... “ Sarah started a little aggressive, but then sighed, getting it under control. “I’ll go. I’m sorry, Ms. Browning,” she said softly.  When she moved past Leona, her posture was slumped and defeated, as she faced the ground.

 

There was something subtly different about her appearance.  It seemed her hair was extra brown than before.  “I’m r-really sorry,” Sarah said, almost inaudible.

 

Ms. Browning sighed. “All right, break it up all of you. Ms. Namias is coming with me to the office. You’re off the hook, Leona… I appreciate your cooler head in this situation.”

 

Ms. Browning reached for Sarah’s still-clenched fist and Sarah pulled her fist away from her grasp. “D-don’t!” She gasped and then opened her hand and offered it freely.  Ms. Browning took it firmly, but didn’t grip it tightly.  She started walking off with Sarah towards the office.

 

Leona shook her head.  No.  She couldn’t let this pass.  Without her presence, Sarah might flip out again.  There were only two people in existence who could talk her down, and they were one.

 

“Ms. Browning…” Leona rushed to walk beside the teacher. “It’s not that I want to get out of class or anything like that. I really don’t, but I would like to stay by Sarah’s side. She did what she did for love, and I’d like to support her.  Things are even more complicated here than you know.  I understand if that means I’ll have to be in trouble, too.”

 

The teacher turned her head to regard Leona, and she shook her head, sighing. “This isn’t about the public display, Leona.  It’s about Sarah’s blatant disrespect. I’m not going to mention the display. As little as I can.  I think most can agree that it’s a little strident, but your coming along may mean you’re implicated in her actions.  As long as you understand this, I’ll allow you to come along.” She nodded, finally.

 

Leona nodded softly, puzzling over what to do with Sarah.  Was it time to contact the Society of Sentinels and see if they could keep Sarah from ruining her life before it was too late?

 

The three went to the office together and the secretary admitted them to the Vice Principal’s office directly.  The office was currently empty, but Leona suspected it was because he was herding kids somewhere elsewhere at the moment.  Vice Principal Daniels was probably the strictest enforcer at the school, and as a VP, that was probably to be expected.  Ms. Browning let the two have a seat, and she stood near the door.

 

Sarah looked worriedly at Leona, biting her lip.  “I’m s-sorry I dragged you into this,” she whispered. “I don’t know why I said all that…”

 

I do… Leona thought, her eyes moistening.

 

Ms. Browning sniffed a little from the doorway, but moved a little, her body language clearly stating that she was ignoring their conversation.

 

“It’s alright, Sarah. I know why you did it.  Aurora told me a little about it.  It’s going to happen more.  You’ll fly off the handle if you’re not careful.  It’s a part of what they did to you at Padua.” Leona looked deeply into Sarah’s eyes and took her hands.  “If you feel the need to act rashly, try to talk with me first. I’ll try my best to help you cool off.  Both Aurora and I are here to help you, and I love you.”

 

Sarah smiled happily after Leona’s supportive statement.  Sarah was about to answer when the door opened.  The suddenness of it made Sarah gasp and she pressed back into her chair, seeing that the one who entered was Mr. Daniels.

 

After slamming his door, he crossed the floor to his chair behind his desk and looked at the two students across.  His eyes flicked to Ms. Browning, and he spoke to her, “All right, Becky, What’ve you got for me?”

 

Ms. Browning frowned a little. “Ms. Browning, if you please.” Her eyes turned to Sarah, and she pointed at Leona’s girlfriend. “What I have is this girl.  Being openly disrespectful. She--”