We’re Both Boys (Chapter 12)

Instructions

What’s up? Things are heating up huh? Chapter 12 I’m an idiot. Arch says he likes me, and what do I do? I get scared. I run away and hide in the bathroom. Like an idiot. I run a hair through my hair. I was just… how could anyone like me? That’s all I’ve been thinking. The boy I like likes me back, and I don’t believe him. Because it’s too good to be true, and good things don’t happen to me. Good things don’t happen to Ace Malloy. I wipe my eyes and push open the stall door. This school may be fancy, but the bathrooms are the same, no, worse even. I don’t get it. Not at all. My crush likes me back, and I freak out because… Since when do people care about me? Greg, and everyone at my old school. No one there cared about me. But here people like me. The boy of my dreams wants to date me. Every good thing is happening, but I don’t deserve good things. I splash my face with water, the person in the other stall flushes the toilet. They step out. “Hello Ace.” Kenny says grinning. Oh no. This is it. This is where everything goes wrong. This is where it happens, because bad people don’t deserve nice things. This is the end. “Ace… I want to apologize.” Kenny pleads. I stare at him. “You beat me up.” I say, glaring at him. Kenny’s face crumples. “I’m sorry okay, I made a mistake, a bunch of mistakes. I was jealous of you, and…and…” “Yeah?” “Ace I like you.” Ohhhhhhhhhh shoot. “And I want you to forgive me and I want to be your boyfriend.” I feel a million different emotions. Excitement, because not one, but TWO people like me?! Anger, because Kenny hurt me, he hurt Ivy, and now he wants to be boyfriends. Pity, and sadness towards Kenny, because all of his love is unrequited. “Kenny…” I stare at him. I want to tell him that was the dumbest apology I’ve ever heard. ‘Yeah sorry for punching you, I didn’t know any better, I was jealous, and had a crush on you. Great, let’s be boyfriends.’ But looking at his hopeful face I don’t have the heart to. “I don’t think we should go out.” I mumble, and kick my shoes. Kenny’s face crumples. “What? You don’t forgive me? Well I—” “I will forgive you eventually, but it will take some time. A lot of time. And Ivy will take even longer. You hurt her so much.” A tear trails down Kenny’s cheek. “I shouldn’t have!” He cries. “I was so, so, stupid.” “You really were.” I agree. “I believe you can change… but, I don’t want to be your boyfriend.” Kenny scowls. “Well who else around here are you going to date!?” He explodes. “No other boy around here is going to want to go out with you!! I’m your only option.” I surprise myself by breaking out in a goofy grin. “Getting together because we’re each other's only option isn’t very romantic.” I smile. “Besides, I do have someone else…” I exit the bathroom, leaving Kenny speechless, and heartbroken. It’s time to talk to Arch.