I hurried back to the lunchroom.

"What happened?" Charlie asked as I settled down with an apple in my hand.

"You saw," I stated.

"I'm asking about you," Charlie said, as if that clarified anything.

“I’m fine,” I muttered.

“That’s not what I asked,” he stated gruffly.

“What do you want me to say?” I asked.

Charlie tilted his head.

“Why did you reject Aspen?” Charlie inquired. “She’s cute… also she’d help clear the questions around your sexuality that everyone seems to be interested in.”

He raised a good point.

“I can’t use someone like that. That would be especially messed up. I’m not THAT horrible,” I said with a small laugh.

“Yeah, you’re a good person,” he commented.

“Not really, you are though,” I countered.

“You’re wrong about that. Completely. I’d never call myself a good person or a bad one,” Charlie argued.

“I think I’m the one there’s something wrong with,” I muttered.

“Even if you like guys… It doesn’t matter. It doesn’t change how I see you,” Charlie commented.

“That’s why you’re so great,” I replied.

“I’m okay with it because… on some level, I can kind of relate,” Charlie mumbled, his voice small.

I stared at him in shock.

“Really?!” I exclaimed. Charlie remained quiet. “I guess you wanted to tell me because I’m leaving soon. I probably won’t be able to contact you, but I’ll visit whenever I can.”

I realized I was lying through my teeth. The truth is that I can probably talk through email.

“Let’s go to class,” Charlie said, ignoring my words.

“Okay,” I agreed softly.