The Monday morning break was unusually tense as Layla and Emma huddled together in the crowded hallway. Layla, wearing a navy cardigan over her white blouse and dark jeans, leaned close to Emma, who was dressed in a floral sundress with a denim jacket.

"Okay, plan of attack," Layla whispered, tucking a strand of her dark hair behind her ear. "We'll talk to Mads at lunch time. Shouldn't be difficult, since she always eats with us now."

Before Emma could respond, Crystal sauntered up to them, her perfectly manicured nails tapping against her phone screen. Her designer outfit and immaculate makeup screamed 'queen bee.'

"Morning girls," Crystal smirked. "Where's your third musketeer? Did you send her away cause she made a pass at you?"

Emma's green eyes widened in confusion. "Did you hit your head or something? What are you talking about?"

Crystal's perfectly glossed lips curved into a malicious smile. "You mean you don't know? You must be the only ones who don't. Check out Maddy's blog, honeybunch. It's common knowledge that your friend Hayley is batting for the other team." She held up her phone triumphantly. "Here, I'll read you the highlights: 'my little birds have told me that senior student Hayley Smith had quite the secret: when she was a middle schooler, she kissed a girl– and she liked it! Is Miss Smith still into the ladies? Stay tuned for all the deets!'"

The color drained from Layla's face. "Oh, God. Emma, I need to talk to Hales right now."

"Well, I won't intrude on your little mènage a trois," Crystal said with a theatrical wave. "See you."

Emma turned to her friend, concern etched on her face. "Are you ok, Laylay? You look worried. It's going to be alright! We'll talk to Hayley and make sure she's ok–then we can sort this out."

Layla frantically pulled out her phone, her fingers trembling as she dialed. "We would, if she would answer her darn phone! It keeps going to voicemail."

"But we can talk to her about it when we see her, right?"

"No, I need to talk to her now!"

Emma paused, studying Layla's face before understanding dawned in her eyes. "You guys are an item, aren't you?"

"Yes, we are," Layla admitted, shoulders slumping. "Huh. I wasn't expecting you to find out so quickly."

Emma's face softened. "I'm not stupid, Laylay. It actually explains a lot. Hales has seemed even happier than usual lately. And she usually complains about not having a date to the Fall Ball–but not this year. So how long has that been a thing?"

"About six weeks."

"OMG, why didn't you say anything?!" Emma squealed, pulling Layla into a tight hug. "I'm so happy for you! I only wish I'd found out about it under better circumstances."

"You and me both," Layla sighed. "Hayley is going to be freaking out about this. It'll feel like middle school all over again to her."

"What happened to her in middle school?"

"People were jerks. She got bullied a lot–it was why we wanted to hold off on telling anyone that we were dating. Guess that decision has been taken out of our hands now."

Madison approached them then, her blog-famous pink highlights bouncing as she walked. "Isn't it crazy, guys? I mean, Hayley, right? Who would have guessed?"

Layla's eyes flashed with fury as she rounded on Madison. "Are you out of your mind? You just outed Hales without her permission— WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?! When Emma and I didn't want to invite you along to stuff, she always insisted because she thought you were her friend."

"I am her friend. I just--"

"No, you're not. No friend of Hales would ever do something like this to her."

"But I didn't think-- why are you taking this so personally? I spread gossip about everyone."

"And you think that makes it ok?" Layla's voice rose dangerously. "Do you have any idea how badly Hayley was bullied in middle school? No, Maddy, you have crossed a line, here. And you messed with MY GIRLFRIEND. So I'm gonna go ahead and take it personally. Come on, Emma. Let's go and find Hayley."

Madison burst into tears as they walked away. "I didn't meeeaaaannn ittt!"

In another part of the school, Mason leaned against a locker, watching the drama unfold. "What was that all about?"

Crystal, who had materialized nearby, was all too happy to explain. "Oh, did you not hear? Turns out Hayley Smith– you know, Emma's friend– is gay!! So, Maddy, like, outed Hayley on her blog– but it turns out that Layla and Hayley were secretly dating! So anyway, Layla was super mad. Draaama, right?"

Mason's expression hardened. "I'm not surprised Layla was mad. Did Madison really out Hayley? That's a terrible thing to do."

"My sister gossips about everyone. Hayley Smith isn't immune just cause she likes girls."

At that moment, Hayley walked in, looking innocent and unaware in her oversized sweater and jeans, her glasses slightly askew on her nose. "Hey, Mason, Crystal. Um... have either of you seen Layla or Emma around?"

"You just got into school?" Crystal asked, barely containing her glee.

"Yeah– I had a dentist appointment. So did they come by this way, or...?"

"Oh, this is priceless."

"Crystal, don't," Mason warned, but Crystal ignored him.

"Oh, come on, Mase. She has a right to know, after all."

Hayley adjusted her glasses nervously. "A right to know what? Why is everyone acting so weird today?"

Crystal's smile widened. "Hayley, sweetie, you might want to check out Maddy's blog."

"What, why?"

"Because you're famous now! Everyone knows about your, shall we say, adventurous tastes."

Hayley's face went pale. "...Liam told her, didn't he?"

Mason stepped forward, his voice gentle. "Hayley, it's okay. Come with me, we can find Emma together."

But Hayley was already backing away, her glasses fogging up as tears filled her eyes. "I-- I have to go."

"What was that?!" Mason demanded, watching Hayley's retreating form.

Crystal shrugged, examining her nails. "What was what? I was just passing the news along."

Mason shook his head in disgust. "You are unbelievable."

-----

The search for Hayley began in earnest. Layla and Emma split up to check the school bathrooms, their footsteps echoing through the empty hallways.

"Was she in any of the restrooms?" Layla asked, her cardigan slightly rumpled from rushing around.

Emma shook her head, her denim jacket now tied around her waist. "No luck. I'm guessing she wasn't in history either?"

"Mr. Deakin says she never turned up to class." Layla's voice cracked with worry. "I'm worried about her, Em."

"It's gonna be okay, Laylay. We'll find her."

"Her phone is still going to voicemail." Layla ran her fingers through her increasingly disheveled hair. "What if she's not coming back?"

Emma placed a reassuring hand on her friend's shoulder. "Whatever happens, we can deal with it, Laylay. But we need to stay calm, for Hales' sake."

"You're right. Ok, I'm gonna call her parents, see if they've seen her. Do you want to head into town and see if she's there?"

"I'm on it."

As Emma turned to leave, Mason came running up, his varsity jacket making him easy to spot in the crowd. "Emma! Wait up!"

"Mason! Now isn't exactly a good time. I don't know if you've heard, but--"

"I've heard, and I want to help," Mason interrupted, catching his breath. "About a minute after you left, Hayley came by."

Layla's head snapped up. "Hales is here?!"

"Not anymore. She found out about the blog post from Crystal. She... didn't take it well. I tried to talk to her, but she ran off. Let me help you find her– it's the least I can do."

"Thanks, Mason," Layla said gratefully. "We need all the help we can get. I'm ringing her parents now. Do you wanna go into town with Emma to look for her there?"

"Of course. Ready when you are, Emma."

The search extended into town, with Emma and Mason checking local hangouts. The Honey Bee Café yielded no results, nor did any of the usual spots. Their phones buzzed with a text from Layla: no luck with Hayley's parents, who were now equally worried about their daughter.

Standing outside the mall, Mason ran a hand through his hair in frustration. "So now we've tried here, the Honey Bee, the mall, and her house. Any ideas for where we can look next?"

Emma's face suddenly lit up. "I'm thinking... Laylay, Hales and I used to hang out in Blakers park a lot. Hayley always said that the lake was a good place to sit and think. Maybe she's there."

"It seems like a long shot. Blakers park is on the other side of town." Mason checked his watch. "Still, in the absence of any other ideas...let's go."

Their perseverance paid off. As they approached the park's lake, they spotted a familiar figure sitting on a bench, her glasses reflecting the water's surface. Hayley sat hunched over, her oversized sweater making her look smaller than usual.

"HAYLEY!" Emma broke into a run, enveloping her friend in a tight hug.

Hayley returned the embrace, her voice quiet. "Hi guys. Sorry for worrying everyone."

"Don't worry about it, Hales. We're just glad you're okay."

"Seconded," Mason added softly. "How are you holding up, Hayley?"

Hayley attempted a weak smile, adjusting her slightly fogged glasses. "Oh, you know. It was the worst moment of my life, but I'm feeling a bit better now." She glanced around nervously. "Is...Laylay looking for me too?"

"Yes– I'll text her now, so she knows you're safe," Emma replied, already pulling out her phone.

"Thanks, Em." Hayley's eyes widened as she noticed the time. "Wait, aren't you guys missing class right now?"

Emma shrugged, her denim jacket shifting with the movement. "Eh, Mase and I can afford to miss a few classes. I hadn't done my chemistry homework anyway."

"Woah, now I know I had you worried– I've never seen you skip class before, Emma!" Hayley managed a genuine laugh. "I'm really sorry for scaring you guys. I just had to get out of school."

Mason stepped forward. "Hayley, I'd like to apologize on Crystal's behalf for the way she spoke to you."

"Aww, hey, it wasn't your fault! Crystal is always like that. The way she spoke to me did hurt, I'm not gonna lie, but I had to find out about the blog post somehow or other, I guess."

"Still, it sounds like it was a horrible way to hear about it," Emma said softly.

"It was! And with so many people watching, too...but hey ho! Coming out here helped calm me down a bit. I think I'm ready to go back into town now..."

Before she could finish her sentence, a familiar voice rang out across the park. "HALES!"

"LAYLAY!" Hayley jumped up from the bench, her glasses slightly askew. "I'm so sorry I freaked out, I--"

Layla rushed forward, pulling Hayley into a fierce embrace. "Not another word. You never need to apologize, Hales. Not for this. Not ever. I'm glad you're okay."

Emma watched them with a fond smile. "How did I ever miss that you were a couple?"

"I often wondered..." Layla laughed, keeping one arm around Hayley's waist. "I mean, we weren't exactly subtle about it."

"Terrible ninja, that's me!" Hayley grinned, leaning into Layla's embrace. "I guess everyone would have found out eventually, even without Maddy's blog."

"Probably." Layla pressed a kiss to Hayley's temple. "And believe me, Hales, it's Madison who looks like the bad guy here. No one is gonna judge you."

"Come on," Emma said, checking her phone. "Let's get back to school before we all get detention for skipping class."