13-Mission successful
Axel's pov
Those past few days it seems like not much is going on, yet a lot has been going on, well mostly in my head.
Yeah ever since I got the information that Shawn likes me back, I've been planning to ask him out.
I know it sounds so weird considering I don't usually care all that much but his sister kept drilling me about how I should surprise him and make things meaningful.
Usually, I just straight up ask someone out but I guess Shawn is a more complicated case, it's fine, it's not his fault, there's also the whole circumstances that are in the way.
Speaking about that, the popular gang is forcing Shawn to be with them all the time. He's one of them now and it is a bit terrifying but I know the truth, Shawn isn't actually one of them and he'll never be because he's not all about games.
Those past few weeks the girls have been trying to win Shawn over but they are making no gain.
Through I know that by asking out Shawn it means I'm entering this kind of unofficial love race.
Yeah, I kinda want to piss them off but honestly, I'm not like the girls, unlike them what I'm about to do is not a game, it's genuine. They are doing it all for more fame, gosh.
And besides, it's not like I want them to know. Unlike them I'm not out to make more noise, no I want to be low-key. In a way, I mean being secretive, though I know we'll be forced to do so anyway.
I have no interest in creating more drama by them finding out. If they found out about this it'll do nothing to me because I don't care but Shawn does. He'll probably be a lot more affected by this and heck I know how nasty those two girls can be, Shawn doesn't deserve to go through that.
Ok, I know it's risky and there is the possibility of being caught but I wouldn't mind seeing Shawn less if it meant him being safe. Besides, we barely talk as it is.
Gosh, why am I acting like we are dating already? I haven't even asked him out yet. Ok, it's probably a given he'll agree according to his sister but who knows?
Regardless, today is the day, Monday. Of course, I could've asked him out days ago but when I say I will be careful with this, I'm not kidding. The only time I can talk to Shawn without the gang in the way is during the music club and if we're lucky enough some days where the whole gang has their practices.
Anyway, I have the perfect plan in place. I sort it all out. Ok, well it is far from perfect but I had to take into consideration the circumstances. I still hope Shawn will like it, if not screw his sister. Hopefully, Shawn's sister is right about all this.
My thinking process comes to an end as I arrive at Selcan High by skateboard.
I take off my skateboard and get to school with my usual nonchalant demeanour.
Through not gonna lie, coming to school nowadays hits differently. Just weeks ago I had people talk to me but now it's like I no longer exists. Oh well, it's not like I didn't anticipate this and besides, I prefer it that way. Screw this popularity thing.
I get in and head to my locker and not so much to my surprise I come across the popular gang.
Ugh, great, I guess I have to go and pretend like Grace will totally not be next to me.
It's not her that steals my attention unlike in the past, it's Shawn and it seems like he just noticed me too. He briefly smiles but it quickly disappears as soon as he gets questioned about it.
Gosh, I bet it has something to do with Grace. Ever since I scared off she's been clinging onto Shawn like a leech. How pathetic.
I go in and act as if they don't exist.
Of course, they notice but don't care to acknowledge me. Oh well, it's not like I care anyway.
"Ugh, I can't believe there's another history exam today. You'll help me, right Shawn?" Grace says whining. Gosh, how pathetic.
"He can't, he already promised me he would help me study." I notice Tessa winks at Shawn from the corner of my eye. Of course, Grace stares her down.
"You sure you need it as much as I do?" Grace smiles yet it doesn't match her fierce eyes, Tessa's smile drops, clearly displeased.
"Hey, how about I help you study?" Zayne says smiling at Tessa, though she rolls her eyes.
"You? Helping me study? I bet you're just saying this because you didn't study yourself either. I trust much more Shawn." Tessa says annoyed and Zayne's smile flatters but it remains.
"Actually, I did study. I need to maintain my grades if I want to maintain my place in the team." He says ever so charmingly and it seems like Tessa forgot about that fact.
"Right..."
"See it seems like you'll be just fine with him. So about you just study with him instead?" Grave tries to convince but of course, Tessa doesn't want to.
"Hey, how about I help you study all 3 of you? It can be a sort of study group, that way we all benefit from this." They all look at Shawn cut off guard by his statement and so am I, though I don't let it show.
"Wow...why didn't I think about that?" Grace fakes a smile.
"That's such a good idea, Shawn! You're such a genius!" Zayne high-fives Shawn.
"Um...so it works?"
"Yeah, you're right, how about we do it during lunch?" Grace asks.
They all agree but Tessa remains silent.
"Tessa?"
"Yeah, cool. Let's do it." She says unimpressed.
"Great! Now let's get out of here!" Zayne says overjoyed.
So, they leave, though Shawn looks at me briefly as they walk away.
Godman, did I have to witness all that? I'm surprised they didn't notice I didn't leave the lockers at all.
I close my locker and as I do so I am immediately met by short blue highlights.
Right, Shawn's sister.
"Gosh, that was crazy right?" She immediately.
"Yeah, you saw that?"
"I saw from afar. Gosh, I can't believe my brother has to deal with all that."
"Yeah same, sometimes I forget I was even with Grace." That seems to get her interested and I immediately regret saying that.
"Wait, why were you with her in the first place?"
"Ah, that's a long story," I say unbothered.
"Hmm, ok. So today is the day?" She immediately brightens up at the mention of it.
"Yeah"
"Finally! Gosh, Shawn will for sure say yes."
"What makes you so sure?"
"Oh! He actually officially confessed he likes you on Friday. Gosh, that was crazy." I can't help but smile and she notices.
"Ohh, happy?"
"Yeah"
"Anyways, now that I know that Shawn will for sure say yes, I might as well tell you this." Huh?
"Tell me what?"
"You know how I prefer to be called Jasper?"
"Yeah?"
"Yeah, you probably figured that's not my name but it's not because I'm a lesbian or whatever. I actually identify as non-binary." Wait...
"Non-binary? I feel like I heard that before but I'm not quite sure what it is."
"Well, to put it short, I prefer it when people use them/they pronouns because I feel like I identify to neither."
"Hmm, cool. It's the first time I heard this. So, they and them?"
"I mean, you don't have to use it if you don't want to but since you'll probably be my brother's boyfriend..."
"Sure, I will. It'll take some adjustments but whatever floats your boat I guess."
"Thanks, it means a lot." Jasper smiles fondly and I don't know why but it feels like it's the first time Jasper is genuinely smiling.
It really must mean a lot to Jasper, so I might as well respect Jasper's wish.
"Hey, we still have some time left, tell me more?"
"Sure!"
I guess I'm getting into a lot more than I thought.
———————
After a long boring school day, the time has come. Well, it's not quite time yet but I'll finally get to see Shawn without all those annoying pests.
Those days it feels like I'm looking forward to the music club only to see Shawn. Yeah, well it is true, though I have to give that one to Tessa. I mean I signed up because she wanted me to report information to her but look how things are now, clearly, she gave up on her plan.
Anyway, it's one thing that I'm starting to appreciate playing guitar but Shawn is on a whole new level, he plays so beautifully.
Gosh, I can't believe the gang can't see this side of him. That's a plus one for me.
Regardless, I'm also looking forward to this new thing we started in music meetings. We started preparing for the upcoming Christmas show, it's still far away and I thought it was a joke to prepare months in advance but the teacher was right, it takes lots of practice.
Anyway, I should stop thinking about this, what matters is Shawn.
Speaking of him here he comes to the lockers accompanied by the other members of the gang. Ugh, so annoying.
I wait ignoring them in the process and eventually, they finally leave, leaving Shawn all alone.
As soon as they do, he turns around and immediately his eyes are on me. He smiles and briefly smiles too.
He comes closer to me.
"Hi" He smiles and I can't help but think it's cute. Wait, what happened to him being hot?
"Hey," I reply as my usual chill self.
"Sorry about them." He says apologetically
"It's fine, they're always like that."
"Yeah but still they can quite the handful sometimes."
"Yeah"
Then it becomes silent and I immediately hate that and look to fill in.
"We should go to the music room."
"Yeah, wait where is Jasper?" Oh, I just realized they aren't there, seriously where are the
"Good point, I don't know either."
"Hmm strange, hopefully she's in the music room." Hearing that pronoun makes me brings me back to earlier.
"You know you don't have to pretend anymore, I know about the whole non-binary thing." Shawn looks at me a bit startled.
"Jasper told you?"
"Yeah, actually it was just this morning"
"Oh, and you don't mind it?"
"Well, it's not a big deal, I have no reason not to respect and besides I could tell how much it meant to your...well Jasper."
"Oh thanks for that, I really appreciate it too, there's not a lot of people that accept that so..." Shawn says a bit down.
"Yeah, I get it, people are too narrow-minded. Why should we fixate so much on using wrong pronouns?"
"Yeah, I wish people thought like you." Shawn smiles blushing a bit and warms my heart a bit but I don't say it.
"Yeah...Ok, we kinda need to go if we don't want to be late."
"Yeah.." He agrees as he does so, he looks at me tentatively and I just can't help but think Jasper is right, how come I haven't noticed before? It's clear that he's so into me.
————————
After a long hour of practice, the meeting comes to an end and it means it's time. Gosh, finally it feels like I've been waiting for years for this, gosh. But hey, I had to find the right timing.
We head back to our lockers luckily accompanied by Jasper.
"Gosh, that was so much fun! I really can't wait to perform in front of everyone!" Jasper says over excited.
"Yeah, I think it will be quite nice." Shawn agrees but for some reason, Jasper nudges slightly Shawn and he rushes to say something
"And Axel...you're really good at the guitar, actually no it really does fit in sync with Jasper and me," Shawn says anxiously but gradually becomes more confident, Jasper smirks and I can only smile a bit too.
"Yeah for sure, though you're way better at the piano for sure," I say complementing Shawn too and he blushes, cute.
"Thanks."
"Ok, you two are really cute but I kinda need to leave." Jasper suddenly says startling us.
"What do you mean? Dad is coming to pick us off."
"No, actually I'm staying a bit longer, I have something else to do at school," Jasper says and I can't help but find it suspicious.
"Oh, ok. Good luck then." Shawn says still startled.
"Yeah thanks, bye have fun!"
Jasper leaves, leaving us two all alone in the middle of the hallways. However, I can't help but find it odd that they go in the direction of the gymnasium once again. Oh well, whatever it's none of my business.
"What did they mean by that?" Shawn asks confused.
"It's probably nothing. Actually, Jasper's right." I say trying to finally get straight to the point.
"About what?" Shawn says confused, yet he blushes a bit. Oh, so he suspects...
"We are cute together, aren't we?" I tease Shawn and he blushes even more, more confused than ever.
"Wait...what do you mean...?"
"Why don't we just hang out just us two?" I tease him on purpose.
"Um...ok?" He asks quite unsure of the situation.
"No, I don't think you get it. I like you, I want to go out with you, like just us two. I finally stop teasing him and go straight to the point.
Immediately it seems to register, he turns bright red and looks at me dumbfounded.
"Is this a joke...?" He says unsure.
"No I'm serious, I want to go out with you. It's not like you think. This is me asking you on a date." He still looks at me dumbfounded, unsure if it's true.
"Really? You like me...?"
"Yeah, to prove I'm not pulling your leg, let's go out just me and you on Thursday after school."
"Wow...I can't believe it..." He says in disbelief and then he finally looks at me and oh gosh he really is cute right now. Whoever said he's only hot lied. I think I've only seen him like this when he's with Jasper and I guess me...
"So do you like me back?"
"Um...yes..." He says awkwardly and I smile reassured.
"Oh come on don't be shy. So do you agree to hang out just us two?"
"Yeah..." He stares straight at me and it really does something to my heart, I really can't deny it I really am falling for a guy.
"Good, join me at the lockers on Thursday after school, I have a surprise for yeah." I smile confidently and he looks at me dumbfounded.
"Omg...am I dreaming...?" He mumbles in utter disbelief but I hear him.
"I can guarantee you that it is quite real." He blushes red at being caught red-handed and I smirk.
"Oh gosh, how embarrassing you heard that..."
"Yeah, I sure did. Anyway, I'm sure your dad must be waiting for you, see you Thursday after school." I wink at him and leave him all a blushing mess.
I smile to myself as I go take my skateboard and leave.
Mission successful.
——————-
Thursday comes around and I'm currently waiting not too far from the lockers.
Gosh, I never think about it that much but I don't know why but finally seems like it's sinking in. I'm actually going on this cool date I planned and it's not with a girl but with a guy.
I don't know what to make of that. I thought it would frighten me more the thought of being gay but those days it feels like I accepted it. I oddly feel comfortable with it.
Though I'm probably not gay, I did like girls in the past, so I'm probably bisexual.
But whatever I don't care about labels, all I care about is spending the only precious time I have with Shawn.
Now that I think about it, I don't know what to make off of all this.
It seems like I like Shawn and turns out he's a boy. Yeah, I thought it would be different and in a way it is but at the same time it isn't.
Though I might have come to terms with my sexuality or well I simply don't care, I know others might not agree.
My dad comes to mind. I wonder what he would think if he knew. Hah, I bet he'll be disappointed but then again when is he not?
Though it's clear as day my dad would be against it, I still can't help but think about my mom. What about her? What would she think of me now? Would she be against this? I don't know and I'll never know.
Oh, here comes Shawn, he notices me and smiles at me softly, and also for once he's not accompanied by the gang.
Oh well, I might as well just go and seize the moment.
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