Approaching Normal // third book in Dementophobia series

five // come break me down (bury me)

--Bowser's P.O.V--

Coming back to school was hard for a seventeen year old boy who had behavioral problems and did online school for over a year, but somehow I managed to adapt with ease. Coach Madison automatically put me back on the swimming team without me even asking, but I insisted that I didn't want to be team caption although the job was offered. I hadn't trained in a year and there was no way in the world I was going to take the position away from my brother.

Another factor that helped me adjust to public school again was Hanna. She made it her top priority to make sure that I felt welcome and had a friend. Of course at the beginning, I hated that she followed me around and tried to become my friend, but now I was honestly grateful. She was nice and normal girl.

That's why I was a bit surprised to see her in the support group I was scheduled to be in with the guidance counselor and many other students.

"Um, hey, Hanna," I mumbled, making my way over to sit beside her. "I didn't know you were in this support thing."

"Parents got divorced recently. Mom has me scheduled to be in here to help with the adjustment." The redhead shrugged like it was no big deal. "What are you in here for?"

Over the years, I developed the skill to mask my emotions. So when Hanna's question reached my ears, my facial expression didn't even change.

"Family member passed away," I lied. "My parents thought it would be good to go to a support group for it. Learn to come to terms with death, blah, blah, blah."

Thankfully, Hanna seemed to believe me and didn't ask anymore questions as all the other students began to fill the library. As long as I answered no questions, everything was going to be okay.

•••

"Okay, I want to do a little activity," the guidance counselor, Miss Ashley, explained once we got started. "I'm going to hand out a little piece of paper to all of you and I want you to write down your name, grade, age, your pronouns, and your sexuality. Only I will be reading these and I've learned over time that writing these things down on paper helps you come to terms with it."

She started to pass out the slips of paper as Hanna turned to me. "You seem quite unhappy? Why?"

I shrugged. "I'm not unhappy."

"Well, you aren't happy either."

"I'm neutral."

"Why are you neutral? Did something happen today to cause you to become neutral?"

I could tell in Hanna's face that she really was concerned about me, but for whatever reason, I was feeling extremely annoyed her behavior. However, I chose not to show it as Miss Ashley handed us our pieces of paper.

Hanna pulled out her history book to write on and two pencils; one for me and one for her. I accepted the pencil with a small smile and quickly wrote down everything Miss Ashley wanted to know.

Bowser Noel Joseph
Senior
Seventeen
he/him
Bisexual

Little did I know, Hanna was looking over my shoulder the entire time.

"You are bisexual?" She asked, genuine surprise filling her voice.

I lifted my head to meet her eyes. "Yeah, I am. Why is that so surprising to you?"