After I had explained my thoughts to Kurtis, he wondered aloud: "So you're saying our spots got closer because the world got smaller?"
"Basically."
"But… why?"
"No idea!" Kurtis crosses his arms. He looks past me at the lake, a look of wonder across his face.
"Say… did anything big happen in your life before you first saw the world?" I ask.
"Well kinda. When I was younger my father wasn't really ever home, but when he was he was usually under the influence." Kurtis says apprehensively. "It was the first time he ever physically hurt me, so I was hiding by the shore of the lake."
I don't know what to say. Finally I say,
"Maybe the world is connected. Like, to us I mean. Maybe the portal opened up to you only when you needed it." I stop, thinking. That suggested that maybe we didn't need our secret world as much anymore. But it sure didn't feel like it. Interrupting my thoughts, Kurtis asks,
"What about you? I mean, did anything big happen to you when the world opened up to you?"
"...Yeah."
"I don't mean to make you uncomfortable or anything, but can I know what?"
I don't say anything. After a moment, he says, "You don't have to tell me, it's not like it's necessary for me to know." Quickly, i reply,
"No, no, it's fine, it's just-" I sigh. "Alright, so… I got outed as transgender. It was by my best friend at the time, so I thought I could trust him with it. But I guess not."
"Wait, wait… you're trans?"
"Yup." I say, flinching, worried he'll react badly.
"Oh ok. Not that there's anything wrong with that. It won't change how I see you. You're this awesome boy who's artistic and loves sewing and drawing and painting, and is passionate about it. You love skateboarding, and shitty movies, and you're the nicest person I've ever met." He smiles at me.
"Wow. Thank You- I'm glad you didn't freak out or anything."
"Why would I freak out?" He says, tilting his head.
"I don't know. Some people just don't like trans people I guess."
" I know, but… you thought I would do that?"
"No! I was just… thinking irrationally."
"Oh. Ok." A silence fills the air. "Well um actually I'm not really sure how to put this, but i'm not exactly cisgender either…"
"Wait, really?"
"Well I'm gender-fluid so uh yeah um…." They say nervously.
"I've never met a gender-fluid person before."
I can see the fear forming in their face so I blurt out,
"I don't think it's weird and I don't want you to get the wrong idea, I shouldn't have said that without thinking I'm so sorry!" It's silent for a minute and then they begin laughing.
"Man, it's cool."
They say it in this rock and roll voice which makes my heart skip a beat. Have they always talked like this? I try to mutter something but my phone cuts me off. "I uh want-"
Boulevard of Broken Dreams by Green Day, my ringtone, starts playing." Ah that's my mom I better answer."
"Go ahead."
"Terrance!"
"Jeez mom, what?"
"Does Kurtis want to come over for dinner?" That was random.
"I don't know, let me ask." I turned to Kurtis. "Kurtis, you wanna come over for dinner?"
"I mean, Sure."
"He said yes, mom."
"Excellent, see you boys in a few hours. Love you."
"Love you too mom."