“Hey, there’s Sasuke!  Look at the way we keep running into him outside of class,” Chann giggled.  “It’s like the universe is telling you to get with him.  Go flirt!”

I blushed and jabbed at him with my elbow.

“Oh, come on:  you can’t tell me he’s not cute!  And he’s right friendly.”

“Well, there you go!  He’s cute, he’s friendly, he likes you – what’s the problem?”

I shrugged and strolled over to greet Sasuke.  His blue eyes lit up at the sight of me and a thrill coursed through me.

“Hello, Mirai!  And hello, Chann,” he added as Chann skipped into view behind me.  His voice wasn’t as energetic when he greeted Chann, almost as if…  as if he were happier to see me than him.  He turned his blue gaze on me and I felt unusually warm beneath it.

“Why’re you here so early, mate?  Mirai and I usually have the school to ourselves until 7:40.”

Sasuke’s blue eyes flickered with discomfort.  “My parents were fighting.  I wanted to get away.”

“Understandable.  Hey, if you ever need a place to hole up for a while, you’re always welcome at my house,” Chann told him.  “Door’s always open to those in need.”

“Thank you.  Where are you and Mirai going this morning?”

“We’re gonna go see Mirai’s favorite teacher, Dr. Stephens.  The one you have AP Psych with.  We didn’t get the chance to catch him up yesterday, so we’re going today.”

Sasuke smiled and took a few quick steps to arrive at my side.  He gave me a warm smile and I found myself smiling back.

I led the way to Stephens’ classroom.  I was excited to catch up with him.  He was a great man:  intelligent, pensive, compassionate, and the only teacher in the school who fought for minority rights.  He knew everything about me that Chann did – well, except for the stuff that isn’t appropriate to show and tell a teacher – and he stood up for me.  His classroom was my safe space.

I hoped he was there and not in a meeting with someone.  Thankfully, he was at his desk, fingering the gentle petals of his vase of orange lilies with a wistful, affectionate look in his green eyes.  They flooded with warmth at the sight of me.

“Good morning, Mirai.”

I waved hello and gave him a hug.  His sandalwood cologne washed over me, pleasant and familiar.

“Hey, Dr. S!”

“Chann, hello!”  I stood aside, grinning, as Stephens gave Chann a brief hug.  “How was your summer?”

“Spent most of it back in Liverpool.  Can’t tell ya how nice it was to see my parents and kick around my old haunts again.  You remember my Grandpa Louis?  He’s somehow got himself convinced that he caught this big fake fish thing – the stereotypical one that’s popular here in American tourist traps, on the wooden plaque that turns its head to sing? – that he’s got mounted over his desk.  He’s even got a whole story about how back when he was a young buck, he went down to the river and waited almost a full day with his line before he snagged that big ol’ bass.  I should put you on the phone with him, see if you can make him realize it’s jarg.  I swear, he comes up with a million new ways to make the family go crackers every day!  Always a pleasure to come back to the States, though – I get to see this troublemaking cutie!”

Chann ruffled my hair and I ducked away, trying to smooth it back down and smothering a laugh.  Stories about Grandpa Louis were always priceless, even if his humorous behavior was now affected by oncoming dementia.  Stephens chuckled.

“So, who is this young man?” he asked.

“This is Sasuke.  He’s new this year, all the way from Italy.”

“Italy, eh?  A fine country, rich in culture and history.  You must be very proud, to come from such a prestigious nation.”

“I am proud.  I had a good life there.”  Sasuke seemed to be fumbling over his English more than before; I guessed it was because he was trying to make a good impression on the first adult Chann and I spoke well of.

“You’re welcome in my room anytime, Sasuke.  This is a Safe Space, a place where everyone in this school can come to be themselves, whomever they may be.”  He gestured to the stickers on his door frame.  One was the state of Georgia’s outline with a gradient rainbow fill, the state emblem for Safe Spaces.  Stephens was the only teacher in the school to willingly have one.  The only other one I’d seen was at the counseling office, but that one was required; the stickers were optional for everyone else.

“Thank you, Dr. Stephens.”

Stephens inclined his head with a smile.  He glanced at me then said, “I’d like to have a word with Mirai alone, if you two don’t mind stepping into the hall for a bit.”

“‘Course we don’t.  Come on, blondie; let’s go chat outside!”

Chann and Sasuke left, chatting amicably, leaving me alone with Stephens.

“I can see it in your face, Mirai, that you’ve had one hell of a summer again, and I suspect something has already happened this school year.”

I nodded and signed, “Richie White jumped me in the bathroom yesterday.”

Stephens let out a frustrated growl.  “His antics are nothing more than hate crimes at this point.  Since administration is still refusing to listen to my, well…  forward suggestions on how to punish him, I’ve instead been trying to get you a key to the teachers’ washroom, so you can at least use the toilet in peace.”

“Well, I’d rather you feel embarrassed about using the teachers’ room than have to constantly look over your shoulder when you pee.  I think you do, too.”

I shrugged.

“Tell me about your summer, Mirai.  Did you go outside much?”

I shook my head.  I hadn’t been allowed to leave the house.

“Did you practice your guitar?”

I shook my head again.  Of course I’d wanted to practice, but it wasn’t worth the risk.  I had left it with Chann for that reason.

“Did you read any good books?”

This time, I nodded enthusiastically.  I fished American Gods out of my bag and handed it to him.

“Ah, I remember this book.  I read it when it first came out, and I own this same edition – it’s rather incredible, how much longer the uncut version is.  I must say, Gaiman is truly talented.  This book is not only an excellent analysis of American culture and a comment on our global immigrant roots and the shift in what Americans worship as gods, but a psychological, cultural masterpiece.  I’m glad you’re reading this book, Mirai; it’s excellent and just your type.  Where are you in it?”

I opened the book to show him.  Shadow was just waking up from having sex with the woman in his dream, his body littered with nailmarks.

“That certainly is a descriptive scene, now, isn’t it?  The sexual elements of this book are definitely unique.  I find the sex scenes with the prostitute goddess and with the jinn to be the most…  intriguing.”

“I’m not telling.  Keep reading.”

I pretended to pout and Stephens smiled, although his visage faded after a moment.  “Mirai, I do wish you’d let me call DFACS or some other organization for you.  I know there’s something not right about your living situation.”

“Please don’t.”  The words were out of my mouth before I could think.

“Mirai, it’s my job to report on these things!  I could get fired for keeping this, and besides, I don’t like you getting hurt.”

“Honestly, they’d be glad to get rid of me – I’m the only one chewing their ear about improving the school.”

“And I’m flattered that you believe that, Mirai, and I believe it too, but it simply wouldn’t play a large part if I were to get fired.  Please, Mirai, let me call an investigation.”

I shook my head so harshly and repeatedly it hurt.  I felt the tears coming.  An investigation into my living situation would only make things worse.  People I cared about would get hurt if I didn’t actively prevent an investigation.  It would be best for everyone’s sake if things stayed the way they were:  no investigations, me staying quiet, everyone else staying safe and in the dark.

“I can tell nothing else will come of this conversation, Mirai.  I wish you the best, and I look forward to seeing you in class.”

I nodded and gave Stephens a tentative hug.  He affectionately squeezed my shoulders and whispered, “I am always here for you.  The moment you are ready for things to change, come to me.”

I sighed.  I needed and wanted things to change but, at the same time, I didn’t want a single thing to change.  I wouldn’t be able to cope with the embarrassment of everyone knowing what was happening.  I left Stephens’ room and just about collapsed into Chann’s waiting arms.

“Hey, champ.  You alright?”

No.  I nodded.