Ms. Blackmon started talking about something I didn’t quite hear. I didn’t really care, I cared about the way Mike’s hand moved while sketching. Shit, was I supposed to be drawing something? My hands reached for my bag, and opened it quickly. 69Please respect copyright.PENANAZj3G6eFHlm
“Leo, why don’t you introduce yourself to the class, hm?” She asked, the sun casting a soft glow on her brown skin. I clear my throat and stand up, my hands moving into fists on my side. All eyes were on me, my heart thumped loudly, it felt as if they were silently judging me. Maybe they were, this had been the start of everything back in Chicago. I was the laughing stock, I was a stuttering mess. The first girl I ever liked threw me under the bus, the first guy I ever liked and was mine broke my heart. Everyone knew who I was, the weird, artsy, bisexual kid. The one who lived with his grandma and had scars on his arms. I was a mess, and now my past was standing right next to me. 69Please respect copyright.PENANANHHg6iVNdh
“Uh, right. I’m Leo Jackson. I’m from Chicago, I really like art and music. And um, yeah. That’s me.” I laughed, awkwardly. Fuck, this is so embarrassing. A blonde girl, with too much makeup and a stupid stupid stupid smirk on her face looked at me and giggled. 69Please respect copyright.PENANAXjH87X3yph
“Awh, so he’s one of those isn’t he? How cute, just another misfit. And oh how I do feel bad for Mikey, to sit with him all year long.” She says, laughing as if she had just given the best joke in the world. She glared at what I guessed was her friend next to her, and she started laughing too. 69Please respect copyright.PENANA68LomhYtrW
“Jenna, Lindsey. Girls please leave him alone.” Ms. Blackmon said, I sat down and stared at the faux wood table in front of me. Jenna scoffed, and shut down. Lindsey just nodded and gave a guilty puppy look to her. Mike looked at me and smiled shrugging. 69Please respect copyright.PENANAO2fyvTFhXd
“Don’t mind my girlfriend, she’s a little… Extra at times, but stick with me and you’ll be set for the whole year.” He said, nudging me. I swallowed, great. So, he was straight. Had an annoying girlfriend, and was too sweet for her. Well that’s just great. I had just gotten attached to a guy I didn’t even know? So fucking funny!69Please respect copyright.PENANA5OIIWbs06K
“Oh, it’s fine. Not like I was made fun of back at my old school.” I laugh, it came out more like a huff than an actual laugh. He blinks, and maybe I’ve taken it too far. Mike nods, and looks at his notebook. 69Please respect copyright.PENANA68Xef9eb1Z
“Are you sure? You sound… Doubtful?” He asked, twirling his pencil between his fingers. I pull my sleeves over my hands, and stumble over my next words. I shouldn’t have said them but of course I did.69Please respect copyright.PENANAKl8rI15TsN
“Hm, you have h-hot hands by the way.” I say, he pauses his movements. I didn’t want him to stop, my leg started jumping up and then once again. He just laughed, shaking his head. Was that a good laugh or a bad laugh? I didn't even know at this point. 69Please respect copyright.PENANAVdSlnZqWMJ
“Well that’s a first. Many people say I have a hot voice rather than my hands.”69Please respect copyright.PENANAAMjdGLh6ci
“Well, maybe I’m into hands.” I said, crossing my arms. 69Please respect copyright.PENANAfLQYZZwFde
“What are you? Gay?” 69Please respect copyright.PENANAL0NH6PgfJq
“Only half, I’m Bi actually.” He chuckles. 69Please respect copyright.PENANAJB2DAoR8Gh
“Are you quoting Nick Nelson from Heartstopper?” He asked, placing the pencil down and shifting his full attention to me. I blinked, a guy like him knew about a silly little gay show? I nodded, hoping my face wasn’t red as a tomato right now. Mike grinned like a little kid, and nodded. 69Please respect copyright.PENANAHnMmuuq9Z4
“You know about Heartstopper?” I ask, leaning closer as if I’m spilling secrets that shouldn’t be out in the world at all. Maybe I hadn’t fucked it up just yet like I always do. Mike shrugged, and looked away. I was getting used to him looking at me with those eyes. 69Please respect copyright.PENANAa0e2061EEz
“Know it? I live the damn show, it’s really good. Also, why don’t you come to my practice today? My pain in the ass of a girlfriend won’t be there today, and I want to see you watch me practice. What do you say?” He asks, my heart does a flippy thing once again.69Please respect copyright.PENANASucOf6KuRV
“Sure, but if she’s a pain in the ass then why are you still with her?” 69Please respect copyright.PENANAQvgiJjiwUK
“Because I’m too much of a coward to come out and say what I truly am to the world.” He simply said, that made me look at him in a way that probably surprised him too. 69Please respect copyright.PENANAlHzIsJV0ft
“Anyway, I hope I do see you at practice today, okay?” 69Please respect copyright.PENANAkYrd4Qn5uj
“Yeah, I’ll be there.” I continue fidgeting, but now I was going to his volleyball practice and maybe this was the start of something I would never forget.
69Please respect copyright.PENANAckE3zgjwyB