Mute // m.c.

4.

Art Club, After School
First Day of School

I took my usual spot in the back of the art room just like every Monday and Thursday of the past two years, and waited for everyone else to fill in. I wouldn't say the four other members were my friends, but they were polite to me at least. I'd received a text from our club leader that we'd meet today to start sorting things out.

There's Daniel, who's gay and stereotypically flamboyant. He's full of creative ideas and designs.

Then we have Kathy, who's an amazing painter. She's actually pretty popular.

Next is Isabella who's a massive bookworm. She's really nerdy but she is a great sculpter.

Then is Alexis or Alex, who's transitioning from female to male. He's super sweet. He and Kathy are always on each other's nerves, but Alex is kind of the club leader. He's good at everything.

••

After listening to Kathy and Alex fight and seeing Isabella's new elephant figurine idea, we dismissed our little club.

I began walking down the sidewalk heading home, and stretched my limbs.

"Hey! Hey, September!"

I stopped in my tracks and turned around, my green eyes wide. Then, I saw Michael jogging towards me.

"Hey," he said breathless. I looked for you after 6th and couldn't find you, but then I saw you in that club thing and waited."

I was speechless (har, har) and I just stared at him.

"Uh.. so, can I walk you home?"

I sent him a tiny smile and he took it as a yes.

While I wanted to say:
Oh, sure, but you really don't have to! Thanks for being so kind to me.