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Chapter 4

------Gear's POV------

I thought today was just going to be another boring day at school, I drove, as usual, Kelsie decided to walk, she thought it was a nice day and had a feeling that something new would happen, she always had those intuition feelings, and they were usually true, but I never really experienced them. I smiled as I thought back to when Kelsie and I first met. Kelsie moved in to town when I was little, we were around the same age. Our parents eventually met after a young Kelsie wandered into our backyard while I was playing in the sprinkler. She told me something about how she knew she'd have a neighbor she liked. We clicked immediately, even though she seemed the outgoing type and I was the loner. I had gotten used to not having neighbors. I didn't understand why at the time, but we never really could keep neighbors. Kelsie and I became good friends and eventually became completely inseparable, our parents always thought we would be in a relationship when we got older, but I think of her as a sister, and that would just be weird. I shook the thought and turned the corner into the school parking spot and found my usual spot. I saw the bus arrive and Kelsie get off with another person, I chuckled lightly "Always making new friends." I looked again and realized I'd never seen this person before, Kelsie was right again about something new happening. This day might actually be interesting after all, maybe the kid will warm up to Kelsie, people take a while to warm up to me, and honestly, I don't mind that. 

All my boring classes were in the afternoon, so I usually actually quite enjoyed classes up until lunch. I met Dakota in my first class, looking disheveled and lost, seems no one gave up a map, that's typical of New Haven. I thought to myself. I offered help after class, which was hesitantly accepted and ushered Dakota through the hallway to the next class. Mine was on the other end of the school, but I could make it in time.  I remembered Dakota had made eye contact finally and seemed to zone out when I said "If you need anything else..," I don't think my sentence was heard, but I didn't mind. Dakota seemed weary of others, it reminded me of myself. I hurried down the hall to my 2nd period, which was pretty laid back and fun since my creative writing teacher gives absolutely no fucks.

 Kelsie and I ditched school during lunch, we went into town to chill for a while, got distracted by a few shops and bookstores, lost track of time and ended up skipping the rest of the day. I ended up with a few more new shirts, and miniatures for my game, and Kelsie spent way more then she intended on trinkets and books. We both knew we weren't supposed to skip, but we also knew the teachers didn't pay enough attention to care. By the time we got back, all of the kids were exiting the building, either headed to their respective bus, or walking home, if they lived close. Kelsie and I sat in the parking lot waiting for the kids to cross, then I saw Dakota walking alone. Kelsie nudged me, and I took that as I should approach. Dakota looked a bit startled when I pulled up, but calmed at the realization of who we were. I turned off the ignition, got out and apologized for how the kids acted at lunch. Dakota seemed nonchalant about it. Eventually I awkwardly invited Dakota into my truck, but by that time Kelsie had jumped out and asked if Dakota wanted to come to the park with us, and when she got a hesitant yes, pulled Dakota in to the car. I swore I heard Dakota mumble something, but I guess I imagined it. I made sure they got in safe and rejoined them, starting my car and pulling out of the parking lot. After a while of silence, I heard Kelsie begin rambling about a game on her phone, I chucked and looked back seeing Kelsie deep into whatever game she was playing and noticing Dakota had dissociated,  I didn't worry about it too much though, I even zone out sometimes when Kelsie starts rambling, I also remembered the anxiety I saw that morning around small spaces and people when I took them to class. Them? Is that right? I wonder... I'll ask later. I thought to myself. Eventually I snapped out of my thought and looked back at Dakota, whom Kelsie nudged, and said "You good?" earning a very confused reaction and no response. I think I said that out loud, I looked over to Kelsie, who had tucked her phone in her back pocket and was getting out. well shit, maybe I didn't.  

Finally, after a while of thought, I got a nod from Dakota, and sighed a breath of relief. I'm hoping that I don't scare this kid off, Kelsie really seems to like them. I thought as I got out of the car and popped the trunk for Kelsie to grab our skateboards and the speaker. I watched as Dakota opened the door and got out, I walked around and asked "Hey, uh, sorry,  I don't know how to ask this politely, but uh- what do you want us to, you know, reference you by..." Dakota seemed surprised by this, but after a few seconds said "I prefer neutral pronouns, like they/them, but I don't mind the others so much." I nodded, "I'll just use they. So, um- Did you want to skate with us? It's okay if you don't you can just watch." I watched as the wheels turned again. It took a while for a response but finally I got a very low "No, I think I'll just watch." I smiled and nodded "Well, if you change your mind, I have an extra board in the trunk."