A kinda cliche reincarnation story

chapter 23

Wilder's pov. 14 years old.  (WARNING: homophobia)

Yesterday . . . it felt so good.

When he told me he'd support me against the world, if that's what it took, I cried.

Now, if you've never felt this feeling, when someone accepts you for who you are. When you'd been so terrified of what would happen if their face twisted in disgust, so afraid of losing that person, and they tell you that. It feels amazing. Like... something bursting inside your chest, exploding outwards to your very toes. Something so beautiful that it goes beyond words.

So yes, it was amazing.

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The other day in math class was a close call. I hadnt even considered it, but why wouldnt they come up with totally different techniques for math?

And lunch . . . Really, I just wanted to stand up and yell it out. But i didnt. I couldnt. I couldnt even whisper it.

I really wanted to tell Ellio, but the fear of his reaction was crippling. But when he said that... that I didn't have to tell him but my secret would be safe, i could feel the truth in his words.

And so, I somehow managed to say what I did.

The days went on and my need for glasses was becoming more and more apparent.

That is why, on our day off Ellio and I went to the market. I was going to steal them in order to save some money but I didn't want to do that, not when Ellio was around. It just felt... wrong I guess.

He kept insisting that he pay, and we ended up agreeing to split it.

I ended up with big round ones that had thin silver rims. They were slightly bent at the bridge of the nose so we got a discount. Bent enough that they sat on a visible angle on my face. But they worked fairly well, I could read letters i couldn't before and that was the point.

They stayed on too, thats kinda important.

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The next day something . . . interesting happened.

I guess you could say its the plot actually picking up, after what, almost 25 chpaters? Maybe the author guy should take some out. Sorry fourth wall.

Anyway, I was minding my own business at lunch, talking to Ellio about nonsense when a girl came up to us.

She was that girl you never really notice, just sitting in the back and not saying anything. Though something that distinguished her from other quiet kids who are generally kind and caring, was when she did do something notable, it usually isn't something to be proud of.

"U-umm . . . Wilder? Could . . . Could I t-talk to you? A-a-alone?" Her voice was soft and I had to strain my ears to hear it over the din of the cafeteria.

"Sure," I said, standing to follow her.

She led us out to a hallway with less people, almost empty and just stood there for a moment before blurting out, "W-would you d-date me?"

For a few seconds I just stared at her. Date her? I sighed and said, "Look, im sorry but I'm . . . gay."

Now it was her turn to just stare at me. Then she burst out, "your a f**!?"

I flinched, grimacing at the cruel word.

Now this, this got everyone's attention within a good radius.

"Ooh, well isnt this a development?" a voice said from behind me, I turned to see some stuck up brat whose name I still do not know to this day and don't care to. "Don't go near him, everyone. Youll catch it."

I just sighed. I'd encountered multiple situations like this in my old life, but I was lucky enough for those to be few. I was hoping it was different in this world.

I decided to speak up, "Honeslty, what is so bad about being gay? Give me an actual reason."

The boy from before sneered at me, "It's unnatural." I roll my eyes, not that argument again. "And I dont want you to go professing your love for me either."

At this I actually burst out laughing. Was he serious? Still laughing I said, "listen bud, I only fall for actually good looking guys, not you. So dont worry."

This made him angry, "What was that, you little br-"

I cut him off, "well now, whats this? You go from" using a very high voice I say, "oh no, don't confess that disgusting '' to 'what!? I'm not good looking enough for you?!'"

There was a crowd around us now and he was shaking and growling with anger. He was just about to say something when I cut him off once again, "well, I suppose there's no changing your mind. Thanks for the entertainment!" I say as I walk away, the crowd parting like water before moses.

I slouched down into my chair and picked at my food. Ellio obviously noticed my mood and asked, "what happened? What did she want?"

I sighed and said, "she wanted to go out with me, I told her no cause I'm gay, that caused a stir and I got into a little fight with some stuck up brat."

"Like a fist fight?!"

I laughed bitterly, "no, but if I stuck around maybe it would've turned to that."

"Oh thats good." he paused to think for a moment before asking, "did you win?"

"I like to think so." After some thought I asked him, "is there some kind of... community here? Like people who gather together who are gay or trans?" oh shoot, is trans even a thing here?

He stopped to think and then said shaking his head, "no I don't think so. Why?"

"Dang it." I punched the table and got up to leave.

"Where are you going?" Ellio asked, his mouth full of noodles. I think it was like spaghetti from earth.

I looked back at him, a fire in my eyes.

"I'm going to make a community where queers can be safe. From the ground up, if need be."