"Really? I wouldn't have thought he would be your type?" I said surprised. To be honest I have no clue what her type is, I just really didn't think it would be him.

She began to walk to empty table that barely had anyone at it. She sat down and waited for me to sit across from her before she spoke. "Hes a really nice guy once you get to know him. Besides he's the only who didn't treat me like shit when I transitioned." I could see a flicker of pain in her eyes but she quickly masked it and began to devour the food in front of her. I couldn't honestly begin to understand what she went through when she transitioned. Especially, in this town. I guess I can get why she fell for him. The only person in town who accepted and embraced who she really was.

But still there's something about him, that's just a bit off. Maybe I'm just being paranoid. As long as she trust him then I'll be supportive.

"Have you or him ever tried to, you know go on a date or anything?" I asked

She rolled her eyes. "I dont know. Like I like him. And I think he likes me, but we never had that conversation. I don't know maybe one day. Speaking of crushes, I believe you already have one." She said with her mouth filled with pizza. I giggle at the sight of her. It was kind of cute.

"Me? Crushing? On who?" I asked. She immediately stopped eating her food just to give a questioning look. She held up her hand , asking for a second to chew her food. I waited patiently.

She took a big gulp and began talking. "Mi amor. Let's not act like you weren't just having a one sided staring contest with Tate Mancini. To be honest, I can't blame you. He is smoking. However, the Mancini boys have a reputations. I'm going to tell you as my friend to steer clear. Okay?" I looked at her confusingly.

"They seemed to be pretty cool to me. Besides, what type of reputation can a bunch teen boys have in this small town?" I said.

"Okay. Let's start with Mike, the oldest. And personally my least favorite. The first in line to daddy's fortune, but also the biggest whore you'll ever meet. He will fuck anyone and anything that moves. He is extremely intelligent, which also means he can get himself out of damn near everything. Timmothy, the second oldest, also known as the SWEET HEARTBREAKER. He will accidentally lead you on like string cheese baby. He is so hard not fall for. One of the sweetest men I have ever met in my life, however that's not always a good thing. Girls literally fall for all of his sweet charms and every single one of them gets rejected."

"Why does he reject them?" I asked

She shrugged her shoulders. "I'll be honest I'm not that sure. I always thought it was because he was so focused on football and academics. But that's just a guess. Now the best for last, the man you were making googley eyes at, Mr. Danger himself, Tate."

"Danger?" I asked

"Oh yes. He's a bit of a man whore himself. He always comes to class late, but when he shows up there always a new scratch, scar, or bruise. Some people think he does under ground fighting or maybe he fights in a gym in the city. Hell, some think there dad hired him a bodyguard in the company. He doesn't really speak to anyone but his brothers, unless it's for a quick fuck. I've seen him fight, and he's a beast, but that was long time ago. I'm pretty sure he's still been practicing a lot. He's probably improved, but you know what they say about fighters. The more people they knock down, the more people who want to take up the challenge. Those three have a lot of baggage and issues and a girl like you does not need that bullshit in your life."

"How do you know so much about them?" I asked. I guess my question caught her off guard cause she completely froze. "That's a story for another day." Her expression from earlier appeared again. There has to be more to the story. I just nodded my head. Hopefully, one day she will tell me.

"Was my staring really that bad?" I asked. She snapped herself out of the trance and nodded her head yes immediately after I asked. "My dear, you were staring at him like a hungry man staring at a piece of chicken."

I laughed at her imagery. He was cute tho. Tall. Broad shoulders. Tattoo and piercings. He was a textbook bad boy. And the last thing I need is to crush on someone who does nothing but bring me stress. Especially, if he showing up to class with bruises and scars.

Hell, I shouldn't be surprised about them having reputations. Of course all three of them would be popular with girls why wouldn't they be. "You know a good way to mingle and find some new cuties, is to go to a party?" She said slyly.

I rolled my eyes. "I'm sorry I really can't break these plans with my dad. Maybe next time?" I said.

"Eh. It was worth the shot." She said, I could hear the disappointment in her voice.

Then suddenly her eyes lit up and a smile was plastered on her face. "I have an idea. Okay, after you get done with your play date with you papa, how about instead of going out, we stay in. Slumber party. We can do each others nails. Talk about boys. Music. All that good shit. Your place or mine?" My heart pounded with excitement by the idea. I always wanted to have a slumber party. A smile spread across my face as a nodded my headed. "We do it at mine. Let me run it pass my dad and I'll let you know tomorrow." We both squealed like little girls and began clapping our hands like toddlers.

"Oh yeah before I forget. I'm going to give you my number so we can text outside of school. Then we'll be, officially, best amigas." She pulled out a piece of paper from her bag and began to write her number on it. A smile spread across my face. I'm really making a friend.

After I my last class I headed out the front doors. I saw my dads old green truck at the same place he dropped me off at. He looked like he was in a middle of a serious conversation. I walked over to the car and got in.

"So when is our next appointment supposed to be?" I realized who he was talking to immediately. It was my doctor. I looked over at my dad. His eyes were focused on the road ahead of him, but we weren't even driving yet. His eyebrows were furrowed and his lips were shut tight.

"Alrighty. I'll put it in our calendar. See you then. Bye." He hung up the phone and looked at me with a smile. "Hey kiddo." He said with a huff.

"Everything okay?" I asked. The only time my dad makes that face is when he is exhausted. Wether it's physically or emotionally. He shook his head. "Nothing for you to worry your pretty little head about. Okay?" He patted my head slowly.

"You sure?" I asked. Looking him in his eyes. He nodded his head and gave me a weak smile. I know he probably needs to tell me what him and the doc was talking about just now, but he's probably going to keep it to hisself til dinner. He never really liked telling me news on the spot, and honestly I don't want to hear it. I just had a pretty good first day and I refuse to ruin it with bad news as soon as I get out of school. So I let it go.

He took another breath and started the car. "So tell me. How was your first day of school?"

"It was amazing." I said with a smile and began to give him a run down in my day. Hopefully that will lighten the mood. But to be honest, my first day.....was honestly really great.

Picture of Earth Vangwithayakul as Tate