Play it cool and admit it.

If Sophia is right, and it’s very likely that she is since she doesn’t seem like the type to talk about stuff she doesn’t know, then there’s no point to keeping it a secret any longer. You kept your relationship with Emily and Megan a secret because: 1) The rumors of you being a sexual offender were fresh on everyone’s mind and 2) Dating two girls isn’t appropriate. Or, well, shouldn’t be, but for you it is, thanks to the Normalized Polyamory Trait. Therefore, the only thing you ABSOLUTELY must keep a secret is your relationship with Emma, and that’s because she’s a teacher.

You sigh and chuckle, trying to relieve some of the tension. “How on earth did you find out?”

“You spend a lot of time with them, I hear. You’ve been training with them and spend almost every day after school with them. Well, that’s what my sources tell me.” She grins.

“Well, of course I do. Ms. Miller appointed me as their tutor. And they’ve been helping me get in shape in return. It was all her idea.” You state.

“Oh. Is that what it was all about? I thought you were going on dates and such.” Sophia says, almost sounding disappointed.

“Nope.” You shake your head with a grin. “Well, it did lead to us getting together though.” You chuckle. You glance at the two girls, and as they see you treating the matter so casually, they seem to calm down. Megan even gives you a thankful smile while Emily sighs and smirks. “Are you sure there’s no regulations against dating though?”

“Yeah, pretty sure. Since this is an all-girls school and the code of conduct hasn’t been updated in years, there’s nothing saying people can’t date. Many girls here are in relationships with each other, and even more with guys from around town.”

“Oh thank god.” Megan sighs in relief.

“W-Why were you keeping it a secret though?” Katherine asks.

“Well…” You grimace. “By the time we hooked up, there were rumors around about me being… a sexual offender.”

Olivia, Lilian and Jessica groan in unison. You guess you don’t have to wonder who spread them anymore.

“But what if they change the code to ban relationships if they find out about you guys?” Jessica asks.

“Yeah, if the headmistress is really trying to get rid of you, she’d be more than willing to do it.” Lilian adds.

“She can’t.” Katherine says. “At least, not right now.”

“What do you mean?” Emily asks, curious and eager to hear about something that might affect her relationship with you.

“Any changes to the code of conduct have to go through a lengthy process. Even if she started it now, it would take effect next year, not this one.” She says confidently. Huh, it’s like she’s a different person when she’s talking about stuff she knows.

That’s when the bell rings, announcing the end of lunch break. There’s a sudden silence in the table, as if everyone is suddenly realizing what happened. That people who once hated and may still dislike each other held a lively conversation.

With excuses of being late for class and very hand-wavy goodbyes, everyone leaves the table, though you and Sophia are the last to leave.

“Thanks for the save. That was getting really awkward before you got here.” You tell her.

“I could see that. You could cut the tension with a plastic spork.” She chuckles. “I figured that if you were trying to make peace with Those Three, I might as well lend a hand.”

You shake your head and chuckle. “You’re amazing. If you’re not getting into public relations after this, I’m going to be disappointed.”

“What? Am I that easy to read?” she laughs softly.

“Not really. I still have a hard time believing you came here out of the goodness of your heart.”

“Mr. Walker, you hurt me.” She states, not even bothering to put on the act. “Yes, okay. You already know I have a good network of contacts around school. I need to be on top of things.” She smirks and gives you a peace sign. “Journalism is my second option.”

Well, there it is. Now, time for last period. After that comes yet another challenge. You still have to ask Mia out. God, this day is taking everything out of you.

-Johnson, Sophia-
Affection Score: 61. (+12)

-Brown, Katherine-
Affection Score: 60 (+12).
Love Score: 27 (+6)