Later that night

I sat down in bed and stared at my phone contacts, at the unknown number, at Andrea’s number, and recently Alexis’ new number. No text from Alexis as of yet or from the unknown one but I had left Andrea hanging all day. I should probably text her back, she’d be worried if I didn’t.

Alex

Hey sorry I kept you waiting, just there’s been a lot I’ve been going through and I needed a break from it for a bit, still do. To be honest, I like this place a lot and I never thought I would. I’ve gotten to know a lot of new people I relate to, and I’ve definitely received a fair amount of attention too. Just, I found myself doing too much and I needed to sit down and be alone for a bit and clear my head. I would really like you coming over, have you meet some of my new friends. I’ll ask the Principle how we would make it work since I share the room with someone else. I’ll keep in touch okay? I’ll definitely give the heads up if anything more comes up.

I hesitated before drawing in a deep breathe and adding-

Anyways, I’m going to sleep for the night. Goodnight sis, and I love you plenty.

And send.

“Hey papi, is that Andrea you’re talking to?” Ivan asked as he got out of the bathroom wearing a towel over himself. I nodded, “Yup, just wanted to tell her goodnight and stuff.” “Awww, how cute. He does care.” He smiled as I rolled my eyes and looked away. “Shut up, don’t even.” “I’m just teasing you babe, what’s on your mind? Is it the, you know?” I shook my head as he sat down next to me. “No I haven’t gotten anything from the stalker. It’s just... I met Carl during class earlier out in the halls.” Ivan raised his eyes. “Oh, how was he?”

I hung my head down. “Not too well, i guess a lot of people from the party went and told everyone else because a lot of people harass him about Jessica and I going out. Like I get he has a crush on her but I didn’t know and I think a lot of people are taking it too far.” Ivan stayed quiet watching me as I kept going. “A-And he just seemed so tired, you should’ve see how he was. He looked so exhausted I think more mentally than physically, and-and-”

“You feel like it’s your fault.” Ivan finished for me. “I mean, it is isn’t it? I was in his place before, I was the one ridiculed and teased 24/7 and I just hate seeing him go through the same. It sucks and I know I’m not the guy to help him because I caused it. It’s just... I feel he’s going through this cuz of me. Maybe it would’ve been better if I didn’t transfer here.”

“You really think that?” He asked. “I mean, think about it. Carl wouldn’t be heartbroken and getting harassed, the stalker wouldn’t be on my ass, Rosa wouldn’t be pregnant and our friend group wouldn’t be divided if I hadn’t come along.” Ivan tilted his head in confusion. “Who’s Rosa?” My heart sank as I realized let the cat out of the bag. I opened my mouth but no words came out. Ivan shook his head and patted my thigh. “Forget it, look sometimes things can be tough and look bad but you’re only looking at the negative side of things babe. What happened with Carl happened, instead of feeling sorry about ourselves we can help him feel better, we can be better people and be there for him.”

I nodded as he wrapped his arm around me and pulled me close. “I guess you’re right, but it won’t be easy.” He giggled, “Nothing ever is, but that’s life Alex. Besides on the bright side if you never transferred we would never have met.” I blushed a bit hearing that. “You know, we don’t know everything about each other really.” “Hmm?” “It’s true,” I said, “I mean we know each other now but we don’t know each other from before you know? Like how were you before I met you.”

He gave it some thought before saying back, “Well, how were you before? I mean, you don’t seem to have a problem being with me and with girls, what’s the story there?”

I squeezed his hand and thought back to a lot of things. To how my life was before and how I grew to be so casual about being bisexual. “I guess the answer is kinda simple when I think about it. Back then I had a friend named Cain, he liked to be called Cookie.” Ivan giggled. “I love that nickname haha. Go on.” I nodded. “Well, he was gay himself and it wasn’t like we were drunk one night or anything like that. He just was teased and harassed a lot and I would always have his back. One day he tells me his parents are moving and he’ll be gone in two weeks. He was my best friend, I was going to miss him pretty badly. Then he opens up and tells me he had a crush on me and was hoping he would lose his virginity with someone special like me.”

Ivan’s eyes widened as he held my hand tighter. “Did you, with him? Just to make him feel better before leaving?” I nodded. “It was strange and a bit weird, but yea. We planned it one night when his parents were off at work, we had it set up and we started it slow with just a kiss. Never thought kissing a guy would feel so hot haha. Everything else was natural, he laid back and let me inside him. We didn’t use a condom either, he wanted to feel all of me, so we did it bare and natural. Things kinda changed for us then, I could tell it did when we finished together. We cuddled and fell asleep hugging, them when we woke up we went at it again. And again. And again.”

“That is so hot.” Ivan smiled, blushing softly and kissing my hand. “But you said things changed, I think I know what you meant.” I nodded in agreement. “We started having mutual feelings for each other, I loved him as my best friend but I started to like him more than before. Soon we weren’t having sex anymore, we were making something else. And then it was the night before he moved. We weren’t ready, I was worried we made a mistake. So we did it, again and again. I made sure to stay inside him each time I came, he wanted to keep as much of me inside before he left. I just wasn’t ready, but it wasn’t my choice.”

I looked up as his hand held my face and he pulled me in for a deep kiss, long and loving. I returned his feelings of course, holding him close and rubbing our tongues against each other. When we pulled back, he was hesitant before saying, “Sometimes it’s better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all. Remember that everytime your heart is broken.” I teared up and hugged him tightly, his hand rubbing my back and patting it kindly. Why does he always have the right words?

“Hey now, stop it. I’m not used to seeing you be emotional haha.” He teased at me making me chuckle lightly. “So, after again then what? You got curious maybe?” I shook my head and pulled back, a bit nervous at the answer. “Actually, after Cain I didn’t have another guy until you.” He blushed and rubbed his still wet hair. “Shut up, that’s not funny.” “Wasn’t meant to be haha, I’m being honest.” He shook his head and covered his face just as he did before back in the mall. Which reminds me.

I don’t know much about his past, about how or why he is the way he is. But Gabi did show me something new of him, a different side. We still kept the same clothes he wore too, by accident haha. “Ivan?” I got up and reached in for the drawers, pulling out the dress with the skirt and leggings. His eyes widened upon seeing them again. “Alex?” I nodded. “Sorry if it’s embarrassing and I completely understand if you don’t want to but... can I see you wear this again?”