Chapter 2
Reggie kept seeing the blonde boy around, Julie had said his name was Nick before sharing a knowing glance with Flynn. Reggie paid them no mind, just watching the way the light played off Nick’s hair, like the hair was trapping the light and shining out its own. Reggie knew they needed to stay away from him or he would break Reggie’s heart. Reggie followed the girls to their next class, science. Reggie always loved science. Reggie answered so many questions that they forgot they were trying to keep a low profile. Julie just smiled fondly.
At lunch, Reggie got to meet Julie’s other friends. Luke, Alex, and Willie. Reggie remembered Julie talking about them, and it sounded like Luke and Willie were built from the same energy that led to them getting in trouble a lot. But today Reggie saw three boyfriends who could not stay out of each other’s personal spaces for more than a second. Reggie didn’t blame them though, not just because the three of them were very good looking, but because while Reggie is less romantic and more familial about it, Reggie does touch Julie a lot. She helps reassure them that everything is real and okay. The rest of the day was uneventful after that, boring classes and the like. Today would be okay, it was health class, which made Reggie uncomfortable, but tomorrow when they had gym it would be worse.
When they got home, Julie was rehearsing with Alex and Luke, and Reggie offered to be their sit in bass player. Reggie wasn’t comfortable joining the band cause they played for audiences, and Reggie wasn’t ready for that. Then Reggie spent some time working with Julie to perfect their piece for music class. Ray had checked in on the two of them, bringing dinner out to the studio so they could keep working on homework. “Feeding their brains,” he called it.
The next morning the class was due to perform. To fit everyone, they each had one minute of time to showcase the song they were working on. Flynn went first. Reggie was amazed at the way she rapped. Reggie wasn’t paying much attention until they saw the blonde boy from yesterday take a seat up front. Reggie was entranced from the beginning. Nick’s hair fell in front of his face as he played, and the bassist followed the way his hands moved as his fingers flew across the chords. Next it was Julie’s turn, and Reggie and Flynn smiled as she played through a piece and sang. Then it was Reggie’s turn, and Reggie was last. They got up slowly, making their way to the stool at the front, clutching an acoustic guitar. The bassist was straying away from their best instrument for the day. Reggie strummed the chords lightly, singing the song Julie helped with.
“I’m gonna stand up for who I am
Never know where you are before then
Never know who you are until you stand
So I hold my head high and I stand tall
Never gonna run, I’ve survived the fall”
Reggie strummed the last note, keeping their eyes closed. Suddenly, they heard clapping, and their eyes flew open to see the teacher and three others cheering. Reggie saw Julie, and then Flynn. And then Nick. Class ended, and Reggie made their way to their locker.
“So, you’re the guy I should watching out for, right?”
Reggie turned around, blinking at the blonde boy from yesterday, “Uh, no?”
“Then that wasn’t you in there totally shredding on the acoustic?” The blonde asked teasingly.
“No, uh, I mean, I’m not a guy.” The blonde looked a little shocked, opening his mouth but Reggie continued, “I’m, uh, I’m not a girl. Either. I’m-I’m gender fluid.”
“Oh.” Understanding dawned on the boy’s face, “Okay, well I’m sorry I assumed. I’m Nick, by the way.”
“I’m Reggie.”
“I know.” Nick rubbed the back of his neck. “Sorry, I’m actually friends with Julie. She told me her other sibling was going to be coming here. She never mentioned the gender thing.”
“She doesn’t consider it her information to share.” Reggie admitted.
“That makes sense. I have nothing against it, for the record.” Nick started rambling, and Reggie had to admit it was cute. “Sorry, I came over here to make a joke about you taking my seat as head guitar in the class, and it didn’t go how I expected.” Reggie cocked their head to the side a bit.
“How did you expect it to go?”
Nick shrugged, “I guess I thought I was going to say I’d have to watch out for you.”
“Maybe you will.” Reggie teased, and a smile landed on Nick’s lips. The warning bell rang, and Reggie muttered to Nick as they slid past him, “By the way, I prefer my bass.”