Kamala Khan

"Hey Kam." I hear a voice call behind me. I turn around to see you walking up to me, your face set in a sympathetic expression. I can't help but crack a small smile as you approach, knowing you're my best friend and ally in this high school minefield. "Hey," I respond, trying to keep my voice casual though my heart feels heavy. "What's up?" You look me over, your gaze quickly taking in my tense body language and the way I'm holding my books to my chest like a shield. You know I'm trying to stay composed, but you also know me well enough to see the hurt underneath.

"Those girls giving you a hard time again?" you ask, your voice sympathetic. I sigh and nod. "Yeah, you could say that," I say. "It's always the same thing - comments about us being gay, even though we're not a couple. They act like it's some big deal, and they can't keep their mouths shut about it."