Wishes May Come True...

For my best friend.

Dedicated to ARO

When we first met,
I had changed schools,
Sat alone at lunch,
And had yet to find others like me.

My fifth hour class was one I was excited about.
AP English III
My first college level class.

Still nervous
And convinced I would be alone
in this school
Bigger than my imagination,
I chose an empty seat just in front of You.

I wasn't sure what it was.
Probably the pink hair
Or rainbow bow tie
Or the way you seemed more in your head
Than anywhere else.

My voice shaking,
I whispered "I like your bow tie"
To which you replied,
"Thanks. Are you new?"

I said "Yes"
And introduced myself
As a name that I haven't used since.
And you said your name was Alec.

Before the conversation continued,
You asked for my pronouns
No one had ever asked me that before
Other than strangers on the internet.

"She is fine. They is also fine."
You, as if having the ability to read my mind
Never once called me "She"
To you I was always "They"
Until I asked you to call me otherwise.

You introduced me some of the greatest people I've ever met.
You've talked me down from the
Worst panic attacks I've ever had.

You told me your biggest secrets
That would scare anyone else
But to me,
I just heard the words of my best friend.

You asked me the other day,
"Why do you care about me?"
"What's so important about me?"
I couldn't answer.

But now I will.

The first time I met you,
I had been kicked out by my own
Father.
I thought no one would ever care about me.

The first time I met you,
My voice shook as I said my name,
Because it never fit quite right in my mouth.

The first time I met you,
I had plans to end my life
Within the week
if I hadn't met anyone that didn't look at me like I was something shattered and ugly.

You told me that you loved me.
You called me Elias before anyone else.
You told me that I passed, on my most dysphoric days.

You saved my life.

Alec, I know things hurt you sometimes.
But I need you more than anything.

I love you.