What I Don't Know Can't Hurt You

Chapter Ten

The next day, I passed by the guidance counselor's office on my way to the cafeteria. I had just had a test in science class, and I was pretty sure I'd failed. I - wait a second. Was that Ryan in there? I backed up. I could just hear a voice.

"-him and his friend, that kid with the pink hair-" It definitely sounded like Ryan. It also sounded like he was talking about me! I took out my phone and pretended to text so I didn't seem too suspicious, and listened intently.

"-my whole family's homophobic, they would be so mad-" I heard him say. That sounded familiar. But it couldn't be true, could it? I kept listening.

"-I really like him, but I could never tell him, I always tease him and his friends-" I couldn't believe this, but everything fit together perfectly. The way he was always looking at me, what he said during Truth or Dare, the doodling in that notebook, and now this! Ryan Patterson seriously had a crush on me!

Shocked, I made my way to the cafeteria. On the way there, I passed Rose Polsfut, who was holding hands with a boy I didn't know. Of course she was. I sat down.

"You're late!" exclaimed Leo.

"Uh, yeah... I just got, um, I got caught up with something," I stuttered.

"Are you okay? What's wrong?" asked Taryn.

"No, yeah, I'm fine," I lied. My mind was racing. "Um, I'll be right back."

"Okay," Avery said, " but just remember that you can talk to us if something's bothering you." I nodded, and left the cafeteria. I went out one of the school exits. I sat down on the sidewalk, my back against the fence that marked the school grounds.

If Ryan liked me, why was he so rude to me and my friends? I mean, clearly he wasn't actually homophobic, but was he really transphobic, or was he just maintaining his image? I definitely wouldn't date him him if he was transphobic. Wait. What? Where did that come from? Would I date him if he wasn't?

Hmm.

Should I tell anyone about this? I mean, I knew Ryan would be furious if he found out. But Avery had said I could talk to them if something was bothering me.

I took out my phone and sent a text to Avery and Leo.

Me: Not taking the bus today, sorry

Leo: alright then

Avery: Why not?

Me: Can't tell you.

Avery: Okay then. Where are you, anyways?

Me: Can't tell you that either.

Then I texted my mom.

Me: Hey! I'm staying after school to help a teacher with something! No need to pick me up, I'll walk home

That was a lie. I took my notebook out of my backpack.

Ryan,

Meet me at your locker after school once everyone leaves. I want to talk to you.

-Quinn

I ripped out the page, folded it, and went inside, holding it tightly. Avoiding the cafeteria, I made my way to Ryan's locker. I casually slipped the paper inside, and walked back to my friends' table.

"You have returned," announced Leo. I chuckled half-heartedly. Now I wasn't just in shock, but also nervous about confronting Ryan, and just generally unable to focus. I took my lunch out of my backpack and bit into my sandwich.

"What is up with you?" Taryn asked. "You're acting really strange!"

"You were acting kinda weird yesterday too," Avery added.

"No, everything's fine!" I insisted.

"So nothing weird is going on?" Taryn said skeptically.

"No," I lied. I took another bite of my sandwich.

Once again, I couldn't focus on anything for the rest of the day, and I probably failed all the work I did. I just couldn't believe any of this! Ryan, "proud homophobe", had a crush on me. I knew I needed to talk to him, but a part of me hoped he wouldn't show up.

After the final bell rang, I waited at my locker and watched Ryan talk to his friends. Eventually, they all left, leaving Ryan by himself. My heart was racing.

Someone tapped me on the shoulder.