AN: A quick warning for my readers: This chapter will discuss some sensitive topics and include viewpoints that do not reflect my own.
Additionally, it may be uncomfortable or even offensive to those who find it difficult to accept that there are people who live their lives differently than their own.
If you believe you might struggle with these subjects, please feel free to drop this story.
Remember, this is a work of fiction and not real.
Also, this will be the only time I offer such a warning. From here on out, there may or may not be more sensitive or hard-to-read subjects in the future, depending on where I take the story.
Without further ado, I hope you all enjoy today's chapter!
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"-by using this formula, you'll see that finding the answer to the equation is much faster."
As his geometry teacher droned on, Mathew struggled to pay attention to the lesson. His mind was swirling with thoughts and questions, all leading to one overarching inquiry—a question that several of his acquaintances, friends, and family had asked him repeatedly growing up.
What do you want to do in the future?
Fuck if I know. Was Mathew's consistent answer.
But now things were different.
Thanks to his system, Mathew's potential was limitless.
He could choose any potential career imaginable, and he would be able to accomplish it. And eventually, fly above all those within the field.
With such incredibly potent power at his disposal, it should be easy to pick anything he wants without worrying about failure.
So why, then, does Mathew find himself hesitant?
Perhaps even unsure.
With the help of the system, it would be wasteful to pick only one thing. But eventually, if I choose too much, then it will only be a matter of time before I get overwhelmed by it all.
Mathew frowned as he drew the outline of a person on his notebook before writing 'Expectations' in large, bold letters.
"Hey!"
Mathew was nudged out of his thoughts as his deskmate poked his arm. Turning to her, he saw her point to the front of the class, where his annoyed geometry teacher stood with her arms crossed.
"Mr. Johnson. Since you find drawing in your notebook much more important than paying attention to the lesson, that must mean you have a great understanding of the subject. Now then, if you would, please answer this question." The geometry teacher pointed at a rather complex question on the whiteboard behind her.
A few of his fellow classmates chuckled lightly as they believed Mathew would fail at getting the answer correct.
Unfortunately for them and the teacher, Mathew didn't study with Alex Dunphy every day for an hour with nothing to show for it. A fact that his intelligence stat reflected.
[Intelligence: 42]
"The answer is negative twenty-two," Mathew answered, his expression confident, after running the math through his head for a couple of seconds.
"That's right… good work, Mr. Johnson. But please, pay closer attention to the lesson."
Nodding his head, Mathew ignored the few surprised looks as the teacher continued the lesson.
Phew. I got lucky there! Mathew released an inaudible sigh of relief while he kept his expression calm. Thinking about my future in class isn't a good idea.
Even knowing that, Mathew couldn't help but find himself coming back to that question every now and then. A look of frustration showed itself on his face every time.
Off at the back of the class, Natalia watched Mathew's behavior with an arched brow.
Is his spar with Jason still bugging him? She thought. Leaning back into her chair, Natalia crossed her arms and huffed. This guy is such a pansy.
Regardless of her thoughts, she kept throwing Mathew quick glances.
••o••o••o••
Michael was not having a good day.
Or week, for that matter.
No, ever since he discovered his true self, things have taken a turn for the worse. Initially, Michael believed that embracing his true identity would lead to a positive transformation in his life.
With newfound confidence, he felt ready to move forward. However, when he shared this revelation with his few friends, only two of his friends, Sue Heck and Brad Bottig, chose to stay by his side.
His previous claims of being straight appeared to be the only reason his other friends stayed by his side despite his flamboyant personality. However, when he revealed his true self to them, they chose to end their friendship.
His ex-friend's abandonment had deeply hurt him inside. But he didn't show it. No. He refused to break.
Thankfully, when Michael told his parents, they were much more accepting of his true self. Even his more conservative mother found it in her to not see him any differently.
With the love and support from his family behind him, Michael was confident he could continue forward with his head held high.
Unfortunately, a few of his fellow schoolmates didn't quite appreciate his newfound self.
"Hey, Faggot. The hell did I tell you about looking at me?" Tyler, one of Michael's fellow sophomores, said as he and two other friends all cornered Michael at his locker. "What's your deal? Over here walking like you own the place?"
"For real. For a cock sucker, you sure do walk around with a big head." Andrew said mockingly. "You're disgusting."
"I-uh… I have to get to class." Michael looked around him with shaking hands. The books in his hands almost slid out of his grasp. Luckily, he kept a firm hold over them.
That was until Greg slapped them onto the ground.
"You ain't got nowhere to be. Fag." He said with an angry look. His southern Texas accent punctuated his words. "Not until we say ya can-"
Greg was abruptly interrupted by him flying forward into Andrew's surprised chest. Knocking both teens back. Seeing this, Tyler stepped beside his two friends and angrily eyed the person who pushed Greg.
Michael blinked in confusion as he observed Mathew walk up beside him with a cold look in his eyes.
"M-Mathew?" Michael whispered.
"The fuck are you?!" Andrew growled out as he tried to walk up to Mathew's face, but a firm hand from Tyler held him back.
"I normally don't believe in violence being the answer, but I don't appreciate you three picking on my friend here," Mathew said, his posture tall and steady. "Do that again. And you'll find that I'm pretty quick to rethink my beliefs."
"You threatening us?" Greg growled. Angry at the fact he was shoved. Quickly, he saw that everyone in the hallway was watching the situation. Hungry to watch a fight. A fight Greg was more than willing to give. "Well, come on then-"
Before he could continue, Natalia silently walked behind Mathew with her hands in her hoodie's front pocket. Her sharp eyes stared deep into the trio. Almost pleading with them to act.
"Tch. Man, fuck this."
Sucking his teeth in frustration, Greg exchanged a knowing glance with his two friends as they turned away from the scene. They knew better than to underestimate her; crossing Natalia was a risk they couldn't afford to take.
The trio retreated, aware that engaging with her would likely lead to an encounter they'd regret.
Hah! They must have sensed my strong aura. Mathew thought, utterly unaware of Natalia being behind him.
Seeing that there would be no fight, everyone who was watching the situation dispersed with disappointment. Mathew bent down to help Michael pick up his books. Oblivious of Natalia walking away silently.
"You good, Michael ?"
"Oh. Yeah! I'm fine," Michael smiled as they collected all his books. "Thank you. Truly."
"Don't worry about it. What they were doing wasn't right," Mathew shook his head. "You didn't deserve any of it."
"I don't know… maybe if I kept my mouth shut. Then…" Michael whispered with a sad expression.
Mathew frowned and placed a comforting hand on Michael's shoulder.
As a reincarnated individual, he understood better than anyone how things were in both the past and the future.
In late 2012s, homophobia and hatred towards gay individuals were still widespread in the United States. It would take another three years before gay marriage was legalized in the country, and even then, there would still be people who looked down on and harbored hatred for gay people.
Even in the year he was last alive, which was 2025, there were still some who didn't quite agree with how others lived their private lives, even though such views had become less common. However, by that point, a lot of progress had been made toward true equality.
Progress that was still needed to be made in this new timeline.
Mathew's relationship with Michael wasn't the closest. After the dinner they had with the Dunphys, they would scarcely interact when they crossed paths in the hallway.
Even so, Mathew still considered Michael to be a friend. Perhaps not a close friend, but a friend nonetheless. And he wouldn't stand by and watch as someone he knew be bullied when he could do something about it.
"No, Michael. You shouldn't live your life in fear of how others will think. Things will get better. Trust me." Mathew smiled as the school bell rang. "If anything like that happens again. You can come to me. I got your back."
"Really? You will?" Michael asked. "But… why? Why would you go so far?"
"Because you're my friend, man. I don't need more of a reason than that."