The Illusions of Change (Gustholomule)

1: New Beginnings

564 words

!(TW: Implied Bullying, stimming?)!

~Mattholomule's POV:

     I hated her. Bria. She's so demanding, so controlling, and all I could do was listen. I was so stupid. I couldn't even stand up for myself, and then Gus was being dragged into it. Bria convinced him to come along, so I tried to get him to leave. I made fun of him, mocked him, but in usual Gus fashion, he didn't leave. I didn't know, but that was going to be the best day of my life. Gus scared off Bria, and now we were left in a graveyard.

"So, does this mean we're like... friends now?" Gus asked

I stopped a little surprised.

"I... don't know." I respond.

We start to walk out of the graveyard.

"Squirt," I push him nicely.

"Jerk," he playfully replies pushing me back.

We laugh a little and head into the forest. We walk in silence for a little bit, processing what just happened. What would I do now? I didn't want to go back to Glandis. I was done with Bria. I could go to St Epiderm, but I didn't know anyone there and I'd have to go all the way to the knee! I didn't really want to go to Hexside because... well... reasons, but maybe if I was with Gus I'd be okay!

"Hey Mattholomule. Are you... going back to Glandis?" Gus asked as if he read my thoughts.

I shrug like I'm impartial.

"I guess," I reply

"But what about Bria? Will she still... push you around?"

I put my hands in my pockets and look down.

"If not her, someone else will." I say and kick a rock.

"What if... you came to Hexside! I know you have kinda a bad wrap there, but I'll be there with you! Also, Hexside allows multitrack studies now! It's actually really cool did you know-"

I kept walking along as Gus went on and on about Hexside and humans and... 'pay-per-clorps'? He waved his hand in circles, stimming, and had a big smile on his face. He looked so cute when he was rambling. Wait, what? Cute! No, what I'm I thinking. I feel my face heat up and I bury it in my hands.

"Are you ok Mattholomule?" I hear Gus ask

I realize I've stopped walking. Not wanting to draw attention to my redness I respond quickly.

"Y-ya! Perfectly fine! Hexside sounds great."

"It is," He said and his eyes narrow competitivly, "way better than Glandis."

I chuckle. The constant competition between schools was amusing, and the school pride of Gus was even cuter- I mean funnier!

"Ya," I agree as we reach Bones Burrow, "I'll see you next weekend at the graveyard."

"See ya!" Gus replies and waves as he walks away.

The walk home was boring, but thankfully it wasn't long. I gently opened the door of my house and walk inside.

"Hi Mom! I'm hoooome." I call.

"Welcome back, honey!" she replied, "How was it with your friends? Did you have fun?"

"About that..."

I walk into my mom's room where she is sitting, folding some laundry. I lean against the door frame and watch.

"Mom, I was wondering... could I go back to Hexside? I don't think Glandis is for me."

"I thought you liked it there?"

"Not really..."

"Well, I don't want you to be unhappy. Of course you can go back to Hexside. I'll talk to Principle Bump and see what I can do."

I walked over to her and gave her a gave hug.

"Thanks Mom. I love you."

"I love you to Matt."