Zach is quiet for a long moment after this question. He can't tell Aaron the truth.
Right? Just when Aaron probably thinks he won't get an answer at all anymore, Zach says,
"People don't always accept people who are different." He's wrestling with himself about whether he should say more. He doesn't have to tell Aaron that he's trans. He can't. But maybe he could subtly let him know that he's gay? Just to feel out his reaction. Leaving enough deniability in case it goes badly. He opens his mouth to say something else when he has to suddenly stop in his tracks as he almost runs over Lily by the door.
"Oh, sorry!" he says. His eyes wander to the girls' held hands, then dart first to Lily's eyes, then Wendy's. Is this what he thinks it is? Even without knowing, he feels a little sting of jealousy that they could show their affection openly like this while he's terrified of doing the same. He swallows those feelings, though. First of all, he doesn't even know if he's right. And second, they're pretty mean even if he is.
"Where are you two headed?" he asks. Emboldened by what he perceived - or thought to perceive - between them, he puts his hand on Aaron's arm, trying to be as casual about it as possible.
"Aaron is helping me get home to change," he explains. Then,
"Oh. Uh, right. By the way, this is Aaron Connery. Aaron, Wendy, Lily," he briefly introduces them.
"I don't know if you've all met." Then he clears his throat nervously, still not taking his hand off Aaron's arm unless the boy indicates discomfort about it.
OOC:
Throwing in a Notice, but regardless of outcome, will wait for KCC to post before acting on it
Last edited January 31, 2023 6:35 am