We were sitting at the park when Grace asked me, “Do you think I’m pretty, Charlie?”
“Why, of course. Why would I date someone who wasn’t pretty?”
“Well, I don’t know. I just thought I’d ask,” she said, looking embarrassed.
“You’re very pretty, Grace. Come on, let’s go for a walk; it’s a nice day outside,” I reassured her.
It was rather warm outside, and I was wearing shorts, but I still was warm. We were holding hands and walking when Finley came to my mind. What if the person he liked was me? I mean, when he said he liked someone in the class, he didn’t say if it was a boy or a girl. For all I know, it could be me. I don’t know if I could ever date a guy. I’m fine with it, but this school is so homophobic. I guess that’s what I get for going to a religious school. I wouldn’t be able to handle being outed. To be honest, I don’t even think I’m gay or bisexual. I mean I find guys attractive, sure, but I don’t know if that’s right for me. Maybe I could try it one time, to see what it’s like.
“What do you think of gay people?” I asked her while we were walking.
“Why do you ask? You’re not gay, are you?” she asked me, pulling away from me.
“No. I’m just curious. I think this guy likes me, but I don’t know,” I said to her.
“Ooh, who?” she asked, coming closer.
“I’m probably just reading into it too much. I don’t want to give away his name because what if I’m wrong?”
“Oh. You shouldn’t bring something up and then not tell me, that’s not right!” she said, raising her voice.
“I’m sorry, Grace. You have to understand that he deserves privacy too,” I said, slightly upset.
“Whatever,” she said, storming away.
I spent the rest of the day pissed off because of her. Why did she have to get so upset, and not even consider my viewpoint? I mean, I don’t even know for sure if he likes me. It could be anyone in that classroom. There were way more attractive people in that class than me. I thought about talking to him about it, but I could never do it in school. There’s no way he would talk. I had to get him alone to talk to him, somehow.
