Chapter Text
“I like the way your hand feels in mine,” Biana’s voice was hushed, only wanting to keep the moment between them.
Dex couldn’t help but admire everything about her. Her wavy dark brown passed her shoulders and touched her lower back. She had a pink blush that covered her cheeks while her lips were perfectly glossed. Biana had crystal clips in earrings that dangled to her shoulders and a heart locket around her neck. Out of all the beauty she possessed, his favorite quality had to be her eyes. God her teal eyes reminded him of the ocean when the golden hour kissed the water. When the blueness reflects and freckles different colors of the sky allowing it to feel alive.
Her thumb running through his palm exploring all the lines on his hand. He opened his mouth to speak but no words appeared when Biana reached her other hand to push some of his hair out of his face.
“Dexter, that's your line.”
The class giggled as Dex’s cheeks flushed red.
“Right, I’m sorry…” He cleared his throat attempting to get back into character. “I can’t get over how a few months ago I learned your name and now-“
Oh no. Dex couldn’t remember the rest of his line. Between studying for his engineering class until 3am and admiring Biana now, he couldn’t remember the rest. He hated that he had to take a theater class to make up an art credit to graduate. He stared at her hoping — the very possible horror on his face— wouldn’t give away his terrible memory. Biana however didn’t miss a beat
She simply smiled at him before saying.
“Now we’re together after all the hardships we’ve been through.” Biana grabbed Dex’s hand and pressed it to his chest. “And we celebrate it with a kiss.”
Dex sharply inhaled when Biana moved towards him but to everyone’s surprise there was no kiss. She only pressed her pointer finger to his lips, in a shush motion. Her eyes lingered on him before pulling away.
“And then we kiss and everyone applauds. We take our bows and we walk off!” Biana exclaimed.
Everyone in the class took a pause before applauding at the scene “they”, she technically, finished.
“Thank you Biana for being the only one that appreciates the art of memorizing your line,” Dex winced hearing their theater teacher call him out.
Dex opened his mouth to apologize but the sound of the bell ringing cut him off. All the students grabbed their stuff and quickly rushed out of the room. Dex sighed, going back to his seat to grab his stuff.
“I think you did a good job.”
Dex turned to see Sophie, his best friend, waiting for him.
“Don’t lie to me.” He tossed his bookbag over his shoulder. “That couldn’t have gone worse.”
“Well that’s not true. Biana could have decided to let you sit there and struggle until Ms. Alana screamed your lines at you.”
That was an image Dex couldn’t wait to get out of his head. “Thanks for reassuring me.”
Sophie smiled at him. “Let’s go to class before all your teachers think you’re forgotten something.”
Dex gave Sophie a fake laugh making her laugh aloud. “Stop being pouty. Come on, let's go.”
Dex followed Sophie through the halls of overcrowded students. His ears pulsated from all the sounds there were. He held onto Sophie’s bookbag strap not wanting to lose her in the crowd. His skin felt itchy with everyone bumping into him and talking loudly near him.
“Sophie-“
“I know,” Sophie said trying to speak over the crowd “We’re almost out of the crowd-“
“Dex!”
A familiar voice caught his attention but when she pulled him out of Sophie’s reach his heart began to swell. He turned to see a girl with blonde hair with a couple little braids at the end. Her blue eyes staring too hard into his.
“You didn’t text me back about what the doctor said.”
This was not the time to have that discussion.
“Marella-“ Dex felt his legs getting wobbly from overstimulation. Too many people were around him and he couldn’t spot Sophie anywhere.
“Yes I know you told me that you’ll tell me when your family adjusts it but it’s been a week. You keep hiding out with Sophie forgetting she’s not your only friend.”
She had a point. He should’ve gotten into contact with her sooner but he didn’t want her to look at him differently because of his diagnosis. He wasn’t ready to accept it.
Another wave of people pushed him, making his eyes water. He had forgotten everything was busier because of the afternoon prep rallies and club preparations. Bright decorations with ugly mascots were running around the halls. Students from every grade were trying to get to classes while others went to their gym. He tried his calming technique but nothing was working. This wasn’t good.
“I know, I'm sorry. My life has been busy-“
“So busy that you had time to tell Sophie?”
Her annoyed tone pierced through Dex’s heart.
“Marella come on-“
“WATCH OUT.”
Marella gasped and tried to warn Dex but it was too late. A football that had been thrown by one of the players ended with him hitting Dex, right in the back of his head. He feels himself stumble before falling to the floor by the pain erupting through his body. Gasps filled with the air with lots of concern shouts with mixed laughter. Dex stared at the floor at the football trying to dissociate the pain but it only led with his vision blurring. Some students try to touch him to check which makes everything worse. He pushes them off but it feels never ending. His heart races needing to get away from everyone. He needed to get everyone away from him. He sees Marella pick up the football and start screaming at the person who threw it but nobody listens to her. It only makes the noise louder. Dex gets up, unable to look up at the ocean of students surrounding them when Marella starts shouting.
“Marella please stop,” He pleaded but his voice was overshadowed by more shouting.
“We told you it was an accident!”
Dex grabbed his shirt pulling at the collar to breathe. He needed to find a way out of here.
“Oh I bet it was. I bet so was having your friend record it as an accident too.”
He looked around trying to find Sophie but it was no use. He couldn’t see an adult in sight. For a big school like theirs you would assume to see any teacher walking around in the chaos.
“We didn’t mean to record him getting hit-“
His stomach turned, feeling his body start to tremble. based on how it was moving it didn’t feel like his anymore. He felt like he was watching his body move and tremble without actually feeling it.
“Don’t lie!”
“Hey are you okay?”
Dex flinched, feeling someone grabbed his arm and yanked himself away. His eyes were met with Biana’s wild eyes. She pulled her hand away, seeing her touch upset him.
“Why are you being crazy?!” One of the boys shouted
“Because you’re a bunch of bullies! You don’t get to hurt my friend, record it, laugh, and then get upset when someone confronts you!”
Dex rubbed his temple and clutched his stomach with the other hand. He didn’t feel good.
“Do you need the nurse?” Biana said softly “The football looked like it hit you pretty hard. Can you walk?” She peeked to try to see the back of his head but kept her distance.
“We already told you we didn’t mean to record him getting hit! Keefe was supposed to catch the ball but he obviously should be kicked off the team with the pathetic excuse of a catch.”
“Hey! You try to catch a ball during lunch time rush!”
“That’s not the point! You didn’t even apologize to him!”
“Guys-“ Biana said when took a step forwards to Dex when he stumbled back unable to keep his balance.
“Fine, we'll apologize! Would that make you feel better-“
“GUYS!” Biana screamed trying to get everyone else's attention.
But sadly that was the last straw for Dex. He gripped his stomach and felt himself throw up any food he had for breakfast onto the floor. He tried to stop his sickness but the smell, the colors, and the noises around him only made it worse.
“Someone get the nurse!”
“Oh my god is he okay?”
“Oh shit-“
“Is that Dex? What happened to him?”
As horrible as this day was going, the only positive side of him throwing up all over the floor, publicly humiliating himself for years to come, meant people would stay away from him for a while. He allowed that comfort before he felt his body to give up until there was nothing but darkness.
~~~~~
“You’re alive!”
Dex groaned at the loud outburst.
“Whoops I’m sorry. Is this better?”
Dex nodded and flinched feeling something cold touch him.
“That’s bullhorn. She’s just checking in on you.”
He opened his eyes trying to ignore the pounding migraine that was forming. He looked at the small black cat with color stripes on her tail. Dex felt his body relax seeing Bullhorn rub on his arm to calm him down.
“I understand not wanting to tell people about your autism but it’s important for the school to know. Did you know how hard it was to get you in here because you kept flailing because people kept touching?”
“I did that?” Dex said, rubbing his head. He didn’t remember any of that.
“No but based on what your parents told me it could have happened. You’re lucky your nausea shot your nervous system before your overstimulation.”
“I blame the school. They’re always serving bad food.” Elwin raised an eyebrow at Dex. “Fine.” Dex grumbled
“You’re lucky you have good friends. They practically carried you here.”
“Sophie and Marella?”
Elwin shook his head “Sophie didn’t find you until you were at my door already. Poor thing, she was almost in the same position as you. Are you sure you don’t want to talk about getting an ESA? Your parents mentioned it would be a good idea-”
Dex shook his head violently. He was already a school freak; he didn't need another reason for people to tease him. He couldn’t bring Sophie down either. He met Sophie in therapy a couple years ago. He didn’t know that she was a part of his extended family until they bumped into one another. He originally got a diagnosis after his family noticed similarities between Sophie and him. Dex assumed he had ADHD so when they diagnosed him with AUDHD he wasn't as shocked. Still it was a hard pill to swallow. He always knew he was different but he couldn’t tell why but now he knew…
But for some reason it felt daunting to him the second he found out.
He played with his fingers, feeling the skin around his nails.
“Are you in a safe mindset?” Elwin asked “I don’t want to overwhelm you. I know the transition must be hard.”
“Did Marella carry me here?” Dex said changing the subject not wanting to talk about it yet.
Elwin laughed “She tried to but after some fighting with two other boys and a girl. Not so much of Keefe. Keefe only reenacted what happened. After a whole lot of yelling Marella decided to let them all help.”
“Two boys and a girl?”
Dex paled, don’t say it.
“Biana and her brother Fitz and his friend Keefe.”
Dex groaned and covered his face. He knew throwing up would keep coming away but having Biana see it up close felt like the nail on the coffin. He was going to have to change schools or move countries. Biana wasn’t just a girl he had interest in. She was the girl. Everyone adored her and loved her. She comes from an extremely wealthy family and even though you would expect her to be conceited or mean…
“Hey are you okay?” Biana’s voice echoed in his ear reminding how she acted when he wasn’t feeling well.
You know maybe Biana didn’t see the throw up and she has terrible vision.
“I don’t see a lot of girls that handle throws well. Especially on them.”
Dex snatched his hands from his face. “I threw up on her?”
Elwin paused building the anticipation before answering “No I was just playing around with you. So Biana huh?” Elwin teased.
Another groan escaped Dex’s mouth. “Don’t tell anyone.”
Elwin raised an eyebrow as if the request was ridiculous but he brushed it off.
“So what would you like to do? I already told your parents about the incident.”
He hated his parents knowing he was struggling. They were already working hard with the triplets. He didn't wanna be a burden to anyone but it seemed like he was bothering someone.
“I…can stay here.”
He wasn’t entirely convinced by his statement but if his parents picked him up it would be a bigger deal than what it was. Besides he promised Sophie he would look at clubs after school to see what they should join.
“Are you sure? There’s no shame in going home if you need to. After that throw up fest I’m not sure I want you going to class right away.”
“Can I stay with you?”
Elwin thought about it and checked his watch. “If I can get someone to bring you down to work for your classes then yes. But if not then no. Deal?”
Dex nodded “Deal.”
Staying with Elwin was possibly the best decision he could have made. The nurses office was quiet and he had his own cot to himself. He didn’t have to worry about loud noises or being anxious. He was perfectly safe and comfortable by himself. Elwin had even brought him snacks from the teachers lounge for the both of them. He wished Sophie was here to enjoy it too. He would have texted her but he knew her policy on texting during class. A knock on the door caught their attention.
“It looks like someone finally came down to bring your work.”
He hoped it was Marella so he could apologize to her about what happened. It would also be the perfect time to explain what he should have a week ago but when Elwin opened the door it was a certain teal eye beauty standing on the other side. Dex yelped and hid behind one of the curtains covering the cot.
“Hi Elwin! I brought down Dexter’s stuff for his classes. Is he feeling better now?”
Elwin turned to eye the Dex shaped curtain. “He is, he just needs some time to settle before heading back up.”
“That’s good to hear. Is there any way I can talk to him? I wanted to say sorry for what happened with my brother.”
Silence lingered in the air. Then footsteps. Dex cursed to himself and shrieked when Elwin pulled the curtain away.
“Do you want to talk to her?” He whispered trying to not sound suspicious.
He didn’t not want to talk to her but after humiliating himself he wasn’t sure how to face her. He sighed and nodded. He peeked out from behind the curtain to see her in her gym attire. Her eyes widened when she saw him.
“Hey! How are you? Are you feeling better?”
Dex glanced at Elwin until he got the hint to give them a second in private. If he was going to make things worse he needed to make sure nobody was around to see him do it.
“I’m okay.” He mumbled rubbing one of his arms.
She smiled—smiled— at him. “I’m happy to hear that. You really worried me when you got sick. Does that happen often?”
“Oh no! It’s just nerves. I can’t- I mean I don’t like big crowds.”
She nodded and twirled her hair nervously around her finger. “And the stuff with my brother didn’t help. I’m sorry about what happened. I promise he didn’t mean to throw the ball at you.”
Dex’s face scrunched “Why isn’t he apologizing then?”
Biana’s face dropped from Dex’s tone change. As much as he thought Biana was different from popular kids, Fitz was exactly everything people assumed. Big headed, hard headed, with a superior complex because his father is in charge of a big company, and simple minded. He only associates himself with what he considers “the best”. It was the biggest eyeroll for him.
“Not that it’s a problem that he’s not apologizing! I just don’t understand why you’re saying sorry. You didn’t do anything wrong or he didn’t do anything wrong.”
Her curious eyes stared at him.
Would you stop talking?!
“I’m sorry I’m not explaining my thoughts correctly.” Dex mumbled picking at his nails.
“No, you're explaining it perfectly. Fitz would have apologized but he’s doing a test right now. I just wanted to make sure you knew it was an accident in case he didn’t get the chance to tell you. He wasn’t picking on you like Redek was saying.”
“You mean Marella?” Dex corrected
Biana paused to think and slowly nodded. “Yeah her. She blew what happened out of portiportion. Fitz and Keefe were just playing and I was recording-“
“You were recording?” Dex whispered remembering what Marella said.
“No! I mean yes. I was recording but it wasn’t like that. I didn’t know they were going to hit you. If I did, I would have turned off the camera.”
Would have turned off the camera? She wouldn’t stop them? Dex suddenly felt very aware of his fingers. Was he overthinking what she was saying or was he still concussed from being assaulted by the ball?
“Am I interrupting?”
“Sophie!” Dex said, feeling himself smile from relief.
Finally someone who understood him was here. Her blonde hair, leaving her bangs out, was pinned back by Bobby pins. She had a dark brown bear headband that complimented her brown eyes with golden freckles in them. Her eyes went between Biana and Dex.
“It’s nice to meet you Sophie. Are you friends with Dexter?”
Dex winced. The truth was that Biana did know Sophie. That had a couple classes together where they worked on projects. He couldn’t believe he didn’t recognize her or forgot her that quickly. It was almost insulting. Sophie seemed to catch the same thing Dex did and started to reach for her eyelashes. She stared at her as if using all her brain power to figure out why Biana was talking to her.
“I’m his best friend. And you are?”
“I’m Biana.” She said waiting for Sophie to react to the information but when she didn’t Biana got quiet. She put her hand out to shake hers “Vacker.”
Sophie looked at her hand and then at Dex. “Right.”
Well that’s awkward, Dex thought to himself. He cleared his throat. “Thank you for bringing my stuff for class.”
Biana pulled her hand away from Sophie and turned to face Dex, but he couldn’t help but notice her constant side looks towards her.
“Of course!” Biana pulled out a worksheet packet with a math work Dex hated to see and handed it to him. But instead of pulling away she lingered when their hands touched to grab the class work. Her eyes held onto his “If you need anything just ask.”
Sophie frowned “He won’t.”
“Excuse me?” Biana's voice faltered from her usual sweet tone when snapping her head at Sophie.
“He won’t need anything from you.”
Dex was sure he saw Biana grit her teeth. “I was just being nice.”
Sophie’s eyebrows furrowed looking at them still touching. “I’m sure that’s all you want.”
Dex inhaled deeply as the redness touched his cheeks.
That was a low blow.
Though Biana was known for being nice there had also been rumors about her being nice to a lot of boys. Some people thought it was her way of getting what she wanted meanwhile others thought she did it for attention. He grabbed the stuff from Biana’s hands before anything escalated.
“Sophie just means you’ve done enough. Thank you for bringing my stuff down again and for the apology. It means a lot to me.”
Dex tried to say it in a nice way but it was hard to cover for Sophie when she kept her glare at Biana. Not to same Biana didn’t share the glare back.
“Thank you for accepting the apology. I’m glad you understand it was just a misunderstanding. I hope you feel better. Have a good day!” Biana exclaimed, starting to walk away, not before bumping into Sophie’s shoulder, and giving Dex a wave.
Sophie brushed off the place Biana touched 3 times. Then got upset when the last brush wasn’t as hard as the others so proceeded to repeat the pattern.
“Ah! If it isn’t the famous Sophie Foster!” Elwin announced and then stared at her brushing her arm off.
“She’s in the zone,” Dex muttered to Elwin to not distract her.
After another 3 attempts she finally completed her repetition. The crease on her forehead disappeared and her eyebrows stopped scrunching. Elwin gestured to the door to let her in and tossed her a candy bar he swiped from the teachers lounge. She looked up at Dex and then frowned again.
“Why was Biana and why was she being weird?” She questioned unwrapping the candy bar.
“She was here to drop off my stuff.”
“I could have done that.”
Now that Dex thought about it Sophie could have. They shared almost all the same classes. It was weird Biana was the one to come down.
“Did you know she was the one recording you get hit?” Sophie added
Dex grimaced “Yeah she told me. She apologized for Fitz throwing the ball.”
“Why is she apologizing for that and not for the fact she recorded you. Did she even delete the video?”
He didn’t ask. “I don’t think there’s anything to worry about. If she wanted to use it she would have already.”
Sophie grumbled in agreement but the statement didn’t comfort her fully.
“I just don’t trust her.” Sophie ripped out an eyelash
The conversation ended after that. There was nothing Dex could say to comfort her. He didn’t know Biana enough to defend her as much as he wanted. He wanted to believe that Biana was telling the truth. Sophie sat down next to Dex on the cot, leaning her head on his shoulder. He noticed her hands reaching to her face assuming she was going to pull out another eyelash but she wiped her eyes instead. Had she been crying? Dex wanted to ask but he knew Sophie. If she wasn’t ready to share she wouldn’t share. So he decided to leave them in comfortable silence until she was ready to say more.
Elwin got the hint and made sure the nurse office was as quiet as it could be. He even gave Sophie one of his emotional support stuffed animals he gives students to feel better. But soon after Dex wanted one too. For minutes they played with the stuffed animals together creating a story of a brave dragon fighting a crocodile with wings. Playing pretend was a way to break the ice between them until the bell rang. Sophie winced at the sound and plugged in her white stringed headphones. She took out her iPod and put the quickest song as she could. It still shocked Dex that she only listened to heavy metal and alternative music. One of the songs from one of her favorite bands, Sleeping with Sirens. The music was loud enough to hear from her buds. Dex felt the bell ringing but he hadn’t gotten headphones like Sophie to cancel out the noise. It was another thing in his long list of stuff he needed to make for himself.
She put the iPod in her back pocket letting the white headphones connecting to it show from her pants.
“Are you ready to go?” She signed
“Don’t lose me in the crowd this time,” Dex signed teasing
She rolled her eyes “As long as you don’t get hit with another football we’ll be good.” She stuck out her tongue at him before grabbing his hand and signing to Elwin” See you tomorrow!”
~~~~~~~
“I still can’t believe I let you convince me to come to this.” Dex signed a gesture to the gymnasium.
The bleachers were pushed in to make space for tables with giant posters. Each table represented a different club or origination to join, along with other things like extra club classes and sport teams. Students were running all over the place to find a group to fit into. Sophie grabbed Dex, yanking him backwards when a familiar football flung across the gym, but instead of someone catching it, it hit one of the other tables next to them. Dex sighed and went over to the football and grabbed it.
“You should play football. The ball can’t seem to stay away from you.”
Dex gave her a fake laugh, making her laugh.
“Come on imagine it!” She went to quickly steal the ball from him and then used one of her hands to sign “4 seconds of the clock, dodging players left and right, crowd yelling Dex! Dex! Dex! And BAM!” Sophie slammed the football onto the floor to gesture a touchdown along with the crowd roaring.
“You’re ridiculous.” Dex signed giving her a playful judgement stare.
Sophie lifted her hands up to respond but stopped when a messy blonde and a movie star brunette appeared behind her.
“That’s where our football went! It didn’t hit you again did it?” Keefe teased.
Fitz nudged Keefe in the stomach to silence his comment.
“What he meant to say is that we’re glad you’re doing better.” Fitz corrected
“Oh yeah that throwupfest was insaneeee. It was everywhere and oof! -“ Keefe was caught off guard when a football hit him.
Dex’s eyes widened to see Sophie with her arms up in a throwing position. Fitz grinned to grab the ball on the floor.
“You have a good arm but you need to make sure your elbow is positioned correctly so it makes a bigger impact. I can give you some lessons if you'd like.” Fitz started giving Sophie a wink.
Was he flirting with her? Dex watched Sophie’s cheeks get red before waving her hands no.
“It’s really no problem. I like a pretty girl with a strong arm.” He said walking up to her to hand her the football.
His eyes held onto hers but Sophie pulled away and stood closer to Dex.
“No thank you. I’m good right Dex? “ She signed
Fitz analyzed her hands as if she was talking gibberish. He looked at Dex confused. Keefe had still been recovering with her throw but tilted his head when she saw her sign.
“Oh bro! That’s how deaf people talk. I didn’t know we had anyone who was deaf at our school.” Keefe started pointing to her as if she was a zoo animal.
“She’s not deaf.” Dex said and signed loud enough to come off as standoffish.
“Then why is she making hand signs?Can she not talk?” Fitz asked
“I see ignorance lingers even when you’re not hitting people with footballs.”
Marella!
Marella slid over putting her arms around Dex and Sophie before signing.
“It’s such a shame that cute boys are so dumb.”
Sophie and Dex laughed.
“What’s so funny?” Fitz asked, holding a smile but Dex could tell based on his tone he didn’t mean it in a playful manner.
“Whats wrong, Vacker? You don’t like being the butt of the joke?” Marella spat
Fitz’s jaw clenched but Keefe got in between them.
“Come on, I thought we settled this earlier.”
Sophie snorted “You mean when you and Fitz decided to pick on Dex?”
“Exactly Sophie. You guys think you can pick on whoever you want.” Marella said and signed.
“We WEREN’T picking on anyone.” Fitz insisted.
“Then prove it.” Marella looked around the crowd and pointed to Biana who was at the cheerleading stand. “Go get your sister and have her show us the video.”
Fitz’s face scrunched “We don't have to prove anything. Do you realize only YOU have a problem with what happened? I haven’t heard Dex complain about anything.” gesturing to Dex who had stayed quiet the whole time.
“Yeah Dexy hasn’t said anything. You know we’re cool right?” Keefe went to give him a fist bump but Dex held his eyes on his hand.
Sophie crossed her arms over her chest, annoyed. Marella ran her hand through her hair in frustration. Both girls waited for him to say anything to prove them right but Dex couldn’t say anything.
“I-“ Dex started to speak but lost the courage when Fitz raised one of his eyebrows impatiently. “I think we just got off the wrong foot.”
Sophie and Marella’s face dropped from his response. Keefe swung his arm wrapping around Dex’s neck.
“See? We’re all good!”
Fitz’s face relaxed but Marella and Sophie had developed 12 new creases on their foreheads. Marella snatched Dex away from Keefe and glared at the boys. Sophie walked with Marella and Dex as Marella started storming off. Her anger clearly on her face but refusing to say anything.
“Dexter! Hey!” Biana shouted, with her hands cupping her mouth to make her appear louder.
She held her smile as she waved him over.
“Oh you have to be kidding me.” Marella grumbled before gently shoving Dex.
“What did I do?” Dex asked
“What did you do? You didn’t tell the truth with Keefe and Fitz. You know even if it wasn’t them two it’s the other football players that pick on you. How could you stay quiet and say ‘we got off the wrong foot.’ What’s going on with you?”
People started to stare after Marella raising her voice at the last part. Dex played with the skin on his fingers. “There’s nothing wrong with me.” He rashly said “Not everyone has big feelings like you do Marella! Sometimes we prefer to move on and grow up.”
Marella scoffed “Wow. You can speak up and insult your friends. But you want to befriend the bullies? Wake up Dex. I don’t know what you’re hiding and refusing to tell me. But if you think they’re” Marella pointed to Keefe, Fitz, and Biana. “Won’t exploit it and use it against you, you’re even dumber than they are.”
Marella whipped her hair behind her neck and stormed off from Sophie and him. Dex sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.
“You didn’t tell Marella about your diagnosis?” Sophie signed “It’s been almost two weeks.”
Dex frowned “Not everyone is excited to be labeled as weird for the rest of their life.” He signed
Sophie’s eyes widened and took a step back from him.
“Whats going on?” Sophie signed, letting her eyes water “I know it hasn’t been easy with your diagnosis, I get it. You think I wanted to be this way? I didn’t. You’re not the only one struggling Dex. Marella is your friend and she’s worried about you. She told me about you avoiding her. Can you blame her for being aggressive? Were her closest friends and only I know what’s going on with you. She deserves to know and you can’t blame her for feeling left out.”
“I know I can’t! I just want to be normal. I want people to see me as normal.” Dex pleaded, feeling his hands shake.
Sophie reached out to hold his hands down and put her finger to his chest to gesture the word “you.” And then lifted her opens, putting her pointer finger on both hands to her thumbs, leaving the rest of them up.
“You’re perfect.”
Dex wiped a tear forming in his eye.
“It’s hard to feel that way.”
Sophie nodded and pointed to herself and lifted her hand extending her fingers together and placed it near to the side of her head.
“I know. That’s why having friends is so important. We remind one another when the others forget.”
Dex and Sophie smiled weakly at each other.
“Thank you.”
Sophie grinned “Don’t thank me yet. You have to talk to Marella.”
Dex groaned “I know.”
Sophie glanced at her side “Now that we’re talking. What’s going on with you and Biana? She keeps staring at you and wanting your attention.”
“No she doesn’t.” Dex turned around to see Biana staring at him but looking away as soon as he noticed. He looked back at Sophie “I don’t know. You saw her in theater class. Maybe she’s just worried because of me getting sick?”
Sophie bit her lip “Let’s hope so. If she continues I’m going to start assuming she has a crush on you.”
Dex laughed “Biana Vacker does NOT have a crush on me. She doesn’t even know me to like me. Besides, someone like her would never be with people like us.”
Even though he knew it was true, saying it made his heart ache. He hadn’t told Sophie about his little crush on Biana. It was silly and something he knew would pass with time but…
When he looked past his shoulders to see Biana. Her hair tied up in a ponytail with strands of hair pulled out where the front of her face was. Her smile when she welcomed students and talked about her club. He knew she wouldn’t like someone like him but when she turned to face him again, her eyes held onto his. As if all the time in the world paused for just a moment until one of them was forced to look away.
If she didn’t like him, what was she thinking about?