Dear Evan Hansen:
Today is going to be a good day and here's why: because today you start your senior year. Who knows, maybe you'll have friends now. Everyone will know you and like you. But that's not going to happen. You're just going to sit at the back of every class dazing off with some fantasy about Jake Dillinger right before you completely embarrass yourself in front of him. But at least you have Jared. Right?
"Evan? I'm heading out! Text me if you need anything! Don't be late to school!" A voice called from downstairs.
"Thanks, Mom!" I grabbed my bag and folded up the letter I was writing. I rushed out the door and towards the school. While walking, I saw another boy walking toward the school. He had messy brown hair and a bright red backpack. I considered going over to talk to him, he seemed lonely, but then I remembered the stumbling mess of awkward I become in any social situation. We kept walking on opposite sides of the road, stealing glances at each other.
"Evan!" I spot Jared shouting at me from his car. I looked down at the ground before picking up my pace to catch up to him.
"Hi...Jared." I respond quietly.
"You owe me." Jared says as he hands me a greasy white bag. I look inside to find a chocolate chip muffin.
"Thanks."
"So," Jared shoves half of a croissant in his mouth, "I think I know how to help you out with your thing."
"My...thing?"
"Not your dick, asshole. Your crush on Jake Dillinger."
"What? No, I don't-"
"Okay, well let me know if you change your mind." He's gone before I can say anything else. I finish off my muffin and set a five dollar bill on Jared's car seat.
——
"Will you admit your undying love for Jake yet?" Jared asked.
"No! Look, I don't like Jake!" I could feel my face heating up.
"Well who do you like then?"
"No one!"
"You don't like that Connor guy do you?"
"What? No! Jared! I don't like anyone!"
"Sure..."
"Hey, um, is it alright if we sit here?" A dark skinned boy with glasses asks, the messy haired kid who walked to school across the street from me stands next to him.
"I don't know, be careful, the chair might kill you." Jared smiles wickedly.
"Yes. You can sit." I roll my eyes.
"Hi. I'm Michael, this is Jeremy." The smaller boy nods at the mention of his name, his face unusually red.
"Jared Kleinman."
Michael remains silent for a second, I assume because he had food in his mouth, and continues to say something I couldn't make sense of. I look up to see him looking at me expectantly. Panic starts to settle in my stomach, my heart beats faster, and my hands start to sweat. I glance at Jared, hoping he'll understand.
"That's Evan." I let out a sigh of relief, thankful that Jared got the clue.
"Hi." I smile weakly.
"Hey, Jakey D! Looks like the boyfriends have more gay friends!" A short, muscled guy shouts.
"Rich..." Jake attempts to get who I assume is Rich to shut up.
"So, who are these two lovers?" Rich continues.
"Rich, seriously, stop." Jake tries once again.
"Go fuck yourself, Goranski." Jared snickers.
I felt like sinking into the ground. I could feel everyone's eyes on me.
"Jared...don't." I warned.
"Awww are you trying to protect your boyfriend?" chided Rich. Suddenly, I'm on the floor. My head fills with a dull ache as it's smacked on the hard floor.
"Rich!" Jake grabs Rich's shoulders and pulls him away from me. Strong arms pull me up from the ground and I've left out the door before I could even see who had helped me up.
