This Crazy Thing Called Life

Chapter 3

"Hey, wake up! We are going to the lake today!" Oh? I don't feel fully awake. I look up from my bed to see my sister, Cassady.

"Snkkk-Huh? What...What do you mean?" I am very confused.
"What do you mean 'What do you mean' we are going to the lake! Get dressed!" She then left, presumably to get ready herself. I get out of bed, go to my dresser and take out my bathing suit and a pair of shorts. I am out to my family about being trans, but they don't call me by my preferred name and pronouns bc I haven't fully transitioned yet. It's really frustrating, but I can't move out till I graduate college and get a higher-paying job. I put on my one-piece and shorts, grabbed a bag, and stuffed some stuff in it. A shirt, sunglasses, my earbuds, a couple of drinks, and sunscreen. I head out to the car and we all hop in, driving down to the lake. Everything was already in full swing, yet we still managed to get a spot with a table and grill. My step-dad, Jared, and mom started unpacking while Cassidy and I watched our brothers. soon enough, It was time to get into the lake itself. We went in and it felt pretty good! It was nice and cool on such a hot summer day. After a couple of hours, we head back to our site for lunch. We ate hot dogs and then headed back to the lake. A little while;le later, I decided I wanted to try the rope swing. There was a dock that led out to a platform, and there were stairs. the stairs led up to another platform at which a sort of zip line swing was. From there, you were to swing off into the water. It was pretty high up, and the water was deep.

Oh this is high I thought as I began climbing the stairs. I stepped up, and up, and up. Step. Step. Step. Until I was at the top, on the highest platform.
"You can go now." said the lifeguard, who watched to make sure it was safe for me to jump without hitting anyone. I took a step forward. Step. And another. Step. I reached for the handle and...

I cant do this. I thought, quickly climbing back down, jumping off the lower platform into the water. I felt my face heat up.

Ugh. Why am I like this... As I surfaced, I thought about how my family would probably tease me for chickening out.
Yayyyy.... Cant wait... I thought gloomily, their faces looming in my mind.

"Hey!" said a voice from behind me. I turned around. A Skeleton was somehow smoking and swimming at the same time?
The fuck????
"Just know that you aren't less of a person for being afraid... ok?" He said kindly. He seemed super chill.
"We all got our own fears and things. You aren't and literally cant be less of a person for, well, BEING a person, get it?" I nodded, feeling a lot better.

"Thanks, umm..."

"The name's Finn." He said politely.

"Thanks, Finn. I'm Oliver, but my friends call me Ollie, aMy pronouns are he/they." I replied appreciatively.

"No problem Ollie." He said helpfully.
"You wanna hang out with me and my bro? He's the coolest." He seemed to really care for his brother.
"Sure," I said. "Where is he?" I asked. The skeleton pointed a bony finger towards the sandy beach. "He's over there, having the time of his life apparently. " he said. I looked over to the sand, spotting a skeleton dancing to some music.
"He has some mad skills," I said. He agreed, heading towards his brother. I followed him.
"So which of you is the older brother?" I asked.
"Me." He said. We arrived on the sand as the song ended, and his brother stopped for a break.
"Don't forget to take water breaks, bro!" Finn reminded him.
"Of course, brother! The great Milo always remembers to stay healthy and hydrated, especially on a day like today!" He said exuberantly. He seemed to be the energetic type.
"Oh, and who is your friend?" He said. Finn introduced me.
"Well, its nice to meet you Ollie!" He said. "Come dance us!" that was when I felt my anxiety start to well up. I don't want to say no, but I don't want to let them down, what if they don't like my dancing? What if-
"Hey, we don't have to, we can just chill if you want?" Finn said, putting his arm around me as he continued to talk me down. I began to feel better almost instantly, and nodded. We all sat down on the towel. We listened to music and just chilled. Soon enough, it was time to go home, my two new friends and I exchanged numbers.
"Don't hesitate to text tor call if you need anything, ok?" He said.
"Ok. Thanks guys. See you!" I said, heading back to my family.
"Who were they?" My mom asked.
"Oh, those are some new friends of mine," I said.
"Oh, ok." She said. I felt relieved my parents made no comments on them being monsters.
Good. they aren't speciesist.

We head home and shower, and after that, go to bed. After all. it was a long day for all of us. I head my phone ding.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

ChillSquad

BonyBoi

Hello human Oliver! Did you make it home alright?

OllieOllieOxenFree

Yes, thank you for asking. How about the two of you?

Honeyismybae

don't worry about us honey. we can handle ourselves.

OllieOllieOxenFree

Ok, well are you guys in college?

Honeyismybae

actually yes. I am studying beekeeping as my major and baking as my minor but the classes we will start with this fall are gen ed courses and Milo's major is baking. what about you?

OllieOllieOxenFree

My major is going to be veterinary medicine. I am studying to be a veterinary technician. Although right now, im also in gen ed. Hey what college do you guys go to? Maybe we are attending the same one!

Honeyismybae

the new monster-human community college. Also, your screen name is infinitely hilarious.

OllieOllieOxenFree

hey me too! And, thanks!

BonyBoi

No way! For real? That's awesome! I cant wait to see you!

OllieOllieOxenFree

Me neither! Maybe we will have the same classes!

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I then put my phone down, tired from the long day at the lake. I thought about how I was going to buy jstuff for baked mac n cheese but didn't. Oops. Eventually, I drifted off to sleep.