The One I Knew Before

The New Kid Reminds Me Of You.

*Monday*
"Hey Ace, why weren't you on the bus this morning?" Matthew asks as runs up to meet me in line.
"Oh I'm at my dad's house and he drives me" I say.
"Oh alright, how was the funeral?" He replies.
"It was actually pretty good" I smile at him.
"Are you feeling better?" He asks.
"Yeah, it feels like she's with me, if you know what I mean" I say.
"I know what you mean, my sister died a while ago, I wear this necklace that she loved and it feels like she's with me all the time" He says as he pulls out a locket and opens it to reveal a brown haired girl smiling with him.
"Oh I'm so sorry for your loss" I say.
"It's alright, don't worry" He smiles "I know my sister would love you"
I smile.
"That's good to know" I say.

*In Class*

"There is going to be a dance on the last dance of school before spring break! I'm getting the forms soon which will have more details about the dance" Ms. Will says excitedly.
We've never had any special events for anything so I was really excited. I wish Iris could be here though. She always talked about how the school should have dances.
"Oo a dance! I'm so happy, my old school never did anything like this" Matthew exclaimed "I just have nothing nice to wear" He frowns.
"Want to come over to my house sometime this week, we can find you something to wear" I reply.
"Like what do you mean?" He asks.
"Well I can buy you something nice, whatever you want" I scratch the back of my neck nervously.
"Oh my god no wonder Iris loved you" He laughed.
I give him a soft smile. I start to feel warm inside.

*Tuesday*
(Recess)
"Oo you like Cora" I tease.
"Ew what no I'm gay!" Matthew squeals.
"For real?" I ask.
"Mhm!" He replies.
"Do you like anyone?" I ask intrigued.
"Yeah, they are in our class" He turns away.
"Who is it!" I bug.
"I can't tell you" He says.
"Why nottttt" I groan.
"Because I don't want to" He laughs.
"Ughhhhhhhh" I groan even louder then before.
Matthew starts laughing and I feel warmer inside.

*Wednesday*
"I convinced my dad to let you come over so we could get you something nice" I tell Matthew excitedly.
"You're the best Ace you know that?" He smiles.
"I know" I say proudly.
He both laugh together.
"Matthew, Ace, be quiet or I'll have to move you away from each other" Ms. Will says.
"Sorry Ms. Will" Matthew and I say in unison.
"Wow you too are close already, you're saying sentences together" Ms. Will chuckles.
We smile at each other.

*Thursday*
(In the morning)
|Matthew 😎|
[Thanks for buying that suit for me yesterday]
(No problem! Anything for a friend)
[Hey I have a question for you]
(What is it?)
[Will you go to the dance with me?]
(Of course!)
Ace smiles at his phone. He was really starting to like Matthew.

*Friday*
(Day of the dance)
"I'm so excited for tonight!" Matthew says as he jumps up and down.
"Me too, you're still coming to my house after school?" I ask.
"Obviously!" He exclaims.
I laugh a bit.
"Do we have anything important today?" Matthew asks.
"The dance" I say.
"Other then that idiot" Matthew says as he rolls his eyes.
"Heyyy that's mean" I say in a higher pitched voice to annoy him.
"Awww did I upset the baby" He says in a babyish voice.
I give him a weird look and he starts laughing hysterically.
"What's so funny" I ask.
"You're face" He says while laughing.
I look behind Matthew to see Caleb staring dead at us. Then I see Caleb turn to Marcus, whispering something in his ear.
I push Matthew out of the way.
"You got a problem with us Caleb?" I say seriously.
Matthew just stares at us in confusion.
"Since when did you like hanging out with gay kids?" He asks.
Matthew stares wide-eyed.
"Since I started hanging out with you" I say sternly.
"What do you mean bro, I'm straight" He says, lying.
"Really well let me ask-" I get cut off by Caleb.
"Ok ok whatever" He scoffs "Have fun with Matthew or whatever"
"Bye fuck wad!" I wave.
"What was that" Matthew asks.
"Don't worry about it" I tell him.