Fern glanced at the clock again, it felt like time was both going too slowly and too quickly. He zoned out as his clock slowly ticked to seven minutes past two o'clock in the morning. He blinked slowly, but the next time he opened his eyes it was seventeen minutes past two and his pen was sticking to his face.

"Shit," He mumbled as he rubbed his face, the pen falling to the floor. He looked at the pen on the floor for almost an entire minute before shrugging. "Screw you too pen." He turned and looked back at his math and realized he had been doing the entire paper in pen. "Screw you paper, shit I can't take this anymore." He pushed away from his desk and stood up his back making a worrying cracking noise as he stretched. "How do people fucking do this shit!" He groaned loudly, but not loud enough for his parents to actually hear him. He had gotten enough of an earful without his mother having to come to his room with a spoon in her hand and rollers in her hair.

There was a buzz from his desk, Fern looked over to see his phone nearly shaking off the surface. Fern stepped over picking up his phone and turning it on.

"I swear if it's another col-- oh." A tired smile spread across his face, he opened his phone reading the text.

<Mother of my Unborn Child: Hey B what's poppin'?>

<Mother of my Unborn Child: Sorry it's late and I always feel a little drunk, that was my way of saying hello and are you still up because I am and tired.>

<Mother of my Unborn Child: Wow Queen of run-on sentences who? Lol >

Fern replied with a quick sort of urgency, his fingers suddenly coming alive as if talking to Ani was just what he needed to stay awake.

<Me: Can I call u?>

The reply was immediate.

<Mother of my Unborn Child: Mhm>

Fern smiled and clicked the phone next to Ani's screen name. He put the phone to his ear and waited. The tone dipped and the line went through.

"Hello handsome, this is Pound Cake calling from Heavy Mary's Escort service. What are your reasons for calling sugar? Romantic, roleplay, making a spouse jealous, or just plain dirty?" Fern's entire body felt red and hot. He knew full well who he was calling. The voice and the words that oozed out of her mouth made his blood boil and his skin feel tight. He struggled with something reasonable to say, his one saving grace being that she wasn't there in front of him. Especially in the way he was imagining her.

"Yeah uh is loneliness an option for calling, how about insanity, a shoulder to cry on hopefully?" He said just loud enough to be heard from the other line.

"Aw I'm a sorry pumpkin but that sounds like a case for the over the phone psychiatric help. I work there too, my name is Dr. Pound Cake."

"First name Pound last name Cake?" He asked slowly relaxing, he was able to steady his breathing to keep himself cool.

"Nope, my first name Catherine last name Kuze Kuze."

"Oh? Then where did the name Pound Cake come from? Sorry, Doctor Pound Cake."

"Oh, it's just a nickname for my ass. I really need to stop letting customer nicknames stick" There was a light laugh from over the phone but Fern was far from laughing. He thought he was going to have a heart attack at that point. He fell back into his bed covering his eyes with his arm. "Fern?"

"Still here Pound Cake." He mumbled having to clear his throat. "Why Kuze Kuze?"

"Because I crave exotic things early in the morning." She answered like it was just a perfectly normal thing to say. "Food, cars, animals, people." Fern's eyes widened again, maybe this wasn't the best idea so early in the morning. Everything tended to get sloppier less thought out in the mornings.

"Oh I see is that why you called me?" He wasn't sure if he was actually annoyed at her but he hoped it wasn't too evident in his voice. Instead, she scoffed sounding like she was close to laughing.

"Fern you're as exotic as American burrito's, you act extremely American. I'm thinking way more along the lines of someone European, with a nice accent." She mumbled over the line. Fern struggled for something to say, European people did sound more exotic than his plainness. But wasn't plain Americanness what he wanted? He shook his head a bit he really wanted to stop thinking thoughts like that so early in the morning. Especially when he should be more concerned with attractive girls and flirting.

"So white?" He simplified, not doubting he added some resentment.

"Since when has an entire country be filled with only one race since like....ever. I hope it's just the early morning making your brain slow." Fern felt stupid again, of course, Ani wouldn't be like that. She was too nice, open and accepting.

"Yeah probably." He mumbled rubbing his eyes. "You said, someone. Dudes and chicks?" He heard a sound of agreement.

"Yeah I'm sorta bisexual I guess." There was a yawn that Fern thought sounded cute even halfway across town.

"Sorta?" Fern asked he was surprised that he barely skipped a beat in this conversation. Maybe exhaustion made him a better talker.

"Yeah, men are my forte but women are fucking rocking too. But I'm not sure I could actually do it with one, you know?" Fern made an agreeing sound nodding.

"I nodded by the way." Fern informed him, there was a light chuckle on the other side of the phone.

"I figured." There was a beat of comfortable silence that somehow didn't feel void and uncomfortable.

"I read some article thing online that bisexuality doesn't exist. So are you not real? Have I been imagining you Sixth Sense style?" There was more tired chuckling that made Fern smile.

"Damn where was that article they've found our secret. We'll have to reset time again. God damn it!" She said dramatically.

"So are you like the Silence from that show Doctor Who?" There was a scoff.

"That show Doctor Who if you know who the Silence are you've watched the show. Don't skimp out on me here unload that nerdiness onto me."

"That sounded way too sexual I'm calling the police," Fern whispered into the receiver. "Beep boop, calling them right now."

"Can't catch me I don't exist." She pointed out, which Fern had to give her props for. "But yeah we're the Silence, as soon as you look away from us you forget all about us."

"Then how do I remember you?"

"Maybe you actually don't." Fern almost wanted to tell her that he thought about her all the time so that theory was wrong. "Or....maybe you're part of the bisexual agenda." She said dramatically holding back a laugh.

"Mhm maybe." He shrugged. "Maybe I should start carrying a picture of you around, that way I don't forget." Fern offered. There was more silence, Fern worried that he missed a step, maybe what he said was too much?

"Hey Fern?" Her voice popped up.

"Yeah Pound Cake?" He turned over on his stomach his chin resting on a pillow covered with blue police boxes.

"I have a theory so stick with me here. You ready?" Fern yawned a bit and nodded.

"Nod nod." He said instead.

"Okay, so you know the lost City of Atlantis?"

"Nod nod."

"How it just went missing suddenly, no trace. Some people speculate if it even existed or if it was just legend."

"Nod X two."

"Well, what if the island of Atlantis was bisexual, and all bisexuals originated from bisexual island Atlantis. And then when it sunk or disappeared the survivors went ashore and had children with the straights of the world. And the descendants are now all people on the sexuality spectrum." Fern was silent for a long time. "Fern?" Came an unsure voice.

"Pound Cake Ani Kuze Kuze you're a fucking genius. You did it, you cracked the code. I'm talking to the future Nobel Prize Winner." Fern said with a stupid smile on his face.

"Oh, you're making me blush."

"So descendant of the Atlantean, do you feel your true home calling you?" There was a pause then a sniffle from the other side.

"Yeah, I think so." Fern frowned a bit and pressed the phone closer to his ear. As if he pressed hard enough he'd be in the same room hugging her.

"I'll get you back home one day then." He said in a sincere voice the only thing that sounded concise not laced with sleep.

"Promise?" Her voice was a small whisper that the receiver barely picked up.

"Yeah, I promise." There was more emptiness, he couldn't stand knowing that on the other end Ani could be miserable and he couldn't help in the slightest. "Hey, do you think other countries have sexualities?"

"Uh maybe." Her voice sounded muddled she cleared her throat and spoke again. "I can see that actually. America would be the straightest."

"Wrong. Very wrong and I will fight you on this." He said quickly.

"Fine shoot." Fern cleared his throat dramatically.

"Big guns, big trucks, big food, big families, big debt, big neighborhood, reckless behavior, self preservation but is still willing to jump into any conversation and describe how amazing it is? That my dear Pound Cake is called overcompensation. But this time not overcompensating for a small dick, countries don't have dicks." Ani scoffed.

"Obviously not."

"And I believe the root of the problem was when America left England, it's obvious first crush. Ever since then it's just been a hard-working little gay, trying to impress it's first and only crush. Flirting with him at every step, with wars, spats but eventually coming to an allyship when America learned the truth." Fern finished ominously.

"Well fucking finish I just got my popcorn," Fern smirked a bit and crossed his legs behind him.

"Britain is straight. Undeniable straight, the effortless kind, the suave cool, we wish he was gay because he's taking all the ladies, straight." There were fake popcorn crunches, maybe they were real Fern couldn't tell at that point.

"Well, when did America figure that out?" Ani asked impatience in her voice.

"Gimmie a sec..." Fern was silent as he thought. "It was the war of 1812. Britain was fighting with France. France used to have a major thing for Britain, but when Britain turned him down there was hell to pay."

"France is gay?"

"France is bi, or pan or whatever the one where they don't give a shit. France was that, well is that. So as France is beating on Britain's culo America is basically watching with some popcorn because they were all the way across the world sending aid would be hard. Besides America still thought Britain was playing hard to get."

"That poor misguided country," Ani mumbled sounds of adjustment could be heard. "Continue, sorry."

"Well, France got an inkling that the reason Britain turned him down was because Britain was having relations with America. So France decided to declare war on America as well. Which was a huge shock to America because we hadn't done anything in actuality. But France gave no shits, all forlorn lover no reasoning."

"Been there done that France, I can relate to that," Ani said Fern wanted to remember later to ask about that.

"So America and Britain ally which America is totally okay with. France was losing, either way, their forces were spread too thin and even the colonies they started in Canada allied with America. So in a big dramatic ending, just as America is slaying France. He asks what France was France motive in all of this. That's when France realizes it, Britain really is gay and France sa--"

"Your man is straighter than a pole you can keep digging in that backyard but you will find zero gold." Ani butted in quickly to Fern's amusement.

"Yeah basically. So....America and Britain do that bro hug thing. That's what broke America's heart. Britain called them official allies, which was basically the ultimate friend zone. Then America went home, cried, ate some ice cream, watched Spanish novellas, and built walls around its heart so no straight country with cool accents can ever break it's way back in. The End." There was clapping on the other side of the receiver.

"That was amazing tell me more stories like that." There was a long yawn on the other end. Fern smiled feeling a swell of pride.

"Fine fine one more, what's this one going to be about?" There Was no reply. "Ani?" Five more minutes passed with no reply. "Pound cake I'm guessing you're asleep. So goodnight I'm hanging up now." He hummed and hung up putting the phone to his chest and turning over on his back. He looked at his desk from across the room and yawned. "Better...get back almost...done." He mumbled. His heavy lids dropped, and before he could stop himself he was fast asleep.

Fern didn't understand how truly tired he was until the sound of his own locker closing sent him a foot into the air. He turned around to look at everyone else as if to make sure he wasn't the only one who heard it. As he looked around more, he was shocked to see the world in almost a new set of eyes. He now noticed the dead zombie like looks on the faces of the other students. Had they also stayed up as late as him? Why were they so tired? Did they also have a mountain of homework to complete? As he thought back he realized how odd it must have been for him to be a junior, and not look nearly as miserable as everyone else.

"Welcome me into your pitiful ranks." He mumbled under his breath. He stepped away from his locker his shoes shifting underneath him. "Don't be shit, don't be shit." He looked down to his relief it wasn't gum or dog poop. Instead, it was just a small square of white paper. "Huh." He mumbled and bent down to pick it up, yawning into his fist. The paper felt slick and plastic like. He turned it around, immediately he felt awakened and energized. It had to be some sort of selfie that Ani had printed for him. She was wearing her usual makeup. Her wavy brown hair in two tight buns on either side of her head. From the angle of the picture, he could only see her wearing a scoop neck t-shirt or tank top.

He honestly wasn't sure if the picture was a godsend or a test of strength. If he kept the picture on him he'd look at it so often he'd be classified as some sort of stalker. He looked closer at the picture, on the side was quick cursive in purple sharpie. It read sorta bisexual with the messy sign or what he assumed was a messy bisexual symbol. He was stuck with a brief memory of part of the conversation from last night. His smile only grew wider as he pulled out his wallet, and slipped the picture into the perfect picture pocket that had before remained empty. He thought for a moment that maybe the day wouldn't be as crappy as he previously thought it would be.

Fern adjusted his now heavy bag over his shoulder and turned into the hallway. He felt like he was a car turning into a busy highway, the only difference was cars didn't slam into each other to get others out of the way. Fern took his time walking through the halls, which he was almost positive was to the dismay of the busybodies behind him. As he walked a sight caught his attention. A guy was behind some girl in the hallway, he for once didn't immediately look at the guys face gauging how attractive he was. Instead, his eyes drifted to wear his hands were. The guy's large hand cupped around an unsuspecting female students ass squeezing lightly. No other thought was able to force its way through Fern's head before his body began to move.

With both hands, he shoved the guy away from her catching him by surprise.

"Yo don't be a douche bag, douche bag." He said his hands balled into fists, instinctively prepared for further confrontation. The other guy was taller than him, wearing a red and yellow varsity jacket. Despite the height and obvious weight difference Fern stood his ground straightening his usually hunched back to give him even an inch more of height.

"That's my girlfriend." Is the only thing the guy said. Fern gave his brain a chance to think. He looked at the guy's face. He wasn't exactly angry, more annoyed that he was being questioned then anything. He didn't even particularly look like he wanted to fight. Fern tilted his head a bit to see the girl in question. Her arms were crossed and she looked confused as well. Fern balled his fists, his cheeks becoming a shade darker.

"Uh...well um..." He swallowed several times not sure how to resolve this. He tried to hold onto what ever anger or righteousness he felt earlier. "Well um don't uh...make sure you ask first because well...she doesn't have eyes in the back of her head and..."

"And?" The guy brought his arms into a cross as well, only making Fern more nervous than before.

"And having your body parts touched surprisingly is....surprising so uh..." He finally gave himself a chance to look at the dude's face. He was definitely handsome, nice bright eyes, his hair complemented his light complexion. But the situation of their meeting definitely brought him down a few notches in Fern's eyes. If he had to rate him he'd probably only be a 6/10 his features carrying him that far.

"I guess so." The guy mumbled, Fern was relieved to see the tension leaving the other guy's body. There were grumbles from around them. Fern became aware of one of the high school secret rules that he was breaking. He was causing a minor disturbance in the highway flow of students around them. He was filled with a sense of urgency to stop the disturbance.

"Don't let that attractive face go to waste." He blurted out quickly patting his shoulder awkwardly and adjusting his backpack turning in the opposite direction and leaving. The only thing he could hear was; "You think I'm attractive?". Fern didn't let the question bother him as he tried to figure out how to navigate himself around the school, to the class that he needed to get to.

As he got closer to the math classroom halls like a boulder in his path stood a group of kids in uniforms. They were kicking around a soccer ball in the center of the hallway. Fern tapped his fingers against his side, he took a deep breath. He slowed down and tried to sneak by them by hugging the wall. A teenage body slammed into the wall in front of him. Fern put one foot out nearly crashing into him. The guy tipped his head back laughing. Fern almost took off his bag to beat it with him. He was forced to step back as the guys continued to play.

"Where the hell is the administration." He grumbled watching the kids trying to find nonmurderous ways to handle the situation. As he watched them he realized begrudgingly that despite the guys being complete and total idiots, they looked good playing a sport. He watched almost too intensely, not seeing many other options. With the only foreseeable way to get Algebra in time being through his hall, Fern had no other choice but to wait.

A teen in a blue shirt kicked it to another teen in a shirt that looked the same as his shirt but green. The green-shirted teen was diagonally down the hall from the blue-shirted teen. The ball was kicked forward by the blue shirted teen missing green shirt and hitting the wall. The black and white ball came hurtling full force towards Fern. Ferns eyes widened slightly but didn't make any effort to move out of the way. The ball bounced once and Fern moved a bit to the left trying to gauge its direction of movement. He brought his foot up, then stamped it down on the ball just as it rolled close enough to hit him. Fern paused the soccer ball underneath his foot. The teenagers around him seemed rightfully surprised he was able to stop it, and admittedly Fern was surprised as well.

"Hey, dude mind kicking that to us?" The blue shirt guy asked him from down the hall waving his arm. Fern felt for even a brief moment an unfair dilemma. Now that his attention was faced towards the blue shirt guy, whose shirt read the name Jace, he was forced to notice how attractive Jace was. His hair was dark and cut short, and his tan was the closest thing to a student of darker colored skin that he had to seem in the past three years. He bit his lip and glanced around looking for possible options. "Uh, guy?" Jace said with an unsure voice. Fern really hoped that this wasn't another moment where he stared creepily at someone for an uncomfortable amount of time.

"Uh yeah." He mumbled weakly to his need to please. He lifted his foot off of the ball ready to kick it, at the last moment a thought flashed through his head and he angled the direction of his body more. The side of his foot hit the ball pushing it with great force towards the opposite hallway adjacent to theirs. All the boys in the area jogged to get a better view of where the ball was headed. The hallway adjacent to theirs lead nowhere, so instead, the ball slammed into the only breakable thing in the area. The glass case that hung on the wall, holding student artwork. Fern didn't wait to see the spider web cracks in the glass and instead rushed down the math hall into his room. As he entered the room he turned behind him to make sure no tanned attractive kids named Jace were following him out. When he felt safe enough his head turned back around, a body mass stood centimeters in front of him. He stopped in front of what he already assumed were Mr. Teen's abs. Or at worst he's clearly defined stomach.

"Good morning to you too Fern, please take your seat. I would like to see the work you completed out on your desk." His voice was pleasant enough but still heavy with just enough teacher authority to keep Fern from panicking and leaving the room. Fern nodded angling his head toward the ground. He spared Mr. Teen the once over he gave teachers, Mr. Teen always stuck out in his mind so he remembered him the best. He was on the thinner side, more lean and cut rather than larger. He was bald, by choice considering his age. The only hair on his head was on his face where he had a dark black square of hair that when up to the side of his mouth, over his upper lip, and completing below his body lip. His skin color was much darker than Fern's, much darker than anyone he had really seen in this town, aside from the occasional relative that had been outside too long. Fern's attraction rating for him was always a solid 10/10 no matter the occasion. He was the only darkly colored teacher in the school, that Fern had seen. And the only darkly colored teacher Fern had ever had, or at least that he could remember.

Fern never understood it, but despite never having him before this year he always felt like there was a sort of unknown comradery between them. He figured it was one sided, but Fern liked to imagine walking by Mr. Teen nodding slightly and sharing a smile. As if to say 'Well back to the thick of it ey?', Fern readily would admit maybe he had just watched one too many cowboy movies but he approved of the idea anyway.

Fern reached over to his backpack opening it up both surprised and disgusted to see how full it was. His backpack was on the smaller side compared to the rest of his classmates. He had bought the backpack for style rather than functionality. The backpack showcased various retro style images of the various superheroes particularly Hawkeye. He didn't particularly care for the superhero, but he respected his sense of humor which was similar to Fern's own.

Fern laid out the many sheets of Algebra work papers that he had managed to speed finish the other night. His foot tapped anxiously, he glanced around the room Mr. Teen was still taking his time to inspect each student's work. Giving them a specialized comment about what they had accomplished, even when negative (which Fern's mostly were) Mr. Teen always made the student feel oddly special for doing such a menial task like homework. Fern felt anxious despite the usual nice feeling he got from talking to Mr. Teen.

"Oh yes, and we found this adorable dog just waiting there. No one around, no tag, just a puppy, left there. Wrapped up in a worn little blanket" Mr. Teen said loudly, his voice dripping with excitement. Fern leaned back slightly trying to catch the rest of his conversation.

"What did you end up naming him?" The girl two rows diagonal of him asked in a small voice. He tried remembering her name, only coming up with the name Sarah which he was almost positive was incorrect. He did remember that he thought she was cute because of the flowers she wore in her hair every day.

"Well, I didn't end up naming him anything. My husband Alek-- I did tell you all that I had a husband right?" He looked around the room a knowing smile on his face. There were varied exasperated yeses from around the room. "Well, Alek thought the puppy was very patriotic sitting there on the curb wrapped up in the little flag blanket. So he wanted to name him America." Mr. Teen paused like he was giving Sarah enough time to dramatically exclaim how strange that was.

"Um...cool?" She said in an even quieter voice, the louder Mr. Teen got the quieter she became. Her name finally dawned on Fern, it was Hua. He vaguely recalled a day earlier this year when she talked about her Chinese descent, and how Hua was the Chinese word for flower. He also remembered almost approaching her once and telling her that he watched an anime once as a talking point. Halfway through that almost encounter, he realized that she wasn't Japanese and nearly threw himself down the stairs as a result.

"Well, it was so not cool. I told him, Alek what kind of name is America? And he said blah blah the name of our dog. So I tell him that he can name our dog America if he can find me one popular person in pop culture named America." Mr. Teen crosses his arms like even remembering the encounter was enough to frustrate him again. "You know what this guy? The person I decided to marry does? In my house?"

"Um..I don't know..." Hua said in one of the meekest voices that Fern had ever heard.

"He pulls out a fuck-- whoops, flipping book. And he tells me that it's a well-known book series, and the main character's name is America." He pinches the bridge of his nose shaking his head. Most of the class was smiling and following along in his conversation at this point. "Now how am I supposed to argue with that? I don't know books, and I can't be wrong twice by making another bet, especially not over a book named The Selection. I'd look like a complete idiot." He sighed leaning against the empty chair desk behind him.

"So your puppy's name is America?" Hua finally asked.

"Yes sadly, I was really banking on Ringo." He shook his head getting the funny look he got when he was about to say something not entirely serious. "I really hate white people. Then everyone says, but Mr. Teen you're married to one and teach in a town filled where they are the dominant population." He smiled so we knew that he was completely kidding, but it was still funny to see him try to sell the act. "And to that I say--"

"Infiltration is the greatest way to annihilation." The class said, repeating a phrase that he had been saying since the beginning of the school year. Mr. Teen laughed at that heartfully. "Well the rest of you are good, but I'm glad I at least have Hua and Al." The two girls in question looked at the teacher, with an equal amount of contempt. As Fern looked between them, he remarked that they were related. It was hard to tell most times because of how different their personalities where. If they were in a story together he'd consider them foils to the other. Fern nearly hit himself for using an English term to describe two actual people. "Oh and Fern." Fern's head quickly snapped to Mr. Teen, he felt both nervous and proud. Mr. Teen's shoutout was the equivalent to if Bruce Wayne and Clark Kent winked at each other in the streets. Something that could very well happen, but most likely shouldn't. "Speaking of Fern, I'll be there for a second to check your makeup work." Fern nodded stupidly not responding with actual words like a regular person.

Fern took a deep breath, he could already feel like today was going to be long and exaggerated. He found himself slipping out his wallet and looking at the picture of Ani. It made him smile and filled him with a bit of hope. He slowly shut the wallet and readied himself for the rest of the long day.

By sixth period Fern felt like his soul was being forcefully removed by a dog and every time he breathed the dog was crushing his rib cage. There were more gruesome depictions of his misery happening in his head, but that was the one that was being repeated over and over again in his head. Most of his classes were long and boring. Now that he was more committed to school he was forced to realize just how little he understood of the subject matter. Even worse was the constant note-taking that he had to begin doing, same as the rest of his classmates. On top of the work he still had to make up he now had to continue to study after school as well.

Fern stepped into the French room feeling happier to be there then he had all year. The French room was covered in blue, white, and red flags and always smelt vaguely of brown sugar oatmeal. Fern nodded his head towards the French teacher Mr. Smith. Mr. Smith was such a plain looking man that it never occurred to Fern to ever rate this attraction. He always felt like Mr. Smith was a prop more than an actual human being. A robot in place of their actual teacher, he did a well enough job but there was always a certain human element that he was missing. That and he seemed almost the farthest thing from French that a middle-aged white man could be.

Mr. Smith took a spoonful of his oatmeal and waved at Fern, giving him a smile that somehow still seemed miserable and sad. Fern went to his seat in the corner, he dropped his backpack on the ground not caring about the cargo inside. His shoulders immediately felt better, he rubbed the soreness out of them and slipped into his seat. For once that day he didn't have to take out a stack of papers to put on the corner of his desk, instead, he just had a pen in front of him. He felt almost at peace here, he knew for a fact he wouldn't have to talk to another human being in this class. And he definitely wasn't worried about being called on and feeling like an idiot.

Mr. Smith started the class by putting that night's homework in the box he left empty on the board for Period 6 Honors French 3. He rubbed his stomach bulge, that always made him look pregnant and began his lessons. It was pretty simple things, conjugating sentences, and irregular French words. When it came to the French language Fern was pretty sure half of the words were irregular. The rules were used so loosy goosy he had to wonder how much wine and cheese the creators of the French language had been consuming at the time.

Papers were passed out, and the class was reminded to ask help from three peers before talking to the teacher directly. For some students that rule always prompted a grumble. The thought of trusting another classmate too appalling for them to even want to think about. Fern buckled down and quickly began completing his worksheet. It was just translating and answering questions in French. It was a bit time consuming but that's why it was called busy work.

For the most part the class felt pretty normal, at least for the first half of it. As Fern worked he began getting the crawling feeling that someone was watching him, or was close to him then was appropriate.

"Hey." A voice finally broke the feeling of anxiousness that had been looming over Fern. He turned to the left of him where the voice was stemming from an almost audibly groaned. Smiling at him was the fact that he really wished he would stop seeing pop everywhere. A decently attractive face, with off colored lips, and wavy brown hair pulled back into a ponytail. He still looked like a model right out of a Vans catalog, if he was just a bit taller Fern would be sold on the idea. He still felt shitty for pushing him that day, but the way he looked at him now made it clear that it was long forgotten.

"Um hey." He looked at the other kid for a moment, neither of them saying anything. "Do you need anything?" Fern asked more rudely than was appropriate. The other kid looked embarrassed for a moment and looked down at his paper then up at Fern.

"Um...what's the word for dog?" He asked in a meek voice. Fern's eyes widened and he honestly almost laughed at him.

"You're in French 3 and don't know the word for dog?" The kid shrugged again, he looked down like he was regretting asking in first place.

"I just have a hard time remembering, don't have to be a dick." He mumbled tapping his pencil against the desk anxiously.

"It's le Chien." He said then turned back to his own almost finished worksheet. He looked up the paper, that question was one of the first couples. He wondered what he had been doing this entire time.

"Uh sorry, I have one more question." Fern closed his eyes hoping that if he didn't answer within the next five seconds the kid would give up on talking to him altogether. Instead, he felt a light poke on his shoulder. He sighed deeply and turned around.

"Yes?" He tried to make himself seem as impatient as possible, that's usually enough to deter him.

"So does the word dog begins the sentence, or do I end the sentence with it?"

"Again French 3 we learned this as a freshman," Fern said in an exaggerated voice. The kids face puffed out a bit and he tapped his foot.

"Well not everyone can remember everything okay dude. So can you pretty please answer?"

"Can't you ask two other people?" Fern asked instead rubbing the side of the temple.

"You're the closest one here, and you're the best at French in this class." The kid pointed out, a fact that Fern didn't exactly disagree with. But he had never really been 'the best' at anything, so it was a harder pill to swallow. He looked around him, he was surprised to see a good portion of the class not there. The area around the back corner was empty except for the two of them. The rest of the present students sat in the upper left all talking amongst themselves.

"I guess a lot of people absent today." He mumbled aloud. The kid gave him a funny look and tucked a wavy haired strand behind his ear.

"Didn't you hear the announcement? The senior class all have college meet and greets today. Don't you pay attention to the announcements?" Fern tried to think back to a time he had listened to the announcements and just shrugged. "Anyway, can you please just help me and refrain from being a jerk?" He blinked in a pouting way that registered as cute somewhere in Fern's mind.

"You obviously just mention the dog after you describe it, and follow that by the verb. It's basically the same as English but inverted." He sighed. "You should at least know that, especially being in an honors class." The kid nodded, despite being given the answer he was biting his lip. Fern actually felt a bit concerned, he leaned a bit to try to catch a glimpse of the kids face.

"Okay, but you don't have to fucking treat me like I'm an idiot. I know I'm an idiot and I don't need some kid with a pole stuck up his ass to tell me that now okay?" He looked at Fern his eyes narrowed a bit, the outsides of his eyes were rimmed with red. Fern's stomach sunk lower, he really hadn't planned on making someone this upset.

"Listen you're not a complete idiot, you're just...dumb when it comes to French," Fern said with an optimistic voice hoping it sounded better out loud then it did in his head. From the way, the kid's eyes widened and seemed to become redder.

"Asshole, asshole." He repeated under his breath. He picked up the stuff from the desk gathering them in his arms. It was only then Fern realized the kid didn't have his backpack near the desk. By the time the kid had made his back to his actual seat, Fern had just realized that no one actually sat next to him. He really couldn't believe that he had managed to be a jerk off to the same guy twice in the span of a week. He really was on a roll. He turned out of his seat ready to stand and go to apologize.

"Do you need to be excused?" Mr. Smith asked clearly directing his voice at the wavy haired skater kid who was rubbing his eyes. He just shrugged taking deep breaths through his mouth. He took his hands away from his eyes slipping the paper and folder back into his bag. Fern was feeling shittier by the minute, he tried to console himself by admitting that it wasn't often cool looking skater kids cried in the middle of French class. He remembered that it wasn't often that asshole Spanish kids made them feel like losers. By the time skater boy walked to the front of the class Mr. Smith already had a hall pass waiting for him. Fern could only assume were, possibly the guidance officer, maybe the principal to discuss how awful Fern was. Fern groaned more things to worry about.

Fern looked down at his paper, no longer feeling motivated enough to finish. He put the pen down and rubbed his face. Was this just a coincidence or was he actually becoming the biggest douchebag on the planet? Maybe he was already a huge douche and that's why people stayed away from him. At this point, he was pretty sure he would stay away from him as well. He just wanted to tough it out through the last period, hopefully, then he could see Ani. Maybe she'd make him feel a little more put together then he had been this entire day. He looked up at the clock picking his pen back up.

"One more hour." He repeated to himself, he looked down and continued his French worksheet.

The rest of the day went by just as awful as it had begun for Fern. Not only had he had a pop quiz in history, but he was called down to the guidance office as well. He was anxious as he walked, at any moment he expected to see the skater boy's face still teary eyes. Instead, the guidance counselor just smiled to him and told him that his teachers planned a meeting to discuss his grades in school. Fern almost wished he was being called down for his bullying instead, it would make continuing on the day easier. He would have walked around knowing he was being a piece of shit, rather than feeling like he was going to lose his shit.

Despite making it through the long and treacherous day, there was no beautiful princess waiting for him at the end of the journey. The drama started off decently strong. He walked through the auditorium doors, already being greeted with Ani's voice. It was mid range and smooth, the occasional dips and raises in her pitch forced him to redefine the phrase 'music to my ears'. He smiled dreamily and walked down the steps trying not to trip and fall on his face. He snuck to the back, the spot where Ani and he worked was available as always.

He grabbed the one almost finished backdrop, then set it on the ground. He then decided that he would haul ass and actually focus on his work, maybe the smile on Ani's face at a semi-finished backdrop would be the medicine he needed to make it through the rest of the day. After one hour of hard work, he became anxious, And Ani still hadn't made her guest appearance in the prop room.

After two hours of hard work, the backdrop was almost finished but Fern was becoming increasingly distracted. His gaze would wander off to the prop room door expecting her to rush in apologizing for being late. Or complaining that her sister's shorts made her butt look awkward. It must have been obvious who he was waiting for because another crew member actually approached him.

"You know Ani's not obligated to actually come back here. Especially with a lead role, there are probably more important things to do than help us with prep crew." Fern looked up at the girl, he recognized her from around the school. It was possible that she was in one of his classes, her name was easy enough to remember.

"So...why has she been coming back here?" Fern asked incredulously, earning a strange look from Darren. She just shrugged throwing a bag of paints over her shoulder.

"No idea, but we have another hour to get to it." Darren walked off leaving Fern even more confused and anxious than before. All he really wanted to do was talk to her, maybe even ask why she continued to work with him despite not having any need to.

The third hour came and went and Fern was already packing up the paint's, still with no sign of Ani. He entertained the idea that she was still possibly practicing, but he doubted that even a goddess like herself could sing for three straight hours without cracking. He put the finished backdrop up to dry and gathered his bag. He left the prop room and looked on stage but still, there was no Ani. He debated asking Mr. Seppe but he really wasn't entitled to knowing where she was. He knew that he was just being obsessive, but it was hard to stop worrying regardless.

He walked slowly to his father's truck, it already patiently waiting outside for him. He wished he hadn't already texted her the information to come to his house so that he could have a reason to text her again. He threw his bag in the back of the truck and climbed into the first seat.

"Hello, my son." Sebastian greeted him already starting the car and quickly pulling out of the school driveway. Fern finished buckling himself in and crossed his arms.

"Hello, my papa." He mimicked rolling his eyes a bit. There was a bit of a chuckle from Sebastian.

"So how was school?" Fern gave him a look and reached into his pocket, pulling out his phone.

"Do you even need to ask? Shitty super shitty, and you talked to my teachers behind my back." He reread some of the messages that were sent between Ani and him gathering enough gumption to text first.

"First of all don't swear, second of all we're just showing concern for your grades mijo. We don't want you to have to go to summer school, so you're going to have to suck it up." Sebastian said simply shrugging. Fern shook his head and rolled his eyes at him.

<Me: What's popping A? I missed you in drama, you're lucky I didn't completely screw up the backdrop. But I'm pumped to see you later today. Hey complete sentences right?>

He stared at the message screen hoping that maybe he was just lucky enough for her to reply immediately. He wasn't that lucky and after five minutes of staring he turned on his phone. His dad looked at him bumping his shoulder.

"It looks like you have some school like problems on your hands." His father turned a bit looking pointedly at him. Fern shrugged not sure if he should bring up the whole making a guy cry, or how he was trying to wonder if Ani hated him after five minutes without a reply.

"Angsty teen shit don't worry about it."

"No swearing. Honestly Junior year and suddenly you think you can do whatever you want." He shook his head and mumbled in Spanish pulling into their driveway.

"Well I am almost a man." Fern pointed out with a weak smile his mind still wandering to Ani.

"Why don't you say that to your mother and amaze her with your new vocabulary." Fern rolled his eyes and scoffed. He opened the door to the truck and lifted his backpack out of the back.

"I won't make it to manhood if Mama kills me." Fern clarified climbing out of the truck and slamming the door behind him.

Fern didn't wait for his father's approval before he typed in the lock code of his house and opened the door. He walked in leaving the door open for his father's. A wave of lemon hit him like a ton of bricks. He would have gagged if he wasn't so used to coming home to what was virtually a cleaner hospital room.

"Mama, have you been cleaning?" Fern called towards the kitchen. He slipped off his shoes on to the mat that was in front of the door. He left his bag there and walked in front of him to the kitchen, his socks gliding him through.

"Hmm? Is that any way to greet your poor mama?" His mom looked up from the table she was cutting radishes on and gave him a warm smile. It never failed to fill him with warmth. She had thick black hair that was put in a loose bun on top of her head, she was shorter than Fern but decently tall for women. Her lips were a deep pink like she was always wearing lipstick and her eyes shone with a playfulness that Fern assumed skipped a generation. He walked over to her squeezing her tightly from behind.

"Hello, Mama. Have you been cleaning?" He leaned over the side of her and kissed her cheek. He dramatically released her from his grasp. She rolled her eyes at him and continued cutting.

"Yes, of course, I'm cleaning, you are having a girl over. And with you men, this place turns into a pigsty quickly." She mumbled under her breath if Fern had to guess it would be something about having a girl. He almost felt inclined to argue that he kept his room much cleaner than even his older cousin.

"Oh how did you know, I'm sure she loves the smell of lemon." Fern drawled with sarcasm. He reached over to take a slice of radish only to have his hand smacked away. Fern pouted a bit and slowly drew his hand.

"No Fernando, these are for dinner tonight we are having taco's." Fern bit his lip he was sweating a bit with nerves.

"Oh, did you buy cheese and salsa?" His mother turned to look at him her head snapping back. The look she gave him made him feel like a Spaniard in disguise.

"Fernando I am making a real Mexican taco, not the guerros forgery they insist on promoting in restaurants." She shook her head and turned back to cutting mumbling about insolent teenage boys. Fern tapped his fingers against his jeans, he felt torn. In all honest, he absolutely loved the taco's his mama made. There were always more than six meats to choose from, four sauces ranging in spiciness, guacamole, grilled onion, corn meal soft taco shells that she made herself, cilantro, even just the smells that would soon come from the kitchen were enough to fill his stomach.

"Mama I don't want you to over work yourself just because I'm having a friend over." There was a loud sound between a scoff and a chuckle that came from his mom. He walked around the table so that he was looking at her.

"Oh chico tonto, my mama used to make all this in an afternoon. For an army of aunts, uncles, grandparents, and cousins twice removed. I can handle a meal for four people." She put down her knife and placed the sliced radish slices in a bowl. "Besides I thought maybe a little cultural flare would be just what you need to move closer to her eh?" She raised her eyebrows up and down and moved her shoulders in circles. Fern groaned and rubbed his face.

"I'm sure she can live without your cultural flare mama, is that it? Are we have anything for dessert? Maybe a simple cake....pie...orange juice..." His mother laughed out loud at that, her hand holding her stomach.

"See? And your father said you have no sense of humor." She cut open a bag of fresh limes spilling them on the table. "But we are having cake, Tres Leches Cake. One of your favorites!" Fern audibly groaned.

"Can't we just make churros? They're faster anyway." His mother frowned a bit her eyebrows coming together.

"Mijo you don't even like churros. I just thought it would be cute explaining to her what different kinds of milk you use, and how good it is." She looked a bit sadder, disappointed even. It made Fern's heart squeeze in his chest. "You used to love doing that when you were little." She said in a small voice. Fern didn't think his heart could handle making another person miserable today, it would actually break, or he'd have a heart attack. Fern faked a smile.

"No no Mama, I love Tres Leches cake. I just won't be able to help you cook because I'll be working. If you made it I'd love you forever." He teased going in for a hug. She extended her arms hugging him tightly back. Her hair covering his face, he smiled inhaling her scent. She smelled like lemons, but he didn't mind.

"You said that before haven't you?"

"Maybe....maybe not." He chuckled and moved away and kissed her forehead. "I'm going to go prepare for her. Have fun cooking for an army."

"Hey, i'm only cooking for four people." Fern did the math in his head frowning at the numbers.

"Rodo isn't eating with us?" Fern could already hear the bitch fit he'd throw at missing out on Tres Leches cake. He made a mental note to try and eat all of it before he came back. His mama smiled mysteriously wiggling her thick eyebrows again.

"He has a hot date tonight. So he might return later on tonight." She said the word might quickly, implying that she doubted it.

"You really just want to marry us off don't you mama?" Fern walked to the doorway with no door.

"Oh, something along those lines." She said with a hum in her voice. Fern shrugged and left the kitchen area, at least she was honest with him. He cursed Rodo for having a social life as he all but stomped to his room. He really needed to ask him questions about girls, specifically incredibly attractive ones, with amazing personalities, who were way too good for him. He opened the door to his room and closed it with his foot, his back sliding down the side until he was sitting on the ground. He really needed to begin homework for the night but instead, he pulled out his phone.

He checked the last message he sent to Ani now about thirty minutes before. There was still no reply text. He moved his feet from side to side in front of him, wondering if she was even going to show up. Was is it something he did the day before? Was she finally getting sick of hanging out with him? Or was he just being an obsessive loser who over analyzed everything he and everyone else did?

"Fern! Someone is waiting for you outside!" Fern's father called from down the stairs. Fern popped up so quickly he was sure his head might have hit the top of the ceiling if he was any taller. He flung open the door, and down the top stairs hallway crashing down the stairs nearly running into his father.

"Woah calm down." His father mumbled stepping out of his way. Fern mumbled an apology and slowed his pace as he approached the door. He pushed back his hair, adjusted his clothing, and tried to clear his throat. When he stood directly in front of the door he stared at for a second. His hand reached out grasping the cold metal of the doorknob. He turned the knob slowly and opened the door his eyes closing for a split second before he opened them again, to his horror.

"Skater dude?" He rasped, he felt like his lungs were out of the air. His muscles tensed up significantly. The kid was a good inch shorter than him and thinner, but the fact that he knew where he lived shook him. The skater kid in question crossed his arms giving him a dirty look.

"Listen let's just get this over with so we don't have to fucking talk to each other. Or better yet give me the boards and I'll take them home and do them by myself." Fern looked at him bewildered none of what he was saying made sense and Fern wasn't putting together anything.

"Excuse me?" Fern said baffled. "Look I'm sorry that I was a douche to you those two times, but listen you can't just come to my house." The Skater kids face turned a deep red, he almost looked like a little devil.

"You know what I have never been so fucking disrespected you piece of human garbage." He crossed his arms staring at Fern like Fern was expected to do something. Fern was trying to figure out a way to explain that unless they were going to fight at that very moment, there really was no excuse for him to be there. Fern realized then that he actually never learned the skater boy's name.

"Listen....um what's your name?" The skater boy frowned deeply he looked more concerned than angry. He unfolded his arms and looked at Fern.

"Anakin." He said slowly, Fern narrowed his eyes as he thought. There was something eerily familiar something about the name.

"What is it again? Sorry, I must have misheard." The skater boy sighed, he looked even a bit defeated.

"Anakin, my name is Anakin you should know this. You know Anakin? I see you every day? Do I rub paint on your nose? We texted about the United States being gay last night....well early morning. But does none of this ring a bell? Do you have amnesia or something?" As Anakin continued talking Fern's body began to tingle with an emotion he couldn't name, but that held a large amount of surprise.

"Um..." He couldn't begin to say anything else. He stepped closer to Anakin, inspecting him really inspecting him closer then he had previously. Without asking he reached behind Anakin undoing his pony tail and letting the thick wavy hair fall out outlining his face. He took air sharply as he looked him over. He then noticed the same gorgeous looking eyes, sharp features, the fluffy wavy medium cut hair, and the off-color lips. Ani, his Ani wore lipstick. When lipstick comes off it stained. It was all beginning to make sense. There was only one definitive way to be positive. He walked around Anakin, who at that point been touched and stared at and looked very bewildered. Fern took a step back looking at Anakin's behind. Sure enough, he clearly recognized the ass he had fantasized about.

"Ani?.....You're a fucking dude!" He yelled surely loud enough for anyone inside to hear.

"Fern are you going to stand there all day you're going to let all the cool air out." His father called from the living room. Not caring for boundaries at that point, Fern grabbed Anakin/Ani's hand and closed the door. He sped walked to his room dragging Anakin along. He got to the top of his steps than his room. He proceeded to shut and lock the door followed by letting go of Anakin's hand.

"You're a dude? Like with a dick?" Anakin blinked a few times clearly overwhelmed by the situation he took a careful step back. His fists clenched at his sides and he looked at Fern wearily.

"Yeah in full working order....did you honestly not know this? Or are you pulling my leg because I wear dresses?" Fern rubbed at his face like he was dreaming.

"No no, that doesn't matter. What matter is that you wore dresses, and you looked fucking good in those dresses. And I thought-- ugh this is a mess." He groaned he would have to put down his dreams of making Ani his wife, to bed.

"What's so messy about it? It's not like we had sex." Anakin said his voice beginning to sound defensive.

"Thank God we didn't!" Fern moved his hands away to look at the surprised Anakin. "No offense to you like, at all. You are one of the coolest people I've met. But I've spent weeks staring at your ass, and I had the biggest crush on you." Somehow knowing Ani was actually a guy made it easier for him to admit. Anakin shifted uncomfortably.

"Oh. Now you don't? Anakin asked slowly.

"Nope of course not, I mean I'm not into guys." He remembered Anakin saying something about bisexuality beforehand and immediately tried to backtrack. "Not that there's anything wrong with that."

"No no I get it, not into guys....thats fine....that's uh, peachy. Do you have a bathroom around here?" Fern perked up and nodded trying to get out of his own head. He opened the door to his room again, revealing the upper hallway.

"It's at the end of the hall. Don't slip on the tiles." He looked down towards Anakin's feet. "Uh, do you mind taking off your shoes?" He remembered his mother's rules only after the excitement died down.

"Yeah sure, sure." He used the back of his feet to pull off his loose converse not bothering to untie them. "I'll be back." He mumbled and disappeared through the door.

Fern recited looking after him and walked over to his desk chair and sitting down. He took a moment to comprehend that his first actual not solely look based crush was over already. He thought for a moment and another thought dawned on him. Anakin being a guy didn't erase him being a douche from either of their memories. He'd probably have to deal with that as well, at least if he wanted them to remain friends.

He pulled out his phone checking the short contact list. He clicked on Anakin's title. Mother of My Unborn Child. He figured that it would be appropriate to change it. His thumb hovered over the pencil edit button for a second. He clicked on the side of the phone shutting it off.