I pulled out my phone after my second class was over and sent a message to Isaac, hoping that he was not mad for taking so long to message back. It’s not like I’ve forgotten about them, but moving and coming to a new school have been a big distraction. I still have a hard time going to sleep so it makes me tired in the day and my mind isn’t always too focused to look at my phone. That girl was at my desk again, the one that gave me her number, the one that laughed at Millie and I honestly don’t like this class because of their attitude. I can’t remember her name.

“Moring Jake,” She smiled at me when I poached my desk.

“Good morning,” I replied, placing my backpack on the ground beside my desk and then noticing that she didn’t move. “Need something?”
“Some of the girls were a little… concerned,” She said slowly and frowned at the conversation. “It’s about Alex…”

I was almost confused until I realized she meant Millie and sat up a little straighter. “You mean Millie.”

“Sure, whatever. It’s because some of the girls saw him getting out of your car and we felt like we had to warn you,” I remember now, Ruby was her name on the paper she gave me, and she’s also in a few of my other classes. “People are talking about it and it’s best if you stay away, or the guys might start bullying you for it.”
I saw behind Ruby, Millie walked into the room and almost hesitated when we looked at each other, then glanced at Ruby. “So, it’s okay to bully Millie, but it’ll be bad for me because we’re friends?” I asked.

Ruby blushed and shook her head, “No. That’s not what I meant.”
“I think you should tell them that it’s none of their business if Millie and I are friends. That I don’t need their concerns.” I added in and saw Millie walking over towards us.

Ruby took a step back once Millie stood beside me and she couldn’t hide her expression. “I don’t think you understand,” She mumbled and tried to avoid Millie’s stare.

“What’s going on?” They asked.

“They don’t like-”

“It’s nothing,” Ruby cut me off and immediately walked away to her desk.

“I told you that you shouldn’t have given me a ride,” They said and nervously glanced around the classroom.

“Ignore them. Don’t let them get to you,” I said and reached for my backpack to take out my notebook.
“Easy for you to say,” They mumbled.

I looked for my pen and sighed as I faced them after finding it in the small pocket inside the backpack. “That means that I’ll give you a ride every morning to piss them off. It’s okay to be annoyed, but it’s not right that they’re trying to put anyone down for being friends with you and think that is okay.” I explained and hoped Millie understood my feelings about the situation.

Millie saw the teacher enter the room and turned back to me blushing. “I get what you're trying to say… It’s still weird for me to see and hear people talk back in my defense. I don’t honestly know if you're doing it for me or because they annoy you, but I’m not complaining.”

I smirked and tapped the end of my pen on the table. “I guess it’s both,” I commented.

Millie laughed quietly then heard Ms. Gonzalez calling out to the class for attendance and they pressed their lips together for a moment before speaking. “I’ll see you after school.” They said and walked away to their desk.

My smile faded when I noticed a few people looking at me and whispering to each other. I let out a heavy sigh and sat back in my chair. It’s annoying seeing people finding this sort of friendship so foreign and I’m starting to understand why Millie would be nervous to create any sort of changes with people who won’t acknowledge your own identity. Alex or Millie, he, she, or they. Does it matter to these people? Why does it affect them so much that it creates so much hate? I tried to shake off this anger that rose inside me and focus on my studies for the rest of the class period. I tried to let the rest of the day continue as usual and after school, I stood at the student board that had flyers for school events. There were the rescheduled dates for football tryouts and I wondered if it was still worth it.

“Don’t do it,” Millie said and stood beside me as we both looked at the paper.

“Why?” I asked as I tore the paper from the board and folded it to put in my pocket.

“You won’t have time for me and you’ll change to being those jerk faces in this school,” They informed me and I smirked, turning away to walk to the parking lot. “You’ll see me like they all do and I’ll be alone again.”

“You see me as low as them?” I asked, curiously. I was also surprised by how honest Millie was in telling me their concerns.

“No, I value you more than them,” Millie corrected me and stood in front of my car.

“Get in. I’ll give you a ride,” I offered and unlocked the doors.

“I’m gonna walk,” Millie shook their head.

“Didn’t you just say that you value our friendship?” I asked.

“Yes,” Millie said confidently and slowly walked over towards me, but didn’t stop. “And I value it that I don’t want the whole school to be talking shit about you because of me or our friendship.”

I watched as they walked past me and before they could get away I reached out to grab their arm. “If I let you walk home, you owe me that sleepover.”

Millie yanked their arms away from me, but I didn’t take offense to it and they smiled. “You can’t do that.”

“Why not?” I asked, confused.

“That’s cheating. Besides, why is that so important?” They asked and leaned against my car. 

“Because I like hanging out with you,” I gave a simple answer.

“You're so dumb. Hey, what if I’m really a thief and use your friendship to rob your home?” They asked.

“You didn’t steal while we were at the mall so I doubt you’ll take my things and I don’t have that much stuff like I used to,” I said and opened my door then looked at them. “You really don’t want a ride?”

“No, I want to go do a few things before going home,” They said and shook their heads. 

“Alright,” I mumbled.

“Don’t you also need to call your girlfriend and fix that fight you guys had this morning?” They remind me.

“Oh, I almost forgot about that… We don’t usually fight. I’m sure it’s nothing and she’ll act like nothing happened,” I said and looked inside the car before turning to them again. “Alright, if I can’t convince you then I’ll let you go. I’ll see you tomorrow and text me if you want me to pick you up on the way to school.”

“I will,” Millie said and started walking away.

I watched them leave then got inside the car and looked at my phone. I should give Stephanie a call and see how we are now, but I didn’t do that. Instead, I drove home and worked on my homework until my aunt called me for dinner. I yawned loudly as I was sitting on my bed watching a video on my phone when I received a text and it was Millie giving me an address. I smiled and replied with a thumbs-up emoji. I set my phone down and took a small breath before trying to go to sleep. Hopefully tonight I can get some sleep.

“You look tired,” Aunt Jocelyn commented as she poured herself a cup of coffee and frowned at me. “You’ve been looking tired for a couple of days.”

“Yeah, I’ve been having issues sleeping,” I hate that I’m admitting to her, but maybe she can help me find something to help me sleep and I wouldn’t have to feel like this. “Can we go buy some melatonin or something?”

“I can buy you those gummies, but are you sure you don’t want to see a doctor?” Her tone was full of concern.

”It's all this moving and adjusting. I think the stress I had finally caught up to me.” I said, but I’m not too sure if that’s the whole truth. 

“Well, I can stop by the market where they have the pharmacy and see what I can find. I’m sure the gummies can help, but if it doesn’t then we’ll look for a doctor here and see if they can prescribe you something.” Aunt Jocelyn said and took a sip from her cup.

“It’s not that big of a deal and I don’t have to go see a doctor. The gummies should be enough.” I said and walked away to my room to grab my backpack. “I gotta go. I have to go pick up Millie on the way to school.”

“But you didn’t eat,” She frowned.

”I’m gonna stop by somewhere on the way,” I said and looked for my keys to make sure I had them, then walked over to the front door. “Bye.”

“Be safe,” She called out.

“I will,” I yelled and had the keys in my hand to lock the front door on my way out.