He Left Sparkles in his Wake

Mental Health Day

Mr. Wecht was back the next day and began giving the class a four day exam to occupy the rest of the week. Richard, being Richard, finished with everything on the third day.

"Richard, can I speak to you after class?" Professor Wecht asked as he collected the tests for the day. The bell rang dismissing the rest of the students. The student stood and approached the teacher.

"Y-yes sir?" Richard asked politely. Mr. Wecht smiled, which was not normal.

"I don't do this normally, but because you finished your testing you can take a mental health day tomorrow. I won't count you absent if you don't tell anyone about it." The older man stated as if they were talking about the weather. Richard nearly shrieked with joy.

"Thank you so much Professor Wecht! Thank you so much!" The only gay male in the room enthused. He quickly grabbed his supplies and walked out into the hall to meet Jimmy. Every day, Jimmy would pick him up from class and they would walk to Bluebell together.

"I still can't find you in the café. Where do you sit?" The slightly taller male asked when he reached the 'smol gay'. Richard had never been in the café, let alone have eaten in there. He shrugged and hopped Jim-bo would drop the subject. "So...who's your crush?" He asked slyly. Had Richard been drinking anything he would have done a spit take.

"W-what? What do you mean?" The shorter male questioned with shock. Jimmy rolled his eyes.

"Who's your crush. You said you had one, and I want to know who smol gay likes~" Jim-Jam held like for enfaces. Richard's face was beet red at the thought of mentioning that he like someone. Only Cake knew that he like Jared McSparkel.

"He's this guy...I've never talked to him and he doesn't know me, but he's really attractive..." Smol trailed off hoping that would satisfy Jimmy. It did not.

"Does he have a name? I want details." The cinnamon roll demanded.

"Um...well...you see...it's Jared...from Normal Boots..." Richard finally confessed. Jimmy was taken back.

"Sparkles? You like Sparkles? Well, he is really cute and nice. Even though I like him, I'll help you get him. Wingman Jimmy is here to play cupid." Jimmy vowed. Richard was surprised; Jimmy liked Jared but he was willing to give him up for Richard. It was then that Richard knew that Jimmy Wetzel, giant pretzel, was a pure little cinnamon roll. Jimmy quickly scribbled down his number on the smol gay's hand and gave a warm smile.

Richard didn't tell Jimmy about the mental health day, and hoped he would be forgiven for not telling the slightly taller gay. At the crack of dawn, Richard grabbed anything he might need or want for his day off and hurried off to the edge of campus where the tree was. He felt depressed, and the sky appeared to acknowledge this; it was overcast and dreary. Richard settled himself just under the protection of the tree branches. As time passed, he wrote and sang, drew and sang, and sang. He was in a singing mood. It helped cope with the sadness preying on his thoughts. Just as lunch started, it began to rain. Richard scooted further under the tree for protection and was pleasantly surprised to see a toad hop up to him.

"Hello Toadbias! You are so cute! I bet you were or will be a cute musician in you past or future life. If you believe in that stuff, anyway. Would that make me a toad in my past or future life? I'm ugly enough to be one...but singing is typically a trait of birds. Oh! I can be a whale! Humpbacks sing all the time! They are such pretty babes...and some people do think they are ugly...yep! I must have been or will be a Humpback in my past or future life. Well, with my luck I was or will be a slug or something that people hate..." Richard rattled off basically to himself. The toad began hopping away. "Bye Toadbias!" He called and waved as though the amphibian were a close human friend. Richard was about to start singing again when someone sleared their throat.

"Mind if I sit by you?" The voice asked as it drew closer. Richard gluped.

"N-not at all. I-I'm Richard." He introduced. He turned to look at the stranger, it was Jared. His face heated up slightly at the realization that he was sitting next to one of the most popular boys in the school who he just so happened to be crushing on big time. Jared chuckled slightly.

"I'm Jared. You know, PBG and some of the guys from Hidden Block have been talking about you." The sparkly one stated as he relaxed and rested back on his hands. Despite the anxiety, Richard noticed that the sent of fresh earth and ham was back; the realization hit that it was the smell of Jared. It was a fairly intoxicating and...unique sent.

"W-what have they said?" He asked nervously. They probably said that he was really short, and ugly, and insane.

"They all said that you are very nice and shy. But Ian said that you are being bullied. That's unacceptable!" Jared urged. He wanted to stand up for Richard?! This startled him.

"Well being new, gay, and having a name that shortens to dick, let alone my appearance give people a lot to bully off of." Richard admitted.

"No! You look perfect. And I just met you and I think you are wonderful. You should hang around Normal Boots and Hidden Block more; we will protect you." He assured. The rest of the day was spent chatting. Richard felt extremely comfortable around Jared, but blushed slightly every time Jared complemented him or got a little too close. Jared stood to leave but pulled a business card from his pocket. "Here's my number. We should meet up here again." He stated with a killer smile before walking back towards campus. Richard smiled like a mad man.

"Anything for you Glittery God. Anything for you." He whispered to himself.