Serendipity

Timothy Moon Timothy

"Timothy, Timothy?" Tai asks incredulously. "Timothy Moon Timothy?"

I'm not sure how it got out, but apparently, having a weird last name is something people like talking about. Now everyone knows, and it hasn't even been two days. Shows how fast stuff goes around, I guess.

"Yeah," I shrug. "Timothy Moon Timothy."

"Dude, he's such a Chad," Tai groans. "He calls everyone 'mate' with a funky accent."

"He doesn't call me 'mate'."

"He probably watches "alpha male" podcasts or something," Tai points at Timothy, who's sitting with the jocks and laughing. "See? He's even with those guys. How can you possibly like him?"

"I dunno," I shrug, chewing on the inside of my cheek. "I think he's nice."

Tai adjusts his beanie, looks at Timothy, then me, and sighs.

"You like him, don't you?"

My face flushes and I look away. "What? No. I— it doesn't— I'm not— I don't—" I swallow. "Come on, I don't just fall in love with any guy who's nice to me."

Tai squints, clearly not buying it.

"He's probably straight anyway," I add, sighing.

"Yeah. Exactly why you shouldn't fall for him," Tai nods towards said 'him'. "You'll just get hurt."

"Yeah..." I sigh again, this time because I know he's right.

I think back to this morning— to my first impression of Tim. This damn ball of sunshine who just wouldn't stop trying to strike up a conversation.

As much as I hate to admit it, I didn't mind his attempts. And whenever I would accidentally look over and meet his eyes, he would smile that warm smile of his and make my heart flutter.

Stupid heart. Always fluttering for the wrong people.

Tai has gone back to devouring his lunch and muttering things I can't hear nor understand through the food in his mouth. He's been my best friend all throughout middle and highschool, and the only one who didn't shy away when he found out I was gay.

He figured, as long as I don't try to sleep with him, we're fine. I sometimes question his thought process, but I don't particularly mind.

I go back to watching Tim as he sits and eats, occasionally lifting his head to laugh or agree to something, but mostly focused on his food. I find it almost amusing how easily he managed to get into one of the most yearned for cliches, and how little attention he's paying to it.

The way Tim's golden-brown hair shines in the light when he moves, and his beautiful green eyes glow, even when he's not looking at anything in particular, gives me butterflies.

Then I see some girls oogling him and I remember his likely heterosexuality.

I glance at the apple in my hands, not even touched, and put it back into my bag. I'm kind of hungry, but not enough to make me want to eat anything. Even if I was hungry, the thought of eating anything makes me feel sick to my stomach.

Probably why I'm so skinny.

I grab my water bottle and chug that instead, downing about half the bottle before pulling away with a gasp.

"Nice," Tai gives me a thumbs up. "Hydrate or die straight, am I right?"

"Better go ahead and just bury myself in a mountain of salt then," I grumble. "Since I can't seem to get rid of it."

"Dude," Tai shakes his head. "You can't get rid of your sexuality. We've gone over this."

"That's what my grandma wanted me to do," I shrug. "Send me to christian camp."

"Ugh," Tai shudders. "Bro, I'm not gay and I don't wanna go there. Christian camp gives off bad vibes."

"Bad vibes?" I repeat, and Tai nods enthusiastically.

"Yeah. It's always 'pray the gay away' and that kind of shit," He rolls his eyes. "That's partly why I'm not religious— if I wanted to be surrounded by opinionated assholes I'd go visit my extended family."

I laugh.

"I guess," I agree, then glance over to catch Timothy watching me.

He sees me see him and blushes, then grins and waves his fingers.

I feel my cheeks heat up, but I wave my fingers back and manage a smile.

Hi, he mouths.

This dork.

Hi, I mouth back, then snort when he grins wider.

"What're you snickering about over there?" Tai asks, following my gaze. He groans. "Oh, come on."

"Shut up," I elbow him, not breaking eye contact with Tim.

See you later, he mouths after a moment, tilting his head in question.

I think for a second. Speaking of which, our next couple periods are all ones we share.

Yeah, I nod.

His face lights up, which gives me butterflies by itself. I smile, which he seems very happy about, and close my eyes.

Damn.

I can't really say it yet...

But I think I've fallen for a straight boy.