Hello. Guess what? No intro today. How about that? This is, well. It’s installment eleven. I think. My story may be coming to a close. Soon. Not today. But soon. Chapter 11 DANCE I blink DANCE I rub my eyes DANCE The bright poster board sign is still there, hanging on the wall. Huh. Dance. My mind flits to Arch, as it so often does. This is my life now, so absorbed in a crush, he’s always on my mind. It’s been a month since his birthday, and I still haven’t confessed. But… DANCE Interesting… I sit down next to Arch, nervous and blushy as usual. I open my mouth to greet him when Ivy runs over. Dang it Ivy. “Ace! I think Mr. Shel is pan!” “Really? Why?” I ask startled. Arch leans in, listening to our gay conversation. He’s sort of become part of our friend group. Which is [insert squealing and blushing here]! “Okay my gaydar is totally going off for him!” Arch agrees with Ivy. “I still don’t see it.” I argue. “Look! His ears are pierced!” Ivy points out. “His pronouns are written on the board. Very gay.” Arch agrees. “He could be trans.” I supply. “Whenever he talks about a spouse, which he hardly ever does, he says ‘my partner’ not husband, not wife. PARTNER!” Ivy squeals gaily. “And…” Arch begins, “the construction paper above the whiteboard, pink, yellow, blue. PAN FLAG!” “Okay, you’ve got me convinced.” I nod. “Anyway, sneaky, sly, subject change, there’s going to be a dance on Friday. Arch, who are you asking?” Ivy smirks evilly at me. “Oh.” Arch mumbles. “I haven’t thought about it. I don’t think it’s a romantic dance.” “Yeah, otherwise it’d be unfair to aroace people.” I agree. Ivy sighs. “Whatever. But you two should ask someone. Maybe each other!” She winks and dashes away. My face is totally red. Arch looks amused, which irritates me. I mean, he looks adorable, but it still irritates me. “I don’t know what she was talking about.” I blurt. “What?” Arch asks. “I mean, you have a crush on me, right?” “HOW DID YOU KNOW THAT!” I exclaim. Arch’s brow wrinkles. For some reason it’s really hot. “You left me that note, on my birthday??” He supplies, confused. “No.” “Ace?” No. No. No. “You weren’t supposed to get that. No. I crumpled it up and threw it, and why didn’t you tell me you knew?!” Arch stares at me. “I don’t know, I thought you would bring it up.” He mutters bleakly. “I’m so dumb I’m so dumb. I shouldn’t have written that down.” “Ace.” “I shouldn’t have done that, I’ve made everything weird.” “Ace will you go to the dance with me?”
