The following morning; Lincoln, Clyde, Rusty, and Zach sit in their usual spots in their classroom. Stella is unfortunately absent today due to a dentist appointment, but luckily she texted the guys ahead of time so they can give her homework after school. They engage in small talk.
"So, did you guys hear that Girl Jordan rejected Liam?" Clyde reports with a slightly sympathetic tone in his voice.
"Yeah, poor guy," Zach sighs as he lies his elbow on his desk and rests his hand under his chin.
Lincoln gives Rusty a dirty look. "You were the one who said it was Girl Jordan, now his feelings are hurt from her rejection, thanks a lot!"
Rusty raises his eyebrows and shrugs. "Hey, don't blame me! She was just the first person that popped in my mind, so that's why I suggested it. How was I supposed to know she didn't have those feelings for him?"
As the group waits patiently for class to start, Liam scurries into the classroom holding yet another envelope. "I got another one, y'all!" He yelps.
Once again, everyone's eyes widen in shock as Liam shows them what it looks like. This time, in addition to his name and a heart written in red pen, there is also a star drawn in what looks like a gold gel pen. This latest addition, though subtle, surprises everyone and makes them all the more eager to know what's inside.
"Read it!" Everyone except Liam bellows. Just as Liam is about to tear open the envelope, the bell rings and Mrs. Johnson enters, much to the chagrin of the boys. In order to keep his beloved second letter safe; Liam opens his desk, removes a book, slips the letter in between the pages, and gently closes the book and places it back in his desk.
Three agonizing hours later, the boys sit together at lunch; keeping only half of their focus on eating, and the rest of their focus on Liam's new message. They couldn't even trade lunches today because the anticipation was just so great.
"We're ready whenever you are," Lincoln says as he takes a sip of his lemonade.
Liam holds his index finger out as he finishes chewing his pickle. He then wipes the pickle juice from his lips using the back of his hand. "Ok, here goes." He finally removes his letter from his pocket and opens the envelope very carefully; unfolding the paper inside and reading it aloud.
"Dear Liam, I heard from the grapevine what happened between you and Girl Jordan and I'm very sorry. It broke my heart to think of how sad you must have felt at that moment. I want you to remember that you're a special boy to me, and when the time comes for the two of us to meet, I still hope you'll accept me with open arms just as I do for you. I look forward to seeing your smile and hearing the cute accent in your voice. Signed, Your Secret Admirer."
After being referred to as "special" by his secret admirer, Liam blushes and his eyelids droop as he gives a lovestruck smile. In addition to Liam's reaction, Clyde's pupils start to dilate in secondhand joy.
"Wow, this person really likes you. Congrats!" Clyde cheers.
With his cheeks still read and displaying a small toothy grin, Liam uses his left hand to slowly fan himself as he sighs "Ooh, wee."
"Your secret admirer sounds like a really sweet person, but I'm having a hard time figuring out who it could be." Lincoln taps his chin in confusion.
"Yeah same here. Hmmm, who could possibly like Liam that much?" Rusty wonders, tapping his fingers on the table.
Just then, the boys catch a pleasant scent entering the cafeteria; and they notice a short girl with long brown hair, freckles, and wearing a purple dress, carrying a plate of cookies of various flavors. (A/N: This is Cookie QT, but I'm obviously gonna give her an actual name in this fic).
She approaches the boys' table. "Hi guys. My mother and I baked some cookies last night that I feel like sharing," She takes a peanut butter cookie and holds it to Liam. "Here you go Liam, I've been told that you like peanut butter, so this one is made just for you."
Liam graciously accepts the treat that was offered to him. "Thank you Charlotte, that's mighty sweet of you."
Charlotte grins, "It was nothing." She then acknowledges the other four by holding the plate up towards them. "The rest of you can have your pick. And, since Stella's not here, can one of you make sure she gets one too? I don't want her to miss out."
After the rest of the group retrieves a cookie, with Lincoln taking an extra one for Stella, Charlotte nods her head. "I hope you guys enjoy it, and if you ever want the recipes, you can always let me know. I'm just gonna hand more of these out, see you later." She departs.
When Charlotte is far enough away, Liam has an epiphany. "You guys...I think Charlotte may be my secret admirer. Think about it. She offered me a cookie first, she specifically made mine peanut butter flavored, which is my favorite mind you. She smiled at me and modestly said her baking was 'nothing'..." He pauses his explanation, holds the treat in both his hands, and blushes. "I always did think she was cute, and according to her letters, she thinks I am too." Everybody looks at him and their eyes light up in realization and happiness.
"However…" The guys' smiles shrink a little, "I don't think I can take another rejection if it turns out I'm wrong. So...what should I do?" Liam sighs as he takes a small bite of the treat in his hands.
This time, it was Lincoln's turn to dish out advice, which he just happens to have the perfect solution. "According to my sisters, the best way to confront your secret admirer indirectly is by sending them a letter back. Just write Charlotte a heartfelt letter telling her that you got her notes and express how you feel about it." His face lights up and he snaps his fingers in realization. "I've got it! You could also invite her to my dad's restaurant! I'll talk to my dad and he can arrange a special date for you and Charlotte!"
As soon as the word "date" hits Liam's eardrums, he gives a wide grin and he raises his fists in the air. "Ooh wee, I'm going on a date!" He triumphantly shouts, not a care in the world if anyone in the cafeteria heard him. The boys all cheer Liam on and give him pats on the back as they continue their lunch. However, Zach doesn't join in the festivities, instead looking at his friend wearily...knowing full well that he's not going on a date with Charlotte.
Several hours later, the final bell rings, signaling that it's time for the students to go home. As everyone shuffled out of their classrooms and into the hallways, Liam leads Lincoln and Rusty to Charlotte's locker, holding an envelope with Charlotte's name written in red colored pencil and a single heart next to it.
"Alright fellers, here goes nothing." He says in all confidence as he stands on his tiptoes and slips the letter into the upper slots of the locker. "Yes!"
"Awesome! So, I called my dad during recess and he said it's all set! Just meet him at the restaurant around 6 or so, that's the earliest he can close the place so you and Charlotte can have your date in private."
"Wow, a private date! This is the best day ever!" Liam squeals.
"I'd loan you a suit from my dad, but he said after the bird poop incident, he doesn't trust us anymore." Rusty laments.
Liam puts a hand on Rusty's shoulder, "Aww, don't worry about it Rust. I actually have an outfit at my house I've been saving for a special occasion."
"Sweet! I can't wait to see it sometime," Rusty laughs. The trio follow a random group of students down the hall towards the exit.
About 40 seconds after the hallways are completely clear, Zach peeks his head around the corner located 5 feet away from Charlotte's locker. He cautiously looks around to make sure the hallway is cleared and scurries to her locker. While he presses his ear against the locker door, he uses his right hand to turn the combination lock so it will open. "Come on, come on…" He whispers.
It takes him about 4 tries to finally crack open the locker. "Yes!" He skims inside and notices the envelope with Charlotte's name on it and grabs it. "Gotcha!"
Unbeknownst to Zach, he was not the last student in school, for Clyde had turned the opposite corner and caught Zach redhanded. To get his friend's attention, he barks, "Zach?"
The short redhead immediately freezes when he hears his friend call his name. He guiltily glances at Clyde, then the letter, then back at Clyde before slamming the locker closed so loud that the metal clang echoes the hallway. He then hides the envelope behind his back, which is pointless since his friend already saw it. "What're you doing?! I thought you left!" He panics.
"I was talking with Principal Huggins and Cheryl, what're you doing?!" Clyde questions.
Beads of sweat form on Zach's temples as his heart beats frantically. "I, uh, I, I can explain…"
Clyde crosses his arms and marches towards his short friend. "Oh, I know exactly what's going on here! You're trying to sabotage Liam's chances with Charlotte so you can have her! That's not cool, Zach, not cool at all!"
Zach sighs, knowing that now he must come clean. "No Clyde, that's not it. Look, the reason I stole this letter from Charlotte was because...she can't find this letter. If she did, then she's gonna reject Liam, and he's gonna be waiting at Lynn's Table all by himself waiting for a girl that's never gonna come."
Clyde stares at Zach. "What're you saying?"
His sigh turns into a groan. "Charlotte is not Liam's secret admirer. It's...it's..."
Zach's arms and legs start to wobble in rhythm with his increasing heartbeat. His stomach does various somersaults as his eye twitches and the sweat on his temples gently flow down his cheeks. Before he speaks again, he heaves a deep, deep sigh. "Liam's secret admirer...is me."
Clyde's jaw instantly drops and his pupils constrict. "You?! You were the one who wrote all those letters? Z-Zach, are you...gay? Or, are you Bi?" He stammers.
"I'm gay Clyde. I've been gay ever since the second grade, and I've had a crush on Liam since I met him. I've kept it a secret for so long because I was scared what he and the rest of you were gonna say. Not even my parents know about this; my sister is the only other person, besides you, that knows." Zach wiped away his sweat with his hand and hung his head low as he hyperventilated.
Clyde places his hand on his forehead, still trying to take in what Zach just told him. "So...all those times...Ms. DiMartino, Giggles, even Stella...you were just pretending?" He looks at Zach, who just gives a shaky nod with his eyes glued to the floor.
Clyde observes his bashful friend, who now has his arms folded in front of his chest and his lips are quivering like he is about to cry. Clyde puts aside his shock and focuses on comforting Zach in his time of need; he steps forward and places his hand on his shoulder.
"I want you to know that I accept you for who you are; and it's not just because I have two dads. I care about all my friends enough that the kind of preferences they have shouldn't dictate how I treat them. If anything, you were really brave telling me, and I'm proud of you for that."
Zach finally looks up and gives a weak smile. "That does make me feel better, and thank you, I appreciate it. But...what am I supposed to do about everyone else?"
"Just tell them straightforward, like you did with me. I know that's a big step for you, especially since we like to tease each other sometimes. But, I really think the others are mature and trustworthy enough not to tease you for being gay. If they are, you have me to back you up; heck, even Lincoln can help too, since his sister Luna is Bi."
Zach puts his hand on his heart. "I can't tell you how happy this makes me. No wonder you're Lincoln's best friend in the world, and everyone calls you sweet."
Clyde smirks. "Aww, you're welcome Zach. So...are you going to tell Liam?"
Standing straight, his hands confidently clenched into fists, and taking a deep breath; Zach knows exactly what he must do. "Yes Clyde. I overheard Lincoln say that Lynn's Table will be closed to make time for Liam's date. There really is no better time to tell him."
Before he can set out on his quest, Zach unexpectedly wraps his arms around Clyde in a tight hug. "I swear, dude, if it wasn't for you, I would not be able to do any of this!" He pulls away and continues. "I'm about 99% sure we won't, but...if Liam and I get together, I owe it all to you!"
Clyde smirks, both flattered by Zach's gratitude, and feeling amused at the idea of Zach and Liam dating. "I wish you the best of luck man, no matter the outcome!"
As a final farewell, the two boys stoically nod and depart in two opposite directions.
