Boy in Pink

Chapter 30

At lunch, instead of me being alone in the 'stressed and overwhelmed' corner of the library, the others joined me in the library. Except, they led me to an empty table.

In all honesty, I haven't seen most of this library even though I've been here for around a week. I just go to the corner and read some easy children's books they have there. It's comforting, but also even more stressful, because I can't read. If y'all didn't know, I have severe dyslexia, which is a reading disability.

"Hey, you okay?" Arrow asked, shaking me out of my thoughts.

"Oh, yeah, I'm okay. Try to keep your voices down though. But, you guys didn't need to do this..." I whispered to them, knowing Alma didn't like when people talk loudly in the library. She says "it's distracting for the other students who are trying to calm down and read" which I understand.

"Well, we did, whether you like it or not," Aria told me with a huff.

"Oh, also, I'd like to 'troduce my friend to y'all. Say hi, Emi Robin." They looked at the girl sitting next to them, her face being covered in her hands.

"Oh, hello! No need to be shy. It's nice to meet you, by the way," I greeted her warmly, and she slowly uncovered her face.

"Hi," she whispered, fidgeting with her hair.

"Wow, you're beautiful," I breathed. Arrow then glared at me as they pulled Emi closer.

"Don't you dare hit on her! Aren't you gay!?" They yelled, and I put my hands up in surrender.

"I am, but that doesn't mean I can't call a girl pretty!" I argued, and Aria snickered.

"Classic Arrow. Getting so jealous and aggressive when a boy flirts with your crush~" Arrow opened their mouth, as if to say something, but didn't. The silence that followed was almost unbearable.

"So, uh..." I started, breaking the silence. Everyone looked up from their lunch trays, besides for Braedon, who just kept staring and picking at his food. "I have some pride pins if anyone wants some? I brought them for the Pride Day today." Braedon then looked up, eyes shining.

"Pride pins!?" He exclaimed. I nodded, and he squealed. Aria chuckled softly while still holding Isaiah.

"He did say pride pins, Brae. And, Newbie, Brae gets really passionate when it comes to pride pins. Like, I once tried to hide his pride pins and stickers, and he caught me, and tackled me!" We all laughed, which gave us a loud and long 'SHHH' from Ms. Alma.

"Sorry, Ms. Alma!" I whisper-yelled to her, who just went back to reading. I then pulled out all the pins from my pocket, scattering them on the table. Two of every pin should be enough.

I watched as Braedon snatched the gay man pin, Aria took the bisexual one, Arrow the non-binary and asexual, and finally, Emi and Isaiah the straight ally pins. I fixed my gay man pin clipped on my beanie, making sure it was still on there. The others clipped their pins to their shirts - or in Emi's case, Arrow clipped the pin onto Emi's headband. They're cute together...

"Thank you, Rory!" Braedon thanked me, and I nodded.

"No problem. And, y'all can keep them if you want. I have lots more pins at home."

"Well, thanks Rors. You didn't need to, but thanks." I nodded to Arrow, who gently elbowed Emi.

"Thank you, Rory..." She whispered, burying her face into her hands again.

"Wait... Rory?" Aria asked, and I looked over at her. "Why didn't you tell me...?"

"Because I didn't think it was that big of a deal..? I didn't think you'd take it so bad..." I admitted, still a little confused. Why is she making it such a big deal?

"You told everyone... besides me. Everyone. Besides. Me. And you 'didn't think it was that big of a deal'!? Well it is for me!" She yelled, standing up and slamming her hands down on the table.

Alma sent me a look which basically said 'calm her down, Rory' and I tried to do just that.

"Ari, listen, I'm sorry! I didn't know you'd take it so harshly, and-" Braedon silenced me with a soft whisper and a hand on my arm.

"You wanna show Ari to the corner?" He asked me, and I looked back over at Ari, who was sobbing into Isaiah's chest.

"I don't think that'll be necessary..."