Chapter 2

The next day at school I waited for Charlie on the front steps. When zie came, zie looked depressed. I asked them what's wrong? Charlie sighed and said "home troubles. My sister hasn't been well recently."

"So..." I said while playing with my thumbs. "My turn, right? For the question game?"

"Oh yeah, I guess." they answered.

"Whats your favorite type of music?"

"Ummm, I don't really have one. I've been liking that band Dead Hand after hearing their song in Death Riot 2."

I looked at them in surprise. "You. Like Death Riot 2? And Dead Hand?"

They look worried. "Is that... bad?"

"No, no." I said. "I love both of them. Do you maybe want to come over to play the new map pack for Death Riot 2 later?"

They pondered this, then smiled. "Sure. that would be awesome. I gotta go, so, meet you here at three O' clock?"

I smile and say "Sure, bye."

They walked away.

After first period I find Dave by his locker."Hey" I say

"Hey, man." He responds. "Do you want to meet at the library to go over stuff for the radio show after school?"

"Hmmm. Can we move it up to lunch? I kinda have something after school."

"Does Adam Torres have a date?"He asks.

"Nooooooo. I met this person named Charlie..." I trailed off.

Dave cocked his head to the side. "Girl...? Boy...? Help me out."

"Charlie's an androgyne I met in the LGBT club." I saw Dave's confused look. "That means they don't relate to one gender."

"Oh." Said Dave. "Does this he-she like guys?"

I Chuckle. "You can say they, or zie. and they're bi-sexual." I decided to save explaining pan-sexual for a different time. "We're playing Death Riot 2 after school."

"Sweet, well maybe Charlie could sit with us at lunch. They seem like a cool person?" Dave seemed baffled with these pronouns.

I chuckled at the look on his face. "Sure, I'll ask them next time see them."

As I was walking to my locker I saw Charlie. "Hey!" I say. "My friend Dave wants to meet you. Wanna hang with us at lunch?"

Charlie looked around almost nervously. "Sorry, I uh, have... something. See you after school." And walked away.

That's weird. I thought. What "Thing" would they have?

All through the day I was thinking about what Charlie was doing at lunch, so naturally when lunch finally came, I couldn't focus. I kept looking around the cafeteria in hopes that I would see Charlie. Dave was listing of ideas for the show. I absent-mindly nodded and said "mhm" to all his Ideas.

"Um, Adam?" He said snapping at my face. "You really want to have a daily discussion about pigs feet?"

"What?" I said. "No, why?"

"well, your agreeing with everything I say, so I decided to have a little fun. You've also agreed to wear a poncho every day and only play gospal music."

I groaned. "Sorry."

"Whats with you man? Usually you're the one full of Ideas.

"I'm a little Distracted. Charlie declined my offer to join us awkwardly."

"Hmm, thta's weird. Are they still going over to your house?"

"Yeah," I said. "I think so. They told me to meet them after school."

Dave nodded. "So... back to the show?"

I nodded.

In the end we decided to have a contest to see who could recite the most digits in pi. At the end of the day there will be an announcement telling people.

I walked to my locker just before the end of lunch bell rang. When I opened it a note fell out. Hmm. I wondered. what's this? I read the note:

Adam,

Hey, sorry for the change in plans.

Can I meet you at The Dot instead?

Also, Can you tell the math teacher that I wont be in our class today?

(I figured out I'm in your class.)

-Charlie.

I looked at their semi-messy handwriting. Why were they missing class on their first day?My thoughts were spinning. Oh well, I guess I'll figure out at the dot.

At The Dot After school I waved to Charlie as they came in. "Hey." They said when they came in. We both ordered and then they spoke up.

"So, It's my turn right?" I nodded. "What do you hate most in life?" Charlie's questions are crazy!

I had to think about it first. "Haters, and the fact that Sometimes I can't be who I want to be."

"Mhm. Your turn."

I looked at Charlie and said "Where were you this afternoon?"

Charlie looked down. "I was at the doctor's. My sister has cancer."