Out of the Rabbit Hole

Chapter 6

"Andy! Your appointment is soon! Why are you coming home so late?!" My mom races from the dinner table to the door when I come in.

I knew this would happen.

I look past her, watching my family continue eating, ignoring mom like I do.

"I know mom."

I walk past her to go to the bathroom.

"You know? Then hurry up and stop acting like you don't care!"

She gets really mad when I don't seem too happy for therapy. It's therapy, as if anyone would be happy that they need to fix something about themselves, especially their own gender.

I storm into the bathroom off the kitchen and shut the door quickly. I stare in the mirror.My makeup is a little runny from crying and my cheeks look pretty heated, even without the blush I put on.

He tried to kiss me. Me, kiss his lips. He said he felt like he's known me. Could he be remembering me as Andy or Andrew?

Sigh. This is confusing me.

"Andy, therapy!" My mom calls for me.

"Okay."

It's not the time to be worrying about this.

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"Hey Cecil." I click my seat belt in and turn to Cecil.

He stares ahead at the road in silence. He looks as if he's brooding over something.

Is he mad?

"Cecil?"

"You didn't come over." He's clip and to the point about it.

Crap, I totally forgot! Doing the project and that thing with Simon, then therapy, my mom, I was bound to forget something. I hope he's not mad.

"Sorry Cecil, I had that project to do. Therapy also." I'm small and feel guilty for forgetting him.

There's never been a time when I couldn't hang out with Cecil over the weekend unless it was because I had surgery or something.

"I get it, just wish you called. Thanks for coming to my game Friday. I can't believe that guy threw the ball out of anger. Sorry."

That's right, I still have that bruise. I've been covering it up with makeup, but it stings.

"It's not your fault Cecil." I watch his grip on the steering wheel tighten. I turn and look out the window. My fingertips touch my lips,running back and forth, feeling the rough softness.

Kissing

During History, Simon looks straight ahead the whole time, not even glancing when that group of girls from before, flash their colorful lace bras his way, taunting him.I feel like we need to talk about yesterday, but he's avoiding it.

Or maybe I am.

When class gets out I stand to leave, but Simon stops me by putting his arm in front of the small aisle, grasping the other desk's edge.

" I want to talk." He looks up to me, his adam's apple bobbles in his throat.

"Okay when?"

"After my soccer practice, meet me outside the boy's locker room."

I nod and he releases the desk, letting me pass through.

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It's around five, about the time Simon should get out practice. I told Cecil he didn't need to take me home. I can walk, it's about an hour to my house by foot.I rather that then ride home with Mandy, her boyfriend, and probably another one of her fake friends. They all pick on me just for fun and try to loosen up my quite exterior with beer.