𝑰𝒏 𝑭𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒏𝒐

11 : You Are Valid

𝕊 𝕆 𝕄 𝔼 ℝ

February 27th, 20xx

"It's cold!" I yelled as Oakley splashed the water at me.

After we ate and waited 30 minutes, per Hannah's request, we had changed and got into the water. Willow didn't want to get in with us so she and Hannah sat in the muddy sand to play. She seemed to like it so I wasn't going to push her to jump in the water with me.

"If you aren't ready for the cold, don't-ahh!" Oakley yelled at I threw water back at him.

Instead of laughing, I ran a bit away. I knew how these games went. Once you throw water, it's over for both parties. At least, that's how I was used to playing.

Just as I thought, he ran right after me. We spent a while throwing water at each other until the waves started taking us out. Although I could swim, I didn't mess with ocean water. I didn't like knowing that I could be swept away by the current. If my feet weren't in the sand, I didn't want to be in the water.

"Want to go for a walk?" Oakley asked after we had gained our breath back.

"Sure. Are we going to the boardwalk?"

"We can walk it, yeah. Look through the shops."

"Don't stay away too long or get in trouble, I won't save you," Hannah joked with a laugh.

Laughing back at her, we put on our sandals and walked to the boardwalk. There was nothing new to it, people still strolled the boardwalk and went on the rides. It was nice to get away from everything. I felt calm as we silently walked.

That was, until Oakley grabbed my wrist and pulled me back onto the sand. Confused, I followed as he led us a bit away from the people and more towards the quiet. Did he want to talk about something?

"You know, I've...I was thinking about this past week. We haven't really spoken more about sexualities and stuff. Mind listening?" he asked, squatting down.

"I don't mind. It's the first time I've talk to someone more knowledgeable about it," I laughed as I sat next to him in the sand.

"So, how did you know you were bi? I knew when...it was about sixth grade where I started noticing the difference of like and friendship. His name was Derek, such a basic name, but he was one of my best friends. I had liked him so much that I didn't know I liked him, I thought I was jealous of him.

When I was in middle school, it's where I finally started to realize that I had liked him. Eighth grade, when I found out what gay meant. And then I found out what bi meant and the label just felt right for me. Describes me in almost perfect aspects."

"Yeah, I, um, I don't have an extraordinary story like that. I just, I just know I like the same sex. There's no one that I like or liked that was a girl but I know I don't mind being with one. I wish I did like a girl, it would make me feel valid."

"You are valid. Just know that attraction can come in different ways. Like, you can be sexually and romantically attracted to guys but be only romantically attracted to girls. It's normal. And if you're uncomfortable with your label, like you feel like bi doesn't necessarily fit you, you can also try unlabeled or queer."

"You're college friends sure did teach you a lot, huh?" I bitterly laughed. Did he hear the bitterness of it?

How do you know so much Oakley? Why don't I know all of these things too? Why do I feel like I don't fit in with the LGBTQIA+ Community? With anyone?

"Yeah. I was lucky I found them when I did or else I would have just been homophobic. I wasn't before I realized but I mean like, I would have been internally homophobic, which those days were horrible. No one likes to suppress their feelings because of how society has pushed norms on us."