From The Other Side

SIXTEEN
back to the basics

Tuesday, March 25th

Isaiah would be lying if he said that everything went back to normal after talking to Marcus.

Because it didn't. It was still awkward. Painfully so. Isaiah didn't know how to talk to him anymore. It was like he was staring at a stranger. Maybe he was being overdramatic, but could you blame him? His so-called best friend had told a lie, a potentially life-threatening lie, all because he was afraid to admit he felt replaced.

Isaiah paused, blinking in surprise. He hadn't realized just how bad it was until now. He buried his face in his hands, pressing his fingertips harshly against his forehead. He couldn't believe how naive he was, to let him back in just like that.

                   "I'm so stupid," he hissed into his hands, then slid them down just enough to glance at the person sitting next to him. The stranger gave him a weird look, shifting uncomfortably in her seat.

                    Isaiah dropped his hands and picked up his pen. "Sorry," he mumbled. "I just talk to myself. Sometimes." Fuck, stop making it worse, dumbass.

                     She sent him a polite smile. "No worries," she said, but still scooted her chair the slightest bit away from him. She probably didn't think he noticed, but he did. Unfortunately. It caused his cheeks to burn in embarrassment. Someone just put me out of my misery, please.

                      The bell rang not long after that incident, and he fled the room like there were hounds at his heels. He pulled out his phone and sent a speedy text to the lunch groupchat.

Isaiah: I think the girl who sits next to me in third thinks I'm crazy please help

Steve-o: lmao

Morgan: oh no! )-: i'm sorry! summer's almost here, you won't see her again most likely

Ashton: that's a phat yikes

August: lmao isaiah turn around i see u walk with me please and thanks

Isaiah raised his head and turned around, August lifting a hand in a short wave when Isaiah spotted him. He stopped and waited for him to catch up, and Isaiah couldn't help but smile when he saw his teasing grin.

"Hey," August greeted. "Quick question. Why did your friend, Marcus, try to say hi to me in second period? I didn't know what to do so I kind of just pretended I didn't see him."

Isaiah's smile dropped. "Oh, um. He and I made up, I guess."

August raised an eyebrow, and Isaiah averted his gaze away from the silent lecture in his eyes. "Oh really? Even though he called you a queer to his friends?"

"He didn't—"

"No, he didn't. But he sure as hell didn't correct them, either," August interrupted, and Isaiah felt like he was being scolded. "Not to mention he just told them that you were gay, as if it was nothing. As if it couldn't potentially ruin so much for you."

Isaiah sighed. "It doesn't matter. I'm not gay anyway."

"And?" August pushed. "People like to believe rumors rather than the truth. Trust me."