The next two weeks went by pretty fast. Exams were coming up so everyone was busy studying and getting the last minute extra credit in. Our classes would be ending earlier than usual since we are graduating and we were all counting down the days. I was still shocked that Jackson had come so late in the year. I was even more shocked to see how fast he was catching up. I guess he was a lot more studious than I expected him to be. I kinda thought he'd be busy hunting down the next conspiracy theory or more evidence to back up his other ones.
        "Hellooo." Kim interups my thoughts and I turn to see an annoyed look on her face. "I need help and you keep zoning out." She pouts. I sighed because I couldn't help it, I was bored out of my mind and tired from studying so much. What did she expect of me?
        "Which one do you need help on?" I ask while I sit up in my chair and look over at her paper to see her point to number 7. We were in Chinese and I was ready for it to be time to go home. Don't get me wrong, it's a fun class and surprisingly it's not too hard for me but I haven't slept much recently. To be honest, I'm surprised that I'm still awake. But I guess I'll sleep when I'm dead. For now I'll help her with her classwork and I look at the character she was struggling with.  
        "Dìtú. It means map so this must mean 'he found the map'." I look over to see her nod and write down the answer with a studious look on her face before looking back up at me and smiling.
        "I'm so glad you took Chinese with me! You're so good with languages." That was actually why she asked me to join her in the first place. That and because she declared me as her tutor when she needed help. I really need to learn to stop letting people use me. But yeah, my mum had been from Germany so when I was young she spoke to me in her mother tongue so I knew a bit. I definitely wasn't fluent and have forgotten a good amount over the years but I could still get around. After everything that happened I would listen to CDs that were hers for hours. Eventually Sandra got me a German to English dictionary to help me continue to learn. 
        Eventually Kim found out that I knew German and was impressed that I was bilingual for some reason. I loved her but it was really the simple things in life that impressed her. Though it was probably because I couldn't really tell her about my mum so she thought I was all self taught but still. She eventually found an interest in Chinese through some Chinese group she started listening to and begged me to take it with her. They didn't have German so I figured why the hell not. And now I slowly regret my decision everyday. Even so now I'm somewhat conversational in Chinese, but barely. Chinese and German were drastically different.
       "If I didn't take it with you I could be asleep in Spanish right now." I groaned out as she gave me a dramatic offended look.
      "But don't you love me?" She gasped out. I did but I also missed sleep and it'd be a while til I got to sleep in. I still have a project I have to finish this weekend and with my luck our teachers will give us extra homework on the weekend. I turn to look at her and flick her forehead.
      "Of course I do. " I smiled at her. "But you owe me." She whined at me for flicking her for a minute before returning to her work while mumbling under her breath.
       Thankfully we finished up the assignment with some time left to just relax. I would nod off, but I know if I let myself fall asleep I won't wake back up for hours. Turning I see Kim scrolling through pictures of her and her girlfriend on her phone. 
        "So how are you and Jessica?" I ask her and just at the mention of her name I see her eyes light up. The only other time I saw them light up like that was when she got to talk about anime.
        "We are doing great! We've both been busy with studying but we plan on seeing each other next weekend!" She seemed excited and I was really happy for her but I was also worried.
        "Have you told your parents yet?" See while Kim was all for the gay she was still in the closet. I wasn't surprised to hear she had a girlfriend but she had been 'straight' up until then. Her parents were pastors at the local church and while they weren't entirely homophobic they definitely weren't going to be waving a rainbow flag anytime soon.
         "Not yet." She answers with a hint of sadness in her tone.
         "I just wanna make sure that I have it all put together first. I mean I didn't really see myself liking a girl but then bam! She walked into my life and I fell hard. I'm still not sure if I'm entirely gay or bi or what is it, pan?" There were so many labels in the community so I could understand her feeling overwhelmed. 
           "I just wanna know what I am before I tell them. I know they won't accept it but I hope that they won't have any tension either. I've seen other parents in the church who say they don't mind gay people but as soon as it is someone they are related to the opinions change. I'm scared they could hate me." She admits while looking down at her hands. I hated seeing her down but I could see why she was afraid. Her parents and her were pretty close. While they were pastors, they also weren't controlling as long as she got good grades and followed their god. I don't think she's even told them that she's agnostic yet. She plays her role for them so she can keep that relationship with them, but is it really a good relationship if she can't be herself?
         "Well for starters I say screw the label for now. They are overrated anyway. Just enjoy what you have right now and take the time to find yourself. There is no need to rush because even if you do find a label you like and then don't later, you can change it. You're not the same person you're entire life, life happens and people change so there isn't no need to fret. As for your parents." I look over at her so see her waiting for my next words. "No matter what happens, well be here for you. Me, Shawn, Jackson and Jessica. If they can't see the amazing person you've grown into, that's their loss and they learn that. It may take time but they'll see." I smile at her awkwardly scratching my head. I wasn't the best at comforting people, but I always tried my best. She was looking back at the photo of her and Jessica again before she looks back up at me with a soft smile and reaches over to pull me into a hug.
      "Thank you Oliver. I really appreciate that." I just hug her a bit tighter in response. I was really awkward when people thanked me. I meant what I said through. If things did go wrong we'd be here for her. She might be loud and overbearing at times but she has a heart of gold and I was determined to protect anyone from hurting her. She deserved all the kindness in the world. I lean back and ruffle her hair while I look back at the assignment for one last glance.
        "I mean it, I've already talked to Sandra. If you ever feel like you can't be home you can crash at my place for a bit." I tell her while flipping the paper. Sandra and I had talked about it and agreed that if she needed a place to stay that we could set up the guest room for her. 
        "I appreciate that, hopefully I won't have to take you up on that offer though." She responds quietly. 
        "I second that because I love you but I know you'd keep me up trying to get me into one of your weird animes." I chuckle out to lighten the mood and she playfully slaps my arm while laughing.
      Class finally ended so we were headed towards the lunchroom and she was back to her bubbly self talking about something that wasn't anime for once. Apparently Jessica introduced her to k dramas and they were watching one together. From what she was telling me it seemed interesting but not enough for me to start watching myself. 
         "Hey guys!" I call to our friends as we reach the table. Jackson had his homework out in front of him. He used a lot of his free time just catching up and I had mad respect for him because I could never. I look over to see Shawn and plot down next to him while Kim goes to get some food. I usually would go with her but the idea of eating made me feel ill, so I decided to just skip out and eat later.
         "Hey Olive, how was Chinese?" He asks as I eyeroll in response to the nickname. 
       "Boring as ever, I just want to sleep." I groan while leaning on the table. The nightmares were keeping me up a lot more recently and I knew why. The anniversary was coming up. Shawn seemed to already be three steps ahead of me and caught on pretty fast. 
       "Are you going to be okay?" He asked with concern laced in his words and I turned my head away from him. I wish I didn't make him worry so much but then again it was nice to have someone to talk to about it. Or even just be aware to be honest. But even so he worried for me a lot and I felt guilty. 
      "Yeah I'll be fine. I always am. I know mum wants me to talk to Mr. G but I would rather just stay at home and find a way to distract myself. " Mr. G was the agent who found me all those years ago so I kinda clinged to him. They got worried about how close I was and tried putting a new agent on but I refused to talk to him. I didn't need a stranger to pity me. Mr. G didn't pity me, he was simply there to help me. Eventually once they realized I wasn't having it when I started acting out they brought him back and he made sure to get me back on my feet.
       Shawn looked to see Jackson still engulfed in his homework and leaned towards me.  
        "I could come over and stay with you if that'd help." He whispered. I thought about it for a second. Usually I had Sandra but she had work that day and honestly while I was fine I didn't trust myself to be alone either. 
       "Are you sure?" I questioned him because I knew I could already be a pain in the ass, but I was always worse on that day. My emotions were all over the place and everything would just let loose. 
      "Yeah. I don't want you to be alone." He assures me and I nod. If he was sure I wouldn't stop him. 
      "Then I'll let mum know you're coming over, it falls on a Thursday so you'd be missing out on school?" I informed him, I didn't want him to miss any school because of me. He ruffles my hair and I push his hand away while he smiles. 
       "That's fine, I'll come over the night before then." And I nod in response mumbling a thanks before Kim returned with her food and we changed the subject. Looks like I'll have plans for Thursday then.