Not a Cinderella story but close

Chapter 28/ The Reverse Crush

Yeah I really had no clue, but I was slowly falling down the same rabbit hole. After Mr. Gum was fired and Ms. Evern became our new principal things seemed to be at peace. Maybe it was because Tanner and his buddies got what they deserved or maybe it was the fact that others that have been doing the same thing knew that they would get in trouble. But the lgbtq at our school were not as afraid anymore. The gay couples walk around holding hands not afraid anymore. The non-binary people and people that want to bind do free of fear. 

I haven't seen this many people smile since Bob spiked the drink at the fall formal dance last year. So many new people have come out that we know have a forty five person group chat. It was going off nonstop before, but now it's crazy. Everyday there's at least five messages different from people. And over the past month I've started to realize that I have a huge crush on North. I know it should have been this way all along, but hearts don't work like that; we can't control them or who they fall for. When I'm around her now I just feel all blushy and loving. This was way more than I felt for, East. The first night we met is a joke compared to this. 

I can't stop thinking about her. I sneak glances at her in class. I just haven't had the courage to ask her out on a date yet. After the last time I want to be more careful with my heart. At lunch we all break off into groups and sit together. You try fitting forty five people at the same table. Me, North, East, Fenix, Gary, Bow and Lacy usually sit together. "So what's new?" North asks me after Me and Fenix sit down with their lunches. "I..uh...nothing" I say looking down at my plate, my face beet red. Fenix gives me a weird look and nudges my knee with theirs under the table to get my attention. "Are you okay?" They mouth. I look at them and nod my head. 

I notice that Bow and Lace are holding hands. "So what's new with y'all?" I ask smiling. "Oh nothing" Lace says looking at Bow. "You sure?" East says smiling and looking at their hands. Bow and Lace both blush. "Hey my parents are out of town and I was thinking of having the next meeting at my house" Gary says oblivious to our teasing. "Sure that sounds great, we would not have to rent out the room anymore" Fenix says with a fork in their hand. "Yeah it would be nice not having to meet at the back of Don Pedros" I say. "Great, it's settled then" Gary says and goes back to eating his food. "I'll notify everyone," East says, pulling out her phone. "Already done," North says, holding up her own phone. 

"Does anything ever get past you?" I ask smiling. "Only if I let it," North says with a smirk. I blush. After about twenty more minutes of us eating and talking the bell rings and we throw away our trash and leave for sixth period. Later after school we all get in my car. "Did you see Lace and Bow holding hands at lunch today?" East asks and she puts her backpack in the middle seat and buckles her seat belt. Fenix. "Yeah I did, they're really cute together" Fenix says with a smile after doing the same. "I wonder why they didn't tell us though," East says. "Maybe they just don't feel ready yet," North says, I think she's looking at, ME!! "Yeah we should just give them time" I say with a wobble in my voice looking at North. Fenix gives me another weird look. 

I make a motion that says not now. I drop them off one by one and I drive myself home after. After I go upstairs and finish my homework I go back down stairs. My mom is reading in the recliner as usual. "Hey Mom, can I study at Fenix's house tonight?" I ask. "Sure, but be home by 10:00" She says. "11:00" I say. "10:45 final offer" my mom says looking up from her book. "Deal" I say. I head upstairs and take a shower. I grab my backpack stuffed with clothes now, my phone, and walk down stairs. I head out to the car keys in hand. Once I'm inside I text Fenix and ask them if it's ok if I get dressed at their place. "Sure" they reply. 

When I get there Fenix is upstairs in their room, clothes are everywhere. "Woah is it tornado season?" I ask teasing. "No I just don't know what to wear" They say with their hand on their chin and looking intensely at a skirt and a suit. "Okay well I know that this won't help, but..." I say taking my backpack off of my back and dumping the clothes on their bed. "I can't believe Rim made us go formal for this thing" I say looking at all the clothes everywhere once mine are added to the mix. "Yeah, but it's kind of nice not having to worry if someone will make fun of you for wearing a suit" Fenix says. "Yeah it is" I agree. "Hey can I tell you something?" Fenix asks. "Yeah of course" I say looking at their clothes in their closet. 

"Would it be okay if I asked East out tonight?" Fenix says, still looking at the suit. I move my head to look at them. They're shuffling around clothes and avoiding eye contact with me. "Fenix" I say. "Yeah," Fenix says, still not looking at me. "Fenix look at me!" I say a little forcefully. They finally look at me. "Me and East are in the past, all I want is for you to be happy" I say, putting my hand on their arm. They smile and give me a hug. I laugh and hug them back. "I need to tell you something too," I say into their ear. They pull back. "What's that?" Fenix asks. "I have a crush on North" I say looking at my shoes. "Oh Iris that's great!" Fenix says smiling. "Have you told her yet?" Fenix asks. "No and I don't know if I will," I say sitting on the bed. 

"Well why not?" Fenix says sitting next to me. "Because if they switch again it will all be for nothing and what if she says no? I'll be so embarrassed" I say looking at the skirt in my hands. "Iris haven't you seen the way that she looks at you?" Fenix asks. "With anger?" I say looking up. "Well yes, but she looks at everyone like that. But she looks at you the way that she used to look at me but like ten million times more powerful" Fenix says smiling. "So I should ask her out?" I say looking at Fenix. "Yes, but first help me decide what suit" Fenix says getting off the bed, going into their closet and coming out with ten suits in hand. "Well then we better get started or we're going to be late" I say getting off the bed knowing that after tonight things will never be the same and not just for me and North.