Theodore's POV
I tell Lia what happened yesterday, as we walk to school. We get to the interest of the school and Lia yells, "Taiyo Tachibana!" Her arm was wrapped around my leaves. She stomps off toward Taiyo. Taiyo turns around and sees her. When she gets to him she takes him by the collar and drags him away. She looks at me and with her free hand, she waves from me to come over to her. I walk over to her, even though I don't want to. She takes us by the bathrooms that are outside. She pushes him on the wall of the building. "I heard you said some stuff to Theo yesterday." She says with a fox-like grin. And it's not a friendly one. "Lia, I was the one who started it…" I say. She ignores me. "I- I did," Taiyo says. Lia still has his collar clenched in her hand.
"So, are you going to tell everyone that he dressed like a woman? Are you going to get the whole school to bully him?" She asks. Taiyo shakes his head. "But I do have a question." He says. I look up at him. "Yeah, what is it?" I ask. "Why were you dressed as a woman?" He asks. "It's none of your business," Lia says. "Lia, it's okay. He got Ellie and me cookies. I should pay him back in some way. My sister punched someone at school and the teacher wanted to see our mother, but we don't really have a mother. So, I dressed up as her and played the role of Ellie's mother at school." I say looking down at the ground. This is the first time I have told someone about my life. That does not include Lia, she's basically family.
In kindergarten, Lia came up to me and told me that I am her new best friend. And I could not say no. And after all these years she has stuck to me. At first, I thought she was weird but the more I got to know her, the more I learned that all her "weird" stuff makes her unique. When I was little my mom was around half the time, but when I turned 10, she had Ellie. After she gave birth to her, mom just disappeared. She sends us money once a month, but she has never come back to the house. When I was 10, I took the job to act as a parent to Ellie. I was more a parent to her than her own mother, and I am her brother. But I was not alone. Lia helped, and after some convincing, I told Lia's parents and they helped.
"Oh, sorry I said those things to you yesterday," Taiyo says. Lia lets go of his collar. "Uh, thanks, and I am sorry too. I don't know anything about you and I don't have any right to say those things I said." I said. "If you don't mind, I would like to have your phone number. Maybe we can befriend you know. Or if you need anyone to help you I could help. My sisters are in town and they would probably love to babysit." Taiyo says shyly. "You're just saying that because you wanna take pity on him," Lia says with her hand on her hips. "Lia, it's fine. I also promised Ellie that she would see the handsome man from yesterday." I say with a small laugh. "He was the handsome man?!" Lia yells. I nod my head. I get a piece of paper from my backpack and write my number on it. I fold it up and give it to Taiyo. Lia takes my arm and pulls me to class. Along the way, she calls me stupid for giving my phone number to some weirdo.
During third period my phone buzzes. I look at my phone and see that an unidentified number texted me. I open the notification and it says, 'Hey, sorry again about yesterday. Did your sister really think I'm handsome? I'm flattered. Oh, by the way, it's Taiyo Tachibana. What class are you in? You're my underclassman, right? Sorry, that's a lot.' I laugh a bit. I put my phone in my desk and text him back. 'It's fine, I was at fault too. Ellie really wants to see you again, said your the most handsome person she has ever seen. I'm in math right now. I totally forgot that you're a year ahead of me. Sorry for Lia, she's really protective of me and Ellie.' A few minutes later he texts back. 'Ellie is pretty cute. Lia must be a really good girlfriend, protecting you like that. Your luck, I wish I was in 11 grade again.' 'Lia is not my girlfriend.' 'She's not? You sure?' 'Yes! She like a girl in your class anyway.' 'Really, who? Omg, is it the Lee girl?' 'No, her name is Iris Rodriguez.' 'Oh Iris, she's nice, pretty sure she likes girls. Don't know for sure though. She kinda does not like me.' 'Why?' 'I dated her best friend and it did not go very well.' 'Playboy' 'Hey! But your not entirely wrong.' 'Igt ttyl.' 'Okay bye.'
I put my phone back in my pocket and I can feel Lia staring at me. I look behind me and meet her eyes. She pouts. I laugh a bit. The bell rings and I gather my stuff. I stand next to Lia's desk waiting for her to get her stuff together. "You know how you like that girl Iris," I say. "Yeah, what about it." She says not looking up from her desk. "I asked Taiyo about it and you might have a chance." She looks up at me. "How, she's straight." "You don't know that. Taiyo said that she might like girls, so you might have a chance." I say. She swings her backpack over her shoulder. "Theo, why did you give him your number, he might just be using you." She said. We walk out of the classroom. "I know, but when he apologized I realized that he might not be that bad, you know? I also promised Ellie she could see him again. And you know how she is when you don't told up your end of the bargain." I sigh. Ellie hates when you tell her you'll do something, but you don't do it.
When it's lunchtime Lia and I go out to the courtyard and eat. Lia lays out a blanket we always use. She keeps it in her locker when we are not using it. We sit down and open our lunches. "Taiyo let go of me!" I hear a girl yell. I turn around and see Taiyo walking towards us while dragging Iris behind her. The only reason I know it's Iris is because Lia squeals and I see the blush climbing up her face. I smile a bit. "Do you mind if we join?" Taiyo asks when he gets to us. I look at Lia and she tries to hide. "Sure." I give them a small smile. I scoot over so I right up against Lia. "Why did you say yes!" She whispers in my ear. "You need to get to know her," I whisper back. Tai and Iris sit across from us. Iris scoots as far away she can to get away from Taiyo.
"This is Lia and Theo. Guys this is Iris." Taiyo says. We exchange hellos. Iris stops to try to get away so Taiyo lets go of her. She sighs and opens her lunch box. She pulls out a salad. "How are my younger classman doing?" Taiyo asks. "Stop talking. Every word you say makes me mad." Iris says stabbing her fork at him. "Iris, do you have anyone you like?" I ask. Lia stabs me with her elbow. "Why would I tell you? This is not grade school playground talk." Iris takes a bite of her carrot. "I- I like your hair!" Lia squeaks. I try to told back a laugh. I have never seen Lia this nervous around someone before. "Oh, thanks. I like your skirt, it's cute." Iris says with a smile. Lia gasps and her face becomes redder.
"Any way. Do you wanna come over to my house after school Theo?" Taiyo asks. I stop eating. "Oh, sure. Is it okay if I bring my sister? She really wants to see you again. And if she knew I went to your house by myself she would mad." I say. "Sure. My sisters are picking me up today, if you want you can get a ride. We can also pick up your sister along the way." "That would be great." I smile. Lia looks mad, but she doesn't want to show her mean side in front of her crush. "Your name is Lia right?" Iris asks. "Yes!" "I have a coupon for a spa day this weekend, you wanna go with me? My friend bailed, and you seem cool." Iris says. Lia looks like she is about to die. "I would love to," Lia says. Iris smiles at her.
My phone buzzes. 'It's going all as planed!' Taiyo texted me. 'What plan?' 'The plan to get Iris and Lia together.' I turn off my phone and smile at him. His face gets a bit red. Wonder if he's sick or something. "Theo, what do you do to your hair, it's really pretty," Iris says. She reaches out to touch my hair but I smack her hand away. "Sorry…" I mumble. "It's okay, I should have asked before I touched you." She says. I can feel my hand that slapped her shakes. I shove it in my pocket. Lia gives me a worried look. "I do Theo's hair every day. I also do his sisters." Lia says trying to change the topic. "Really? You're really good at it. It compliments his face type." "I know right! Before I started to do Theo's hair it was everywhere. It looked like a tornado of red curls!" Lia laughs. Iris laughs too. I blush a bit, I'm not proud of my habits from back then. "I think he would look cute even like that," Taiyo says.
I blush more at that. Lia and Iris stop laughing. They look mad at Taiyo. I don't know why though. "Lia, stop glaring. You're making him uncomfortable." I say. She sighs and says, "That's the point of doing it." But she stops anyway. Iris stops after a few seconds. "Do you both have siblings?" I ask. "I have to sister, their twins," Taiyo says. He takes a bit of his sandwich. "I have a little brother," Iris says. Lia passes me her leftover chicken. "Lia is the only child," I say. "It's true," Lia sighs. "But, Ellie is like a little sister to me. And your like a little brother to me Theo." Lia smiles at me. I give her a smile in return. "Oh, I thought you guys were dating," Iris says. "Nah, Theo's gay, and I'm a lesbian. We have just known each other for so long it seems like it sometimes." I look down at my lunch, I have never told anyone I was gay before. The only people who know are Lia, Ellie, and Lia's parents, and they found out because Lia accidentally blurted it out. "Cool. I'm like girls too." Iris says. Lias's eyes brightened up. The bell rings and we pack up and part ways.
Iris' POV
Lia's cute. My friends didn't bail, it was a lie. I just wanted to spin more time with her. I can tell she has a crush on me. I might as well use her to get over my crush. Because my crush doesn't even like me.
Lia's POV
I'm so excited about this weekend! Iris is so pretty. She makes me feel like I'm on top of the world. I know, that should cheesy. But she really does. I hope she likes me the way I like her…