After I had finally taken care of myself, I plopped onto my bed, my phone in hand. I quickly opened my chat with Ri- err... Len. He hadn't sent anything since then...

I hesitated as my fingers shivered; dread. What was it that I dreaded? Was it rejection? Surely not.

Oliver: hey, Len

Almost instantaneously, the little circle on his profile flashed grey to green and the typing flag rose: three dots blinking in slow succession. And finally when the message came up, I took a deep breath in, deep breath out, before I could read.

Len: Hey, Ollie. Have you made up your mind?

He talks just like her.

Oliver: yeah

Oliver: i want to get to know you better, Len

Len: Then... can we be friends... for now?

Oliver: of course

Len: I'm so relieved 😌

...

"Oliver! There's still time to go to school, get ready." My mom called out through the door. ergh, doesn't she realise I'm busy.

Oliver: sorry, gtg to school, talk to ya later

Len: See ya, Ollie

Why do I feel comfortable talking to him already? Have I really been genuinely talking to him all this time?

You really are full of mysteries, Len.

***

I arrived at school just a little late, I rushed to my class and entered the classroom.

"Hey, Oliver." The teacher greeted, "Go and have a seat."

I took my usual spot, beside Fukase, and placed my bag down. "Fuka, what was that last week?" I whispered quietly.

"Hm? Oh, I told you it was nothing, didn't I?" He replied nonchalantly.

"You aren't gay for—"

"No, it's nobody you would know." He answered. I felt relief wash over me, I wouldn't have known what to do if two people were to ask me out. Sure, I would have gone for Len, I could never imagine any relationship more than platonic with Fuka, but... rejecting isn't something I could really do...

"Eyes on the board!" The teacher shouted, turning back to the blackboard to continue his lecture.

***

We sat down at lunch break round our table, as usual, I was beside Fukase and Sonika. I leaned towards my left and whispered to the redhead's ear, "y'know, I might be gay too."

He choked on spit, coughed and wheezed as if he had just almost drowned, "Don't you have a girlfriend?"

I blushed and scratched my neck, "err yeah— turns out, she's really a he."

"You got Catfished?" Fukase laughed hilariously.

"You could... say that." I reddened, raising my hands to get my hat... only it wasn't there.

"Hmm? But you still love him then?" He neared, smirking.

I nodded with a blush, I do, don't I...

"Well, at least you didn't get it worse than me." He laughed, pulling out his phone.

"Hn?"

"I didn't read the profile correctly, he looks like a girl, I swear." He continued, showing the profile on his phone. The person in the picture had white hair, different coloured eyes and an undoubtable feminine figure.

"You could tell how surprised I was when he sent a picture of his—"

"Yeah, let's not go there!" I interrupted loudly in my attempt to avoid, blushing red at the thought of the topic.

Would he-

Get your mind out of the gutter, Oliver!

"Hmm? Thinking about it are you?" My friend smirked, chuckling.

"No!" I flamed, "I'd never!"

Everyone laughed, "Our little Oliver's growing up!" One of them said. "He's not so innocent anymore now is he?" Another one joked.

I swear, I have such great friends.