Date Me, Bryson Keller(44)

The rest of the class claps politely as we leave the stage to take our seats.

“You did great,” Bryson says. He smiles and all I can offer him in return is a sigh of relief. It is over. Finally. My knees feel weak, and my face is hot to the touch. For the rest of the period, I try to fan my blush away.

When the bell rings, I finally feel like myself. We both stand, but then I remember something. “I need to give my sample to Henning,” I tell Bryson. “I’ll see you in English.”

    I pull out my reimagining of Romeo and Juliet—a gay love story. Last night when I returned from our date, I felt inspired, so I sat down to write, and everything poured out of me. I started from scratch, so it’s rushed and not perfect, but it’s something. I’m confident in the potential. Even if I don’t get selected this round, I’m happy that I at least tried. This week with Bryson has changed me. It may be a small act of bravery, writing a story like this, but it didn’t even cross my mind last week.

Mrs. Henning is talking to Michael Donnelly, so I wait my turn.

“What can I do for you, Kai?” she asks when she’s done.

I hold out my sample. “I’d like to enter this.”

“I’m glad to have it,” Mrs. Henning says.

“Thank you for extending the deadline.” I smile. “Romeo and Juliet was tough for me to try to reimagine. I’m not sure if it works, but I’m glad I got the chance to submit this.”

“That’s the attitude you need to have to make it as a creative. Whether it’s acting or writing, you have to always try. Nos will often come, but it takes only one yes.” Mrs. Henning smiles at me. “I believe in you, Kai. As does Mr. Keller.”

“Bryson?” I ask.

“Yes. He paid me a visit to ask for an extension. His passionate plea played a small part in convincing me to extend the deadline.” Mrs. Henning chuckles. “He’s a great friend to have.”

I remain silent. Stunned that even before Bryson and I became what we are now, he had done this for me. Bryson Keller is so much more than a friend to me—and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

    “Before you’re late, you should hurry along to your next class,” Mrs. Henning says.

“Thank you, ma’am.”

I race from drama to English and make it there just as the bell is ringing. Mr. Weber shoots me a look, and I offer an apologetic bow of the head as I slide into my seat.

English and math pass without much happening, and soon I’m sitting at the three musketeers table. I realize that this is the first time that the real me is having lunch with my best friends. I feared coming out to them, and I am so relieved to know that my fear was in vain.

I lucked out when Priya and Donny became my friends.

“What?” Priya asks when she catches me staring at her. “Do I have something on my face?”

“Just beauty,” Donny says before I can respond.

“You’re ridiculous,” Priya says.

I laugh. Everything is absolutely normal, as it should be. My being out doesn’t make me any different from the Kai they have always known. I’m the same. We’re the same. The only thing that’s different is how I feel inside. It’s like a knot that I’ve been carrying around has finally untied. I’ve waited my whole life for this.

Now with Donny and Priya, every breath, smile, and laugh belongs to the real me.

This is Kai Sheridan.





19


I’m staring at the clock when the final bell rings on Friday afternoon, and with it my fake relationship with Bryson Keller ends. It’s officially over. At least those were the rules, but I’m hoping they don’t apply anymore. Even with the memory of yesterday fresh in my mind, I still feel a flash of anxiety.

My phone buzzes with a text from Kelly.

You sure you’re going home with Donny?

Yes. I’ll see you later though.

Of course. I’ll pick you up at six.

Please ignore any and all embarrassing things that my parents will say.

I am ready. Bryson texts a series of grinning emojis. See you tonight.

Bryson is coaching the team at Yazz’s school, so I’m standing at the Quackmobile, waiting for Donny and Priya.

“Sorry,” Donny says as they rush over. “I had a math club meeting.”

“Why is my boyfriend such a dorkus?” Priya asks.

    “Math is cool. Math is fun,” Donny starts to chant. He pumps his hands in the air like a cheerleader. “Math is cool. Math is fun. Math is for everyone.”

“I think we should walk,” I suggest.

“Agreed,” Priya says.

Our comments only make Donny chant louder. He unlocks the car and walks over to the driver’s side.

“Math is cool. Math is fun. Math is for everyone!”

We climb into the Quackmobile and Donny pulls out of the parking lot.

“Should we go somewhere?” Priya asks.

“We can,” I say. “I just need to be home by five so I can get ready for the concert.”

“What time are you leaving?”

“Bryson said he’d pick me up at six.” Almost as if it were planned, both Priya and Donny say “Ooh-la-la” at the exact same time.