Mary Ann was in her hut, mending some old fabrics that had come undone. She had tried to sleep, but it was a hot and sticky night, the kind of night when the heat seemed to weigh down on you like a blanket of suffocation, and so instead she decided to catch up on some chores by the candlelight. She sat at the end of her room that was farthest to where the Professor's hut was located, as she was trying to ignore the yelling coming from that direction.
Mary Ann was never one to eavesdrop, but it was difficult to avoid hearing what was happening in the neighboring hut. Erika Tiffany Smith, a beautiful and well to do lady, had wound up on the island and had immediately become infatuated with the Professor. She followed him everywhere and it was clear to everyone but the Professor that she was in love with him. The Professor, however, wasn't interested in Erika Tiffany Smith, at least not in the way she wanted him to be, hence their arguing. Mary Ann knew the Professor well by now, and knew that he had never been interested in women in a sexual nature, or even men for that matter. He was much more fascinated by people's minds rather than their bodies, which was something Mary Ann greatly admired about him.
"WHAT IS THE MATTER WITH YOU." Mary Ann's thoughts were abruptly disturbed by Erika's voice, which echoed through the island like a clap of thunder. "WHY CAN'T YOU LOVE ME." The yelling was followed by the slamming of a door. Mary Ann could picture the Professor in his hut that very moment, his eyes welling with tears caused by the sudden outburst that he never saw coming and still didn't fully understand.
The next morning's breakfast was an awkward one. Everyone had heard the arguing, but nobody wanted to ask the Professor what had happened as he sat silently picking at his food. The Professor looked up from his plate to see six sets of eyes staring at him, and he got the hint that they must have overheard the conversation last night.
"Mrs. Tiffany Smith has left the island," he stated, his eyes fixated on his plate in order to avoid eye contact. "She took her boat with her. I doubt very much that she's coming back." The Professor took his plate and got up from the table. "If you'll excuse me, I have some work I have to get back to." He then disappeared into his hut, not to be seen for the rest of the evening.
This continued on for several days of the Professor staying in his hut, only coming out briefly to eat or to collect specimens, mostly insects, for whatever experiment it was he was working on. He hardly spoke and never laughed or smiled. The castaways were becoming concerned that he was slowly slipping into a depressive episode. Eventually, Mary Ann decided that she had to talk to the Professor. She went to the door of his hut and knocked firmly. "Professor, it's Mary Ann. Can I come in?"
"Alright." She heard from inside. She opened the door to find the Professor holding a notepad and observing two praying mantises in a clear container.
"What are you doing?" Mary Ann asked as she sat down beside him.
"Studying the mating rituals of different species on the island." The Professor stated. "Right now I'm studying the praying mantis. Did you know that the female bites off and eats the head of the males after mating." Mary Ann shook her head, cringing at the thought of such a barbaric ritual. The Professor continued, "I'm hoping that by observing the practices of other organisms, I can figure out where the problem lies in me and my own romantic endeavors."
"Oh, don't talk like that." Said Mary Ann. "There's nothing wrong with you, and any woman would be lucky to have you."
"I'm not so sure about that." He muttered under his breath.
His entire life, the Professor had never fully understood the desire for a sexual relationship that seemed to come to others so naturally. Erika Tiffany Smith had not been the first woman to yell at him for not wanting to take their relationship further, and the Professor guessed that she would not be the last. He just didn't understand why the women he dated were so interested in getting physical, when having intelligent conversation and observing nature was just so much more fulfilling.
"Professor, have you ever heard of the term asexual?" Mary Ann inquired, cutting off his train of thought.
"Sure I have, it's when a plant reprodu-"
"No, not that definition." Mary Ann interrupted. "The term could be used for plants, but it can also be used to describe a person." She noticed the look of confusion on the Professor's face. "There's going to be a talk about it on the radio in an hour, why don't you listen."
He nodded. "Sounds like a good idea."
The next day, the Professor was in a much lighter and cheerier mood than anyone had seen in the past several days. At breakfast, he was engaging in conversation with the other castaways and laughed heartily at one of Mr. Howell's jokes, something he hadn't done in ages.
"Did you like the radio show yesterday?" Mary Ann asked as everyone finished up their breakfast.
"It was very fascinating, thank you for introducing it to me." Said the Professor.
"I have something else for you too." Said Mary Ann. She took the Professor by the arm and brought him to her hut. "Now close your eyes while I get it." He nodded and covered his eyes with his hand.
"I'm the one giving it to you, but it was really a team effort." The Professor kept his eyes closed but could hear Mary Ann digging through her things. "Mr. and Mrs. Howell lent me the cloth, Ginger helped me stitch it together. Gilligan and the Skipper tried to be of help, but Gilligan tripped over the cloth and ripped it, then the Skipper yelled at him… but that's not important, go ahead and open your eyes."
In front of the Professor was a large piece of cloth that Mary Ann was holding up. It had four stripes on it; one black, one grey, one white and one purple. He recognized it immediately from the radio show; it was the asexual pride flag.
He reached out to take it. "Mary Ann, this is beautiful."
"I thought you'd like it." She said and gave him a hug. When she pulled away she asked. "What are you going to do with it?"
"It's a good piece of cloth, I should use it for something practical." The Professor said, "I needed a new curtain, I'll hang it in front of my window."
"Sounds like a good idea." replied Mary Ann.
The Professor went over to his hut to hang up the flag, but not before hugging it tightly to his chest and using the edges to wipe his tears as he thought of how wonderful Mary Ann and the rest of the castaways were.