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My next two classes droned on like usual, except this time I had one thing on my mind: Wade Wilson. I internally kicked myself for already being so attached to him. I knew I was just setting myself up to be hurt like usual. There was no way someone as amazing as Wade would even think about being friends with me after hearing the low-down on me from the entire school. But I still had hope. After all, he was Wade. Wade with the sweetest smile to ever exist. Wade who actually wanted to talk to me this morning. He was about the nicest person I had ever met, so I had at least a little hope he would still want to be seen with me.
The last ten minutes of my class before lunch was spent with my eyes glued to the clock and Flash Thompson repeatedly kicking the back of my seat. I didn’t care, I was used to it by now. This had been happening since freshman year, it wasn’t anything I couldn’t handle. As soon as the bell rang, I was out of my seat and rushing out the door. It was my daily routine to leave as quickly as I could so no one could stop me and beat me up on the way to lunch. I had made the mistake of letting everyone else leave before me one time at the end of ninth grade, which resulted in me bloody and bruised behind the dumpster out back. There was no way I was making that mistake again.
I arrived at the lunch room fairly quickly and immediately grabbed a tray and got in line. I didn’t bother trying to pack a lunch in fear someone would make fun of me for it. Kids at this school would find anything to make fun of me for, resulting in me being pathetic and embarrassed about my every move. After I got my lunch, I sat down at an empty table at the back of the room. I pulled out my phone, plugging in my headphones and putting on some music. I found it helped me relax in such a crowded room of people that hate me. I began eating my lunch slowly, scrolling through my music library nonchalantly. Suddenly, there was a weight plopping down beside me. It startled me, causing me to jump and look at the person next to me with wide, alarmed eyes.
I relaxed slightly as I realized it was just Wade, letting out a sigh of relief. “You scared me, Wade.” I grumbled, smiling a little. It was nice to see him, I was scared he would hate me by now. But, I was curious as to why he didn’t. “Not to be rude, but why are you here?” I asked, raising an eyebrow at him. Wade snorted, snagging one of my fries off my tray and plopping it in his mouth. “Because we’re friends?” He said, raising an eyebrow back at me. I was confused. We had been friends this morning, but surely people had spread how awful I am to him.
“B-but.. Didn’t everyone-” I began, but he sharply cut me off. “Yes, but I’m not going to hate you just because of what everyone else says.” Wade retorted, shaking his head. “It’s not my style. Plus, you already earned my approval this morning by not telling me to shut the hell up after I talked your ear off.” He laughed, smiling that smile at me again. That damn intoxicating smile. I found myself smiling back instantly. “Thank you, Wade..” I said lowly, averting my gaze down to my tray. “Nobody has wanted to be friends with me in a while, ever since I came out.”
“Came out?” Wade questioned, tilting his head curiously. “Like.. as gay? That seems like a pretty stupid thing to hate you over.” He said, frowning deeply. It was the first time I had seen him frown since we met this morning. I hated it. “No.. As, um.. Transgender. I’m transgender.” I affirmed, not daring to look up at him. Wade was silent for a long while, and I feared he had left, but when I looked up he was still in the same spot. When he finally spoke, he seemed kind of disappointed. “So, you aren’t gay?” I furrowed my eyebrows. Why did he care so much if I was gay or not?
“No, I’m gay too.” I replied, still very confused by Wade’s reaction to me being trans. “Oh, perfect!” His smile returned instantly, and I felt a wave of relief come over me at it’s return. Rather than elaborating on his words, he continued picking at my fries. Meanwhile, I stared at him expectantly. It didn’t seem like he was going to explain. “Wait- Wade, why did you care so much if I was gay?” I asked, nibbling on my lip nervously as I eyed him curiously. It didn’t seem like Wade was gay himself, so why? Wade opened his mouth to reply, but the bell cut him off. “Well, would you look at that. Time to go to class!” He said, standing up quickly and throwing his backpack over his shoulders. “Wade!” I called, but he had begun walking away already. “I’ll meet you out front after school!” He called after him, before disappearing around the corner and leaving me alone in the lunchroom.
I sighed, grabbing my own bag and my tray. I dumped the tray, then proceeded to head to my next class. My mind was still racing with questions for Wade. Why had he been so calm with me being transgender when everyone else seemed to be disgusted by it? Why didn’t he go along with everyone else? Why did he care so much if I was gay? As I reached my class, my head was aching from the amount of thoughts swarming around inside of it. I sat down in the back of class, so nobody could kick my chair or throw shit at me. I scanned the room nervously as people came flooding in and I felt myself subconsciously chew on my lip. My peers took their seats and conversed until the bell rang, and when it did the teacher walked into the room and positioned himself at the front of the room with authority. He was short, but fit. His head was covered by dark, black hair and he had the weirdest beard I had ever seen. I was totally digging it though.
“Good afternoon, students. I’m Mr. Stark. This class will be-” Mr. Stark suddenly stopped, putting his hands on his hips and glaring at some kids in the front row. “Oh, I’m sorry. Was my introduction getting in the way of your drug deal? No, go on.” The teens widened their eyes, sitting straight up in their seats and swallowing thickly. “That’s what I thought. Now, as I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted, I’m Mr. Stark and this is Engineering. I’m not writing that on the board, just remember it.” I couldn’t help but smile at Mr. Stark’s attitude. It was refreshing. I could tell he didn’t take shit from anyone. I want so desperately to be like that. “In this class I will be teaching you how to build basic constructions and how to become a genius, like yours truly, starting with learning how to operate the tools. When I say operate the tools, I do not mean threaten your friends with them. Try that and I will have you pinned to the ground in five seconds flat.” Despite his threats, Mr. Stark reminded calm and composed. The man had this kind of aura that made you want to listen and follow orders. He took a long sip of his coffee, eyeing the students around the classroom as he did so, making sure everyone was thoroughly uncomfortable. “So, who wants to get started?”