Bi The Way

The bustling cafeteria of SDCI was alive with the sounds of laughter and conversation, but Rodney sat alone at a corner table, picking at his soggy fries, he still felt out of place in the country setting. He imagined the lively group surrounding Ally at lunch and wished he had been lucky enough to have the same lunch period as her. He would've loved to sit next to her as she animatedly discussed yoga poses, from the club she started, with her new friends. Rodney couldn't help but feel a pang of envy, wishing he could be part of that circle.

His focus then switched to a group of guys eating at the table next to his and their discussion about the Turkey Festival. "Ugh, it's like they're speaking some alien language," he muttered to himself, pushing his food around the tray. How was it that Ally could just become one with this while Rodney struggled to find his place?

The bell rang and as if on cue, Matt sauntered through the cafeteria, a confident smirk playing on his lips. Rodney's heart sank as he remembered what he saw earlier at the lockers, Matt's arm casually draped around Ally's shoulders. Flirting, thought Rodney, and he had this casual charm that just drew people to him. Why does he always have to be around her?

A static buzz from the intercom broke Rodney's train of thought, the principal's voice echoed through the school's PA system, "Attention students, a reminder that the homecoming committee will be meeting after school today. The theme is a pumpkin patch, hope to see you all there." The upcoming dance only stressed Rodney out more.

Rodney knew he wanted to ask Ally, but fate seemed to conspire against him. One day, he tripped over a stray backpack just as he approached her, spilling his books all over the hallway and missing his chance. Another time, he found himself tongue-tied when Ally asked him about his weekend plans. "Oh, uh... well, I was going to... never mind," he stammered, his cheeks flushing bright red. Ally just gave him that warm smile and he seemed to melt right there.

Finally, today was the day when he mustered enough courage to ask her to the dance between periods, Ally smiled warmly and said, "I'm actually going with a group of friends, but you should totally join us, Rodney!"

"Sure," he replied with a forced smile, his heart sinking in disappointment. He had hoped for something more than just tagging along. As Ally walked away to her next class, Rodney leaned against the lockers, his thoughts racing. "Why wasn't I more clear?" he scolded himself under his breath. "Well, I guess it's better than nothing."

With each passing day, Rodney couldn't help but wonder what it would take to make Ally see him as more than just a childhood friend. But for now, he'd settle for the chance to hang out with her, even if it meant sharing her attention with Matt.

-----

The gymnasium pulsated with the beat of the music, transformed into a wonderland of twinkling fairy lights and colorful streamers. Rodney stood at the edge of the group Ally had invited him to join, feeling like an undercover agent infiltrating enemy territory. He watched as Ally twirled and laughed with her friends. The sight of Matt's hand resting on her waist ignited a tiny fire in Rodney's chest.

"Hey, you're Rodney, right?" A voice pulled him from his thoughts. He turned to see Parker, his curly hair bouncing with every movement. "I've seen you around school. I'm in science class with Ally. Parker Evans" He held out his hand.

"Nice to meet you," Rodney replied, taking it and giving it an awkward shake. "I'm actually taking science next semester. Ms. Sears does a different experiment every week."

"Definitely! We just started learning about genetics. It's amazing how all living things are controlled by these tiny bits of mRNA," Parker said, eyes gleaming with enthusiasm.

"Wow, that does sound fascinating. I can't wait!" Rodney's own excitement bubbled up, and he found himself drawn into conversation. As they chatted about the intricacies of DNA and chromosomes, Rodney felt at ease with Parker a feeling he hadn't experienced since moving here.

"Hey, we should exchange contact info," Parker suggested, holding out his phone. "We can talk more about science and stuff. I would be nice to have another nerd around here,"

"Sure thing," Rodney agreed, feeling a small victory in making a new friend. They tapped their phones together, sharing their details.

"So, how do you know Ally?" Parker asked curiously.

"Ally and I have known each other since kindergarten," Rodney explained, a nostalgic smile creeping onto his face. "We practically grew up together, did everything together. She's been my best friend for as long as I can remember."

"Wow, that's really sweet," Parker said earnestly. "You're a good friend to her, and she's going to need you now more than ever."

"Wh-what do you mean?" Rodney stammered, caught off guard.

"Because she's dating Matt now," Parker revealed, his voice laced with concern. "He's... well, he can be a bit of a controlling jerk, but he isn't all bad. Like this one time on my 12th birthday, he demanded the theme should be......"

Rodney's heart plummeted, the fire in his chest blazing into an inferno. He barely registered Parker's words about how Matt basically decided his whole birthday for him but then surprised him with the most thoughtful gift ever. His world had narrowed down to one devastating fact: Ally was dating Matt, and she hadn't told him. They had texted back and forth every night and hung out on Saturdays so why would she have kept this detail from him? In his mind, Matt became a fearsome dragon who ensnared Ally in the castle tower.

"Rodney? You okay?" Parker's voice sounded far away, echoing in t in Rodney's despair.

Rodney shook his head but then corrected it to a nod "Yeah it is just a bit stuffy in here, I am going to get some air." Rodney needed to get out there. He felt like Ally had been lying to him with every text and conversation, hiding her romance, would a best friend do that?

"Oh, no worries I will come with you," Parker tucked his phone into his pocket but when he looked up, Rodney was gone, swallowed by the dancing crowd in search of solace.

-----

The school garden was a sanctuary amid chaos, its soft grass and fragrant flowers soothing Rodney's frayed nerves. He sank onto a worn wooden bench, the cool autumn air brushing against his cheeks, and pulled out his phone to distract himself from the turmoil inside him. Scrolling through his options, he settled on The Fault in Our Stars, hoping a story about finding love against all odds would give him some hope.

"Hey man, mind if I join you?" A voice interrupted Rodney's escape into the world of Hazel and Augustus. Glancing up, he saw a tall, lean figure standing over him, his friendly smile framed by tousled brown hair. "I'm Derek, I take it the dance isn't your scene either."

"Yeah, I guess not," Rodney muttered, shifting over to make room on the bench. "I'm Rodney."

"Nice to meet you, Rodney." Derek sat down beside him, his eyes drawn to the screen as the movie played on. After a moment, he turned to face Rodney, curiosity tinting his words. "So, why are you out here looking so blue?"

Rodney hesitated, unsure whether he wanted to share his heartache with a near stranger. But something about Derek's easygoing demeanor encouraged him to open up. "I'm in love with my best friend Ally, but she's dating someone else now. But she didn't tell me she was dating someone else so it feels like this is her way of saying she knows I like her but she doesn't me, so she is dating someone else,"

"Ah, seems like a convoluted way to say hey let's just be friends," Derek mused. "Hence the depressing romantic movie. But hey, Take it from someone who has been here a while, most relationships at SDCI don't last a month. If you really love her, you just have to wait it out."

"Maybe, but I've had feelings for her for years," Rodney confessed, the weight of his secret spilling from his lips. "I was afraid if I told her, it would ruin our friendship. I just feel like the universe is doing everything in its power to play with my heart."

"Man, that's tough," Derek sympathized, resting a hand on Rodney's shoulder. "But maybe it just isn't the right time yet, maybe your epic romance is end game. I mean who is this prince charming who has won her over anyway?"

"Matt Jenkins," Rodney said flatly, and Derek fell silent. Both teens turned their attention back to the movie, Rodney's thoughts raced, trying to imagine a future where he and Ally could be together. He barely noticed when Derek spoke up again, determination shining in his eyes.

"Listen, Rodney, I'm going to help you win the girl. Everyone deserves their own epic love story, and I'm volunteering to make sure you get yours."

"Really?" Rodney blinked at him, taken aback by the offer. "But we just met."

"Hey, sometimes that's all it takes. Besides, I know Matt and trust no one deserves him," Derek grinned, the warmth of his smile chasing away some of Rodney's doubts. "I know a thing or two about relationships and what makes them work. Trust me, by the end of the semester she will know exactly who her prince charming really is."

As Hazel and Augustus danced across the screen, Rodney felt a fragile hope begin to bloom in his chest. Maybe, with Derek's help, he could find a way to reach out to Ally, to bridge the gap that had formed between them. And maybe, just maybe, they could write their own love story after all.